Using a robot to help children cope with pain during medical procedures
Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Enhanced Social Robots to Improve Children's Healthcare Experiences
This study is testing a special robot that helps kids feel less pain and worry during medical procedures by keeping them distracted and supported.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 90 (estimated) |
| Ages | 5 Years to 11 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Alberta Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Edmonton, Alberta and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06556329 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This project aims to develop and evaluate an artificial intelligence-enhanced social robot designed to alleviate children's distress and pain in clinical settings. The robot will interact with children during painful procedures, such as intravenous insertions, to provide distraction and support. By incorporating user-centered design and collaboration between healthcare experts and engineers, the study seeks to create a more responsive and effective intervention. The goal is to improve the experience of children undergoing medical procedures by reducing their pain and anxiety through innovative technology.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are children aged 5-11 years who require intravenous insertion and will receive a topical anesthetic.
Not a fit: Patients who are medically unstable, unconscious, or have significant sensory or cognitive impairments may not benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce procedural distress and pain in children, leading to better healthcare experiences.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies using robots for pain management in children have shown promising results, but this project aims to address methodological limitations and enhance robot autonomy.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. child aged 5-11 years 2. requires IVI 3. will receive topical anesthetic for IVI Exclusion Criteria: 1. medically unstable (CTAS 1, requiring immediate IV insertion) 2. unconscious or not fully alert 3. visual or auditory impairments 4. neurocognitive delays or mental health issues precluding safe interaction with the robot intervention 5. sensory impairment to pain (ex. spina bifida) 6. parental or child language barrier precluding the ability to understand and complete study assessments, in the absence of a native language translator 7. not accompanied by legal guardian 8. previous enrolment in this clinical trial or in the co-design or usability studies 9. other reason at the discretion of the clinical staff
Where this trial is running
Edmonton, Alberta and 1 other locations
- Stollery Children's Hospital — Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Recruiting)
- The Hospital for Sick Children — Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Patricia Candelaria, BScN
- Email: stacruz@ualberta.ca
- Phone: 780-432-0451
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.