Socially Assistive Robots for Cognitive Assessment and Training in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Cognitive assessment and training are fundamental tools for supporting healthy aging and monitoring cognitive decline in older adults. Socially assistive robots are being investigated in this context because of their potential to provide multimodal, engaging, and personalized interactions during cognitive interventions. However, current evidence remains fragmented regarding the robotic embodiments, interaction strategies, and monitoring approaches used for cognitive assessment and training, as well as their ability to produce robust and long-term clinical benefits. To address this gap, this systematic review analyzes 37 studies identified through searches of Scopus, PubMed, and IEEE Xplore, following a PRISMA-based methodology. The review examines the main technological and methodological characteristics of the proposed systems, including robot embodiment, interaction capabilities, cognitive intervention paradigms, and the integration of multimodal monitoring technologies. The results highlight the predominance of humanoid robots and multimodal interaction strategies, together with an emerging use of adaptive and AI-based approaches. However, the available evidence is characterized by methodological heterogeneity, limited longitudinal validation, and a lack of standardized and ecologically valid evaluation protocols. Although the reviewed studies report encouraging findings concerning feasibility, engagement, acceptance, and preliminary cognitive outcomes, the evidence remains insufficient to identify the most effective robotic embodiment or confirm long-term clinical benefits. Larger comparative and longitudinal studies are therefore required.