Discussion

Future Work

Snoezelen with Miro

PwD who likes Snoezelen

Positive effects

The sensory stimuli produced by the Miro can calm down the PwD when they are distraught. Snoezelen helps with the stimulation of one's mind and encourages PwD to pet the miro to observe a spectrum of LEDs and listen to calming and relaxing sounds.

Negative effects

If the PwD has any auditory or visual impairments, these could alter the experience and the effectiveness of Snoezelen with Miro. In addition, epillepsy, sensitive hearing or similar sensory disorders may cause the PwD to be overwhelmed. As such, the Miro should be able to adapt to each different PwD. Modifications include: changing the volume of sounds, removing (relatively) high-pitched noises and removing visual patterns that may induce epilleptic attacks.

PwD who dislikes Snoezelen

Positive effects

Even if the PwD is disinterested initially, they may still have the innate desire to explore the association between touching the Miro and its response. If the PwD then decides that it is not their cup of tea, they were at least suggested a new activity that stimulated their mind. Else, they may become fond of Snoezelen in subsequent sessions.

Negative effects

Similar to the negative effects for PwD who are into Snoezelen, PwDs may get traumatized when the Miro expresses unexpected behavior or overstimulates them. These effects are augmented when PwD has no inclination for Snoezelen or similar activities at all.

Claim

Whether the PwD likes/dislikes Snoezelen at first seems irrelevant for the outcome that PwD will become either more relaxed at best or not bothered at worst by the Miro at all. In order to justify this claim, the Miro must be programmed to accommodate for sensitivity of each PwD. As failing to do so, may cause long-term trauma or injury for PwD.
 

Conclusion