ChatBot Support for Cancer

Overseen By Michell Kim

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine

Disqualifiers: Bed bound, Wheelchair reliant

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a system that uses a computer program (chatbot) and activity trackers to help manage symptoms in cancer patients. By checking in with patients and monitoring their activity, the system aims to catch problems early. The goal is to reduce unnecessary emergency visits and hospital stays.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the ChatBot treatment for cancer?

Research suggests that chatbots can help cancer patients by providing follow-up support during treatment, potentially reducing emergency visits and hospitalizations. They can also enhance patient knowledge and communication about cancer, as seen in similar multimedia interventions. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is ChatBot Support for Cancer safe for humans?

The research articles provided do not contain specific safety data for ChatBot Support for Cancer or similar treatments. Therefore, there is no relevant safety information available from these sources. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How is the ChatBot Support for Cancer treatment different from other treatments for cancer?

ChatBot Support for Cancer is unique because it uses artificial intelligence to provide real-time, interactive support and information to cancer patients through text or voice, helping with follow-up, treatment adherence, and data collection, which can reduce emergency visits and hospitalizations. ^{1 2 3 4 11}

Research Team

Arun Goel, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Pennsylvania

Kristine Kim, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Pennsylvania

Nishant Shah, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Pennsylvania

Eligibility Criteria

Adults over 18 with head and neck, lung, or gastrointestinal cancer undergoing chemo and radiation can join. They must own a mobile device for texts and FitBit data, read/respond in English, and consent to the study. Bed-bound patients or those needing wheelchairs for walking cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Possession of a mobile device that can receive SMS texts and deliver FitBit data wirelessly

Ability to read and respond in English

I am an adult with cancer in my head, neck, lung, or gastrointestinal system and am receiving both chemotherapy and radiation.

Exclusion Criteria

I am bedridden and cannot care for myself.

I use a wheelchair to get around.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive standard of care chemotherapy and radiation therapy regimens, with activity monitoring and optional ChatBot use

13 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• ChatBot (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial Overview The trial is testing if using a chatbot along with activity monitoring via FitBit can help manage symptoms early on during cancer treatment. It aims to see if this reduces unnecessary clinic visits, emergency room trips, hospital stays, and treatment interruptions.

Participant Groups

Group I: Activity Monitoring and ChatBot Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patients will receive standard of care chemotherapy and radiation therapy regimens, activity monitoring and utilize a ChatBot

Group II: Activity Monitoring without ChatBot Active Control 1 Intervention

Patients will receive standard of care chemotherapy and radiation therapy regimens, activity monitoring alone

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine

Lead Sponsor

Trials

425

Recruited

464,000+

Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania

Lead Sponsor

Trials

360

Recruited

108,000+

Findings from Research

In a study involving 142 women with breast cancer, the artificial conversational agent (chatbot) Vik provided answers that were as satisfying as those given by a group of physicians, with a success rate of 69% compared to 64% for physicians, demonstrating noninferiority.

This research suggests that chatbots like Vik can effectively inform patients about their treatment, potentially reducing the need for in-person consultations for minor health concerns, allowing doctors to focus on patients who require more direct care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Chatbot Versus Physicians to Provide Information for Patients With Breast Cancer: Blind, Randomized Controlled Noninferiority Trial. Bibault, JE., Chaix, B., Guillemassé, A., et al.[2020]

In a study assessing the quality of responses from AI chatbots ChatGPT and Bing regarding cancer-related questions, ChatGPT scored an average of 3.9 while Bing scored 3.2, indicating that ChatGPT provided higher quality information overall (P < 0.001).

Despite the potential of AI chatbots in healthcare, the study revealed that 3% of ChatGPT's responses and 15% of Bing's responses had serious shortcomings, highlighting the need for ongoing improvements to ensure accurate and supportive information for cancer patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physician Assessment of ChatGPT and Bing Answers to American Cancer Society's Questions to Ask About Your Cancer. Janopaul-Naylor, JR., Koo, A., Qian, DC., et al.[2023]

Chatbots are AI-driven tools that can enhance communication between healthcare providers and patients, facilitating follow-up, screening, and treatment adherence.

Their potential applications in oncology are particularly promising, as they can improve patient engagement and data collection, which may lead to better health outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Healthcare ex Machina: Are conversational agents ready for prime time in oncology? Bibault, JE., Chaix, B., Nectoux, P., et al.[2020]

The CancerHelp-Talking Touchscreen (CancerHelp-TT) program significantly improved cancer knowledge among patients with Stage I-III breast or colorectal cancer, with an effect size of 0.48, indicating its effectiveness in enhancing patient understanding during treatment.

While the intervention showed positive trends in self-efficacy, health beliefs, and satisfaction with communication, the overall effect sizes were small, suggesting that additional support may be necessary for vulnerable patients outside of cancer clinic settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Low Literacy, Multimedia Health Information Technology Intervention to Enhance Patient-Centered Cancer Care in Safety Net Settings Increased Cancer Knowledge in a Randomized Controlled Trial. Peipert, JD., Lad, T., Khosla, PG., et al.[2023]

A study involving 14 clinicians revealed that motivations for reporting serious oncology-associated adverse drug reactions included scientific curiosity and public health concerns, but feedback from pharmaceutical manufacturers was predominantly negative.

The research highlights the need for improved pharmacovigilance mechanisms, such as big data and registries, to enhance the reporting and documentation of adverse drug events, addressing barriers like complacency and indifference among clinicians.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Caveat Medicus: Clinician experiences in publishing reports of serious oncology-associated adverse drug reactions. Bennett, CL., Schooley, B., Taylor, MA., et al.[2020]

Over 90% of cancer patients discussed potential adverse events with their physicians before starting chemotherapy, but about 75% still reported that their quality of life was negatively affected by these events, indicating a gap in understanding and coping mechanisms.

Common adverse events like tiredness, nausea, and low white blood cell counts were frequently discussed, yet many patients still experienced them, suggesting that better educational tools and resources are needed to help patients manage these side effects effectively.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patients' Perceptions of Physician-Patient Discussions and Adverse Events with Cancer Therapy. Hershman, D., Calhoun, E., Zapert, K., et al.[2021]

A virtual interdisciplinary communication workshop was found to be feasible and acceptable for improving communication among oncology team members, based on feedback from 87 patients and 56 clinicians.

The workshop highlighted areas for improvement in communication practices, suggesting that targeted interventions can enhance patient care and safety in ambulatory oncology settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development and Evaluation of a Data-Driven, Interactive Workshop to Facilitate Communication and Teamwork in Ambulatory Medical Oncology Settings. Blok, AC., Costa, DK., Wright, NC., et al.[2023]

A multidisciplinary expert group identified key signals that a new AI system should emit to enhance the management of adverse drug events (ADEs) in patients taking oral antineoplastic agents, including educational reminders for patients and alerts for necessary tests and examinations.

In a 6-month observational study at a university hospital, a total of 3,641 ADEs were reported, highlighting the importance of patient education and clinical monitoring in improving patient safety and quality of life.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Analysis of adverse drug events as a way to improve cancer patient care. Vicente-Oliveros, N., Gramage-Caro, T., Corral de la Fuente, E., et al.[2022]

The Chemotherapy Patient Monitor (CPM) significantly enhances communication between oncologists and patients, with 95% of patients reporting improved consultations and 83% of oncologists finding it useful during their visits.

In a study involving 26 patients with advanced colorectal cancer, the CPM did not lengthen consultation times in 82% of cases, indicating it can be effectively integrated into existing practices without increasing appointment durations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of the chemotherapy patient monitor: an interactive tool for facilitating communication between patients and oncologists during the cancer consultation. Anderson, H., Espinosa, E., Lofts, F., et al.[2019]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using a chatbot to reduce emergency department visits and unscheduled hospitalizations among patients with gynecologic malignancies during chemotherapy: A retrospective cohort study. [2023]

2. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Chatbot Versus Physicians to Provide Information for Patients With Breast Cancer: Blind, Randomized Controlled Noninferiority Trial. [2020]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physician Assessment of ChatGPT and Bing Answers to American Cancer Society's Questions to Ask About Your Cancer. [2023]

4. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Healthcare ex Machina: Are conversational agents ready for prime time in oncology? [2020]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Low Literacy, Multimedia Health Information Technology Intervention to Enhance Patient-Centered Cancer Care in Safety Net Settings Increased Cancer Knowledge in a Randomized Controlled Trial. [2023]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Caveat Medicus: Clinician experiences in publishing reports of serious oncology-associated adverse drug reactions. [2020]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patients' Perceptions of Physician-Patient Discussions and Adverse Events with Cancer Therapy. [2021]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development and Evaluation of a Data-Driven, Interactive Workshop to Facilitate Communication and Teamwork in Ambulatory Medical Oncology Settings. [2023]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Analysis of adverse drug events as a way to improve cancer patient care. [2022]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of the chemotherapy patient monitor: an interactive tool for facilitating communication between patients and oncologists during the cancer consultation. [2019]

11. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Potential of ChatGPT in facilitating research in radiation oncology? [2023]