Use of a Social Assistance Robot in a Population of Children Subjected to Prolonged Isolation

Launched by UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, TOULOUSE · May 6, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring how a social assistance robot can help children who are in the hospital for a long time and facing social isolation. When kids are hospitalized, they often miss out on being with their family and friends, which can be tough on them. The trial aims to see if using a robot can improve their situation and help them feel less alone, as well as how it affects their families.

To participate in this trial, children must be hospitalized in the pediatric hemato-oncology department (which deals with blood and cancer issues) for more than two weeks. The children and their parents must agree to use the robot at home. Unfortunately, kids with certain cognitive or physical disabilities that prevent them from using the robot, or families that do not speak enough French to participate, won’t be included. If chosen, participants can expect to interact with the robot and share their experiences, helping researchers understand the benefits of this technology in reducing feelings of isolation.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Children hospitalized in the pediatric hemato-oncology department whose duration of isolation is estimated to be greater than two weeks.
• • Children who have accepted the robot and whose parents have accepted its use in their home.
• • Agreement of holders of parental authority for the inclusion of the hospitalized child.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patient or two parents who do not have a sufficient level of French for research.
• • Cognitive or motor disorders in children, not allowing the use of the robot and/or the carrying out of semi-structured interviews.
• • Cognitive disorders in parents and/or siblings that do not allow semi-structured interviews to be carried out.