Adapting the control of the MANUS manipulator for persons with cerebral palsy: An exploratory study

Impacts of robotic arm use on individuals with upper extremity disabilities: A scoping review

BACKGROUND.

Robotic arms may help users perform various activities. Even though robotic arms are commercially available, their impacts are still poorly understood.

PURPOSE.

This scoping review aimed to identify the potential impacts of using robotic arms for individuals with upper-extremity disabilities and appraise the scientific quality of the selected studies.

METHOD.

A search for studies published between 1970 and 2016 was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Compendex, and Scopus. The Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement was used to classify activities in which impacts were evaluated. The quality of each study was rated using McMaster University's critical review form for quantitative studies.

FINDINGS.

Thirty-six studies were reviewed, which evaluated self-care (21), productivity (33), and leisure (8). The short-term impacts were more commonly documented than long-term impacts. The impacts identified were mostly positive. The studies' mean quality score was 8.8/15.

IMPLICATIONS.

Additional studies with more rigorous conditions are needed to produce higher-quality scientific evidence of the long-term impacts of robotic arm use.

Haptics to improve task performance in people with disabilities: A review of previous studies and a guide to future research with children with disabilities

This review examines the studies most pertinent to the potential of haptics on the functionality of assistive robots in manipulation tasks for use by children with disabilities. Haptics is the fast-emerging science that studies the sense of touch concerning the interaction of a human and his/her environment; this paper particularly studies the human–machine interaction that happens through a haptic interface to enable touch feedback. Haptics-enabled user interfaces for assistive robots can potentially benefit children whose haptic exploration is impaired due to a disability in their infancy and throughout their childhood. A haptic interface can provide touch feedback and potentially contribute to an enhancement in perception of objects and overall ability to perform manipulation tasks. The intention of this paper is to review the research on the applications of haptics, exclusively focusing on attributes affecting task performance. A review of studies will give a retrospective insight into previous research with various disability populations, and inform potential limitations/challenges in research regarding haptic interfaces for assistive robots for use by children with disabilities.

Effects of robotic therapy on upper-extremity function in children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To systematically examine the effects of robotic therapy on upper extremity (UE) function in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted in Pubmed, CINAHL, Cochrane, PsychInfo, TRIP, and Web of Science up to July 2013. Studies of children with CP, using robotic therapy and measures of UE were included.

RESULTS

Nine articles using three different robotic systems were included. Of these, seven were case studies. Overall, robotic therapy showed the potential effects as all studies reported at least one positive outcome: a moderate effect in improving reaching duration, smoothness, or decreased muscle tone, and a small to large effect in standardized clinical assessment (e.g. Fugl-Meyer).

CONCLUSION

This review confirms the potential for robotic therapy to improve UE function in children with CP. However, the paucity of group design studies summons the need for more rigorous research before conclusive recommendations can be made.

The role of assisted manipulation in cognitive development

OBJECTIVE

Motor experience plays a central role in cognitive development. Assistive technologies can thus provide augmentative manipulation for children with motor disabilities. This paper explores the use of robots to this end.

METHOD

A revision of studies conducted with typically-developing children and children with disabilities regarding the use of robots is presented. This revision provides a description of the cognitive skills required and revealed by the child when using a robot. Opportunities for participation and exploration were identified and further research is discussed.

RESULTS

Robots provide insight into the cognitive skills of children with motor disabilities. Robots also provide means for independent exploration and participation in learning and play activities. Integration of augmentative manipulation and communication increases interest and participation of children with disabilities.

CONCLUSION

Children with disabilities can use augmentative manipulation systems to independently explore and interact with their environment. Children can use robots as tools providing them with opportunities to reveal and further develop their cognitive skills. Alternative access methods can increase access for children with severe motor disabilities.

Enabling self-directed computer use for individuals with cerebral palsy: a systematic review of assistive devices and technologies

AIM

The purpose of this study was to systematically review published evidence on the development, use, and effectiveness of devices and technologies that enable or enhance self-directed computer access by individuals with cerebral palsy (CP).

METHODS

Nine electronic databases were searched using keywords 'computer', 'software', 'spastic', 'athetoid', and 'cerebral palsy'; the reference lists of articles thus identified were also searched. Thirty articles were selected for review, with 23 reports of development and usability testing of devices and seven evaluations of algorithms to increase computer recognition of input and cursor movements.

RESULTS

Twenty-four studies had fewer than 10 participants with CP, with a wide age range of 5 to 77 years. Computer task performance was usually tested, but only three groups sought participant feedback on ease and comfort of use. International standards exist to evaluate effectiveness of non-keyboard devices, but only one group undertook this testing. None of the study designs were higher than American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine level IV.

INTERPRETATION

Access solutions for individuals with CP are in the early stages of development. Future work should include assessment of end-user comfort, effort, and performance as well as design features. Engaging users and therapists when designing and evaluating technologies to enhance computer access may increase acceptance and improve performance.