Electronic Plush Toy as a Non-pharmacological Tool in Therapies

Due to the increase in life expectancy, the prevalence of chronic, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases has increased. In this regard, the increase in cognitive impairment (CI), both in the mild phase, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and in the more severe cases defined as dementia, is also noteworthy. It has been observed that between 5 and 15% of cases of MCI progress annually to dementia. It is therefore important to detect MCI early, not only because some cases are at high risk of progressing to dementia, but also because early detection of MCI allows to adopt strategies that improve the quality of life of those patients. Although there are numerous non-pharmacological therapies that have been shown to be effective, therapy with dolls or plush toys is noteworthy, as it has been shown to improve the well-being of people with dementia as well as other pathologies. The electronic plush toy is therefore able to provide solutions to different study scenarios and problems that we encounter in therapy, not only in the case of cognitive impairment. Among these needs it is also a good support for children and families against any kind of stress and anxiety caused by clinical treatments and hospitalisations. Through the therapeutic use of plush toys we are able to prepare patients for their clinical interventions and to be a form of temporary distraction from pain with integrated playful interactions and intervention methods.