Activities of Daily Living, Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Conditions
Keywords
occupational therapy, cerebral palsy, social robots
Brief summary
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).
Detailed description
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.
Interventions
Routine Occupational Therapy. Participants receive standard occupational therapy sessions delivered by a licensed pediatric occupational therapist. Sessions include individualized therapeutic activities targeting fine motor skills, bilateral coordination, sensory processing, activities of daily living (ADL) training, and play-based functional tasks.
OTHERNAO Robot-Assisted Occupational Therapy
NAO Robot-Assisted Occupational Therapy. Participants receive the same core occupational therapy program as in Phase 1, supplemented with robot-mediated interaction using the NAO humanoid robot (SoftBank Robotics).
Sponsors
Ankara Medipol University
Medipol University
Yeditepe University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SEQUENTIAL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
5 Years to 15 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Children aged 5-15 years * Diagnosis of unilateral spastic cerebral palsy * Classified as Level I-III according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) * Classified as Level 1-3 on the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) * Level 0-2 on the Modified Ashworth Scale, indicating mild to moderate spasticity
Exclusion criteria
* History of upper extremity orthopedic surgery within the past year * Presence of epileptic symptoms * Receipt of botulinum toxin treatment within the last six months
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) | 20 minutes |
| Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) | 10 minutes |
| Bimanual Fine Motor Function | 10 minutes |
| Canadian Occupational Performance Measure | 10 minutes |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed