Robot-mediated therapy to reduce worrying in persons with visual and intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Background: The study explored the use of a robot-mediated therapeutic intervention in persons with visual and intellectual disabilities.

Method: Three robot-mediated intervention sessions were developed to teach three coping skills for worrying. Effectiveness was examined using a multiple-baseline case study design (N = 7). Baseline, pre-intervention and post-intervention assessments included social validity, severity of worrying (PSWQ-C-NL), and observations by caregivers (SDQ). Short checklists on worrying were repeated throughout baseline and intervention stages. Transcripts of the sessions were analysed for participants' emotional openness.

Results: Social validity was equally high before and after the intervention. The intervention did not impact the severity of worrying, although mentor caregivers reported a lower impact of personal difficulties for participants. We found no change in self-disclosure towards the robot over sessions.

Conclusions: The participants' positive responses warrant further exploration of using robot-mediated therapy for persons with visual and intellectual disabilities. Recommendations for additional adaptations are discussed.

Keywords: e-health; intellectual disabilities; robot-mediated intervention; visual impairment; worrying.