Robot‐mediated therapy to reduce worrying in persons with visual and intellectual disabilities

BACKGROUND: The study explored the use of a robot‐mediated therapeutic intervention in persons with visual and intellectual disabilities. METHOD: Three robot‐mediated intervention sessions were developed to teach three coping skills for worrying. Effectiveness was examined using a multiple‐baseline case study design (N = 7). Baseline, pre‐intervention and post‐intervention assessments included social validity, severity of worrying (PSWQ‐C‐NL), and observations by caregivers (SDQ). Short checklists on worrying were repeated throughout baseline and intervention stages. Transcripts of the sessions were analysed for participants’ emotional openness. RESULTS: Social validity was equally high before and after the intervention. The intervention did not impact the severity of worrying, although mentor caregivers reported a lower impact of personal difficulties for participants. We found no change in self‐disclosure towards the robot over sessions. CONCLUSIONS: The participants’ positive responses warrant further exploration of using robot‐mediated therapy for persons with visual and intellectual disabilities. Recommendations for additional adaptations are discussed.