Robotic technology for Parkinson's disease: Needs, attitudes and concerns of individuals with Parkinson's disease and their family members. A focus group study

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people worldwide, and its incidence is expected to rise due to the aging of the global population. Individuals with PD present with adverse motor and non-motor symptoms that affect their well-being, quality of life, and relationships with their caregivers. It is thus important to explore new technological interventions, such as social assistive robots (SARs), to support those with PD. This study aimed to understand the needs, expectations, and attitudes of individuals with PD and their family members toward SARs. Six focus groups (n = 46) were held, including three comprised of individuals with PD and three that included family members. Qualitative thematic analysis of the information obtained from these focus groups was applied to the following main themes: (1) Key difficulties of people living with PD; (2) Ideas for assistive technologies for individuals with PD; (3) Perceived advantages of SARs; (4) Suggestions regarding SAR design, operation, and interactive functionality; (5) Concerns regarding the use of SARs; and (6) Attitudes towards SARs. Importantly, we found points of agreement and disagreement between the two population groups based on their perspectives regarding the effects of PD on individuals. This study provides a participatory-design foundation for the creation of new technologies to benefit individuals with PD.