Robot That Alleviates Pain And Improves Happiness
There is nothing quite like a hug or a touch to brighten one’s mood. In fact, human-to-human contact has shown signs of increased positive thinking, expands trust, reduces social anxiety, stress and much more. But human-to-human contact is scarce during these COVID-19 times, leaving many people sad and lonely.
The PARO robot is an advanced robot developed by AIST, a leading Japanese industrial automation pioneer. It allows the documented benefits of animal therapy to be administered to patients in environments such as hospitals and extended care facilities where life animals present treatment or logistical difficulties. PARO imitates the voice of a real baby harp seal and moves its head and legs in response to being touched.
PARO can learn to behave in a way that the user prefers, and to respond to its new name. For example, if you stroke it every time you touch it, PARO will remember your previous action and try to repeat it to be stroked, if you hit it, PARO remembers its previous reaction and does not repeat it.
Biomedical engineer Shelly Levy-Tzedek of Ben Gurion University’s physical therapy department decided to see if the furry social robot named PARO could have these affects. They found that an hour long session did increase happiness and reduce mild and severe pain. When participants touched PARO, they experienced a greater reduction in pain levels rather than it simply being present in the same room.
Key Findings:
A decrease in pain ratings and in oxytocin levels alongside an increase in happiness ratings was reported in those who interacted with PARO
Those with a higher perceived ability to communicate with the robot experienced a greater hypoalgesic effect while touching it
Oxytocin levels were lower in those who interacted with the social robot compared to those who didn’t meet PARO
Oxytocin, also known as ‘the love hormone’ is present and elevated among romantic partners. A decrease in oxytocin levels was not expected among the participants who interacted with the social robot. However, several studies indicated that outside of close relationships, oxytocin production is an indicator of stress and therefore, insinuates that the participants were relaxed when playing with the robot.
Article Thumbnail Credit: https://makeagif.com/gif/ces-2009-paro-robot-therapy-seal-pup-o_oTGx