Research warns of shared use of robot-assisted pets during pandemics

According to a Plymouth University study, robot pets, widely used in nursing homes in the UK and around the world, can pose a risk of infection if they travel between staff and service users without cleaning.

A study published today in the open access journal PLOS ONE shows that devices used to reduce depression, isolation and loneliness in older people and people with dementia accumulate bacteria on the surface and’fur’ after use. Therefore, it was found to be unacceptably dirty.

However, the study was conducted in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Plymouth’s Health Technology Center, led by Hanna Bradwell, Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand, Radbaud University in the Netherlands, Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust (RCHT) and a simple cleaning procedure. So, I was able to reduce the bacterial load to a safe level.

Following the advent of COVID-19, Miss Bradwell of Health Technology Center and RCHT to specifically examine whether the same technology would be effective against the COVID-19 virus SARS-CoV-2. Further research was done by colleagues. The team concludes that there is an urgent need for further investigation into the possibility of the virus being transmitted via robotic pets, and until such investigation, shared use of the device is “unsafe”.

However, researchers have found that companion robots continue to help mitigate some of the effects that pandemics have had on the lives of older people, increasing loneliness and isolation, and dramatically reducing social contact. I recognized an important role to play.

Miss Bradwell said:

“The care facility we work with has taught us that these robot pets are really important to residents during pandemics and lockdowns. But our work is on these devices. It illustrates the urgent need to consider associated infection control.

“Overall, their shared use does not appear to be safe until further research is done. However, the danger arises from shared use of animals passing between people, with a single robot It is important to say that the risk is eliminated when used.”

Even before the pandemic Research on the use of robots in nursing homes and nursing homes.. Robot seals and other robot animal palo are associated with depression, agitation, loneliness, stress on nursing staff, and reduced drug use.

In the PLOS One study, researchers found that microorganisms found on the surface of eight different robot animals: Paro, Miro, Pleo rb, Joy for All dog, Joy for All cat, Furby Connect, Perfect Petzzz dog, and Handmade Hedgehog. I measured the load. After interaction with four residents of the care facility and cleaning by researchers or care staff. Animals consisted of a variety of materials, from fur to soft plastic to solid plastic. The cleaning process includes spraying antibacterial products, fur brushing, and intensive cleaning with antibacterial wipes.

Most devices adequately collected harmful microorganisms in 20 minutes of standard use, resulting in a microbial load above the allowable microbial load of 2.5 CFU/cm2 (colony forming units per square centimeter). Only Joy for All cats and MiRo robots were below this level when microbes were measured after a 48 hour incubation period. The microbial load of the other six robots ranged from 2.56 to 17.28 CFU/cm2. However, the post-cleansing microbial load showed that all robots, regardless of material type, previous microbial load, or who performed the cleaning procedure, could be well below acceptable levels. Five of the eight robots had undetectable levels of microorganisms after washing and incubation for 48 hours, and the remaining three robots had only 0.04-0.08 CFU/cm2 after this protocol.

In a follow-up task, the team reviews cleaning agents used against disinfectants for use against US Environmental Protection Agency List N – SARS-CoV-2 and evaluates whether the same procedure is effective against viruses. Did. One of the products used met the use criteria for SARS-CoV-2, but overall, shared use seemed unsafe at this time.