Papers
17
Total Citations
1,125
H-Index
14
About
Tomoko Saito is a pioneering researcher in the field of socially assistive robotics, with a particular focus on the therapeutic application of animal-like robots for elderly care. Her work centers on "mental commit robots" — devices designed to simulate real animals, most notably the seal-shaped robot Paro — and their psychological, physiological, and social effects on older adults in care settings. Saito's research systematically examined how human-robot interaction can reduce stress, improve emotional well-being, and enhance social engagement among elderly populations in day service centers and long-term health facilities. Her most influential contribution, a 2004 study on robot-assisted activity at a day service center, has accumulated 315 citations, with a closely related longitudinal study from 2006 earning 282 citations — reflecting the sustained scholarly impact of her work. Notably, Saito conducted one of the earliest long-term experiments with Paro, tracking effects over a full year and even measuring biochemical stress markers through urinary hormone analysis. Collectively, her body of work has garnered over 1,000 citations, establishing her as a foundational voice in therapeutic robotics and helping legitimize robot-assisted care as a meaningful intervention for aging populations worldwide.
Research Focus
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