In the framework of the master's thesis, we investigated the response of senior citizens, residents of the Franc Salamon Trbovlje Retirement Home, to various speech and storytelling activities in the presence of a humanoid robot. The empirical study, which was carried out in collaboration with DDT Lab Trbovlje, took place in January and March 2022. The aim of the study was to stimulate participants' verbal expression and to find out how they react to the humanoid robot and whether people with dementia react the same or similarly to different storytelling activities when the robot is present in the workshops as people without dementia. In the theoretical part, we defined the link between the areas of robotics, storytelling, drama therapy and rehabilitation. We used qualitative, descriptive data analysis. We looked at the participants' well-being around the humanoid robot, their attitudes towards the technology, their social life and communication, and trust in the robot. The outcomes of the impact of the use of the humanoid robot on participants with dementia and those not diagnosed were monitored and evaluated based on the statements of a semi-structured observation protocol, a short semi-structured interview with the participants, the occupational therapist and the director. Participants in both groups responded to the robot with interest, recognising its presence as a positive contribution to their well-being, verbal expression, comprehension, memory and communication. We also found that people with dementia are more influenced, engaged and looking forward to the visit and the workshop with the humanoid robot than people without dementia. The interdisciplinary workshops designed for the purpose of the Master's thesis represent an important contribution to the Slovenian space, as it is the first to link these fields and thus, following the examples of research works from abroad, to connect humanoid robotics and storytelling.
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