Socially Assistive Robot Hyodol for Depressive Symptoms of Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Medically Underserved Areas: A Preliminary Study

Summary

Preliminary observational study of 278 older adults (mean age 80.7, 93.1% living alone) in medically underserved areas. After ~6 months of Hyodol use: GDS-S depression scores decreased from 6.69 to 5.05 (p<0.001); 45% reduction in high-risk depression; UCLA Loneliness Scale reduced 44.0 to 41.3 (p<0.001); medication adherence improved. Documents sensor systems (head, hands, ears, body), daily health check-ins, and companion app. Funded by Korea Health Technology R&D Project through KHIDI, supported by Ministry of Health and Welfare.