None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The experimental program, a technical adaptation of an interactive program based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy principles, delivered via a social humanoid robot (NAO robot), is a novel approach to providing mental health support to and improving anxiety symptoms in children. The social robot delivers information about anxiety and introduces different anxiety management strategies to increase children’s knowledge of anxiety and coping strategies. This project is in the early stages but if effective in reducing the symptoms of anxiety in children, the social robot may represent a novel and engaging treatment option for children. The primary objective of this study is to assess the feasibility of using a social humanoid robot for children with anxiety. It is expected that the social robot will be an engaging mode of delivery for anxiety treatment and management information for children with anxiety. The secondary objective of this study is to evaluate whether the digital modality (online and robot) can help reduce anxiety symptoms in children with ‘elevated’ anxiety. It is expected that children with elevated anxiety who complete the program may show some decreases in anxiety symptoms, including in life interference and impairment experienced due to anxiety symptoms, such as sleep habits and difficulties, depression symptoms, and executive functioning.
Interventions
This experimental program is an interactive technical adaptation of several core elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, delivered via a social humanoid robot (NAO robot). The program delivers information about anxiety to increase knowledge (psychoeducation) and introduces different strategies for noticing and managing anxiety symptoms (emotion recognition and management). The program will be delivered in a single session of no longer than 60 minutes duration and will involve four different m
This experimental program is an interactive technical adaptation of several core elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, delivered via a social humanoid robot (NAO robot). The program delivers information about anxiety to increase knowledge (psychoeducation) and introduces different strategies for noticing and managing anxiety symptoms (emotion recognition and management). The program will be delivered in a single session of no longer than 60 minutes duration and will involve four different modules. The first module of the program involves an introduction to anxiety, the second module discusses when anxiety can be helpful, the third module presents information regarding when anxiety is not helpful, and the fourth module teaches three simple strategies for managing anxiety symptoms. The program is based on a set session script which will have simplified branching options based on responses to questions and activities in the session. Children will attend one face-to-face session with the robot at a Monash University facility during which the program is delivered, facilitated by a trained researcher. Children will be required to listen to the social robot and to respond to the robot by speaking or pressing buttons on different areas of the robot (e.g., feet, arms, head). After completion of the session, children and their parents/guardians will be asked a series of questions about their experience of the robot. Adherence to the robot program will be assessed via monitoring by the researcher for session engagement, and completion rates of the session and session activities.
Sponsors
Monash University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
8 Years to 11 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Participants may participate in the study if they: (a) are between the ages of 8 to 11 years and 11 months at the time of enrolment into the study (i.e., signing the consent form); (b) score within the “elevated” or above range of the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (total T-score > 60); and (c) have a legally acceptable representative (i.e., parent or guardian) capable of understanding the informed consent document and providing consent on their behalf.
Exclusion criteria
Participants will be excluded from the pilot study if they: (a) have visual, hearing, or physical impairments that would prevent them from understanding the assessment requirements or engaging in the digital intervention; (b) are not English speaking; (c) have diagnosed or borderline intellectual delay, or who have an IQ < 70; and (d) children with comorbid diagnoses that, in the opinion of a research team member, may confound study data/assessments, i.e., oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder or severe mental health conditions (e.g., severe selective mutism) by impacting on their ability to participate in the session with the content and/or robot in a safe way. No further exclusion criteria will be applied.
Outcome results
None listed