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Pet robot intervention for people with dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Leng M, Liu P, Zhang P, Hu M, Zhou H, Li G, Yin H, Chen L.. Psychiatry research, 2018-12-06
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
This study aims to systematically evaluate the efficacy of Pet robot intervention (PRI) for people with dementia. Two waves of electronic searches of the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane library, IEEE Digital Library and PsycINFO databases were conducted. In total, eight articles from six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) met the eligibility criteria and were included in this systematic review. The results of the meta-analysis showed a statistically significant decrease in behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), especially agitation and depression, in people with dementia who were treated with PRI. Both individual and group format PRI significantly ameliorated BPSD. However, there were no significant improvements in cognitive function or quality of life. The results of the meta-analysis suggest that PRI may be suitable as a treatment option for BPSD in people with dementia and should be considered as a useful tool in clinical practice.
Key findings
- The results of the meta-analysis showed a statistically significant decrease in behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), especially agitation and depression, in people with dementia who were treated with PRI.
- Both individual and group format PRI significantly ameliorated BPSD.
- However, there were no significant improvements in cognitive function or quality of life.
- The results of the meta-analysis suggest that PRI may be suitable as a treatment option for BPSD in people with dementia and should be considered as a useful tool in clinical practice.
Why it matters
Pet robot intervention significantly reduced behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, especially agitation and depression, but showed no significant improvements in cognitive function or quality of life. It may be suitable as a treatment option for these behavioral symptoms, not as a cure or prevention.
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Study details
- Study designsystematic review
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 57/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a systematic review of all the studies on the question. Scored zero for sample size, effect reported and studied in people because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Psychiatry research) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Psychiatry Research: journal h-index 249 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A systematic review of all the studies on the question |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 2 / 5 | 2019 — within 10 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | A review of other studies — randomisation is not credited here |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 124 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 13.8 citations a year over 9 year(s) since 2019 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 2.1× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 2 / 6 | Cited by 3 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 42 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Li Chen: h-index 38 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Jilin University: institution h-index 649 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 30553098) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 57 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record names 8 authors; APA and Vancouver show the first six, BibTeX and the downloads carry all of them. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Leng, M., Liu, P., Zhang, P., Hu, M., Zhou, H., Li, G., et al. (2019). Pet robot intervention for people with dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Psychiatry research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2018.12.032
Vancouver
Leng M, Liu P, Zhang P, Hu M, Zhou H, Li G, et al. Pet robot intervention for people with dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Psychiatry research. 2019. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2018.12.032. PMID: 30553098.
BibTeX
@article{leng2019-30553098,
author = {Leng, M. and Liu, P. and Zhang, P. and Hu, M. and Zhou, H. and Li, G. and Yin, H. and Chen, L.},
title = {{Pet robot intervention for people with dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials}},
journal = {Psychiatry research},
year = {2019},
doi = {10.1016/j.psychres.2018.12.032},
pmid = {30553098},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2018.12.032}
}
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