Playfulness in Children with Limited Motor Abilities When Using a Robot

ABSTRACT

Aims: Children with limited gross motor and manual abilities have fewer opportunities to engage in free play. We investigated the effect of a robotic intervention on the playfulness of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: We used a partially nonconcurrent multiple baseline design with four children and their mothers. Children were classified in level IV or V on the Gross Motor Function and Manual Ability Classification Systems. The intervention was the availability of an adapted Lego robot during a 15-min free play session between the child and mother. There were two sessions per week for about 14 weeks. Playfulness was measured using the Test of Playfulness. Results: Statistical comparisons using the 2 SD band and X-moving range chart methods revealed that all the children's levels of playfulness increased significantly while they played with the robot. Comparison of baseline and follow-up phase indicated that three children had retention of improved level of playfulness. Conclusion: Play with adapted Lego robots increased the level of playfulness in all four children during free play with their mothers. The findings have implications for providing children with limitations in motor abilities opportunities for free play with family and friends.

KEYWORDS.:

• Adapted aids
• cerebral palsy
• play
• playfulness
• technologies

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to offer thanks to the participants and their families. We also appreciate the support from the staff at the Asociación ACONINO and the “Centro de Capacitación San Pedro Poveda” in Colombia. The authors would like to express gratitude to Dr. Anita Bundy and Jennie Brentnall for their willingness to assist with data analysis of the Test of Playfulness, and Dr. Patty Rigby for providing the training in the Test of Playfulness. We also would like to thank Dr. Robert Palisano for his thorough critique of this study. Many thanks to Drs. Johanna Darrah, Veronica Smith and Rosario Laserna for their support and advice.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Adriana M. Ríos Rincón, PhD, is an Occupational Therapist. She is an Assistant Professor at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogot´, Colombia. She is also an adjunct Associate Professor at the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. Kim Adams, PhD, is a Professional Engineer and a RESNA certified Assistive Technology Practitioner. She has a Joint Assistant Professor position with the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, and the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton, Canada. Joyce Magill-Evans, PhD, is a Professor Emerita in the Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. Al Cook, PhD, is a Biomedical Engineer. He is Professor Emeritus at the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.