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

NCT ID: NCT06975007

Last Updated: 2025-05-16

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 51 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-05-31
• Study Completion Date: 2025-10-31

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:

1. Complete a stress induction task (Trier Social Stress Test);

2. Be randomly assigned to interact with Paro, hold a weighted toy, or sit quietly without intervention;

3. Have their heart rate and blood pressure measured;

4. Complete surveys about their stress, anxiety and mood before and after the intervention.

Detailed Description

The study investigates the immediate effectiveness of interacting with an interactive robotic pet (Paro, a robotic seal) or a weighted sensory modulation toy for reducing acute stress and anxiety. It aims to determine the comparative efficacy of these interventions relative to a control condition involving quiet relaxation. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions: interaction with Paro, interaction with a weighted sensory toy, or a control group with no intervention.

All participants will first complete baseline measurements, including self-reported anxiety and stress assessments using validated instruments (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and Visual Analog Scale), as well as physiological indicators of stress (heart rate and blood pressure). Subsequently, participants will undergo the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), a validated procedure involving a brief public speaking task and mental arithmetic performed under evaluative conditions designed to induce moderate stress. Following the stress induction, participants will repeat stress and anxiety assessments and physiological measurements. They will then engage in their assigned intervention for 15 minutes. Post-intervention measurements of stress and anxiety, physiological markers, and perceived enjoyment/ engagement will be collected. Participants will also provide qualitative feedback regarding their intervention experiences.

Conditions

Stress

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Paro Robot Interaction

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

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Paro Robotic Companion Seal

Intervention Type: 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.

Weighted Toy Interaction

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.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Weighted Sensory Toy

Intervention Type: 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.

Control Group (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.

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Paro Robotic Companion Seal

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.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Weighted Sensory Toy

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.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

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

Exclusion Criteria

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

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

University of Auckland, New Zealand

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Nina Akulova

student

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Elizabeth Broadbent, Professor

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Department of Psychological Medicine, The University of Auckland

Locations

University of Auckland

Auckland, , New Zealand

Countries

New Zealand

Central Contacts

Nina Akulova

Role: CONTACT

naku935@aucklanduni.ac.nz

+64220903778

Other Identifiers

23002

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id