A huggable device can reduce the stress of calling an unfamiliar person on the phone for individuals with ASD.

ABSTRACT: Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are often not comfortable during mobile-phone conversations with unfamiliar people. "Hugvie" is a pillow with a human-like shape that has been designed to provide users with the tactile sensation of hugging another person during phone conversations to promote feelings of comfort and trust in the speaker toward their conversation partners. Our primary aim was to examine whether physical contact by hugging a Hugvie could reduce the stress of speaking with an unfamiliar person on the phone in individuals with ASD. We enrolled 24 individuals and requested them to carry out phone conversations either using only a mobile phone or using a mobile phone along with the Hugvie. All participants in both groups completed questionnaires designed to evalua

SUBMITTER: Sumioka H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8301655 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature