Loek van der Heide
Papers
1
Total Citations
92
H-Index
1
About
Loek van der Heide is a leading researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction and pediatric healthcare. His primary research focus is on the design and deployment of socially assistive robots (SARs) to improve the psychological well-being of children undergoing medical treatment. His most influential work, a systematic state-of-the-art review published in 2018, has garnered 92 citations and serves as a foundational resource for the field. In this seminal paper, van der Heide systematically inventoried how SARs are used in hospital settings to mitigate the acute stress and anxiety that children experience during hospitalization. By synthesizing a fragmented body of literature, he provided a clear taxonomy of robot roles—from distraction during painful procedures to companionship during long stays—and identified critical gaps for future research. This work has directly shaped subsequent clinical trials and robot design guidelines. Beyond this review, van der Heide’s broader portfolio examines how robotic agents can offer consistent, non-judgmental social support, making him a key figure in translating robotic technologies from the lab into compassionate, real-world pediatric care.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1