Empowering Helpers: Reversing Roles in Paediatric Rehab with Humanoid Robots and Sensory Games

Abstract

Abstract-In this study a new conceptual framework is presented for a rehabilitation game system designed specifically for children with cerebral palsy (CP), particularly those with high-level disabilities. Humanoid robot Pepper integrates advanced sensory technologies into this framework, leveraging empathetic interactions to foster children's motivation and engagement to assist. This innovative approach seeks to reverse the conventional dynamic in therapeutic care by empowering children to aid the robot, thereby potentially boosting their motivation and engagement. An observational study in a pediatric rehabilitation center, where therapists and children interacted during rehabilitation games/exercises, formed the basis of this study's methodological framework. Following a thematic analysis of these observations and previous studies findings, three empathic game scenarios were conceptualized. Through tablet interfaces enabled by IMU sensors, children assist the robot, creating a sense of accomplishment and agency among them. Despite the lack of direct experimental data with children-robot interaction, the paper describes the potential technical architecture of the system, including features such as real-time monitoring. Future empirical research on empathetic, interactive robotics in pediatric rehabilitation settings can build upon this framework to achieve further development and validation.