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Robot‐mediated therapy to reduce worrying in persons with visual and intellectual disabilities
Author(s) -
Wingerden Evelien,
Barakova Emilia,
Lourens Tino,
Sterkenburg Paula S.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1468-3148
pISSN - 1360-2322
DOI - 10.1111/jar.12801
Subject(s) - intellectual disability , intervention (counseling) , psychology , clinical psychology , multiple baseline design , borderline intellectual functioning , openness to experience , coping (psychology) , developmental psychology , psychiatry , social psychology , cognition
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.