PARO for Mental Health

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Robo-therapy for mental healthcare in Malaysia: can robots lend a hand?

By Syamimi Shamsuddin, PhD

What is mental health? Do you know that depression is a common illness now?

Mental health refers the state of our emotional well-being. It affects how we feel, make decisions and behave. Good mental health is vital to the nation’s productivity. Vision 2020 envisions Malaysia as a fully developed country along all dimensions- economically, politically, socially, spiritually, psychologically, and culturally- by the year 2020. One of the six strategic thrusts of the Eleventh Malaysia Plan is improving the wellbeing for all, covering physical, psychological, social, and spiritual sense.

Depression is the fourth most disabling illness in Malaysia and in the world. Symptoms of depression, include low mood, low self-confidence or self-esteem, loss of pleasure and feeling restless and agitated. By the year 2020 major depression is projected to be the second largest contributor to the global burden of disease, after heart disease. World Health Organization (WHO) has classified depression as a common illness worldwide, with an estimated 350 million people affected. In Malaysia, the prevalence is estimated between 8-10% of the population.

Robotics technology has been applied in a variety of ways in mental healthcare scenarios. Such applications include interventions for conditions ranging from depression, autism, other cognitive impairments and provide companionship to individuals living alone. Though the numbers of studies in this area is increasing, the methodology behind the studies are still lacking. More work is needed on the human-robot interaction aspect. Other issues to be sort out include the durability of such robots, can the robot sustain the patient’s interest for long periods of time and what is the best shape of robot to suit specific health problems?

Robo-therapy will reduce the need for antipsychotic drugs during therapy. Recent years have recorded noticeable progress of robot therapy, but there is still a lack in the methodology behind the studies. More work is needed on patient-robot protocol. Also, psychologists require systems can be used without high technical skills (like programming).

Cost wise, the use of robotic therapy integrated into existing rehab program is expected to lower the cost of medication, therapy and care for the affected.  Since the robot can be used in situations where pets are not allowed, the need for robot therapy is ideal. The companionship of an animal robot could likely never fully replace that of another human being, but it can be one of the best artificial cures for depression, with the immensely positive effects similar to the effects of a real therapy animal.

References:

Malaysia Psychiatric Association. (2011). Depression. Available: http://www.psychiatry-malaysia.org

L. C. Hum. (2007) Management of Major Depressive Disorder. Clinical Practice Guidelines.

L. D. Riek, "Chapter 8- Robotics Technology in Mental Health Care," in Artificial Intelligence in Behavioral and Mental Health Care, ed San Diego: Academic Press, 2016, pp. 185-203.

Y. Kawaguchi, K. Wada, M. Okamoto, T. Tsujii, T. Shibata, and K. Sakatani, "Investigation of brain activity during interaction with seal robot by fNIRS," in RO-MAN, 2011 IEEE, 2011, pp. 308-313.