Comparing Imitation and Stereotyped Behaviors in Autistic Children: Robots vs. Human Operators

NCT06144528 | Unknown

• 1 other identifier: CNR-IRIB-PRO-2023-005
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Virtual QT is a social robot designed to interact with humans in social and educational contexts. Equipped with visual and vocal interfaces, the robot can recognize and respond to various human inputs, providing emotional support and social interaction. It uses facial expressions, gestures, and movements to communicate, encouraging engagement and supporting learning through playful and educational activities. Its ergonomic design and interactive approach make it suitable for both clinical and educational settings. The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of the QTrobot in interventions for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and to assess whether children's attention and imitation are equally effective with the QTrobot compared to interacting with a human being. Furthermore, the presence of significant differences between motor and expressive imitation, when interacting with the robot as opposed to a human interlocutor, will be investigated. A key aspect of this investigation is to assess whether the presence of the QTrobot can positively influence the repetitive or stereotyped behaviors exhibited by the children, compared to interaction with a person. Additionally, to further understanding, the children's heart rate will be monitored through the use of a sensor that will allow to evaluate how heart rate affects performance outcomes during interaction with the QTrobot and with a human being. In this study, children will be recruited to take part in two separate sessions, both involving the same task. During the first session, the task will be carried out between the child and the human operator. Subsequently, in the same task, the child will interact with the QT robot. Throughout both task administrations, the child will wear a sensor to detect their heart rate. Furthermore, all task sessions will be video-recorded to conduct subsequent video analysis and make notes on imitation behaviors and stereotypical actions relevant to the study.

Conditions

Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorder

Keywords

Autism; social robot; imitation; Stereotypies

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Video analysis of performance

  The videos of the interviews were analyzed by a single observer. For each child, the observer evaluated both the child's interactions, one with a person and another with the robot. The assessment included the child's attention, measured by the frequency and duration of the child's gazes towards the interaction partner. Additionally, the observer recorded the number of imitations of the partner's actions, limited to a maximum of four imitations. Finally, to evaluate repetitive and stereotyped behaviors, the observer counted the sequences of these behaviors and the number of repetitions within each sequence. A sequence was defined as a continuous repetition of the same behavior type, with pauses or interruptions considered as separate sequences. If the child paused and resumed the same or a different behavior, each restart was counted as a new sequence.

  The video analysis needs approximately 15 minutes per child

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Heart rate

  The test needs approximately 30 minutes

• Heart rate variability

  The test needs approximately 30 minutes

Study Arms (1)

Children with autism spectrum condition

Thirty Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) children with medium-high functioning, aged 4 to 13 years, IQ \> 75, in the absence of motor deficits due to another clinical condition.

Other: QT robot

Interventions

QT robot OTHER

In a single session each child will be video-recorded while performing the task. The participant subjects will perform the same task at two different times, once with the human operator and once with the Qt robot. Both tasks will have a duration of approximately 4 minutes. During the first minute, both the operator and the Qt will introduce themselves and ask four questions to the child to deepen the acquaintance. In the second minute, the operator/Qt will tell a story. In the third minute, the operator/Qt will ask to imitate 4 motor movements, while in the fourth minute, the operator/Qt will ask to imitate 4 facial expressions.

Children with autism spectrum condition

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 4 Years - 13 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Thirty children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will participate in the study. The children with ASD will be recruited and tested at the clinical facilities of the Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation of the National Research Council of Italy (IRIB-CNR) in Messina. To be included in the study the child needs to have an ASD diagnosis based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, fifth edition (DSM-5) criteria from a licensed clinical child neuropsychiatrist but no established intellectual disability (ID) diagnosis.

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosis of Autism
• QI ≥ 75

You may not qualify if:

• Motor deficits due to another clinical condition

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica: lead
• Messina, Italy: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB) - National Research Council (CNR)

Messina, 98164, Italy

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Costa AP, Charpiot L, Lera FR, Ziafati P, Nazarikhorram A, van der Torre L, Steffgen GA (2018) Comparison between a person and a robot in the attention, imitation, and repetitive and stereotypical behaviors of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In: Proceedings workshop on Social human-robot interaction of human-care service robots at HRI2018

  BACKGROUND

• Zheng Z, Young EM, Swanson AR, Weitlauf AS, Warren ZE, Sarkar N. Robot-Mediated Imitation Skill Training for Children With Autism. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng. 2016 Jun;24(6):682-91. doi: 10.1109/TNSRE.2015.2475724. Epub 2015 Sep 3.

  PMID: 26353376 BACKGROUND

• Zorcec T, Ilijoski B, Simlesa S, Ackovska N, Rosandic M, Popcevic K, Robins B, Nitzan N, Cappel D, Blum R. Enriching Human-Robot Interaction with Mobile App in Interventions of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Pril (Makedon Akad Nauk Umet Odd Med Nauki). 2021 Oct 26;42(2):51-59. doi: 10.2478/prilozi-2021-0021.

  PMID: 34699714 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autistic Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Stereotypic Movement Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Flavia Marino

  Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB) - National Research Council (CNR)

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Chiara Failla

CONTACT

+393921985644; chiara.failla@irib.cnr.it

Giovanni Pioggia

CONTACT

+393203390892; giovanni.pioggia@irib.cnr.it

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Head of Unit

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 16, 2023
• First Posted: November 22, 2023
• Study Start: December 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: February 28, 2024
• Study Completion: April 30, 2024
• Last Updated: November 22, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

IT (1)