A Relational Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chatbot for App-Based Physical Activity Promotion

NCT05794308 | Unknown

• 1 other identifier: 2033031
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 140
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to empirically test the theoretical mechanisms of relational perceptions in the context of building and testing a relational artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot for improving physical activity (PA) behaviors among a sedentary adult population in the U.S. The aim of the study is to build and experimentally test relational capacities of AI chatbot in inducing positive human-AI relationship and leading to higher PA behavior change intention. During the 7-day intervention, the relational chatbot will educate participants on physical activity using 5 types of relational messages during a PA intervention including 1) social dialogue, 2) empathy, 3) self-disclosure, 4) meta-relational communication, and 5) humor. On the other hand, the non-relational chatbot will only deliver PA intervention messages, without relational cues. Relational chatbot condition will be compared to the non-relational chatbot condition to assess its effectiveness. The objective of this study is to test the efficacy of the mobile app intervention leveraging chatbots in increasing participants' relationship perception and physical activity behavior change.

Conditions

Behavior, Health

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Relationship perception

  12-item measure based on Therapeutic Alliance Scale as an indication of relationship between participants and the chatbot. Ranges from 1 = "strongly disagree" to 5 = "strongly agree."

  1 week

• Changes in physical activity behavior

  6-item measure based on 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Record the types of physical activities, days, and minutes.

  Baseline and 1 week

• Physical activity behavior (step counts)

  Step counts across 7 days (1 week) of intervention.

  Daily, 1 week

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Chatbot usability

  1 week

• Chatbot perception

  1 week

Study Arms (2)

Non-Relational Chatbot Physical Activity Intervention

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants are randomly assigned to a non-relational chatbot in a mobile app. The chatbot will provide physical activity education sessions. The chatbot will not engage in relational conversation behaviors.

Behavioral: Non-Relational Chatbot Physical Activity Intervention

Relational Chatbot Physical Activity Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants are randomly assigned to a relational chatbot in a mobile app. The chatbot will provide physical activity education sessions. The chatbot will engage in relational conversation behaviors.

Behavioral: Relational Chatbot Physical Activity Intervention

Interventions

Non-Relational Chatbot Physical Activity Intervention BEHAVIORAL

Mobile app-based intervention. Participants will engage in a daily chat with a physical activity promotion chatbot. The chatbot does not, or only minimally, provide relational behavioral cues. Participants will view their progress of daily step counts.

Non-Relational Chatbot Physical Activity Intervention

Relational Chatbot Physical Activity Intervention BEHAVIORAL

Mobile app-based intervention. Participants will engage in a daily chat with a physical activity promotion chatbot. The chatbot provides relational behavioral cues. Participants will view their progress of daily step counts.

Relational Chatbot Physical Activity Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Living in the United States
• Adults (18 years or older)
• Able to speak and read English
• Physically inactive at work and/or during leisure time
• Having internet access to use the chatbot
• Smartphone users

You may not qualify if:

• Adults unable to consent
• Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers)
• Prisoners
• Pregnant women
• Physically active individuals who are meeting physical activity guidelines
• Individuals who have participated in a physical activity intervention in the past 12 months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of California, Davis: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of California, Davis

Davis, California, 95616, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Oh YJ, Liang KH, Kim DD, Zhang X, Yu Z, Fukuoka Y, Zhang J. Enhancing physical activity through a relational artificial intelligence chatbot: A feasibility and usability study. Digit Health. 2025 Mar 3;11:20552076251324445. doi: 10.1177/20552076251324445. eCollection 2025 Jan-Dec.

  PMID: 40041394 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Health Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 20, 2023
• First Posted: April 3, 2023
• Study Start: April 5, 2023
• Primary Completion: October 1, 2024
• Study Completion: December 1, 2024
• Last Updated: September 13, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)