Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies
Date Submitted: Dec 3, 2021
Date Accepted: Jun 10, 2022
Assistive Robots for Patients with ALS: An Exploratory Task-based Evaluation Study with an Early-stage Demonstrator
ABSTRACT
Background:
Although robotic manipulators have great potential in promoting motor independence of people with motor impairments, only few systems are currently commercially available. In addition to technical, economic and normative barriers, a key challenge for their diffusion is the current lack of evidence regarding usefulness, acceptance and user-specific requirements.
Objective:
Against this background, a semi-autonomous robot system was developed in the R&D project ROBINA to support people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in various everyday activities.
Methods:
The developed early stage demonstrator was evaluated in a task-based laboratory study with eleven ALS patients. Based on a mixed-methods design consisting of standardized questionnaires, observation protocols, and semi-structured interviews, participants were asked about usability, acceptance, and design requirements.
Results:
The majority of the participants considered the system provide relevant support within the test scenarios and perceived it as easy to use. Technical requirements consisted in precise object manipulation, reliable autonomous robot actions, and an intuitive GUI. In addition, the adaptability of the system to the abilities and disease-related limitations of the users, as well as a higher degree of intervention in the control and autonomous robot actions, was highlighted. Finally, the need for a holistic concept of robotic assistance in order to adequately address user-specific needs, was emphasized.
Conclusions:
In summary, it can be stated that robotic manipulators can contribute to the compensation of motor impairments and increase both the autonomy and the psychological well-being of those affected. In this context, further opportunities to relieve the burden on the care network can be expected, especially regarding repetitive actions. Clinical Trial: The study is registered in the German Clinical Trials Registry (DRKS00016554).
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