Fuzzy, Handheld Robots: The Newest Emotional Support “Animal” by Kimberly Feifel https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4 NURS 5324 en-us 2023-01-19 19:16:36 UTC 2026-02-20 16:05:20 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f916.png Source Details kimberlyfeifel https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450295279 I chose to utilize the article Furry Soft Robot Helps Patients During Unpleasant Medical Procedures as found on medgadget.com. It was published in 2022 by Conn Hastings, Ph.D. Hastings succinctly summarizes information obtained from researchers at the University of Tsukuba in Japan. 

Youchan Yim, Yohei Noguchi, and Fumihide Tanake designed, created, and tested their small robot and published their research in Scientific Reports in 2022 in an article titled A wearable soft robot that can alleviate the pain and fear of the wearer. This was the study from which Hastings retrieved his information, and it was used to cross-reference and supplement information provided in his article on medgadget.com.
]]> 2023-01-19 19:31:52 UTC https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450295279 Date Published kimberlyfeifel https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450295883 The article Furry Soft Robot Helps Patients During Unpleasant Medical Procedures was published on November 1, 2022.

The research study A wearable soft robot that can alleviate the pain and fear of the wearer was published on October 17, 2022.]]> 2023-01-19 19:32:26 UTC https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450295883 Summary of the Current Innovation kimberlyfeifel https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450307830 In his article, Furry Soft Robot Helps Patients During Unpleasant Medical Procedures, Hastings (2022) discusses a new, innovative robotic design from the University of Tsukuba in Japan. The Japanese team of researchers sought to ease the fears among young and old patients during medical procedures by designing a small, handheld robot “that contains inflatable actuators that can interact with and clench the patient’s hand” (Hastings, 2022). Through the interactive design (see Figure 1), Japanese researchers identified a marked reduction in the fear response. 

Hastings (2022) discusses how this petite device can distract patients and elicit calming effects, whether the patient has a specific fear of needles or an overall increase in anxiety levels when in medical settings. Hastings (2022) stated that Japanese researchers theorized that “squishy and adorable robots may provide a proxy for human touch and a distraction during potentially painful or uncomfortable procedures.”

In his article, Hastings (2022) quotes Fumihide Tanaka, one of the Japanese researchers, and states, “it is well known that interpersonal touch can reduce pain and fear . . results suggest that the use of wearable soft robots may reduce fear as well as alleviate the perception of pain during medical treatments.” Evidence supports their claims. The results of their initial experiment, which utilized volunteers and moderate heat exposure, demonstrated effectiveness through subjective volunteer feedback and saliva tests for stress biomarkers, which displayed a decrease in cortisol and oxytocin levels (Hastings, 2022). 
]]> 2023-01-19 19:42:47 UTC https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450307830 Texas Children's First Therapy Dog Retires kimberlyfeifel https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450330509 From KPRC 2 Click2Houston, 2022. https://youtu.be/FFggCdKx5-8]]> 2023-01-19 20:02:40 UTC https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450330509 Because who doesn't love hugging something soft? kimberlyfeifel https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450337267 From “Meet Paro,” by McClatchy, 2014, https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/personalfinance/meet-paro-a-fuzzy-robot-designed-to-help-the-elderly/2195561/]]> 2023-01-19 20:08:59 UTC https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450337267 Pros kimberlyfeifel https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450344845 Many patients experience some anxiety when faced with a possibly painful or scary medical procedure. In extreme cases, this may result in patients refusing to seek help for medical testing, immunizations, or seeking help in emergencies. Furthermore, while very few people enjoy receiving needle sticks, children are often terrified, which leads to increased stress among caregivers. By easing the fear response among this population of patients, we have the opportunity to reduce pain and anxiety and possibly increase the overall health within our communities. As illustrated in Figure 2, fuzzy robots can offer comfort to people of all ages, not only children.]]> 2023-01-19 20:16:31 UTC https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450344845 Cons kimberlyfeifel https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450345054 As a fairly new technology, robotics are generally still relatively expensive. Additionally, Covid-19 has led to global supply chain issues. While no prices were listed in the article, it is safe to assume that these handy robots will not be inexpensive. The cost of the device may result in smaller hospitals, including clinics, rural community hospitals, and facilities in low socioeconomic areas, being unable to afford them. ]]> 2023-01-19 20:16:44 UTC https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450345054 Opinion and Rationale kimberlyfeifel https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450345628 This new technology will be valuable to our organization, especially as we are a pediatric acute care hospital. This small device can reduce anxiety and pain during medical procedures. As stated by researchers and quoted by Hastings (2022), saliva tests post-procedure indicated decreased levels of oxytocin and cortisol, which are stress-related hormones. Its appearance is aesthetically appealing to children, and its small stature and ability to interactively respond to the patient’s movements will help engage and distract the children. 

Additionally, as we currently have four service dogs that cover our three medical towers, which encompass over 970 beds, the demand for emotional support is overwhelming. Adding these support robots can provide reassurance, emotional support, and patient cooperation during minor procedures, such as immunizations, blood specimen collection and IV placements, imaging, and diagnostic testing. These are situations where support animals are unable to participate due to the procedure's nature and the animal's availability. Additionally, whereas therapy dogs grow older and retire (as illustrated in Video 1), these fuzzy robots can live forever.]]> 2023-01-19 20:17:10 UTC https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450345628 Using Strengths kimberlyfeifel https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450346109 My top five strengths from StrengthsFinders are achiever, maximizer, relator, learner, and deliberative. Two are executing (achiever and deliberative), one is influencing (maximizer), one is relationship building (relator), and one is strategic thinking (learner). 

My strengths will help the team through my commitment to hard work, excellence, and improvement. As an achiever, I have an innate drive to work hard and remain productive. My strengths as a maximizer and relator enable me to form close working relationships and connect with and motivate others. I strive for excellence both independently and as a member of a group. Finally, my learner and deliberative strengths enable me to continuously seek improvement, anticipate obstacles, and make well-educated decisions. 

After careful consideration and self-evaluation, I have chosen Carter, Fernando, Ivy, Izzie, and Sheila to be my team members. I evaluated not only each individual’s top strength but also the category in which it falls. As two of my top strengths are executing, I attempted to add one additional member within that category. I also evaluated my weaknesses and chose members that would be able to help fill in knowledge and experience gaps and that will be able to facilitate exemplary teamwork and productivity.]]> 2023-01-19 20:17:39 UTC https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450346109 Carter: Communication (Influencing) kimberlyfeifel https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450346702 I chose Carter, whose strength is communication (influencing). His strengths in presentation, public speaking, and conversation, will assist the team in connecting with our volunteers, stakeholders, and members within our organization. His strength in communication will complement my lack in this area; I prefer to avoid public speaking and making presentations. ]]> 2023-01-19 20:18:16 UTC https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450346702 Fernando: Focus (Executing) kimberlyfeifel https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450347288 I chose Fernando, whose strength is focus (executing), as his ability to determine a direction and make corrections to stay on track will be invaluable to the team. Additionally, his commitment to following through will help motivate the team.]]> 2023-01-19 20:18:43 UTC https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450347288 Ivy: Individualization (Relationship Building) kimberlyfeifel https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450347645 I chose Ivy, whose strength is individualization (relationship building), because it is essential to have a team member who can assist with connecting team members through identifying differences, including strengths and weaknesses, and using that knowledge to increase productivity. ]]> 2023-01-19 20:19:08 UTC https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450347645 Izzy: Input (Strategic Thinking) kimberlyfeifel https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450347997 I chose Izzy, whose strength is input (strategic thinking), as she can increase productivity and improve outcomes through her innate ability to collect and organize information and ideas.]]> 2023-01-19 20:19:30 UTC https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450347997 Sheila: Strategic (Strategic Thinking) kimberlyfeifel https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450348325 I chose Sheila, who is strategic (strategic thinking). She is invaluable to the team as her strength relates to her ability to seek and create alternate ways of thinking. Her ability to identify obstacles and plan for unexpected barriers will assist the team with overcoming these issues to ensure smoother planning and execution. ]]> 2023-01-19 20:19:51 UTC https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450348325 References kimberlyfeifel https://padlet.com/kimberlyfeifel/gljtxc742qbsk7s4/wish/2450349361 McClatchy. (2014, August 31). Dorothy [Online image]. Meet Paro, a fuzzy robot designed to help the elderly. Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved on January 19, 2023, from https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/personalfinance/meet-paro-a-fuzzy-robot-designed-to-help-the-elderly/2195561/

Hastings, C. (2022, November 1). Furry soft robot helps patients during unpleasant medical procedures. Medgadget. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://www.medgadget.com/2022/11/furry-soft-robot-helps-patients-during-unpleasant-medical-procedures.html

Inflatable hand-held robot. [Online image]. (2022). Scientific Reports. Retrieved January 19, 2023, from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-21183-7/figures/7

KPRC 2 Click2Houston. (2022, April 8). Additional footage from Texas Children’s Hospital’s 1st therapy dog’s retirement [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/FFggCdKx5-8

Yim, Y., Noguchi, Y., & Tanaka, F. (2022). A wearable soft robot that can alleviate the pain and fear of the wearer. Scientific Reports, 12 (Article No. 17003). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-21183-7

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