Robot-Assisted Physical Therapy for cognition and motor skill enhancement in people with dementia.

Abstract

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.