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.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often encounter challenges in emotion recognition, emotional regulation, and social interactions. This pilot randomized controlled trial investigates the preliminary efficacy and feasibility of integrating a commercially available interactive social robot (Kebbi Air) with customized physical acrylic board games to enhance socio-emotional functioning in children with ASD, compared to conventional occupational therapy. INTERVENTION PROTOCOL: Participants are randomly allocated into one of two 8-week intervention programs (1 session per week, 30 minutes per session): 1. Experimental Group (Robot-Assisted Board Game Intervention): Participants interact with the Kebbi Air social robot running a dedicated application developed in collaboration with digital media specialists. The curriculum comprises 14 structured social scenarios addressing basic emotion recognition (happiness, anger, sadness, fear, liking, jealousy, longing), appropriate social responses, and non-verbal cues. The robot utilizes facial expressions, body movements, and dynamic voice cues to present 10 interactive questions per script. Children collect 5 modular acrylic puzzle pieces per scenario representing body postures, clothing, dialogue, background, and objects, assembling them onto an emotion puzzle board. A certified occupational therapist facilitates the session by scaffolding comprehension and guiding peer interactions. The robot serves purely as an interactive instructional tool and does not record or store personal identifiable data. 2. Control Group (Conventional Occupational Therapy): Participants receive standard, therapist-led occupational therapy targeting sensory-motor integration, emotional regulation, and social participation. Activities include sensory-based equipment (e.g., swings, therapy rollers, jumping mats) and structured social games (turn-taking, rule-following, and collaborative tasks) without robotic devices or specialized emotion puzzle board games. OUTCOME MEASURES: Standardized assessments are administered at baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention (Week 8) via parent-reported questionnaires: * Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition (SRS-2) to assess social communication, social motivation, and autistic behaviors. * Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) to evaluate emotional, behavioral, and adaptive competencies. SAMPLE SIZE AND RANDOMIZATION: A total of 20 children aged 4 to 10 years with a confirmed clinical diagnosis of ASD (and meeting CDIIT developmental criteria) will be recruited and randomized (1:1 ratio) to either the experimental or control group.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
20
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.
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.
National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch
Huwei, Yunlin, Taiwan
RECRUITINGChange 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).
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention at Week 8
Change from Baseline in Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) Total Problems T-Score at Week 8
The ASEBA (Child Behavior Checklist) is a standardized parent-completed instrument assessing emotional, behavioral, and social adaptive competencies. Raw scores yield standardized T-scores for internalizing, externalizing, and total behavioral problems (mean = 50, SD = 10). Higher T-scores indicate greater behavioral or emotional difficulties (T-scores ≥ 64 indicate clinical concern). Outcome is assessed as the score change from baseline to post-intervention (Week 8).
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention at Week 8
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