Millions of children in North America receive an annual flu vaccination, many of whom are at risk of experiencing severe distress. Children frequently use technologically advanced devices such as computers and cell phones. Based on this familiarity, the investigators introduced another sophisticated device - a humanoid robot to- interact with children during their vaccination. The investigators hypothesized that these children would experience less distress than children who did not have this interaction.
57 children (30 male; age, mean + SD: 6.87 + 1.34 years) were randomly assigned to a vaccination session with a nurse who used standard administration procedures, or with a robot who was programmed to use cognitive-behavioral strategies with them while a nurse administered the vaccination. Measures of distress were completed by children, parents, nurses, and researchers.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
57
Alberta Children's Hospital
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Faces Pain Scale-Revised
The Faces Pain Scale-Revised was administered to children and their parents while in the waiting room and after consent was signed. Once this questionnaire and consent were completed, the parent and child entered the vaccination room for the vaccination. As soon as the vaccination was completed, the Faces Pain Scale-Revised was re-administered.
Time frame: 5 mins before and immediate after vaccination
Behavioral Approach-Avoidance Distress Scale
The Behavioral Approach-Avoidance Distress Scale was used by researchers one week after the data collection phase was completed while reviewing the videos.
Time frame: one week after vaccination was administered
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