Tesis (Ingeniero Biomédico)

Several studies have shown the positive impact of the use of a social assistance robot (SAR)
in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs. However, SARs carry significant ethical risks associated with their anthropomorphic characteristics. Therefore, correctly establishing the level
of anthropomorphism in the design of SARs is essential not only to ensure that the robot
fulfills its purpose and that the user feels comfortable with it, but also to comply with ethical
regulations. The objective of the study presented in this thesis is to identify the possible
variations in the perception and to measure the interaction of patients towards an assistant
training robot in a CR program as the level of anthropomorphic of the SAR’s behaviors are
modified (low, medium, and high). Two complementary studies were carried out: one videobased and one in a real clinical scenario. Study 1 was developed online with 103 participants
and study 2 was carried out at the Fundación Cardioinfantil-Instituto de Cardiología clinic
(Bogotá, Colombia) with 6 participants belonging to phase II of the CR program. Variations
in patient perception and interaction towards SAR were evaluated using Godspeed questionnaires, UTAUT surveys, and video processing of the RC sessions. The results of study 1 show
significant differences between the three levels of ethical risk scenarios for parameters as likeability, goodwill, sociability, and expertise. In study 2 differences were found in interaction
percentage and positive attitudes of patients towards the robot, and through the Godspeed
surveys, it was possible to identify a significant variation regarding the perceived likeability
towards the robot. It was also possible to identify, that even though the users commented that
they have not perceived differences between the behaviors of the ethical risk scenarios, these
changes in the anthropomorphism level had produced significant changes in the perception
towards the robot.