An interventional study of Robot delivered Education in Cancer Awareness and Prevention Education, Breast Cancer Awareness and Intellectual Disabilities (F70-F79), sponsored by National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Ireland. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-03-17.
Sponsored by National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
Individuals with Intellectual disability face numerous barriers to cancer education, awareness and screening, including communication challenges, anxiety, and a lack of accessible educational resources. Traditional methods often fail to meet their unique learning needs, contributing to lower screening rates , delayed diagnoses and poorer outcomes..
Socially assistive robots, have demonstrated effectiveness in delivering interactive, engaging, and tailored education, helping individuals with cognitive impairments better understand medical procedures and the importance of preventive care.
The study investigators propose to conduct a pilot single arm clinical trial with a semi humanoid robot to deliver cancer awareness education to adults with intellectual disability attending a disability day service in Ireland .The semi humanoid robot will be programmed to engage in 2 way communication about the cancer related educational content that is uploaded on its system.
.Approximately 25 adults with ID will receive the robot led educational intervention addressing both breast and colorectal cancer awareness and screening. This a pragmatic pilot study to inform a future larger controlled clinical trial Our overall objective is to Improve breast and colorectal cancer awareness knowledge level among adults with ID receiving a robot-delivered education intervention
Individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) face significant barriers in accessing healthcare education, including, challenges in understanding complex medical information and communicating with healthcare providers and anxiety1 Traditional methods of education delivery often fail to meet the unique learning needs of this population. Cancer screening is particularly affected by these barriers, leading to lower participation rates and delayed diagnoses 2 Socially assistive robots have demonstrated effectiveness in delivering interactive, engaging, and tailored education, helping individuals with cognitive impairments better understand medical procedures and the importance of preventive care. The integration of robotics in cancer awareness education offers a promising solution by providing an appealing and accessible learning experiences tailored to individuals with ID.
A number of studies have been conducted to investigate the use of social robots in healthcare learning .Findings demonstrate that technology which utilises artificial intelligence, speech recognition, and interactive displays enhance learning among individuals with cognitive impairments3 .A randomised controlled trial conducted in 2021 found the physical presence of the robot played a key role in engaging adults with ID and was valuable in learning as a facilitator of communication4.
Robots can simplify cancer awareness concepts using visual aids, step-by-step explanations, and gamification techniques to improve comprehension and retention. Additionally, research has shown that robots provide a non-judgmental and anxiety-free environment, making it easier for individuals with ID to engage with health education materials5,6.They also positively influence health behaviours and encourage proactive awareness participation7 Interactive robotic assistants have been shown to improve knowledge retention and promote adherence to medical recommendations among individuals with ID 8 Additionally it has also been demonstrated that social robots increase motivation in people with ASD when participating in educational activity9 By fostering independent learning and reducing healthcare disparities, robotics-based education represents a transformative approach to promoting cancer awareness screening and early detection.
'Breaking down Barriers' report10 (2023) is an assessment of the needs of disabled people in accessing cancer awareness services in Ireland. Recommendations to enhance cancer awareness in this population include person centred training and education using materials and assistive technologies to enhance delivery.
To this end the investigators plan to conduct a pilot a clinical trial to deliver Cancer Awareness and Prevention Education using the robot 'Pepper'. The trial will be conducted in collaboration with partners at the Brothers of Charity and colleagues at University of Galway, Galway University Hospital cancer services with support from the National Breast Cancer Research Institute ( NBCRI) ensuring co-design, implementation fidelity, and translation to routine care.
Cancer awareness resources already established by the National Cancer screening service will be utilised.
This pilot will assess feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a robot-led education intervention to improve knowledge, reduce anxiety, and encourage participation in population-based cancer awareness programmes.
The project aligns with the Irish National Screening Service (NSS) programmes (e.g., Breast Check and Bowel Screen) and leverages accessible educational materials already established by NSS, adapted for delivery by Pepper.
Co-design workshops with adults with ID, caregivers, and Limelight staff will inform: content selection, accessible wording, imagery, session pacing, and anxiety supports. PPI contributors will review the easy-read materials and pilot the interaction flow on Pepper.
387 studies on the registry are indexed under Intellectual Disability; 105 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 25 is below the median of 58 across 248 interventional studies indexed under Intellectual Disability.
Browse Intellectual Disability studies →National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland is the lead sponsor of 47 studies on the registry; 8 are open to participants now.
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Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
1 Severe sensory impairments that cannot be reasonably accommodated (e.g., profound hearing/vision loss without assistive solutions available for the session).
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Each participant will receive at two ( or more if required) Pepper Robot sessions approx. 10-15 minutes delivered within a 2-week window, in small groups (2-5) or individually as needed. Breast cancer awareness and breast examination training will be delivered via pepper. Participants will use the breast examination mannequin and also the breast awareness shower card to enhance learning about performing self breast -examination Colorectal cancer awareness information and red flag symptoms will also be delivered via pepper
Other: Robot delivered Education
Two Pepper Robot educational sessions , each approx. 10-15 minutes in duration delivered within a 2-week window, to small groups (2-5) or individually if needed, to people with intellectual disability Breast cancer awareness and breast examination training will be delivered via the robot pepper. Participants will use the breast examination mannequin and also the breast awareness shower card to enhance learning about performing self breast -examination Colorectal cancer awareness information and red flag symptoms will also be delivered via pepper
Change in cancer awareness knowledge score range from pre- to post-intervention (immediate),
Easy-read Knowledge Questionnaire (breast \& bowel awareness, 10-15 items each, pictorial supports, multiple choice/true-false.
Time frame: Before enrolment and post intervention -immediately after the final education session
Anxiety level related to checking for red flag symptoms (pre/post) using a 5-point visual faces scale validated/adapted for ID populations
Visual Faces Anxiety Scale (3 -point) will measure anxiety levels
Time frame: At baseline and post intervention -immediately after the final education session
Intention to check for red flag symptoms (pre/post) on a 5-point pictorial Likert scale.
Smiley face Likert scale (1-5) will measure assessment of intention to check for red flag symptoms and conduct self breast examinations (3)
Time frame: At basline and post intervention -immediately after the final education session
Participant experience of the semi-humanoid robot to deliver the educational program via short structured questionnaire.
Participant Experience Smiley Face Survey will be used to assess the participants in using the semi humanoid robot Pepper to deliver cancer awareness education
Time frame: At baseline and post intervention -immediately after the final education session
Participant acceptability of the semi-humanoid robot to deliver the educational program via short structured questionnaire.
Smiley Face Survey will be used to assess the participants acceptability in using the semi humanoid robot Pepper to deliver cancer awareness education.
Time frame: At baseline and post intervention -immediately after the final education session
Participant reported usability of the semi-humanoid robot to deliver the educational program via short structured questionnaire.
Smiley Face Survey will be used to assess participants percieved usability of the semi humanoid robot Pepper to deliver cancer awareness education.
Time frame: At baseline and post intervention -immediately after the final education session
The acceptability of using a robot assisted educational program
System Assessment for Staff and Professionals survey -6 point questionairre.
Time frame: At end of study
The usability of a robot system for delivery of an educational program
System Usability Scale (SUS)
Time frame: At end of study
Plan to share: Yes — Raw Anonymized Datasets: Coded data with Personal Health Information (PHI) removed will be shared.
Supporting information: Study protocol, Statistical analysis plan, Informed consent form, Clinical study report
Time frame: Unending beginning after data analysis
Access criteria: data repository
Data sharing details ↗ · data.mendeley.com
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Mar 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland