Robot Rehab: AAI With Robot During Inpatient Pediatric Rehab

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Pediatric ALL, Child, Hospitalized, Physical Therapy Modalities, Occupational Therapy, Animal Assisted Therapy

In brief

The purpose of this study is to: Aim 1: Evaluate the feasibility \[consent and refusal rates, attrition rates, length, and number of completed therapy sessions\], and acceptability \[interviews with children and guardians, overall patient and guardian satisfaction\] during inpatient physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) sessions. Hypothesis: Animal-assisted interaction (AAI) with Paro, a robotic baby harp seal, during pediatric inpatient PT/OT sessions will be feasible and acceptable. Aim 2: Assess preliminary efficacy of AAI during PT/OT sessions with Paro on behavior (anxiety and affect) and motivation to participate in rehabilitation in hospitalized children. Hypothesis: Children who use Paro will demonstrate less anxiety, more positive affect, and greater motivation to participate in therapy than those who do not use Paro. Aim 3: Test the stress, anxiety, and depression levels of parents/guardians of children who use Paro inpatient physical and occupational therapy sessions. Hypothesis: In addition, parents and guardians of children that use Paro will report less stress, anxiety, and depression compared to parents/guardians of children that do not use Paro.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT05275543

Run by

University of Nebraska

People needed

25

Starts

2022-04-01

Expected to finish

2025-01-03

Last updated by the study team

2026-01-21

Who can join

Age: 5 and older, up to 18. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age 5-18
• admitted to any of the five inpatient units at Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Omaha, NE
• have an available parent or guardian
• have an active consult request for PT or OT
• awake, alert, able to follow commands
• not delirious
• able to understand English
• free from significant vision or hearing deficits
• able to verbalize.

You may not qualify if…

• Have a pacemaker
• have airborne, enteric, or enhanced contact precautions
• wounds without a covering dressing or a dressing that is visibly soiled
• known adverse psychological reactions to animals
• excessive secretions via nose or mouth
• report feeling nauseated
• shows signs of acute agitation (yelling, screaming, moaning, or is otherwise inconsolable).

Where it is running

• Children's Hosptial and Medical Center — Omaha, Nebraska, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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