Therapeutic Factors in the Group Singing Therapy by Social Robot for Patients with Schizophrenia: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective: Fewer robots are being used for psychological care, the objective of this pilot study was to explore the therapeutic factors in the group singing therapy by social robot to interact with people with schizophrenia. Methods: In this pilot study, we recruited nine subjects who were aged between 28 and 62 years. They received four sections of group singing therapy given by asocial robot and an occupational therapist. Then, we collected a completed copy for therapeutic-factor questionnaire. Results: In this pilot study, the top three therapeutic factors in order were group cohesiveness, universality, and altruism. Conclusion: Social robot may be a good companion tool for chronic schizophrenia, and need to increase the number of subjects to improve the validity of the study results in the future.

Keywords

• music therapy
• occupational therapy
• singing group
• group cohesiveness