Comparing the Stress-Reducing Effects of a Robotic Pet and a Weighted Toy

NCT06975007 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 23002
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 51
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this trial is to learn whether interacting with a robotic pet (Paro) or holding a weighted sensory toy can reduce stress in healthy adults after an acute stressful experience. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does interacting with Paro or holding a weighted toy lower self-reported stress and anxiety levels?
• Does interacting with Paro or holding a weighted toy lower physiological markers of stress, such as heart rate and blood pressure? Researchers will compare interaction with Paro (robotic pet), interaction with a weighted sensory toy and a control group with no intervention to see which method is most effective in reducing stress. Participants will:
• Complete a stress induction task (Trier Social Stress Test);
• Be randomly assigned to interact with Paro, hold a weighted toy, or sit quietly without intervention;
• Have their heart rate and blood pressure measured;
• Complete surveys about their stress, anxiety and mood before and after the intervention.

Conditions

Stress

Keywords

Stress reduction; Robotic pet; Paro; Weighted sensory toy; Deep pressure stimulation; Acute stress; Trier Social Stress Test (TSST); Heart rate; Blood pressure; Human-robot interaction; Sensory modulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in affect (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule - PANAS)

  Positive and negative affect will be assessed using the PANAS at three time points. The primary outcome is the change in both subscale scores from post-stress to post-intervention across groups.

  Baseline, immediately after stress induction and immediately after intervention (approximately 1 hour total)

• Change in state anxiety scores (STAI-State short form)

  Participants' state anxiety will be measured at baseline, after the stress induction task, and after the intervention using the six-item short-form State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-State). The primary comparison will be change in scores from post-stress to post-intervention across the three groups.

  Baseline, immediately after stress induction, and immediately after intervention (~1 hour total)

• Change in subjective stress levels (Visual Analog Scale for stress)

  Participants will rate their current level of stress on a 100 mm Visual Analog Scale at three time points. The change from post-stress induction to post-intervention will be compared across groups.

  Baseline, immediately after stress induction, and immediately after intervention (~1 hour total)

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Change in heart rate

  Baseline, immediately after stress induction and immediately after intervention (approximately 1 hour total)

• Change in blood pressure

  Baseline, immediately after stress induction and immediately after intervention (approximately 1 hour total)

• Participant ratings of enjoyment and engagement (VAS scales)

  Immediately after intervention (within approximately 1 hour of study start)

• Qualitative feedback on participant experience

  Immediately after intervention (within approximately 1 hour of study start)

Study Arms (3)

Paro Robot Interaction

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will interact with Paro, a robotic companion seal, for 15 minutes following a stress induction task. Paro responds to touch and sound.

Device: Paro Robotic Companion Seal

Weighted Toy Interaction

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will hold and interact with a weighted sensory toy for 15 minutes following a stress induction task. The weighted toy provides deep pressure stimulation for calming effects.

Device: Weighted Sensory Toy

Control Group (No Intervention)

NO INTERVENTION

Participants will sit quietly for 15 minutes without any intervention following a stress induction task. This group allows natural recovery from stress without external aids.

Interventions

Paro Robotic Companion Seal DEVICE

Paro is an interactive robotic companion designed to simulate the behaviour of a baby harp seal. It responds to touch, light, sound, posture and temperature, providing tactile and social interaction for stress relief.

Paro Robot Interaction

Weighted Sensory Toy DEVICE

A soft, weighted animal-shaped toy (dog) designed to provide deep pressure stimulation. Participants hold or interact with the toy for 15 minutes following a stress induction task to promote relaxation and stress reduction.

Weighted Toy Interaction

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• over 18 years old
• fluent in English
• free from diagnosed anxiety or stress-related disorders

You may not qualify if:

• cardiovascular conditions that may affect heart rate and blood pressure measurements
• existing anxiety disorders or panic disorders.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Auckland, New Zealand: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Auckland

Auckland, 1023, New Zealand

Location

Study Officials

• Elizabeth Broadbent, Professor

  Department of Psychological Medicine, The University of Auckland

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Nina Akulova

CONTACT

+64220903778; naku935@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: student

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three parallel groups: interaction with a robotic companion (Paro), interaction with a weighted sensory toy or a control group with no intervention. Each participant will experience only one intervention condition following the stress induction task.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 28, 2025
• First Posted: May 16, 2025
• Study Start: May 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: October 1, 2025
• Study Completion: October 1, 2025
• Last Updated: May 16, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

NZ (1)