Impact of Conversational Approaches in Pediatric Social Robot-Mediated Interventions (NCT07389902) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Impact of Conversational Approaches in Pediatric Social Robot-Mediated Interventions
South Korea60 participantsStarted 2026-02-09
Plain-language summary
This study examines how different robot dialogue systems (rule-based vs. large language model-based) and content types (emotional support vs. safety education) affect pediatric patients' responses during hospital-based robot-mediated interventions.
Approximately 60 pediatric patients aged 2-9 years will be randomly assigned to interact with a social robot (LIKU) using either rule-based or LLM-based dialogue. Each child will participate in two activity sessions (emotional content and safety content) in randomized order.
Primary outcomes include child engagement, emotional responses, robot perception, and activity preferences, assessed through standardized questionnaires (UEQ, Godspeed), child interviews, and behavioral observations. Additionally, 5 experts will evaluate content appropriateness and safety.
This pilot study aims to provide foundational data for developing personalized pediatric robot programs in hospital settings, optimizing both dialogue approaches and content design based on individual child characteristics.
Who can participate
Age range
2 Years – 9 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Pediatric patients aged 2-9 years
* Currently admitted to or visiting Samsung Medical Center pediatric ward or outpatient clinic
* Capable of cognitive communication as determined by experienced medical staff
* Written informed consent from parent/legal guardian obtained
* Verbal assent from child obtained (developmentally appropriate)
* Not in acute emergency situation
* Able to engage in stable interaction for at least 5 minutes in hospital environment
Exclusion Criteria:
* Diagnosis of moderate to severe developmental delay (language or cognitive) documented in medical records
* Currently in isolation treatment (e.g., due to infectious disease)
* Experiencing acute pain, fever, or medical procedures that make study participation difficult
* Parent/guardian or child declined participation or withdrew consent
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Child Engagement Level
Timeframe: Immediately following each intervention session (assessed within 1 hour post-session)
2
User Experience
Timeframe: Immediately following each intervention session (approximately 5 minutes post-session)
3
Robot Perception
Timeframe: Immediately following each intervention session (approximately 5 minutes post-session)