Evaluating the Effectiveness of Chatbot-Based Intervention on Enhancing Self-management and Decision Self-efficacy Among Men Having Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms With or Without Erectile Dysfunction in the Post COVID-19 Era

1. Background and objectives :

After the age of 50 years, men's health may be impacted by various disorders such as lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED). Due to a lack of understanding and awareness, patients often fail to recognize early signs and are not compliant with medical advice. As they are hesitant to discuss these issues related to urination and erectile functions, they avoid seeking medical help, especially due to the restrictions and concerns brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, worsening symptoms can adversely affect their quality of life and dignity. Studies have found that providing men with self-management health programs results in better symptom management and medical decisions. Therefore, work is underway to develop artificial intelligence (AI) platforms to allow men to manage their health before consulting a doctor. Chatbots are used for various medical decisions and healthcare management, and can now provide men with various healthcare information to help improve the effectiveness of self-care and medical treatments in the post COVID-19 period.

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of AI chatbot aid intervention on enhancing self-management, and decision self-efficacy among men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to an enlarged prostate, with or without erectile dysfunction (ED) in the post COVID-19 era. 2. Materials and Methods:

2.1. Trial design and ethical approval

This was a 1:1 two groups randomized controlled trial (RCT) with pre- and post-test experimental design. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Cheng Hsin General Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan (approval number CHGH-IRB (988)111A-66-2) and participants were provided with informed consent. Both groups had similar demographics. One hundred male patients will be recruited from the Urology outpatient clinic, with 50 patients randomly assigned to the experimental group and 50 patients to the control group.