Interdisciplinary Stroke Rehabilitation Delivered by a Humanoid Robot: Simultaneous vs. Alternating Therapy Schedules

A great number of stroke survivors experience disabilities in multiple domains (e.g., aphasia, hemiparesis). However, no previous research has investigated how treatment in one domain (e.g., speech therapy) affects the progress in other areas (e.g., physical recovery). The current study is comparing two therapy schedules: simultaneous where a patient receives speech AND physical therapy services for four weeks; and alternating where a patient receives speech therapy for four weeks and then receives physical therapy for four weeks. This interdisciplinary intervention is delivered by a humanoid robot that can potentially enhance the intensity and accessibility of stroke rehabilitation.