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Purrble's Soothing Touch for Eating Disorders and Autism
Sponsor: King's College London
Summary
The purpose of this study is to explore the potential therapeutic benefits of the Purrble intervention, a tangible device designed to assist with in-situ emotion regulation, for individuals on the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust (SLaM) Eating Disorders outpatient service waiting list. By examining its effects on emotion regulation, sensory sensitivity, depression, anxiety, and motivation for treatment engagement, the study seeks to offer empirical evidence on the efficacy of the Purrble as a supportive tool while patients are on the waiting list for formal outpatient treatment.
Official title: SOOTH-ED: Purrble's Soothing Touch for Eating Disorders and Autism
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
200
Start Date
2024-02-08
Completion Date
2025-11-30
Last Updated
2025-06-05
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Purrble
The intervention takes the form of an interactive plush toy, which was co-designed with children to support in-the-moment soothing. The device is framed as an anxious creature, in need of care and attention when it feels distressed. This distress is indicated by a simulated heartbeat using embedded electronics to produce vibration patterns of i) frantic and anxious, to ii) slow, steady and relaxed. When held, the device emits a frantic heartbeat which can be slowed by stroking movements registered by embedded sensors. Once the device has been "soothed" for long enough, the heartbeat transitions into a purring vibration indicating a relaxed state. This transition can be achieved in under 1 minute but is dependent on the device-human interaction.
Locations (1)
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
London, United Kingdom