Preliminary impressions: Using a humanoid robot in the neuropsychological assessment of children with selective mutism

Author(s)

Godoi, Diogo Henrique ; Azevedo, Helio ; Rodrigues, Camila Luisi ; Rocca, Cristiana Castanho de Almeida ; Beraldo Filho, Germano ; Castro, Lilian Lerner ; Asbahr, Fernando ; Romero, Roseli A. Francelin

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED ROBOTIC SYSTEMS; v. 21, n. 5, p. 11-pg., 2024-09-01.

Abstract

In the scope of anxiety disorders in childhood and adolescence, selective mutism is characterized by a consistent failure to speak, interfering with social communication and academic performance which invariably requires clinical interventions. Since children and adolescents with this condition may present cognitive difficulties, there is a need for further investigation, with the aim of identifying a neuropsychological profile. Traditionally, the most used interventions in the literature involve drug treatment as well as cognitive behavioral therapy. In support of traditional treatment, new and sophisticated technologies are being explored to improve the results already achieved. Examples of these technologies involve software systems and augmented reality used to support cognitive behavioral therapy. In line with new technologies, this article presents an unprecedented clinical trial, in the context of neuropsychological assessment, involving the use of a humanoid robot as a verbal communication tool between the psychologist and the child. The pilot study involved four children with selective mutism, where in two cases the approach showed very promising results. In the other two cases, the children remained mute and chose not to interact with the robot. The results of this initial clinical trial motivated the team to evolve the experiment by including new cases of selective mutism. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/25782-5 - Long-term interaction for interactive behavior learning using deep reinforcement learning
• Grantee: José Pedro Ribeiro Belo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/01687-0 - Architecture and applications for robotics in intelligent environments
• Grantee: Roseli Aparecida Francelin Romero
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/50851-0 - INCT 2014: National Institute of Science and Technology for Cooperative Autonomous Systems Applied in Security and Environment
• Grantee: Marco Henrique Terra
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants