# Tactile Interaction with Socially Assistive Robots for Children with Physical Disabilities

## TL;DR

This review explores how touch-based interactions with robots can help children with physical disabilities in therapy, highlighting the need for better methods to measure their effectiveness.

## Contribution

The paper provides a scoping review of tactile interaction studies with SARs for children with physical disabilities, identifying gaps in methodology and evaluation.

## Key findings

- Nine studies were identified showing limited use of structured methodologies for tactile engagement with SARs.
- Few studies evaluate the therapeutic effects of touch-sensitive SARs in pediatric rehabilitation.
- The review highlights the need for validated frameworks to assess the efficacy of tactile SAR interventions.

## Abstract

Children with physical disabilities are increasingly using socially assistive robots (SARs) as part of therapy to enhance motivation, engagement, enjoyment, and adherence. Research on SARs in rehabilitation has primarily focused on verbal and visual interaction, but little is known about tactile interaction (physical touch). The objective of this scoping review was to examine empirical studies published between 2010 and 2024 focusing on tactile interaction between SARs and children with physical disabilities, such as cerebral palsy (CP). Nine studies were identified as being eligible after a rigorous selection process, showing that although touch-based SAR interventions have been used in pediatric rehabilitation, structured methodologies and standardized tools are lacking for measuring tactile engagement. In light of the studies’ findings, it is evident that few studies evaluate the therapeutic effects of touch-sensitive SARs, underscoring the need for validated frameworks to assess their efficacy. In this review, SAR and tactile sensing researchers, rehabilitation specialists, and designers are given critical insights into how tactile interaction can enhance the role of SARs in physical therapy.