Usability feedback of patients and therapists on a conceptual mobile service robot for inpatient and home-based stroke rehabilitation

Abstract

In skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes the number of therapists and nurses is insufficient for the number of residents, affecting the quality of rehabilitation and daily care. This study explores the development of an affordable mobile service robot for therapeutic activities in a health center environment where the number of clinicians is insufficient for clinical demand. Using demonstrations and surveys we solicit users' (clinician and patient) responses to a prototype telepresence robot combined with a NAO humanoid robot trunk to facilitate remote communication between the patient and clinician and to complete supervisory exercising coaching. This paper presents the concept prototype and preliminary survey results of users' reactions in order to demonstrate its potential activities in their healthcare center.