REHAB 2014

Research Article

Humanoid Social Robots in the Rehabilitation of Children with Cerebral Palsy

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  • @INPROCEEDINGS{10.4108/icst.pervasivehealth.2014.255323,
        author={Oleh Kachmar and Volodymyr Kozyavkin and Iryna Ablikova},
        title={Humanoid Social Robots in the Rehabilitation  of Children with Cerebral Palsy},
        proceedings={REHAB 2014},
        publisher={ICST},
        proceedings_a={REHAB},
        year={2014},
        month={7},
        keywords={social robot motor rehabilitation cerebral palsy motivation},
        doi={10.4108/icst.pervasivehealth.2014.255323}
    }
    
  • Oleh Kachmar
    Volodymyr Kozyavkin
    Iryna Ablikova
    Year: 2014
    Humanoid Social Robots in the Rehabilitation of Children with Cerebral Palsy
    REHAB
    ICST
    DOI: 10.4108/icst.pervasivehealth.2014.255323
Oleh Kachmar1,*, Volodymyr Kozyavkin1, Iryna Ablikova1
  • 1: International Clinic of Rehabilitation
*Contact email: okachmar@ic.reha.lviv.ua

Abstract

To increase the interest of a child in motor training we have tried to use a humanoid social robot that acts like a coach to encourage the patient. The humanoid robot "KineTron" was assembled from commercially available Bioloid Premium robotic kit. Nine movement scenarios of robot behaviour combined with voice and music were developed. During the training session, a therapist activates one of the scenarios by pressing a button on the remote. Evaluation of the Rehabilitation Robot was carried out on a group of six children with Cerebral Palsy, aged between 4-9 years. Rehabilitation Robot was used during 5-7 training sessions. All children and parents liked the sessions with the Rehabilitation Robot. This pilot study suggests that there are potential benefits in using humanoid robots in motor training of patients with cerebral palsy. It appears to be motivating for the child and encourages active participation in rehabilitation activities.