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

NCT06901037 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: HSEARS20250305010
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 84
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

Healthy Lifestyle

Keywords

Chatbot, older adults

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• The acceptance of the chatbot among older adults, as measured by a 14-item simplified version of the Senior Technology Acceptance Model questionnaire

  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)

  End of study (2 months)

• The Usability of the chatbot, as measured by the System Usability Scale

  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.

  End of study (2 months)

• The user experience, as measured by 10 open-ended questions

  A qualitative interview will be provided to the participants for asking their experience in using chatbot.

  End of study (2 months)

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Change of dietary behavior, as measured by the intake of fruits and vegetables over the last seven days

  Baseline, end of study (2 months)

• Change of walking, as measured by the Community Health Activities Model Program for Seniors questionnaire

  Baseline, end of study (2 months)

• Change of total activity and moderate and more vigorous physical activity variables, as measured by the CHAMPS-Q

  Baseline, end of study (2 months)

• Change of quality of life, as measured by the Hong Kong Quality of Life for Older Persons Scale

  Baseline, end of study (2 months)

Study Arms (2)

Chatbot-based intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will immediately receive access to a 2-month chatbot-based intervention

Other: A chatbot-based intervention

Waitlist

OTHER

Participants will be placed on a waiting list before accessing the intervention

Other: A chatbot-based intervention

Interventions

A chatbot-based intervention OTHER

A smartphone-delivered AI-based chatbot program designed to provide personalized physical activity and dietary recommendations

Chatbot-based intervention; Waitlist

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: lead

Study Sites (1)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

RECRUITING

Study Officials

• Arkers Wong, PhD

  The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Arkers Wong, PhD

CONTACT

+85234003805; arkers.wong@polyu.edu.hk

Qian Zhang, MSc

CONTACT

+85264321063; melissa440.zhang@connect.polyu.hk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor in the School of Nursing

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 23, 2025
• First Posted: March 28, 2025
• Study Start: May 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: October 30, 2025
• Study Completion: December 31, 2025
• Last Updated: September 15, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

HK (1)