Usability of a Humanoid Robot in Adults with MS and Comparison to Healthy Individuals
A study with 20 adults with MS compared their usability ratings of a humanoid robot, Pepper, to a control group of age-matched healthy individuals (HIs). Both groups rated Pepper's usability similarly high (MS: mean SUS 81.00, HIs: mean SUS 77.75). However, individuals with MS reported more negative societal attitudes towards robots and found Pepper to be more anthropomorphic and intelligent compared to HIs.
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not established from this source
- Mechanism
- Not reported
- Evidence strength
- Limited
- Outcome
- Positive
Why it matters
These findings suggest that despite challenges associated with MS, individuals with the condition may find humanoid robots to be usable, which could inform future applications in social assistive robotics. Understanding user perspectives is vital as robotic technology evolves for better integration into healthcare settings.
What this does not prove
The study's small sample size of 20 individuals limits the generalizability of the results. Additionally, its observational design does not establish cause-and-effect relationships between MS and user perceptions or attitudes towards robots.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Observational
- Participants / samples
- 20 · basis not reported
- Randomised
- Not reported
- Controlled
- Yes
- Primary endpoint met
- Not reported
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-10-21
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Other
- Biological target
- Not reported
- Pathway
- Not reported
- Population
- adults with MS, mean age 51.4 years
- Size of effect
- Not reported
- Secondary endpoints
- Not reported
- MRI endpoints
- Not reported
- Biomarkers
- Not reported
- Safety
- Not reported
Original sources
- Primary evidenceUsability and Acceptance of a Social Robot in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study. ↗DOI: 10.2196/94068
Supporting passages (17)
study phasePublication types: Journal Article
study designThis study aimed to evaluate the usability of a humanoid robot in people with MS, compare it with age-matched healthy individuals (HIs), and explore usability predictors.
subjects20 people with MS (mean age 51.4, SD 11.0 years; n=13, 65% female; mean education 13.0, SD 3.4 years) and 20 age-matched HIs (mean age 47.3, SD 10.1 years; n=12, 60% female; mean education 14.8, SD 2.2 years) completed 4 predefined tasks with the robot Pepper.
speciesMETHODS: In this 2025 cross-sectional study at the Italian MS Foundation laboratory, 20 people with MS (mean age 51.4, SD 11.0 years; n=13, 65% female; mean education 13.0, SD 3.4 years) and 20 age-matched HIs (mean age 47.3, SD 10.1 years; n=12, 60% female; mean education 14.8, SD 2.2 years) completed 4 predefined tasks with the robot Pepper.
sample sizeMETHODS: In this 2025 cross-sectional study at the Italian MS Foundation laboratory, 20 people with MS (mean age 51.4, SD 11.0 years; n=13, 65% female; mean education 13.0, SD 3.4 years) and 20 age-matched HIs (mean age 47.3, SD 10.1 years; n=12, 60% female; mean education 14.8, SD 2.2 years) completed 4 predefined tasks with the robot Pepper.
controlledMETHODS: In this 2025 cross-sectional study at the Italian MS Foundation laboratory, 20 people with MS (mean age 51.4, SD 11.0 years; n=13, 65% female; mean education 13.0, SD 3.4 years) and 20 age-matched HIs (mean age 47.3, SD 10.1 years; n=12, 60% female; mean education 14.8, SD 2.2 years) completed 4 predefined tasks with the robot Pepper.
peer reviewedJournal: JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies
research categoriesBACKGROUND: Socially assistive robotics (SAR) is an emerging field integrating robotics, medicine, cognitive and social sciences, and neuroscience.
publication datePublication date: 2026-10-21
interventionOBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the usability of a humanoid robot in people with MS, compare it with age-matched healthy individuals (HIs), and explore usability predictors.
comparatorage-matched healthy individuals (HIs)
primary endpointUsability was assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS).
findingsPeople with MS reported more negative attitudes toward robots at the societal level (GAToRS S–: r=0.36, 95% CI 0.08-0.63; P=.02) and judged Pepper as more anthropomorphic (r=0.42, 95% CI 0.15-0.67; P=.007) and intelligent (r=0.37, 95% CI 0.09-0.61; P=.02) than HIs.
limitationsPsychological factors, prior attitudes toward robots, and clinical characteristics were associated with user experience in the MS group.
population(eg, cognitive functions via the app DIGICOG-MS, upper-limb difficulties with the Arm Function in Multiple Sclerosis [AMSQ]) were collected.
outcomeCONCLUSIONS: This study provides first preliminary evidence that people with MS perceive a social robot as highly usable, comparably to HIs, suggesting MS-related challenges may not hinder human-robot interaction.
peer reviewedPublication types: Journal Article
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