Exploring the Effects of Breathing Exercises with a Humanoid Robot on Cognitive Functioning

Abstract

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.