Background

Acquired brain injuries are one of the main causes of human disability worldwide. It can lead to social isolation due to physical and mental dysfunctions. Studies on using robots in social psychiatry have shown positive results regarding mental function and social behavior among patients facing challenges similar to acquired brain injury (ABI).

Aim

To explore how the telepresence avatar robot OriHime can be used as a communication tool between patients at home with mild-to-moderate ABI and members at a rehabilitation center with ABI and to determine whether the telepresence avatar robot OriHime can motivate the patients at home to participate in rehabilitation activities at the rehabilitation center.

Method

We conducted an exploratory ethnographic case study, applying the conceptual framework ‘community of practice.’ The intervention consisted of sessions where ABI patients at home (n = 8) interacted with a member (n = 4) from Aalborg Rehabilitation Club using OriHime. Data collection consisted of documentary materials, participant observation (141 h) and semi-structured interviews (n = 11). The data were analyzed and triangulated in NVivo 12.0.

Findings

The patients at home found nonverbal communication valuable, while the members at the rehabilitation center felt that OriHime lacked human features and preferred direct verbal communication. The technology facilitated a feeling of being a part of a community of practice between the participants, and it motivated the patients at home to participate in the rehabilitating activities. One patient visited the rehabilitation center physically.

Conclusion

OriHime can as a communication tool motivate and engage patients to participate in rehabilitating activities.

中文翻译：

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远程呈现化身机器人OriHime作为成年人后天性脑损伤的交流工具：人种学案例研究

背景

获得性脑损伤是全世界人类致残的主要原因之一。由于身心功能障碍，它可能导致社会孤立。在社会精神病学中使用机器人的研究显示，在面临类似于获得性脑损伤（ABI）的挑战的患者中，关于心理功能和社会行为的积极结果。

目标

探索网真化身机器人OriHime如何用作在家中度至中度ABI患者与康复中心成员之间的交流工具，并确定网真化身机器人OriHime是否可以激励在家中的患者在康复中心参加康复活动。

方法

我们使用概念框架“实践社区”进行了民族志研究性案例研究。干预措施包括在家中ABI患者（n  = 8）与奥尔堡康复俱乐部的成员（n  = 4）使用OriHime进行互动。数据收集包括文献资料，参与者观察（141小时）和半结构化访谈（n  = 11）。在NVivo 12.0中对数据进行了分析和三角剖分。

发现

在家中的患者发现非语言交流很有价值，而康复中心的成员则认为OriHime缺乏人文特征，因此倾向于直接言语交流。该技术促进了参与者之间成为实践社区的一部分的感觉，并激发了在家中的患者参加康复活动。一名患者亲自前往康复中心。

结论

OriHime可以作为一种沟通工具来激励和吸引患者参加康复活动。