4. Discussion
ADVERSE EVENTS, ADVERSE EVENT
In this randomized clinical trial, we demonstrated that the mobile robots had good effectiveness and safety in providing vital signs and radiation dose rate measurement service for patients receiving radionuclide therapeutic treatment. Our study found that the mobile robots had good effectiveness and safety in providing vital signs and radiation dose rate measurement service for patients, and there was no statistical difference between the experimental group and the control group.The mobile robots had good effectiveness and safety in providing vital signs, and the radiation dose rate measurement service for patients had been demonstrated in two ways. First, there was good consistency between the two groups, and the completion rates of the vital signs measurement and the success rates of the first measurement were good. The maximum relative deviation of the vital sign and radiation dose rate measurement results between the test instrument and the control instrument and the error rates of use were all within 10%, which met the test requirements. The mobile robots gained good satisfactory evaluation, and there was no significant difference in the overall satisfaction evaluation between the experimental group and the control group. These features showed that the mobile robots had good effectiveness in providing vital signs and radiation dose rate measurement service. Second, although the adverse events were 13, there was no adverse event related to robots and the serious adverse event was 0, which indicated that the robots had good safety.In this study, we used mobile robots in the radionuclide isolation ward to provide vital sign measurements for patients receiving Iodine-131 treatment. Unlike our study, some previous trials were conducted in general wards or other environments (Our study had several limitations. First, our study was in nuclear medicine isolation wards, and the patients were 20–60 years old with independent ability to cooperate with researchers; it is unknown whether our results are applicable to others. Second, our study concentrated on the effectiveness and safety of mobile robots; these aspects such as economics and appearance must be confirmed in another study. Third, the evaluation list of subjective satisfaction was designed by investigators, and there may be some contingency in satisfaction evaluation. It is unknown whether the mobile robots are applicable to all the patients in the nuclear medicine isolation wards. It is essential to carry out subsequent studies and feedback to improve the function of the robots.In summary, the mobile robots have good effectiveness and safety in providing vital signs and radiation dose rate measurement service for patients receiving Iodine-131 treatment, and they could reduce the radiation to medical personnel and provide convenience for patients and medical personnel.