NAO Robot in Pediatric Occupational Therapy

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.

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