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ROBO-PAWS: Robot-Dog-Assisted Walking

NCT07603180 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 40

Last updated 2026-05-22

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Childhood cancers affect approximately 400,000 children and adolescents worldwide each year. Although advances in treatment have significantly improved survival rates, children undergoing cancer treatment continue to experience a wide range of treatment-related symptoms and complications. Among these, fatigue and sleep disturbances are particularly common and may persist throughout treatment and survivorship, negatively affecting psychological well-being, cognitive functioning, and overall quality of life. Reduced physical activity during treatment is strongly associated with worsening fatigue, impaired sleep, and decreased quality of life in pediatric oncology patients. However, treatment side effects, prolonged hospitalization, infection risk, and lack of motivating play-based activities often limit children's participation in physical activity during treatment. Recent evidence suggests that physical activity interventions may help reduce fatigue and improve well-being in children with cancer, yet engaging and age-appropriate non-pharmacological interventions remain limited, especially for younger children.

This pilot randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the feasibility and potential effects of a robot-dog-assisted walking intervention on sleep quality, fatigue, and quality of life among children aged 2-7 years undergoing cancer treatment.

Conditions

  • Sleep Quality
  • Fatigue
  • Quality of Life

Interventions

DEVICE

Robot-Dog-Assisted Walking

The intervention will use AIBO (Sony Interactive Entertainment, ERS-1000), an artificial intelligence-based robotic dog designed to support social interaction and engagement with children. AIBO is equipped with advanced sensors, interactive movement capabilities, microphones, speakers, and touch-responsive features that allow it to respond to voice commands, physical contact, and environmental stimuli. Its natural dog-like movements, facial expressions displayed through OLED eyes, and playful behaviors are intended to attract children's attention and encourage participation in walking activities. In addition, the device includes motion and distance sensors that enable safe navigation within the clinical environment. Participants in the intervention group will receive standard medical and nursing care in addition to a robot-dog-assisted walking intervention using AIBO (Sony Interactive Entertainment, ERS-1000). Children will participate in supervised walking sessions twice daily (mornin

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Koç University

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
2 Years
Max Age
7 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-06-01
Primary Completion
2027-06-01
Completion
2027-06-01

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Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07603180 on ClinicalTrials.gov