For a person living with dementia, a hospital stay can be a terrifying whirlwind of strange faces, loud noises and confusing tests. 

This disorientation often leads to a condition called delirium, which can slow down recovery and lead to more time spent in medical facilities.

However, a clinical trial sponsored by Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Florida suggests that a robotic pet — a furry prescription that never needs a walk — might be the best medicine.

The year-long trial examined the impact of robotic companion pets on hospitalized seniors with mild to moderate dementia. Led by Joanna D’Elia, a nursing quality specialist, the trial is among the first to test this high-tech, non-drug approach in an acute-care hospital, officials said.

Half of the participating patients were given their choice of a robotic cat or dog. These interactive devices are designed to mimic real animals: the cats blink and purr when petted, while the dogs wag their tails and bark.

These pets respond to touch and sound, providing a sense of real connection. Patients kept the pets during their entire stay and were even allowed to take them home after being discharged.

The goal was to offer something more than just medical treatment. 

"I wanted to find a way to engage patients with dementia and give them companionship in the hospital — something beyond sitting in a room focused solely on medical care," D'Elia said in a news release.

The results were more than just heartwarming, researchers said; they were medically significant.

Patients with robotic pets experienced fewer dangerous drops in heart rate and blood pressure. They also faced a lower risk of falling, a major concern for hospitalized seniors.

The most striking finding was the impact on discharge. Patients with the pets had shorter hospital stays and were significantly more likely to return to their own homes rather than having to move into assisted living or nursing facilities.

Deb Kabinoff, an SMH board member who funded the trial, highlighted the power of combining technology with empathy. 

"What made this project so compelling was not just the technology, but my own knowledge of the comforting effects a pet can have — and their potential to soothe dementia patients when they're in such an unfamiliar environment," she noted in the news release.

While large academic centers often lead medical research, SMH officials said this trial showed that community hospitals can also drive innovation. 

SMH leaders hope their still unpublished findings will encourage hospitals nationwide to adopt similar low-cost, high-impact strategies to improve the lives of aging patients.