Effectiveness of a Robot‑Assisted Psychological Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder（IF：3.9）

Vasiliki Holeva, V.A. Nikopoulou, C. Lytridis, C. Bazinas, P. Kechayas, M.D. Kerasidou, C. Karatsioras, N. Geronikola, G.A. Papakostas, V.G. Kaburlasos, A. Evangeliou

 

Abstract

Difficulties with social interaction characterize children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and have a negative impact in their everyday life. Integrating a social-humanoid robot within the standard clinical treatment has been proven promising. The main aim of this randomized controlled study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a robot-assisted psychosocial intervention and the secondary aim was to investigate potential differences between a robot-assisted intervention group and a control group receiving intervention by humans only. The analysis of the results showed that robot-assisted intervention could be beneficial by improving children’s psychosocial skills. This improvement was highlighted by neuropsychological testing and parent reporting. Group comparison only presented minimal statistically significant differences. The study underpins the potential of robot-assisted interventions to augment standard care.

难以进行社会互动是孤独症儿童的特征，并对他们的日常生活产生负面影响。将社会类人机器人集成到标准的临床治疗中已被证明是有前途的。这项随机对照研究的主要目的是评估机器人辅助的社会心理干预的有效性，次要目的是调查机器人辅助干预组和仅接受人类干预的对照组之间的潜在差异。结果分析表明，机器人辅助干预有助于提高儿童的社会心理社会技能。神经心理测试和家长报告强调了这一改善。组间比较仅呈现最小的统计学显著差异。这项研究支持了机器人辅助干预以增强标准护理的潜力。

图1：研究准备

图2：治疗室