Effect of Static vs. Conversational AI-Generated Messages on Colorectal Cancer Screening Intent: a Randomized Controlled Trial
- Conditions
- Colorectal Cancer Control and Prevention
- Registration Number
- NCT07107152
- Lead Sponsor
- University of Pennsylvania
- Brief Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to assess whether messages generated by a large language model (LLM), including both static and conversational formats, can increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening intentions among U.S. adults aged 45-75 who have never completed CRC screening. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Do personalized, AI-generated messages increase the self-reported likelihood of completing a stool-based CRC screening test within 12 months?
Do they also increase intent to undergo colonoscopy screening within 12 months?
Researchers will compare four groups: (1) no message control, (2) expert-written patient education materials, (3) a single AI-generated persuasive message, and (4) a motivational interviewing-style AI chatbot. These comparisons will help assess whether a conversational format offers added benefit over static AI or expert-generated content.
Participants will:
Be randomly assigned to one of the four study arms
Spend at least 3 minutes reading or interacting with their assigned material
Complete pre- and post-intervention surveys assessing intent to receive CRC screening
Receive messages tailored to their self-reported demographics, including age, political ideology, gender, education, community setting (urban, rural, suburb), self-reported health, and the last time they saw their PCP
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 915
- Adults aged 45 to 75 years
- Currently residing in the United States
- Self-reported no prior colorectal cancer screening (or unsure if screened)
- Able to read and understand English
- Consent to participate in a behavioral research study
- Previous colonoscopy, stool test, sigmoidoscopy, or CT colonography
- Failure to pass pre- or post-intervention attention checks
- Identified as non-human respondents by reCAPTCHA or other automated bot detection
- Completion time significantly shorter than the median, indicating inattentiveness
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in Self-Reported Likelihood of Completing Stool Test Screening for Colorectal Cancer Immediately before and after the intervention (single session; same day) Measured on a 0-100 scale, where 0 = "Extremely unlikely" and 100 = "Extremely likely." Assessed before and after the intervention. Change in score indicates difference in participant intention to complete a stool-based CRC screening test.
Change in Self-Reported Likelihood of Completing Colonoscopy Screening for Colorectal Cancer Immediately before and after the intervention (single session; same day) Measured on a 0-100 scale, where 0 = "Extremely unlikely" and 100 = "Extremely likely." Assessed before and after the intervention. Change in score reflects shift in participant intention to complete a colonoscopy within the next 12 months.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Perceived Empathy of the Intervention Immediately after the intervention (single session) Participants rate how empathetic they found the assigned message or chatbot interaction using a 5-point Likert scale. Higher values indicate greater perceived empathy.
Comfort Discussing CRC Screening with a Provider Immediately before and after the intervention (single session; same day) Measured on a 0-100 scale where 0 = "Not at all comfortable" and 100 = "Extremely comfortable." Assessed pre- and post-intervention to detect changes in self-reported comfort discussing colorectal cancer screening with a primary care provider.
Perceived Message Effectiveness Immediately after the intervention (single session) Participants rate the persuasive effectiveness of the assigned content using a previously developed public health message effectiveness scale.
Change in Reasons for CRC Screening Hesitancy Immediately before and after the intervention (single session) Participants rate the importance of 13 pre-defined concerns about CRC screening on a 0-100 scale (e.g., cost, discomfort, necessity). Changes in ratings pre- to post-intervention reflect shifts in perceived barriers.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Participants are recruited online via Prolific
🇺🇸Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Participants are recruited online via Prolific🇺🇸Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States