A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Chatbot Use in Older Adults for Lifestyle Change

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Healthy Lifestyle

• Registration Number: NCT06901037
• Lead Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a smartphone-delivered AI-based chatbot in promoting healthy dietary behavior and physical activity participation among older adults.

Detailed Description

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the preliminary effectiveness of a smartphone-delivered AI-based chatbot in promoting healthy dietary behavior and physical activity participation among older adults. It is a preliminary study with two arms.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-03
• Study First Submitted: 2025-03-23
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-03-23
• Study First Posted: 2025-03-28
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-28
• Last Update Posted: 2025-04-02
• Study Start: 2025-05-01
• Primary Completion: 2025-09-30
• Study Completion: 2025-10-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 84

Inclusion Criteria

• aged 65 or above.
• are community-dwelling.
• are proficient in Mandarin.
• have an Internet connection.
• have at least one instant messaging app on the smartphone or agree to download one.

Exclusion Criteria

• have any neurocognitive disorders.
• are unable to engage in moderate-intensity level of physical activity due to a preexisting medical condition.
• live with another participant who will participate in this study.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The acceptance of the chatbot among older adults, as measured by a 14-item simplified version of the Senior Technology Acceptance Model questionnaire	End of study (2 months)	The 14-item questionnaire uses a 10-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 (strongly disagree, very poor, very uneasy, and very unsatisfied) to 10 (strongly agree, very good, very easy, and very satisfied)
The Usability of the chatbot, as measured by the System Usability Scale	End of study (2 months)	The System Usability Scale (SUS) is a 10-item Likert scale questionnaire. The result of this survey is called SUS score, which ranges from 0 to 100 and provides information about overall customer satisfaction and usability. A higher score indicates better usability, while a lower score may suggest usability issues.
The user experience, as measured by 10 open-ended questions	End of study (2 months)	A qualitative interview will be provided to the participants for asking their experience in using chatbot.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change of dietary behavior, as measured by the intake of fruits and vegetables over the last seven days	Baseline, end of study (2 months)	We will ask them the amount of fruit and vegetable intake at baseline and end of study.
Change of walking, as measured by the Community Health Activities Model Program for Seniors questionnaire	Baseline, end of study (2 months)	The Community Health Activities Model Program for Seniors questionnaires (CHAMPS-Q) measures weekly frequency and duration of walking
Change of total activity and moderate and more vigorous physical activity variables, as measured by the CHAMPS-Q	Baseline, end of study (2 months)	The CHAMPS-Q measures weekly frequency and duration of a variety of lifestyle physical activities
Change of quality of life, as measured by the Hong Kong Quality of Life for Older Persons Scale	Baseline, end of study (2 months)	The Hong Kong Quality of Life for Older Persons Scale (HKQoLOCP) comprises a total of 21 items that can be categorized into different domains: subjective well-being, consisting of 4 items; health, comprising 5 items; interpersonal relationships, including 6 items; achievement-recognition, with 4 items; and finance and living conditions (1 item each)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; 🇭🇰 Hong Kong, Hong Kong