NAO Robot in Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Ankara Medipol University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Activities of Daily Living; Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Treatments: Other: Occupational Therapy Intervention; Other: NAO Robot-Assisted Occupational Therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07283211

123E355 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

E-10840098-772.02-30

Details and patient eligibility

About

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).

Full 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.

Enrollment: 15 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 5 to 15 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Sequential Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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15 participants in 1 patient group

Single Group - Occupational Therapy With and Without Social Robot Support

Experimental group

Description:

This single-group arm includes all participants, who receive two sequential phases of occupational therapy. In Phase 1, children receive routine occupational therapy sessions delivered by a licensed occupational therapist. After a 2-week interval, participants enter Phase 2, during which they receive the same occupational therapy activities supplemented with robot-assisted interaction using the NAO humanoid robot. All participants experience both phases in the same order, and no randomization or group allocation is performed.

Treatment:

Other: NAO Robot-Assisted Occupational Therapy

Other: Occupational Therapy Intervention