Marcella Di Cara
Papers
3
Total Citations
38
H-Index
3
About
Marcella Di Cara is a leading researcher at the intersection of pediatric rehabilitation, human-robot interaction, and autism spectrum conditions (ASC). Her work focuses on harnessing information and communication technologies (ICTs)—particularly social robots and serious games—to improve communication and therapeutic outcomes for children with autism. Di Cara’s most-cited paper, a 2023 systematic review of ICT-based interventions from a positive technology perspective (24 citations), established a foundational framework for understanding how tools like the NAO robot can be effectively deployed. She further advanced the field with a 2024 systematic review on parental involvement in robot-mediated interventions (9 citations), arguing that family engagement is critical for therapeutic success. Her latest 2025 study on NAO-assisted therapy for minimally verbal autistic children (5 citations) demonstrates measurable gains in communication skills through structured, predictable robot interactions. By bridging engineering, psychology, and clinical practice, Di Cara is shaping a new paradigm where technology amplifies human connection rather than replacing it. Her work is essential reading for anyone interested in inclusive, evidence-based assistive technologies.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2Parental involvement in robot-mediated intervention: a systematic review9 citations · 2024
- 3