The use of robots for augmentative manipulation during play activities among children with motor impairment: a scoping review

Sandra Martina Espín Tello, Xabier Gardeazabal, Julio Abascal

2022 - DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION

Journal paper

Línea investigación:
Assistive robotics
Authors by signature order:
Sandra Martina Espín Tello, Xabier Gardeazabal, Julio Abascal
Description:

Purpose: To describe the extent, type, and quality of studies involving robots for augmentative manipulation during play by children with severe motor impairments (CwSMI), and to explore how they influenced children’s cognitive skills and engagement.Methods: Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed & EBSCO were systematically searched for articles published until March 2021, that reported cognitive skills and/or engagement outcomes from interventions involving the use of robots in play activities, where participants included CwSMI, and full-text was available. Data extracted comprised characteristics of participants, study design, purpose of the study, outcomes assessed, collection methods, and intervention carried out (robot-environment interaction and robot used).Results: Eight mobile robots and five robotic arms were reported in the 17 included and reviewed articles. Most of them informed a positive impact on CwSMI’s cognitive skills and/or engagement. However, the studies scored poorly on a five-criteria quality assessment, and only one single-case design proved strong evidence of treatment. None of the analysed interventions was an evidence-based practice.Conclusion: The use of manipulative robots during play activities may have a positive impact on the CwSMI’s cognitive skills and engagement in activities. However, further studies with higher internal and external validity are needed to support stronger evidence.

Editorial:
Taylor & Francis
Publication year:
2022
Start page:
896
Final page:
910
ISBN - ISSN:
1464-5165
Quality indicators:
JCR Science Edition (2021) IF: 2.439, Rank: Q2 (28/68 in Rehabilitation)
SJR SCOPUS (2021): IF=0.791 (Q1 - Rehabilitation)
Publication name:
DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION
Web URL:
https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2022.2046185