Editing Social robot (section)

== Uses in healthcare ==
Social robots have been used increasingly in healthcare settings and recent research has been exploring the applicability of social robots as mental health interventions for children.<ref name=":22">{{Cite journal|last1=Kabacińska|first1=Katarzyna|last2=Prescott|first2=Tony J.|last3=Robillard|first3=Julie M.|date=2020-07-27|title=Socially Assistive Robots as Mental Health Interventions for Children: A Scoping Review|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12369-020-00679-0|journal=International Journal of Social Robotics|volume=13|issue=5|pages=919–935|doi=10.1007/s12369-020-00679-0|s2cid=225508287|issn=1875-4791}}</ref> A scoping review analyzed the impacts that robots such as [[Nao (robot)|Nao]], [[Paro (robot)|Paro]], Huggable, Tega and [[Pleo]] have on children in various intervention settings.<ref name=":22" /> Results from this work highlighted that depression and anger may be reduced in children working with social robots, however anxiety and pain yielded mixed results.<ref name=":22" /> Distress was found to be reduced in children who interacted with robots.<ref name=":22" /> Finally, this scoping review found that affect was positively impacted by interaction with robots—such that children smiled for longer and demonstrated growth-mindsets when playing games.<ref name=":22" /> It is worth noting that robots have increased benefits in that they can be used instead of [[animal-assisted therapy]] for children who are allergic or immunocompromised.<ref name=":22" /> Sanitation is a necessary issue to consider, however with washable covers or sanitizable surfaces, this becomes less of a problem in medical settings.<ref name=":22" /> Another review analyzed data from previous studies and found further support that social robots may reduce negative symptoms children experience in healthcare settings.<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal|last1=Moerman|first1=Clara J|last2=van der Heide|first2=Loek|last3=Heerink|first3=Marcel|date=December 2019|title=Social robots to support children's well-being under medical treatment: A systematic state-of-the-art review|url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1367493518803031|journal=Journal of Child Health Care|language=en|volume=23|issue=4|pages=596–612|doi=10.1177/1367493518803031|pmid=30394806|s2cid=53219310|issn=1367-4935}}</ref> Social robots can be used as tools for distracting children from procedures, like getting a shot, and have demonstrated the ability to reduce stress and pain experience.<ref name=":5" /> Children who interacted with both a psychotherapist and robot assistant for therapy experienced reduced anger, anxiety, and depression when coping with cancer compared to a control group.<ref name=":5" /> There is some evidence that supports that [[free play]] with a robot while hospitalized can help children experience more positive moods.<ref name=":5" /> More work needs to be done to analyze the impact of social robots on children in psychiatric wards, as evidence revealed that some children may dislike the robot and feel it is dangerous.<ref name=":5" /> Overall, further research should be conducted to fully understand the impact of social robots on reducing negative mental health symptoms in children, but there appears to be advantages of utilizing social robots in healthcare settings.<ref name=":22" /><ref name=":5" />

Social robots have been shown to have beneficial outcomes for children with [[Autism-spectrum disorder]] (ASD).<ref name=":32">{{Cite journal|last1=Sartorato|first1=Felippe|last2=Przybylowski|first2=Leon|last3=Sarko|first3=Diana K.|date=July 2017|title=Improving therapeutic outcomes in autism-spectrum disorders: Enhancing social communication and sensory processing through the use of interactive robots|url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0022395616306562|journal=Journal of Psychiatric Research |language=en|volume=90|pages=1–11|doi=10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.02.004|pmid=28213292}}</ref> As many individuals with autism-spectrum disorder tend to prefer predictable interactions, robots may be a viable option for social interactions.<ref name=":32" /> Previous research on the interactions between children with ASD and robots has demonstrated positive benefits, for instance shared attention, increased eye contact, and interpersonal synchrony.<ref name=":32" /> Various types of robots have the potential to reap these benefits for children with ASD—from humanoid robots like KASPAR, to cartoonish robots such as Tito, to animal-like robots like Probo, to machine-like robots such as [[Nao (robot)|Nao]].<ref name=":32" /> One problem that may hinder the advantages of social robots as social interaction tools for children with ASD is the [[Uncanny valley|Uncanny Valley]], as the eerily human-likeness of the robots may be overstimulating and anxiety-inducing.<ref name=":32" /> It appears that social robots provide an opportunity to increase social skills in children with ASD, and future research should investigate this topic further.

Individuals with cognitive impairments, such as [[dementia]] and [[Alzheimer's disease]], may also benefit from social robots.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|last1=Moro|first1=Christina|last2=Lin|first2=Shayne|last3=Nejat|first3=Goldie|last4=Mihailidis|first4=Alex|date=2019-01-01|title=Social Robots and Seniors: A Comparative Study on the Influence of Dynamic Social Features on Human–Robot Interaction|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-018-0488-1|journal=International Journal of Social Robotics|language=en|volume=11|issue=1|pages=5–24|doi=10.1007/s12369-018-0488-1|s2cid=68237859|issn=1875-4805}}</ref><ref name=":03">{{Cite journal|last1=Moyle|first1=Wendy|last2=Bramble|first2=Marguerite|last3=Jones|first3=Cindy J|last4=Murfield|first4=Jenny E|date=2017-11-19|title="She Had a Smile on Her Face as Wide as the Great Australian Bite": A Qualitative Examination of Family Perceptions of a Therapeutic Robot and a Plush Toy|url=https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnx180|journal=The Gerontologist|volume=59|issue=1|pages=177–185|doi=10.1093/geront/gnx180|pmid=29165558|issn=0016-9013|hdl=10072/375764|hdl-access=free}}</ref> In their study, Moro et al. (2018) utilized 3 social robots types—a human-like robot, Casper; a character-like Robot, The Ed robot; and a tablet—to help six individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment make a cup of tea.<ref name=":4" /> Results demonstrated that, to an extent, the humanoid robot was most engaging to individuals with cognitive impairments, likely due to the expressiveness of its face compared to the minimal expression of Ed and the tablet.<ref name=":4" /> Participants also anthropomorphized the human-like and character-like robot more so than the tablet by addressing them and asking questions, further indicating a preference for the social robots.<ref name=":4" /> Additionally, participants perceived the human-like robot to be useful in both social situations and in completing activities of daily living, whereas the character-like robot and tablet were seen as only useful for activities of daily living.<ref name=":4" /> Another study by Moyle et al. (2019) investigated the impact that providing an individual with dementia a robot toy, [[Paro (robot)|Paro]], versus a plush-toy would have on caregiver and family members' perception of the individuals' well-being.<ref name=":03" /> This study highlighted the ways in which some long-term care facilities may have minimal stimulation for dementia patients, which can lead to boredom and increased agitation.<ref name=":03" /> After completing the trial, caregivers and family members were asked to assess the individual with dementias' well-being and, overall, the group that interacted with [[Paro (robot)|Paro]] was perceived to be happier, more engaged, and less agitated.<ref name=":03" /> One of the main issues with utilizing [[Paro (robot)|Paro]], despite its perceived benefits, is the cost—future research must investigate more cost effective options for older adult care.<ref name=":03" /> Another issue of conducting research between individuals with cognitive impairments and social robots is their ability to consent.<ref name=":13">{{Cite journal|last=Körtner|first=T.|date=June 2016|title=Ethical challenges in the use of social service robots for elderly people|url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00391-016-1066-5|journal=Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie|language=en|volume=49|issue=4|pages=303–307|doi=10.1007/s00391-016-1066-5|pmid=27220734|s2cid=20690764|issn=0948-6704}}</ref> In some cases, informed consent by proxy can be utilized, however the benefits and risks should be weighed before conducting any research.<ref name=":13" />   Long-term research could show that residents of care home are willing to interact with humanoid robots and benefit from cognitive and physical activation that is led by the robot Pepper.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Carros |first1=Felix |last2=Meurer |first2=Johanna |last3=Löffler |first3=Diana |last4=Unbehaun |first4=David |last5=Matthies |first5=Sarah |last6=Koch |first6=Inga |last7=Wieching |first7=Rainer |last8=Randall |first8=Dave |last9=Hassenzahl |first9=Marc |last10=Wulf |first10=Volker |title=Proceedings of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems |chapter=Exploring Human-Robot Interaction with the Elderly: Results from a Ten-Week Case Study in a Care Home |date=21 April 2020 |pages=1–12 |doi=10.1145/3313831.3376402|isbn=9781450367080 |s2cid=218483496 }}</ref> Pepper was also used in assessing the feelings of safety and security the robot provided for older individuals. For these individuals, security is associated with trust and confidence developed by interpersonal relationships. Using videos and questionnaires, both safety and security ended up on the positive side for the participants and how they felt.<ref name=":04" /> Another long-term study in a care home could show that people working in the care sector are willing to use robots in their daily work with the residents.<ref name=":19">{{cite book |last1=Carros |first1=Felix |last2=Schwaninger |first2=Isabel |last3=Preussner |first3=Adrian |last4=Randall |first4=Dave |last5=Wieching |first5=Rainer |last6=Fitzpatrick |first6=Geraldine |last7=Wulf |first7=Volker |title=CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems |chapter=Care Workers Making Use of Robots: Results of a Three-Month Study on Human-Robot Interaction within a Care Home |date=May 2022 |pages=1–15 |doi=10.1145/3491102.3517435 |isbn=9781450391573 |s2cid=248419908 |doi-access=free }}</ref> But it also revealed that even though that the robots are ready to be used, they do need human assistants, they cannot replace the human work force but they can assist them and give them new possibilities.<ref name=":19" />

Social robots have been used as mental well-being coaches,<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Axelsson |first1=Minja |last2=Spitale |first2=Micol |last3=Gunes |first3=Hatice |title=Companion of the 2023 ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction |chapter=Adaptive Robotic Mental Well-being Coaches |date=2023-03-13 |chapter-url=https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3568294.3579968 |language=en |location=Stockholm Sweden |publisher=ACM |pages=733–735 |doi=10.1145/3568294.3579968 |isbn=978-1-4503-9970-8|s2cid=257406260 }}</ref> for students,<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last1=Jeong |first1=Sooyeon |last2=Alghowinem |first2=Sharifa |last3=Aymerich-Franch |first3=Laura |last4=Arias |first4=Kika |last5=Lapedriza |first5=Agata |last6=Picard |first6=Rosalind |last7=Park |first7=Hae Won |last8=Breazeal |first8=Cynthia |title=2020 29th IEEE International Conference on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN) |chapter=A Robotic Positive Psychology Coach to Improve College Students' Wellbeing |date=August 2020 |chapter-url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9223588 |location=Naples, Italy |publisher=IEEE |pages=187–194 |doi=10.1109/RO-MAN47096.2020.9223588 |hdl=10230/56627 |isbn=978-1-7281-6075-7|s2cid=221534231 }}</ref> in public,<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last1=Axelsson |first1=Minja |last2=Spitale |first2=Micol |last3=Gunes |first3=Hatice |title=Companion of the 2023 ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction |chapter=Robotic Coaches Delivering Group Mindfulness Practice at a Public Cafe |date=2023-03-13 |chapter-url=https://doi.org/10.1145/3568294.3580048 |series=HRI '23 |location=New York, NY, USA |publisher=Association for Computing Machinery |pages=86–90 |doi=10.1145/3568294.3580048 |isbn=978-1-4503-9970-8|s2cid=257406411 }}</ref> and at the workplace.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last1=Spitale |first1=Micol |last2=Axelsson |first2=Minja |last3=Gunes |first3=Hatice |title=Proceedings of the 2023 ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction |chapter=Robotic Mental Well-being Coaches for the Workplace |date=2023-03-13 |chapter-url=https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3568162.3577003 |language=en |location=Stockholm Sweden |publisher=ACM |pages=301–310 |doi=10.1145/3568162.3577003 |isbn=978-1-4503-9964-7|s2cid=257430702 }}</ref> Robotic mental well-being coaches can perform practices such as positive psychology<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> and mindfulness.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Axelsson |first1=Minja |last2=Racca |first2=Mattia |last3=Weir |first3=Daryl |last4=Kyrki |first4=Ville |title=2019 28th IEEE International Conference on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN) |chapter=A Participatory Design Process of a Robotic Tutor of Assistive Sign Language for Children with Autism |date=October 2019 |chapter-url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8956309 |location=New Delhi, India |publisher=IEEE |pages=1–8 |doi=10.1109/RO-MAN46459.2019.8956309 |isbn=978-1-7281-2622-7|s2cid=209486269 |url=https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/43364 }}</ref> Users' perceptions of robotic mental well-being coaches have been shown to depend on the robot's appearance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-15 |title=Robots may improve mental health at work if they look right, scientists say |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/robots-work-mental-health-improvement-b2301042.html |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>

The ethics of social robots' use in healthcare should also be mentioned. One potential risk of social robots is deception—there may be an expectation that the robot can perform certain functions when it actually cannot.<ref name=":13"/> For example, with increased human-likeness and anthropomorphic traits, humans interacting with robots might assume the robot to have feelings and thoughts, which is misleading.<ref name=":13"/> Isolating older adults from humans is also a risk of social robots in that these robots may make up a significant amount of the individual's social interaction.<ref name=":13"/> Currently there is little evidence about the long-term impacts this limited human contact and increased robot interaction may have.<ref name=":13"/> Some social robots also have a built in telepresence capacity that can be utilized such that individuals can videoconference with family, caregivers, and medical staff, which may decrease loneliness and isolation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Moyle|first1=Wendy|last2=Arnautovska|first2=Urska|last3=Ownsworth|first3=Tamara|last4=Jones|first4=Cindy|date=December 2017|title=Potential of telepresence robots to enhance social connectedness in older adults with dementia: an integrative review of feasibility|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S1041610217001776/type/journal_article|journal=International Psychogeriatrics|language=en|volume=29|issue=12|pages=1951–1964|doi=10.1017/S1041610217001776|pmid=28879828|issn=1041-6102|hdl=10072/376115|s2cid=22545504|hdl-access=free}}</ref> The video capability of some robots is a potential avenue for social interaction and increasing accessibility of medical assessments.<ref name=":0" /> Dignity for persons interacting with robots should also be respected—individuals might find some robots, like the cuddly toy-like [[Paro (robot)|Paro]], to be infantilizing, and future investigations should explore how to best increase autonomy of patients interacting with robots.<ref name=":13"/> Furthermore, privacy is another ethical concern in that some social robots can collect and store video data or data from sensors.<ref name=":13"/> The stored data is at risk to be stolen or hacked into, which negatively impacts individual privacy.<ref name=":13"/> Safety of individuals interacting with robots is another concern in that robots may accidentally cause harm, like by bumping into someone and causing them to fall.<ref name=":13"/> Ethical considerations should be taken into account before introducing robots into healthcare settings.