Preliminary User-Centred Evaluation of a Bio-Cooperative Robotic Platform for Cognitive Rehabilitation in Parkinson's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment: Insights from a Focus Group and Living Lab in the OPERA Project.
Preliminary User-Centred Evaluation of a Bio-Cooperative Robotic Platform for Cognitive Rehabilitation in Parkinson's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment: Insights from a Focus Group and Living Lab in the OPERA Project.
Where did the research take place?
The study site has not been established. Author addresses may differ from where the research occurred.
Florence, IT · Author affiliation
IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, 50143 Florence, Italy.Location evidence
Rome, IT · Author affiliation
Research Unit of Advanced Robotics and Human-Centred Technologies, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy.Location evidence
Padua, IT · Author affiliation
Khymeia Group, 35129 Padua, Italy.Location evidence
Avellino, IT · Author affiliation
UOC Neurologia, AORN S.G. Moscati, 83100 Avellino, Italy.Location evidence
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Original abstract
Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) affects up to 40% of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), yet conventional rehabilitation often lacks engagement. The OPERA project developed a novel Bio-cooperative Robotic Platform (PRoBio), integrating a service robot and a virtual reality-based rehabilitation for personalized cognitive training. This work presents two preliminary user-centred studies aimed to assess PRoBio usability and acceptability. Methods: to gather qualitative feedback on robotic and virtual reality technologies, through ad hoc questionnaires, developed according to participatory design principles and user-centered evaluation literature, Study 1 (Focus group) involved 23 participants: 10 PD patients (F = 6; mean age = 68.9 ± 8.2 years), 5 caregivers (F = 3; mean age = 49.0 ± 15.5), 8 healthcare professionals (F = 6; mean age = 40.0 ± 12.0). Study 2 (Living Lab) tested the final version of PRoBio platform with 6 healthy volunteers (F = 3; mean age = 50.3 ± 11.0) and 8 rehabilitation professionals (F = 3; mean age = 32.8 ± 9.9), assessing usability and acceptability through validated questionnaires. Results: The focus group revealed common priorities across the three groups, including ease of use, emotional engagement, and personalization of exercises. Living Lab unveiled PRoBio as user-friendly, with high usability, hedonic quality, technology acceptance and low workload. No significant differences were found between groups, except for minor concerns on system responsiveness. Discussion: These preliminary findings support the feasibility, usability, and emotional appeal of PRoBio as a cognitive rehabilitation tool. The positive convergence among the groups suggests its potential for clinical integration. Conclusions: These preliminary results support the feasibility and user-centred design of the PRoBio platform for cognitive rehabilitation in PD. The upcoming usability evaluation in a pilot study with patients will provide critical insights into its suitability for clinical implementation and guide further development.