3. Evaluation Methods

To ground the design rationale in practice, the prototype of the NAO for PwD will be evaluated in a formative evaluation with the PwD (subject) and their caregivers. The evaluation will investigate the process of how interaction with the NAO can alleviate potential symptoms caused by early-stage dementia in PwD.  The study will focus on the prototype's potential effects, which are based on the desired value of autonomy as a part of self-direction.

The study will investigate the claims on the following questions:

1. Does the design increase the sense of autonomy in PwD?

2. Does the design positively affect PwD's affective state?

3. Is the design dependable; do PwD sense that they can rely on it?

In order to

(1) Bethel, C.L., Henkel, Z., Baugus, K. (2020). Conducting Studies in Human-Robot Interaction. In: Jost, C., et al. Human-Robot Interaction. Springer Series on Bio- and Neurosystems, vol 12. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42307-0_4