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Di Sarno L, Caroselli A, Tonin G, Graglia B, Pansini V, Causio FA, Gatto A, Chiaretti A. Artificial Intelligence in Pediatric Emergency Medicine: Applications, Challenges, and Future Perspectives. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1220. [PMID: 38927427 PMCID: PMC11200597 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The dawn of Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare stands as a milestone in medical innovation. Different medical fields are heavily involved, and pediatric emergency medicine is no exception. We conducted a narrative review structured in two parts. The first part explores the theoretical principles of AI, providing all the necessary background to feel confident with these new state-of-the-art tools. The second part presents an informative analysis of AI models in pediatric emergencies. We examined PubMed and Cochrane Library from inception up to April 2024. Key applications include triage optimization, predictive models for traumatic brain injury assessment, and computerized sepsis prediction systems. In each of these domains, AI models outperformed standard methods. The main barriers to a widespread adoption include technological challenges, but also ethical issues, age-related differences in data interpretation, and the paucity of comprehensive datasets in the pediatric context. Future feasible research directions should address the validation of models through prospective datasets with more numerous sample sizes of patients. Furthermore, our analysis shows that it is essential to tailor AI algorithms to specific medical needs. This requires a close partnership between clinicians and developers. Building a shared knowledge platform is therefore a key step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Di Sarno
- Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (B.G.); (A.C.)
- The Italian Society of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (SIIAM), 00165 Rome, Italy; (F.A.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Anya Caroselli
- Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (B.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Giovanna Tonin
- Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.T.); (V.P.)
| | - Benedetta Graglia
- Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (B.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Valeria Pansini
- Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.T.); (V.P.)
| | - Francesco Andrea Causio
- The Italian Society of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (SIIAM), 00165 Rome, Italy; (F.A.C.); (A.G.)
- Section of Hygiene and Public Health, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Gatto
- The Italian Society of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (SIIAM), 00165 Rome, Italy; (F.A.C.); (A.G.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.T.); (V.P.)
| | - Antonio Chiaretti
- Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (B.G.); (A.C.)
- The Italian Society of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (SIIAM), 00165 Rome, Italy; (F.A.C.); (A.G.)
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Nichol B, McCready J, Erfani G, Comparcini D, Simonetti V, Cicolini G, Mikkonen K, Yamakawa M, Tomietto M. Exploring the impact of socially assistive robots on health and wellbeing across the lifespan: An umbrella review and meta-analysis. Int J Nurs Stud 2024; 153:104730. [PMID: 38430662 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2024.104730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Socially assistive robots offer an alternate source of connection for interventions within health and social care amidst a landscape of technological advancement and reduced staff capacity. There is a need to summarise the available systematic reviews on the health and wellbeing impacts to evaluate effectiveness, explore potential moderators and mediators, and identify recommendations for future research and practice. OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of socially assistive robots within health and social care on psychosocial, behavioural, and physiological health and wellbeing outcomes across the lifespan (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023423862). DESIGN An umbrella review utilising meta-analysis, narrative synthesis, and vote counting by direction of effect. METHODS 14 databases were searched (ProQuest Health Research Premium collection, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, ASM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore, Cochrane Reviews, and EPISTEMONIKOS) from 2005 to May 4, 2023. Systematic reviews including the effects of socially assistive robots on health outcomes were included and a pooled meta-analysis, vote counting by direction of effect, and narrative synthesis were applied. The second version of A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR-2) was applied to assess quality of included reviews. RESULTS 35 reviews were identified, most focusing on older adults with or without dementia (n = 24). Pooled meta-analysis indicated no effect of socially assistive robots on quality of life (standard mean difference (SMD) = 0.43), anxiety (SMD = -0.02), or depression (SMD = 0.21), although vote counting identified significant improvements in social interaction, mood, positive affect, loneliness, stress, and pain across the lifespan, and narrative synthesis identified an improvement in anxiety in children. However, some reviews reported no significant difference between the effects of socially assistive robots and a plush toy, and there was no effect of socially assistive robots on psychiatric outcomes including agitation, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and medication use. DISCUSSION Socially assistive robots show promise for improving non-psychiatric outcomes such as loneliness, positive affect, stress, and pain, but exert no effect on psychiatric outcomes such as depression and agitation. The main mechanism of effect within group settings appeared to be the stimulation of social interaction with other humans. Limitations include the low quality and high amount of overlap between included reviews. CONCLUSION Socially assistive robots may help to improve loneliness, social interaction, and positive affect in older adults, decrease anxiety and distress in children, and improve mood, stress, and reduce pain across the lifespan. However, before recommendations for socially assistive robots can be made, a cost-effectiveness analysis of socially assistive robots to improve mood across the lifespan, and a quantitative analysis of the effects on pain, anxiety, and distress in children are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany Nichol
- Department of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
| | - Jemma McCready
- Department of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
| | - Goran Erfani
- Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
| | - Dania Comparcini
- Section of Nursing, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
| | | | - Giancarlo Cicolini
- Section of Nursing, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
| | - Kristina Mikkonen
- Research Unit of Health Science and Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Miyae Yamakawa
- Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita City, Japan.
| | - Marco Tomietto
- Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Research Unit of Health Science and Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
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Dosso JA, Riminchan A, Robillard JM. Social robotics for children: an investigation of manufacturers' claims. Front Robot AI 2023; 10:1080157. [PMID: 38187475 PMCID: PMC10770258 DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2023.1080157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
As the market for commercial children's social robots grows, manufacturers' claims around the functionality and outcomes of their products have the potential to impact consumer purchasing decisions. In this work, we qualitatively and quantitatively assess the content and scientific support for claims about social robots for children made on manufacturers' websites. A sample of 21 robot websites was obtained using location-independent keyword searches on Google, Yahoo, and Bing from April to July 2021. All claims made on manufacturers' websites about robot functionality and outcomes (n = 653 statements) were subjected to content analysis, and the quality of evidence for these claims was evaluated using a validated quality evaluation tool. Social robot manufacturers made clear claims about the impact of their products in the areas of interaction, education, emotion, and adaptivity. Claims tended to focus on the child rather than the parent or other users. Robots were primarily described in the context of interactive, educational, and emotional uses, rather than being for health, safety, or security. The quality of the information used to support these claims was highly variable and at times potentially misleading. Many websites used language implying that robots had interior thoughts and experiences; for example, that they would love the child. This study provides insight into the content and quality of parent-facing manufacturer claims regarding commercial social robots for children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill A. Dosso
- Neuroscience, Engagement, and Smart Tech (NEST) Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Neuroscience, Engagement, and Smart Tech (NEST) Laboratory, British Columbia Children’s and Women’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Anna Riminchan
- Neuroscience, Engagement, and Smart Tech (NEST) Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Neuroscience, Engagement, and Smart Tech (NEST) Laboratory, British Columbia Children’s and Women’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Julie M. Robillard
- Neuroscience, Engagement, and Smart Tech (NEST) Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Neuroscience, Engagement, and Smart Tech (NEST) Laboratory, British Columbia Children’s and Women’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Nishat F, Hudson S, Panesar P, Ali S, Litwin S, Zeller F, Candelaria P, Foster ME, Stinson J. Exploring the needs of children and caregivers to inform design of an artificial intelligence-enhanced social robot in the pediatric emergency department. J Clin Transl Sci 2023; 7:e191. [PMID: 37745926 PMCID: PMC10514688 DOI: 10.1017/cts.2023.608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Objective Socially assistive robots (SARs) are a promising tool to manage children's pain and distress related to medical procedures, but current options lack autonomous adaptability. The aim of this study was to understand children's and caregivers' perceptions surrounding the use of an artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced SAR to provide personalized procedural support to children during intravenous insertion (IVI) to inform the design of such a system following a user-centric approach. Methods This study presents a descriptive qualitative needs assessment of children and caregivers. Data were collected via semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups. Participants were recruited from two Canadian pediatric emergency departments (EDs) between April 2021 and January 2022. Results Eleven caregivers and 19 children completed 27 individual interviews and one focus group. Three main themes were identified: A. Experience in the clinical setting, B. Acceptance of and concerns surrounding SARs, and C. Features that support child engagement with SARs. Most participants expressed comfort with robot technology, however, concerns were raised about sharing personal information, photographing/videotaping, and the possibility of technical failure. Suggestions for feature enhancements included increasing movement to engage a child's attention and tailoring language to developmental age. To enhance the overall ED experience, participants also identified a role for the SAR in the waiting room. Conclusion Artificial intelligence-enhanced SARs were perceived by children and caregivers as a promising tool for distraction during IVIs and to enhance the overall ED experience. Insights collected will be used to inform the design of an AI-enhanced SAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fareha Nishat
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Summer Hudson
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Prabdeep Panesar
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Samina Ali
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Sasha Litwin
- Division of Emergency Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Frauke Zeller
- School of Computing, Engineering, and The Built Environment, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, SC, UK
| | - Patricia Candelaria
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | - Jennifer Stinson
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Palomaa AK, Huhtala S, Tuomikoski AM, Pölkki T. Effectiveness of technology-based interventions compared with other non-pharmacological interventions for relieving procedural pain in hospitalized neonates: a systematic review. JBI Evid Synth 2023; 21:1549-1581. [PMID: 37218335 DOI: 10.11124/jbies-22-00179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of technology-based interventions for relieving procedural pain among hospitalized neonates compared with other non-pharmacological interventions. INTRODUCTION Neonates who require hospital care often experience acute pain during medical procedures. The current best practice for relieving pain in neonates is the use of non-pharmacological interventions, such as oral solutions or intervention-based human touch. Technological solutions (eg, games, eHealth applications, mechanical vibrators) have become more commonplace in pediatric pain management over recent years; however, there is a sizeable knowledge gap around how effective technology-based interventions are for relieving pain in neonates. INCLUSION CRITERIA This review considered experimental trials that include technology-based, non-pharmacological interventions for relieving procedural pain among hospitalized neonates. The primary outcomes of interest include pain response to a procedure measured by a pain assessment scale validated for neonates, behavioral indicators, and changes in physiological indicators. METHODS The search strategy aimed to identify both published and unpublished studies. MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MedNar, and EBSCO Open Dissertations databases were searched for studies published in English, Finnish, or Swedish. Critical appraisal and data extraction were conducted by 2 independent researchers who adhered to JBI methodology. Meta-analysis could not be performed due to considerable heterogeneity in the studies; as a result, the findings are presented narratively. RESULTS A total of 10 randomized controlled trials involving 618 children were included in the review. The staff members delivering the interventions and the outcome assessors were not blinded in all of the studies, which introduced a potential risk of bias. The presented technology-based interventions were diverse, including laser acupuncture, noninvasive electrical stimulation of acupuncture points, robot platform, vibratory stimulation, recorded maternal voice, and recorded intrauterine voice. In the studies, pain was measured using validated pain scales, behavioral indicators, and physiological variables. In the studies in which pain was assessed with a validated pain measure (N=8), technology-based pain relief was significantly more effective than the comparator in 2 studies, whereas no statistically significant differences were observed in 4 studies and the technology-based intervention was less effective than the comparator in 2 studies. CONCLUSIONS The effectiveness of technology-based interventions in relieving neonatal pain, either as a standalone method or in combination with another non-pharmacological method, was mixed. Further research is needed to provide reliable evidence on which technology-based, non-pharmacological pain relief intervention is most effective for hospitalized neonates. SUPPLEMENTAL DIGITAL CONTENT A Finnish-language version of the abstract of this review is available as supplemental digital content [ http://links.lww.com/SRX/A19 ]. REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42021254218.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Kaija Palomaa
- Research Unit of Nursing Science and Health Management, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Finnish Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care: A JBI Centre of Excellence, Helsinki, Finland
- Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center Oulu, University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Saija Huhtala
- Research Unit of Nursing Science and Health Management, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Finnish Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care: A JBI Centre of Excellence, Helsinki, Finland
- Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center Oulu, University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Anna-Maria Tuomikoski
- Research Unit of Nursing Science and Health Management, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Finnish Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care: A JBI Centre of Excellence, Helsinki, Finland
- Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Oulu, Finland
| | - Tarja Pölkki
- Research Unit of Nursing Science and Health Management, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Finnish Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care: A JBI Centre of Excellence, Helsinki, Finland
- Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center Oulu, University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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Socially Assistive Robots for Parkinson's Disease: Needs, Attitudes and Specific Applications as Identified by Healthcare Professionals. ACM TRANSACTIONS ON HUMAN-ROBOT INTERACTION 2022. [DOI: 10.1145/3570168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
To explore how socially assistive robots (SARs) may assist the specific needs of individuals with Parkinson's disease (IwPD), we conducted three focus groups with 12 clinicians who treat IwPD. We present a thematic analysis of their perceptions of the needs of the patients, and their own expectations, perceived advantages, disadvantages and concerns regarding the use of SARs for IwPD. Clinicians were positive towards using SARs for IwPD, if used in the patient's home, for motor, communication, emotional, and cognitive needs, especially for practice and for help with activities of daily living. They were concerned that a SAR might be used to replace clinicians’ work, and stressed it should only
augment
the clinicians’ work. They thought a SAR may relieve some of the burden experienced by informal caregivers, and identified specific applications for SARs for PD. We asked 18 stakeholders (nine IwPD, nine family members) to rate their level of agreement with the clinicians’ statements. The greatest divergence between their views and those of the clinicians was on the topic of using a SAR as a companion, or as a feeding assistant, to which they objected. This work may be used as a basis for future studies designing SARs for IwPD.
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Geva N, Hermoni N, Levy-Tzedek S. Interaction Matters: The Effect of Touching the Social Robot PARO on Pain and Stress is Stronger When Turned ON vs. OFF. Front Robot AI 2022; 9:926185. [PMID: 35875704 PMCID: PMC9305613 DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2022.926185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Social touch between humans, as well as between humans and animals, was previously found to reduce pain and stress. We previously reported that touching a social robot can also induce a reduction in pain ratings. However, it is unclear if the effect that touching a robot has on pain perception is due to its appearance and its pleasant touch, or due to its ability to socially interact with humans. In the current experiment, we aimed to assess the contribution of the interactive quality to pain perception. We assessed the effect of touching the social robot PARO on mild and strong pain ratings and on stress perception, on a total of 60 healthy young participants. The robot either interacted with participants (ON group, n = 30) or was turned off (OFF group, n = 30). Touching the robot induced a decrease in mild pain ratings (compared to baseline) only in the ON group while strong pain ratings decreased similarly in both the ON and the OFF groups. The decrease in mild pain ratings in the ON group was significantly greater in participants with a higher positive perception of the interaction with PARO. We conclude that part of the effect that touching the robot has on pain stems from its interactive features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirit Geva
- Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Department of Physical Therapy, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Netta Hermoni
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Shelly Levy-Tzedek
- Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Department of Physical Therapy, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Shelly Levy-Tzedek,
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Rossi S, Santini SJ, Di Genova D, Maggi G, Verrotti A, Farello G, Romualdi R, Alisi A, Tozzi AE, Balsano C. Using social robot NAO for emotional support to children at a paediatric emergency department: a randomised clinical trial. J Med Internet Res 2021; 24:e29656. [PMID: 34854814 PMCID: PMC8796042 DOI: 10.2196/29656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Social robots (SRs) have been used for improving anxiety in children in stressful clinical situations, such as during painful procedures. However, no studies have yet been performed to assess their effect in children while waiting for emergency room consultations. Objective This study aims to assess the impact of SRs on managing stress in children waiting for an emergency room procedure through the assessment of salivary cortisol levels. Methods This was an open randomized clinical trial in children attending a pediatric emergency department. Children accessing the emergency room were randomized to 1 of 3 groups: (1) playing with a NAO SR, (2) playing with a study nurse, or (3) waiting with parents. The salivary cortisol levels of all children were measured through a swab. Salivary cortisol levels before and after the intervention were compared in the 3 groups. We calculated the effect size of our interventions through the Cohen d-based effect size correlation (r). Results A total of 109 children aged 3-10 years were enrolled in the study, and 94 (86.2%) had complete data for the analyses. Salivary cortisol levels significantly decreased more in the group exposed to robot interaction than in the other two groups (r=0.75). Cortisol levels decreased more in girls (r=0.92) than in boys (r=0.57). Conclusions SRs are efficacious in decreasing stress in children accessing the emergency room and may be considered a tool for improving emotional perceptions of children and their families in such a critical setting. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04627909; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT04627909
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Rossi
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University Federico II-Naples, Naples, IT
| | - Silvano Junior Santini
- Department of life, health & Environmental sciences- MESVA-School of Emergency and Urgency Medicine, University of L'Aquila, via spennati L'aquila 67100, L'Aquila, IT
| | - Daniela Di Genova
- Department of life, health & Environmental sciences- MESVA-School of Emergency and Urgency Medicine, University of L'Aquila, via spennati L'aquila 67100, L'Aquila, IT
| | - Gianpaolo Maggi
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, IT
| | | | | | - Roberta Romualdi
- Department of life, health & Environmental sciences- MESVA-School of Emergency and Urgency, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, IT
| | - Anna Alisi
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, IT
| | | | - Clara Balsano
- Department of life, health & Environmental sciences- MESVA-School of Emergency and Urgency Medicine, University of L'Aquila, via spennati L'aquila 67100, L'Aquila, IT
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Abstract
Hospitalisation is stressful for children. Play material is often offered for distraction and comfort. We explored how contact with social robot PLEO could positively affect a child's well-being. To this end, we performed a multiple case study on the paediatric ward of two hospitals. Child life specialists offered PLEO as a therapeutic activity to children in a personalised way for a well-being related purpose in three to five play like activity sessions during hospital visits/stay. Robot-child interaction was observed; care professionals, children and parents were interviewed. Applying direct content analysis revealed six categories of interest: interaction with PLEO, role of the adults, preferences for PLEO, PLEO as buddy, attainment of predetermined goal(s) and deployment of PLEO. Four girls and five boys, aged 4-13, had PLEO offered as a relief from stress or boredom or for physical stimulation. All but one started interacting with PLEO and showed behaviours like hugging, caring or technical exploration, promoting relaxation, activation and/or making contact. Interaction with PLEO contributed to achieving the well-being related purpose for six of them. PLEO was perceived as attractive to elicit play. Although data are limited, promising results emerge that the well-being of hospitalised children might be fostered by a personalised PLEO offer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara J Moerman
- Robotics Research Group, Windesheim University for Applied Sciences, the Netherlands
| | - Rianne Ml Jansens
- Research Center for Assistive Technology in Care, 5216Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands
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Geva N, Uzefovsky F, Levy-Tzedek S. Touching the social robot PARO reduces pain perception and salivary oxytocin levels. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9814. [PMID: 32555432 PMCID: PMC7299999 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66982-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Human-human social touch improves mood and alleviates pain. No studies have so far tested the effect of human-robot emotional touch on experimentally induced pain ratings, on mood and on oxytocin levels in healthy young adults. Here, we assessed the effect of touching the robot PARO on pain perception, on mood and on salivary oxytocin levels, in 83 young adults. We measured their perceived pain, happiness state, and salivary oxytocin. For the 63 participants in the PARO group, pain was assessed in three conditions: Baseline, Touch (touching PARO) and No-Touch (PARO present). The control group (20 participants) underwent the same measurements without ever encountering PARO. There was a decrease in pain ratings and in oxytocin levels and an increase in happiness ratings compared to baseline only in the PARO group. The Touch condition yielded a larger decrease in pain ratings compared to No-Touch. These effects correlated with the participants' positive perceptions of the interaction with PARO. Participants with higher perceived ability to communicate with PARO experienced a greater hypoalgesic effect when touching PARO. We show that human-robot social touch is effective in reducing pain ratings, improving mood and - surprisingly - reducing salivary oxytocin levels in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirit Geva
- Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Florina Uzefovsky
- Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Department of Psychology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Shelly Levy-Tzedek
- Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
- Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
- Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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Social robots as treatment agents: Pilot randomized controlled trial to deliver a behavior change intervention. Internet Interv 2020; 21:100320. [PMID: 32461916 PMCID: PMC7240221 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2020.100320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Social robots are increasingly demonstrating effectiveness as low-intensity behavior change agents. Key targets for these behavioral interventions include daily lifestyle behaviors with significant health consequences, such as the consumption of high-calorie foods and drinks ('snacks'). A pilot randomized controlled trial using a stepped-wedge design was conducted to determine the efficacy of a motivational intervention by an autonomous robot, to help reduce high-calorie snacks. Twenty-six adults were randomized to receive Immediate or 4-week Delayed treatment, with assessments at Baseline and Weeks 4 and 8. The treatment comprised motivation enhancement and self-management training using mental imagery (Functional Imagery Training). A significant condition by time effect for snack episode reduction was obtained, F(2, 32.06) = 4.30, p = .022. The Immediate condition significantly reduced snacking between Baseline and Week 4 (d = -1.06), while the Delayed condition did not (d = -0.08). Immediate participants maintained their improvement between Weeks 4 and 8 (d = -0.18), and Delayed participants then showed a significant fall (d = -1.42). Overall, 'Immediate' participants decreased their snack episodes by 54% and 'Delayed' decreased by 62% from Baseline to Week 8, and an average weight reduction of 4.4 kg was seen across over the first 2 weeks of treatment. Four weeks after starting the intervention, both conditions had significant increases in perceived confidence to control snack intake for time duration, specific scenarios and emotional states (d = 0.61 to 1.42). Working alliance was significantly correlated with reduced snack episodes. The pilot's results appear to suggest that the robot-delivered intervention may be as effective as a human clinician delivering a similar intervention. The robot-delivered pilot achieved similar snack episode reduction in the first four weeks (FIT-R, 55%) when compared with the human-delivered version by a trained clinician (FIT-H, 49%). Overall, the results provide preliminary evidence for an autonomous social robot to deliver a low-intensity treatment on dietary intake without the need for human intervention. Future trials should extend the deployment of the robot-delivered intervention protocol to other low-intensity behavioral outcomes.
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Socially-Assistive Robots Using Empathy to Reduce Pain and Distress during Peripheral IV Placement in Children. Pain Res Manag 2020; 2020:7935215. [PMID: 32351642 PMCID: PMC7171682 DOI: 10.1155/2020/7935215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Socially-assistive robots (SAR) have been used to reduce pain and distress in children in medical settings. Patients who perceive empathic treatment have increased satisfaction and improved outcomes. We sought to determine if an empathic SAR could be developed and used to decrease pain and fear associated with peripheral IV placement in children. Methods We conducted a pilot study of children receiving IV placement. Participating children were randomized to interact with (1) no robot, or a commercially available 3D printed humanoid SAR robot programmed with (2) empathy or (3) distraction conditions. Children and parents completed demographic surveys, and children used an adapted validated questionnaire to rate the robot's empathy on an 8-point Likert scale. Survey scores were compared by the t-test or chi-square test. Pain and fear were measured by self-report using the FACES and FEAR scales, and video tapes were coded using the CHEOPS and FLACC. Scores were compared using repeated measures 2-way ANOVA. This trial is registered with NCT02840942. Results Thirty-one children with an average age of 9.6 years completed the study. For all measures, mean pain and fear scores were lowest in the empathy group immediately before and after IV placement. Children were more likely to attribute characteristics of empathy to the empathic condition (Likert score 7.24 v. 4.70; p=0.012) and to report that having the empathic vs. distraction robot made the IV hurt less (7.45 vs. 4.88; p=0.026). Conclusions Children were able to identify SAR designed to display empathic characteristics and reported it helped with IV insertion pain and fear. Mean scores of self-reported or objective pain and fear scales were the lowest in the empathy group and the highest in the distraction condition before and after IV insertion. This result suggests empathy improves SAR functionality when used for painful medical procedures and informs future research into SAR for pain management.
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Emotional and Behavioural Distraction by a Social Robot for Children Anxiety Reduction During Vaccination. Int J Soc Robot 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12369-019-00616-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Using AI-Enhanced Social Robots to Improve Children’s Healthcare Experiences. SOCIAL ROBOTICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-62056-1_45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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