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Autism Spectrum DisorderNCT06805916

Promoting Communication in Minimally Verbal Autistic Children with Social Robot

A study testing NAO-Assisted Therapy and Standard therapeutic in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, run by IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo at 1 site in Italy.

Enrolling by invitation

Enrolling by invitation. The study team selects and invites participants, usually from an existing group of patients.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Minimally verbal (MV) children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face significant challenges in communication and social interaction, which are fundamental to learning and development. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 4 to 12 years
Conditions the study is for
Autism Spectrum Disorder
What is being tested?
NAO-Assisted Therapy and Standard therapeutic
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
100 participants
Where
1 siteItaly
Study dates
2 Jan 2023to 30 Sep 2025
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 12 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Minimal verbal communication
  • Age between 4 and 12 years.

Who cannot join

  • Presence of severe intellectual disability.
  • Diagnosis of neurological disorders other than ASD.
  • Significant medical conditions that could interfere with study participation.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Italy1 site
  • IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo

    Messina, Messina, 98100

Other trials in Italy

About this study

Official title: Promoting Communicative Initiative in Minimally Verbal Autistic Children Through Interaction with the Humanoid Social Robot

Minimally verbal (MV) children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face significant challenges in communication and social interaction, which are fundamental to learning and development. Current therapeutic approaches, such as speech therapy and augmentative communication systems, often have variable efficacy due to engagement and responsiveness challenges. This pilot study investigates using of the humanoid robot NAO as part of a rehabilitative program designed for MV children with ASD. NAO, with its predictable and engaging interaction style, is hypothesized to enhance communicative initiative, expressive communication, and social interaction in this population. The study employs a randomized controlled trial design, assigning participants to either an NAO-assisted intervention group or a control group receiving standard therapy. Outcomes will be assessed using standardized measures of communication, social interaction, and observational data. This research aims to explore the potential of social robots as an innovative tool to addressing the unique needs of MV children with ASD, contributing to the development of effective, accessible therapeutic options that improve their quality of life and that of their families.

Read the detailed description

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. Among individuals with ASD, approximately 25-30% are minimally verbal (MV), demonstrating limited verbal or non-verbal communication skills, which poses significant challenges for social interaction and learning. Early diagnosis and tailored therapeutic interventions are crucial for improving long-term outcomes in this population. However, traditional therapies often face limitations, including variability in efficacy and difficulty maintaining engagement among MV children. In recent years, the integration of advanced technologies into therapeutic programs has gained traction as an innovative approach to address communication challenges in ASD. Social robots, such as the humanoid robot NAO, offer unique opportunities to engage children with ASD through consistent and predictable interactions. NAO is equipped with capabilities including speech recognition, gestures, and responses to touch and movement, making it an effective tool for promoting communication and social behaviors. Preliminary studies suggest that social robots can enhance engagement and improve social skills in children with ASD, yet their potential remains underexplored in minimally verbal children. This single-blind, randomized, controlled study aims to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a rehabilitative treatment program integrating the NAO robot for minimally verbal children with ASD. NAO-assisted therapy sessions are designed to promote communicative initiative, expressive language, and social interaction through interactive tasks tailored to each child's needs.

The study's outcomes will be measured using standardized communication assessments, including the Test of Verbalization (TVL), and observational data to evaluate engagement, responsiveness, and frequency of communicative behaviors. By leveraging advanced robotic technology, this study aims to explore new avenues for therapeutic interventions, ultimately contributing to the development of evidence-based strategies that improve the quality of life for minimally verbal children with ASD and their families.

Being tested
NAO-Assisted Therapy, Standard therapeutic
Medical subject headings
Autism Spectrum Disorder

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • NAO-Assisted TherapyBehavioural

    The intervention sessions included tasks designed to engage the child in verbal and social interactions, such as naming objects, responding to questions, and performing gestures. The NAO robot provided consistent and predictable feedback, while therapists supported and reinforced appropriate communicative behaviors.

  • Standard therapeuticBehavioural

    Standard therapeutic approaches included exercises aimed at improving verbal communication and social engagement, such as naming objects, sentence construction, and comprehension tasks. Therapists adapted the intervention to the child's individual communication goals.

Study groups in NCT06805916
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
NAO-Assisted Intervention (Experimental Group EG)ExperimentalThe treatment group consists of 50 children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who are minimally verbal (MV). Participants were randomly assigned and underwent a structured rehabilitative program integrated with the use of the NAO humanoid robot. The intervention was tailored to individual needs and aimed at improving communicative initiative, verbalization, and social engagement. Each child received therapy over a period of 12 weeks, totaling 12 sessions, once per week, with each session lasting 45 minutes.
Receives: Behavioral: NAO-Assisted Therapy
Standard Therapy (Control Group)Active comparatorThe control group consists of 50 children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who are minimally verbal (MV). Participants were randomly assigned and underwent standard therapeutic approaches, which included traditional speech therapy provided by trained therapists. The therapy followed established protocols and was adapted to meet the specific needs of minimally verbal children. Each child received therapy over a period of 12 weeks, totaling 12 sessions, once per week, with each session lasting 45 minutes.
Receives: Behavioral: Standard therapeutic

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Language Development Level Test (TVL)

    The Test of Verbalization and Language Development (TVL) is a standardized tool designed to assess various aspects of language development, including verbal production, comprehension, sentence construction, phonological accuracy, and morphosyntactic abilities. The weighted score ranges from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating better language development.

    Measured: T0(baseline)-T1(3months)

  2. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)

    The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) is a caregiver-reported questionnaire used to identify emotional and behavioral problems in children. It measures multiple domains, including emotional reactivity, anxiety, attention problems, and social difficulties. The T-scores do not have a specific range, but values between 50 and 70 are considered within the normal range, while 70 to 100 indicates clinical significance. Higher scores indicate greater behavioral problems.

    Measured: T0(baseline)-T1(3months)

  3. Quality of Life in Autism Questionnaire (QoLA)

    The Quality of Life in Autism Questionnaire (QoLA) is a standardized measure assessing the quality of life of parents of autistic children, focusing on emotional well-being, stress, and satisfaction with support services. The questionnaire consists of two parts:

    • Part A: Scores range from 28 to 140, with higher scores indicating a better perceived quality of life.
    • Part B: Scores range from 20 to 100, with higher scores indicating fewer problems for parents related to their child's ASD-related behaviors.

    Measured: T0(baseline)-T1(3months)

  4. Repetitive Behavior Scale (RBS)

    The Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) is a caregiver-reported questionnaire assessing restricted and repetitive behaviors in autistic children, including stereotyped behaviors, self-injury, and compulsive behaviors. Each behavior is rated on a 4-point Likert scale. Higher scores indicate greater severity of repetitive behaviors.

    Measured: T0(baseline)-T1(3months)

  5. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)

    The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a brief behavioral screening tool assessing emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity, peer relationship problems, and prosocial behaviors in children aged 2-17 years.

    For all scales except the prosocial behavior scale, higher scores indicate greater levels of distress. In the prosocial behavior scale, higher scores indicate stronger positive social behaviors.

    Measured: T0(baseline)-T1(3months)

  6. Conners' Parent Rating Scale (CPRS)

    The Conners' Parent Rating Scale (CPRS) is a widely used research and clinical tool that gathers parental reports on childhood behavioral problems, particularly related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and associated behavioral concerns. T-scores above 70 indicate a higher likelihood of problematic behaviors and ADHD symptoms. Higher scores suggest greater severity of behavioral issues

    Measured: T0(baseline)-T1(3months)

  7. Mand Requests During Sessions

    This observational measure tracks and records the number of spontaneous and prompted requests initiated by the child to express needs or desires during therapy sessions. Frequency count per session. Higher frequencies indicate greater communicative initiative

    Measured: During Sessions

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted3 Feb 2025
  2. Study start2 Jan 2023
  3. Primary completion30 Sep 2025 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Sep 2025 (estimated)

Resources

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
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
100 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06805916
Sponsor's protocol ID
NAO01
Status last verified
Dec 2024
First submitted
28 Jan 2025
Last updated
11 Feb 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Hodges H, Fealko C, Soares N. Autism spectrum disorder: definition, epidemiology, causes, and clinical evaluation. Transl Pediatr. 2020 Feb;9(Suppl 1):S55-S65. doi: 10.21037/tp.2019.09.09.

    PubMed 32206584
  • Rose V, Trembath D, Keen D, Paynter J. The proportion of minimally verbal children with autism spectrum disorder in a community-based early intervention programme. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2016 May;60(5):464-77. doi: 10.1111/jir.12284.

    PubMed 27120989
  • Brignell A, Chenausky KV, Song H, Zhu J, Suo C, Morgan AT. Communication interventions for autism spectrum disorder in minimally verbal children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 Nov 5;11(11):CD012324. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012324.pub2.

    PubMed 30395694
  • Korneder J, Louie WG, Pawluk CM, Abbas I, Brys M, Rooney F. Robot-mediated interventions for teaching children with ASD: A new intraverbal skill. Assist Technol. 2022 Nov 2;34(6):707-716. doi: 10.1080/10400435.2021.1930284. Epub 2021 May 28.

    PubMed 33983864
  • Salimi Z, Jenabi E, Bashirian S. Are social robots ready yet to be used in care and therapy of autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021 Oct;129:1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.04.009. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

    PubMed 33862066

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing NAO-Assisted Therapy and Standard therapeutic in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, run by IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo at 1 site in Italy.

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 3 inclusion and 3 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: enrolling by invitation, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 Feb 2025. 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 Italy. 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?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Language Development Level Test (TVL) (time frame: T0(baseline)-T1(3months)). The study lists 7 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06805916, which also lists 5 linked publications.

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 11 Feb 2025.

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