Browsing by Subject "Humanoid Robot"

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    Exploring the Effects of Breathing Exercises with a Humanoid Robot on Cognitive Functioning
    (2024-08) Rao, Sakina
    The effects of breathing exercises guided by a humanoid robot on cognitive functioning are explored in this research. The motivation behind this research stems from the increasing interest in non-pharmacological interventions to enhance cognitive abilities. Breathing exercises have been shown to have various benefits, including reducing anxiety and improving mental clarity. However, the impact of robot-guided breathing exercises on cognitive functions has not been thoroughly investigated. We conducted a study with short-term and long-term intervention groups to address this. The intervention groups performed breathing exercises guided by a humanoid robot, while a control group performed the exercises without robot assistance. EEG data was collected to analyze brain activity, focusing on the theta, alpha, beta, and gamma bands. EDA (Electrodermal Activity) data was collected to see the physiological responsiveness. Additionally, cognitive assessments were conducted before and after the interventions, including memory, digit-span, and n-back tasks. The results demonstrated significant improvements in cognitive performance, particularly in the memory and digit-span tasks for the short-term intervention group. EEG analysis revealed increased power in the alpha and gamma bands, suggesting enhanced cognitive processing. The long-term intervention group also showed notable changes in brain activity and cognitive performance, though the effects were more variable. EDA data analysis revealed the physiological effects of breathing exercises. Overall, this thesis provides evidence that robot-guided breathing exercises can effectively enhance cognitive functioning. The findings suggest potential applications in educational and professional settings where cognitive performance is critical. Future research should explore the long-term effects of such interventions and investigate the underlying neural mechanisms in more detail.
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    Robot-Assisted Physical Therapy for cognition and motor skill enhancement in people with dementia.
    (2024-08) Hassan, Isra
    Dementia is a prevalent neurocognitive disorder that impacts cognition in early stages, resulting in memory loss and gradually affecting mobility and movements in carrying out daily living activities in the elderly population. It poses significant challenges in healthcare, particularly in the context of caregiving and therapeutic interventions aimed at enhancing patients’ physical and cognitive functions. This study investigates the efficacy of robot-assisted therapies to improve cognition and motor skills for individuals affected with dementia.The primary objective of this research is to evaluate whether robot-assisted therapies, facilitated by the NAO robot, can improve physical functioning, motor skills, cognitive skills, and overall well-being among dementia patients. We used NAO robot to perform 3 sets of physical exercises over a period of 10 days on participants affected with dementia and collected their Electrodermal Activity (EDA), Heart Rate, and Accelerometer data using wearable sensors during each session. We also conducted pre and post assessments to measure improvement in cognition and mobility before and after the study. Thorough statistical analysis was done on data collected during the study to identify outcomes. Results give us evidence of positive correlation between Robot-Assisted Physical Therapies and Cognition. Further analysis also show improvement in physical health and mobility after a 10 day intervention. Findings from this research have the potential to inform decision-making processes regarding the integration of robotics into dementia care, ultimately striving towards enhancing the quality of life for individuals affected by dementia.