Not afraid of needles
Some young patients are very afraid of needles. A robot programmed especially for them makes them feel less fear and pain.
Most children fear needles. For some children, this resistance is so great that it is complicated to draw blood. Esther van der Roest, unit manager of various laboratories at the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital (WKZ), including the blood collection clinic: "Sometimes the anxiety starts the day before. Children are stressed and sometimes cross, which also affects parents. They become anxious or irritable. It is especially troublesome when children with fear of needles need to undergo this regularly, for example because of an illness. They can then become increasingly afraid of needles." The WKZ specialises in children with fear of needles and asked our students and researchers to investigate what social robots can do for them.
Robot reduces anxiety and pain
"The robot appears to be the most effective intervention in children aged 6-9 years."
Students explore what works
What do children like about robots? Students researched this in schools and translated it to the blood collection clinic.
Students are professionals of the future
Koen Smit: "We developed this minor because we want to further help organisations that want to deploy social robots. But mostly because we think professionals will benefit greatly from using these robots in the future. For example, in healthcare or education. There, such a robot can take work off the professional's hands. We train future professionals who can use robots intelligently here at the HU. Students learn what works well, and what does not, and why. They also learn simple programming, target group research and ethical decisions. For example, if a robot needs to be able to respond to what you say, it should record your voice. Is that even allowed? And if so, how long can it keep the recording? And to whom does the recording belong to? And what is it allowed and not allowed to do with it? These are all questions they think about during the minor."
Future: Using robots to encourage movement?
"We will investigate whether robots can help children in the WKZ move more," he said.
Collaborating on solutions that work
Wouter Tiel Groenestege: "At the moment, the robots are not used yet. We are still studying how best to apply them. In addition, a new group of HU students will start working with our physiotherapists. For children who spend a lot of time in bed, staying fit is difficult. While fitness is actually very important for recovery. Therefore, students will look at which robots excite children and what those robots should do to help children move more. Thus, we continue to work together on digital innovations that make hospital visits as pleasant as possible for children."
Research, education and practice converge
Want to know more about collaborating on social robotics?
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As a child, it is sometimes difficult to tell what is bothering you. See how our students collaborated on a cuddle robot with whom you can tell all your secrets.
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