Breathe easy: Harnessing robots for stress reduction during pediatric oral challenges

Background: Allergy procedures, such as oral food and drug challenges, are the diagnostic criterion standards, but may cause increased anxiety in patients and caregivers. Interventions that may mitigate allergy-related anxiety are now being explored to ease the burden these procedures pose. Objective: The purpose of this feasibility study was to explore the use of robots to reduce the psychosocial effects of allergy procedures. Methods: A robot designed to support and guide a user through deep breathing practices was made available to 10 patients and their caregivers during outpatient oral challenges. Aspects of the interactions between the patients and caregivers and the robot were recorded. Results: The interest and the number of interactions with the robot varied among the individuals, but most patients interacted with the robot several times. Most caregivers reported that the robot had a positive impact on their child’s experience and would like the robot to be present at future procedures. Conclusion: This feasibility study explored the integration of a robot in the setting of allergy procedures. In future work, validated measures of allergy-related anxiety and comparison with other forms of distraction should be used to further assess the robot’s clinical impact. This study lends support to the idea that robotics may serve as a valuable and complementary tool to improve patient and caregiver experiences during allergy procedures.