Autism Spectrum DisorderNCT07775937
Social Robots and Board Games for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
A study testing Social Robot-Assisted Board Game Intervention and Conventional Occupational Therapy in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, run by National Taiwan University Hospital at 1 site in Taiwan.
Trial 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). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 4 to 10 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive
- What is being tested?
- Social Robot-Assisted Board Game Intervention and Conventional Occupational Therapy
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTaiwan
- Study dates
- 18 Aug 2026to 31 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 4 to 10 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- 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.
Who cannot join
- 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.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Taiwan1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch
Huwei, Yunlin
LIAO SHUYI, MS, +886-5-6330002#574322, kukocliao@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: Effectiveness of Social Robot-Assisted Intervention Combined With Board Games on Socio-Emotional Skills in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
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.
Read the detailed description
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):
- 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.
- 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.
- Being tested
- Social Robot-Assisted Board Game Intervention, Conventional Occupational Therapy
- Keywords
- Social Robots, Board Games, Occupational Therapy, Socio-Emotional Skills, Emotion Recognition
- Medical subject headings
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Social Robot-Assisted Board Game InterventionBehavioural
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.
Conventional Occupational TherapyBehavioural
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Receives: Behavioral: Social Robot-Assisted Board Game Intervention |
| Conventional Occupational Therapy Group | Active comparator | Conventional Occupational Therapy Group Receives: Behavioral: Conventional Occupational Therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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).
Measured: 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
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).
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention at Week 8
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Aug 2026
- Study start18 Aug 2026
- Primary completion30 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Autism Spectrum DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by National Taiwan University HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- National Taiwan University Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07775937
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 202603066RINC
- Other IDs
- NTUHYL 114-C011
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 20 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effectiveness of Social Robot-Assisted Intervention Combined With Board Games on Socio-Emotional Skills in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07775937
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 202603066RINC
- Keywords
- Social Robots, Board Games, Occupational Therapy, Socio-Emotional Skills, Emotion Recognition
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- National Taiwan University HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 18 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 20 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Detailed description
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):
- 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.
- 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 design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Robot-Assisted Board Game Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Social Robot-Assisted Board Game InterventionParticipants 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. |
| Conventional Occupational Therapy Group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Conventional Occupational TherapyConventional Occupational Therapy Group |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 4 to 10 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 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.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 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.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Social Robot-Assisted Board Game InterventionComprises 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. | Behavioural | Robot-Assisted Board Game Group |
| Conventional Occupational TherapyStandard 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. | Behavioural | Conventional Occupational Therapy Group |
Primary outcome
Change from Baseline in Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition (SRS-2) Total T-Score at Week 8
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention 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).
1 secondary outcome
Change from Baseline in Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) Total Problems T-Score at Week 8
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention at Week 8
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Social Robot-Assisted Board Game Intervention and Conventional Occupational Therapy in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, run by National Taiwan University Hospital at 1 site in Taiwan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Taiwan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact LIAO SHUYI, MS (+886-5-6330002#574322, kukocliao@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change from Baseline in Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition (SRS-2) Total T-Score at Week 8 (time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention at Week 8). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 20 Aug 2026.