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Artificial Intelligence in Health

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Exploring the viability of robotic technology

integrated with Vivaldi artificial intelligence for
functional assessment in amyotrophic lateral

sclerosis

3
Jacopo Luca Casiraghi 1† , Andrea Lizio 1† , Silvia Bolognini 2 , David Tessaro ,
3
3
Matteo Xia , Giacomo Sommavilla , Matteo Cestari , Elena Carraro 1 ,
3
1
Francesca Gerardi , Stefano Regondi 1,2 , Raffaele Pugliese * ,
2
Valeria Ada Sansone 1,4 , and Federica Cerri 1
1 NEuroMuscular Omnicenter, Milan, Italy
2 Nemo Lab, ASST GOM Niguarda Cà Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy
3 Omitech, Padova, Italy
4 Neurorehabilitation Unit, University of Milan, Milano, Italy

Abstract

† These authors contributed equally In this study, we explore the feasibility and efficacy of leveraging Sanbot Elf – a
to this work. humanoid intelligent assistive robot – integrated with artificial intelligence (AI),
*Corresponding author: specifically the Vivaldi AI system, for functional assessment in amyotrophic lateral
Raffaele Pugliese sclerosis (ALS) patients. Our investigation involves evaluating and comparing
(raffaele.pugliese@nemolab.it) the performance of the Sanbot Elf in administering the ALS Functional Rating
Citation: Casiraghi JL, Lizio A, Scale–Revised (ALSFRS-R) to that of human operators, using a structured
Bolognini S, et al. Exploring the format where patients respond with either “yes” or “no” answers. This approach
viability of robotic technology
integrated with Vivaldi artificial is intentionally adopted to minimize ambiguity in patient responses. Patients
intelligence for functional were given the option to respond either verbally or by utilizing the touchscreen
assessment in amyotrophic display, particularly beneficial for those experiencing dysarthria or hypophonia.
lateral sclerosis. Artif Intell Health.
2024;1(4):73-84. In addition, we examined patient emotional responses to this novel approach.
doi: 10.36922/aih.3732 A cohort of 28 ALS patients participated in the study, with a subset undergoing
Received: May 21, 2024 longitudinal follow-up assessments. Our results demonstrate strong agreement
between human and robotic administrations of the ALSFRS-R, indicating the
Accepted: July 29, 2024
potential for AI-enabled robotics to accurately assess ALS functional status.
Published Online: September 27, Furthermore, the patients’ feedback underscores their acceptability of this
2024 technology as a supportive tool in healthcare settings. Our findings also highlight
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s). the potential benefits of employing robotic devices with algorithmic capabilities,
This is an Open-Access article such as the binary tree method, in hospitals. Moreover, such integration has the
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution potential to alleviate operators’ workload. Importantly, this research contributes
License, permitting distribution, to the burgeoning field of AI-enabled healthcare operations, highlighting the
and reproduction in any medium, promising role of robotic systems in enhancing functional assessment and
provided the original work is
properly cited. management of ALS.
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Robotic technology; Functional assessment;
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Healthcare operations; Longitudinal study
affiliations.

Volume 1 Issue 4 (2024) 73 doi: 10.36922/aih.3732