Using a robot to help care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease

SCH: Robotic Caregiver to Comprehend, Assist, Relieve, and Evaluate for Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (Robotic CARE for AD)

NIH-funded research University of Tennessee Knoxville · NIH-11023030

This study is looking at how a friendly robot can help people with Alzheimer’s by assisting them with everyday tasks and providing companionship, while also making life easier for their caregivers.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Tennessee Knoxville NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Knoxville, United States)
Project IDNIH-11023030 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research explores the use of a humanoid robot designed to assist patients with Alzheimer’s disease by understanding their emotional and cognitive states. The robot will help patients with daily activities such as meal preparation and self-feeding, while also providing companionship. Additionally, it aims to alleviate the stress and burden on caregivers by offering support and enhancing the overall care experience. The robot learns and adapts to the needs of the patients, ensuring a personalized approach to care.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older who are living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.

Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 65 or do not have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the quality of life for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using robotic systems for elder care, indicating potential success for this innovative approach.

Where this research is happening

Knoxville, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.