A Comparison of Robot Interaction with Tactile Gaming Console Stimulation in Clinical Applications

Technological advancements in recent years have encouraged lots of research focus on robot interaction among individuals with intellectual disability, especially among kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). However, promising advancements shown by these investigations, about use of interactive robots for rehabilitation of such individuals can be questioned on various aspects, e.g. is effectiveness of interaction therapy because of the robot itself or due to the sensory stimulations? Only few studies have shown any significant comparison in remedial therapy using interactive robots with non-robotic visual stimulations. In proposed research, authors have tried to explore this idea by comparing response of robotic interactions with stimulations caused by a tactile gaming console, among individuals with profound and multiple learning disability (PMLD). The results show that robot interactions are more effective but stimulations caused by tactile gaming consoles can significantly serve as complementary tool for therapeutic benefit of patients.