Robotic platform for hippotherapy and method for motor and cognitive assessment and stimulation

A method for cognitive assessment and stimulation of a pediatric patient with a disability using a robotic platform, the method comprising:

• defining a set of functioning parameters of the robotic platform, the robotic platform comprising:
• a structure comprising at least one high torque servomotor and an articulated mechanism simulating a head of a horse,
• at least two load cells located in the articulated mechanism of the structure for a control of direction and speed,
• at least one seat module comprising a seat providing a sitting surface for a pediatric patient, at least one inertial sensor of posture configured to be disposed on one or more of a cervical vertebrae, a lumbar vertebrae, and a hip of the pediatric patient seated on the seat to determine a posture of the pediatric patient, three load cells arranged in a triangular pattern on the seat to determine a load distribution of the pediatric patient on the seat, a visual stimulation sub-module comprising a RGB LED ring configured to emit light as one or more sequences or patterns of color toward the pediatric patient, and an auditory stimulation sub-module configured to emit one or more sequences of tones toward the pediatric patient, the at least one inertial sensor of posture being an inertial measurement unit configured to provide measurements of movement in an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis,
• at least two pressure sensors, and
• a crane module comprising a harness and a plurality of stirrups, the crane module supporting the pediatric patient via the harness and the plurality of stirrups to reduce a weight of the pediatric patient on the at least one seat module and to modify the posture of the pediatric patient;
• receiving one or more inputs from a caregiver, the one or more inputs corresponding to a therapy protocol for evaluating an executive function of the pediatric patient;
• initiating a movement on the robotic platform via the at least one high torque servomotor, the movement of the robotic platform comprising rotational movement in the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis;
• causing the visual stimulation sub-module to emit the light in a determined sequence and/or pattern based on the therapy protocol;
• causing the auditory stimulation sub-module to emit a determined sequence of tones based on the therapy protocol;
• receiving a control signal from the pediatric patient via the three load cells, wherein movement of the pediatric patient to generate the control signal is in response to the light and the determined sequence of tones and based on the executive function of the pediatric patient;
• determining a direction and a speed set by the pediatric patient based on the received control signal;
• determining a posture of the pediatric patient based on a signal coming from the at least one inertial sensor of the at least one seat module;
• determining a distribution of a load of the pediatric patient on the at least one seat module via the three load cells;
• calculating a movement required to correct the posture of the pediatric patient, via a processing module;
• reducing the weight of the pediatric patient via the crane module;
• and
• physically stimulating the pediatric patient to correct his/her posture via the the visual stimulation sub-module and/or the auditory stimulation sub-module.