Emotional Well-being, Pediatric Oncology, Quality of Life
Conditions
Keywords
technology, pediatric oncohematology, Hematological Malignancy, well-being, nurse
Brief summary
The hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) process imposes a substantial psychological burden, leading to impaired emotional well-being due to intensive treatment, isolation, and immunosuppression. Patients often experience social withdrawal, loneliness, and loss of control, which may result in persistent anxiety, depressive symptoms, and reduced quality of life (QoL) if unaddressed. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of an AI-powered robotic dog in improving emotional well-being and QoL in pediatric patients undergoing HSCT.
Detailed description
Pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) experience substantial psychological burden related to intensive treatment, protective isolation, prolonged hospitalization, and immunosuppression. Anxiety, emotional distress, loneliness, and reduced quality of life are common during the post-transplant inpatient period. However, infection control precautions and isolation procedures may limit access to traditional psychosocial support interventions in HSCT settings. Technology-assisted interventions, particularly social robots, have emerged as promising approaches for supporting emotional well-being in pediatric healthcare environments. AI-powered robotic companion devices may provide interactive engagement, emotional comfort, and opportunities for play during prolonged hospitalization while remaining compatible with infection control requirements. This pilot randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of an AI-powered robotic dog intervention in improving emotional well-being and quality of life in pediatric patients undergoing HSCT.
Interventions
OTHERAIBO
AIBO is an AI-powered interactive robot dog that engages children through play and touch-based interactions, including responding to petting, interacting with a ball, and making simple gestures. Using visual, auditory, and tactile sensing, AIBO enables spontaneous, child-centered interactions, expressing emotions through eye color changes, tail movements, and vocalizations, while gradually developing more adaptive behaviors through repeated interactions (weight: \~2.2 kg; dimensions: 180 × 293 × 305 mm)
Sponsors
Koç University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
No masking will be applied in this study due to the nature of the intervention.
Intervention model description
The study is designed as a single-center, randomized, controlled pilot trial to evaluate the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of an AI-powered robotic dog intervention in pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group, receiving standard care plus daily interaction with the AIBO robotic dog during the inpatient isolation period, or the control group, receiving standard post-transplant care alone.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
8 Years to 15 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Pediatric patients aged 8-15 years * Diagnosed with a hematological malignancy and undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation * Hospitalized in a protective isolation room during the post-transplant inpatient period * Expected to remain hospitalized under isolation for approximately 30 days post-transplant * Able to understand and respond to Turkish-language self-report questionnaires * Clinically stable and deemed eligible for participation by the treating clinical team * Able to interact with the robotic dog at a basic functional level
Exclusion criteria
* Severe cognitive impairment or neurodevelopmental conditions preventing meaningful interaction or self-report * Acute neurological conditions, delirium, or severe psychiatric crisis (e.g., acute agitation, suicidal ideation) * Requirement for intensive care, invasive ventilation, or a clinically unstable condition * Severe visual, hearing, or motor impairments that prevent interaction with the robotic dog * Additional infection control restrictions prevent the placement or use of the robotic dog in the isolation room * Anticipated early discharge, transfer, or inability to complete follow-up assessments * Severe fear, intolerance, or refusal to interact with robotic or electronic devices
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Positive and Negative Affect | Baseline (Day 1, before intervention initiation) and weekly assessments during the intervention period at Weeks 2, 3, and 4. | Emotional affect will be assessed using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children (PANAS-C). The scale evaluates positive and negative emotional states experienced by pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation during the inpatient isolation period. |
| Change in Emotional Well-being | Baseline (Day 1, before intervention initiation) and weekly assessments during the intervention period at Weeks 2, 3, and 4. | Children's emotional well-being will be assessed using the Stirling Children's Well-being Scale. The scale evaluates positive emotional functioning, interpersonal relationships, and overall psychological well-being in children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation during the inpatient isolation period. |
| Change in Health-Related Quality of Life | Baseline (Day 1, prior to intervention initiation) and Week 4 (post-intervention assessment after completion of the 4-week intervention period). | Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL 4.0). The scale consists of 23 items evaluating physical, emotional, social, and school functioning in children and adolescents. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life. |
Contacts
CONTACTEysan Savaş, PhD
CONTACTRemziye Semerci, PhD
Outcome results
None listed