The research employed HyperCLOVA, a large-scale language model developed by Naver, to provide automated caregiving phone calls. Over seven months, 80 elderly patients (average age 80, 78% female) enrolled at the Seongdong-gu Dementia Relief Center in Seoul received twice-weekly calls, totaling 63 sessions. These calls delivered tailored emotional support and cognitive stimulation for patients living alone with dementia.
Findings revealed a significant reduction in depressive symptoms, with patients’ scores on a standardized depression scale falling from 8.5 to 6.0. Memory function also improved, with more pronounced gains in memory and attention among female participants. Patients with higher educational levels showed less severe declines in mood and attention, indicating possible demographic influences on treatment outcomes.
The research team plans to pursue long-term follow-up studies, develop individualized AI content for patients, and strengthen features to support families. They also intend to expand the service to those with limited healthcare access, addressing critical gaps in dementia care.
The study highlights the expanding role of AI in healthcare, offering a scalable solution to support aging populations with cognitive impairments. As South Korea grapples with a growing dementia prevalence, innovations like CLOVA CareCall could transform care delivery for vulnerable groups.
Lim Hye Jung, HEALTH IN NEWS TEAM
press@hinews.co.kr
