Social Robots and Board Games for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

NCT07775937 | Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: 202603066RINCNTUHYL 114-C011
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluates the effectiveness of combining social robot-assisted intervention with physical board games to improve socio-emotional skills in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Children with ASD often face challenges in emotion recognition, emotional regulation, and social interaction. This study aims to investigate whether integrating an interactive social robot (Kebbi) into board game activities can enhance children's social engagement, emotional comprehension, and cooperative behaviors compared to conventional occupational therapy. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the robot-assisted board game group or the conventional occupational therapy group.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive

Keywords

Social Robots; Board Games; Occupational Therapy; Socio-Emotional Skills; Emotion Recognition

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change from Baseline in Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition (SRS-2) Total T-Score at Week 8

  The SRS-2 is a 65-item parent-reported questionnaire evaluating social communication, social motivation, and autistic behaviors in children. Items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale. Raw scores are converted to standardized T-scores (mean = 50, SD = 10). Higher T-scores indicate more severe social responsiveness impairment (T-scores ≥ 60 indicate clinically significant impairment). Outcome is assessed as the score change from baseline to post-intervention (Week 8).

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention at Week 8

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change from Baseline in Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) Total Problems T-Score at Week 8

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention at Week 8

Study Arms (2)

Robot-Assisted Board Game Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive an 8-week social robot-assisted intervention combined with physical acrylic emotion puzzle board games (1 session per week, 30 minutes per session), facilitated by a certified occupational therapist.

Behavioral: Social Robot-Assisted Board Game Intervention

Conventional Occupational Therapy Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Conventional Occupational Therapy Group

Behavioral: Conventional Occupational Therapy

Interventions

Social Robot-Assisted Board Game Intervention BEHAVIORAL

Comprises 14 structured social-emotional scenario scripts using the Kebbi Air interactive robot and a custom mobile application, paired with 5-piece modular acrylic emotion puzzle boards covering 7 basic and complex emotions.

Robot-Assisted Board Game Group

Conventional Occupational Therapy BEHAVIORAL

Standard occupational therapy utilizing sensory integration equipment (e.g., swings, therapy rollers, jumping mats) and therapist-guided social interactive activities targeting emotional regulation and peer interaction.

Conventional Occupational Therapy Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 4 Years - 10 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Children aged 4 to 10 years, of any biological sex.
• Confirmed clinical diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
• Cognitive ability: Comprehensive Developmental Inventory for Infants and Toddlers (CDIIT) results indicating borderline to normal cognitive function, with a Developmental Quotient (DQ) \>= 70.
• Socio-emotional ability: CDIIT socio-emotional subscale indicating borderline development, with a Developmental Quotient (DQ) between 70 and 84.
• Legal guardian provides written informed consent and child provides assent where appropriate.

You may not qualify if:

• Inability to comprehend or engage in interactive activities involving the Kebbi Air robot or physical board games.
• Presence of other primary diagnoses affecting emotional or social functioning, such as severe neurodevelopmental disorders, psychiatric disorders, or ASD with severe emotional disturbances that prevent participation in intervention activities (CDIIT DQ \< 70).
• Inability to commit to regular weekly intervention sessions, or parental unwillingness to participate in required observational assessments and questionnaire completion.
• Strong behavioral resistance or severe aversion to digital interactive tools or board game activities.
• Inability to follow simple two-step verbal instructions after a preliminary 10-minute trial assessment conducted by the occupational therapist.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Taiwan University Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch

Huwei, Yunlin, Taiwan

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Central Study Contacts

LIAO SHUYI, MS

CONTACT

+886-5-6330002#574322; kukocliao@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 17, 2026
• First Posted: August 20, 2026
• Study Start: August 18, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Last Updated: August 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TW (1)