NAO Robot in Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Overview

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a non-progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and posture, often impairing upper extremity function and daily activity performance. Technological tools, such as social robots, have shown promise in supporting rehabilitation. This study investigated the effects of NAO robot-assisted therapy on functional performance, motivation, and emotional states in children with unilateral CP. Sixteen children participated in a 14-week intervention, which included 12 weeks of task-oriented therapy. In six of those weeks, sessions incorporated the NAO robot, which simulated three daily activities identified using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and offered motivational feedback. Emotional responses were tracked using the Empatica E4 wristband, measuring blood volume pulse (BVP), electrodermal activity (EDA), and skin temperature (ST).

This single-group interventional study investigated the effect of adding the social humanoid robot NAO to occupational therapy sessions on upper extremity function, hand skills, and motivation in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Sixteen children aged 5-15 years, classified as GMFCS I-III, MACS 1-3, CFCS 1-2, and MAS 0-2, participated. The study consisted of two sequential 6-week phases: Phase 1: Routine occupational therapy sessions (40 minutes each). Phase 2: Routine occupational therapy supplemented with NAO robot-assisted activities (same duration). Sessions targeted functional tasks identified using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), such as eating, throwing a ball, and brushing teeth. Upper extremity function was assessed with the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST); functional abilities with PEDI; activity limitations and bimanual hand use with GMFCS and BFMF; and occupational performance and satisfaction with COPM. Physiological signals (blood volume pulse, electrodermal activity, and skin temperature) were recorded using the Empatica E4 wristband to assess children's motivation and emotional responses during sessions. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods, including t-tests, Mann-Whitney U, Friedman test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests with Bonferroni correction.