Adaptation Robotics and Cognitive Load: Use of a Supernumerary Finger for Activities of Daily Living

This study investigated the impact of Supernumerary Robotic Fingers (SRFs) on cognitive function during activities of daily living (ADLs) among a group of unimpaired individuals. The increasing global prevalence of stroke has heightened the need for effective rehabilitative solutions which address both motor and cognitive dysfunction simultaneously. Robotic-aided therapies, including SRFs, provide promising means towards enhancing self-sufficiency and independence in individuals with post-stroke. However, a full understanding of how individuals with post-stroke interact and adapt to SRFs remains elusive despite being key to optimizing SRF efficacy. Electroencephalography (EEG) was employed here to study cognitive adaptability during daily SRF-assisted tasks. Specifically, functional connectivity and graph theory analytical metrics were applied to the experimental data to elucidate alterations in cerebral connectivity of the frontal cortex. Our findings reveal significant changes in EEG activity during SRF-assisted tasks, with notable impact on attention, motor planning, and emotional expression. Moreover, disruptions in local neuronal connectivity imply potential challenges in SRF-assisted activities. This work not only expands our understanding of neural dynamics, as associated with SRF use, but also lays the foundation for future research into the cognitive aspects of assistive technologies, paving the way for the design and development of more effective holistic rehabilitation interventions for stroke survivors.