AI chatbot–delivered DBT skills for older adults living with HIV
Adapting DBT for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS Using an Artificial Intelligence-Powered Conversational Agent
This project will adapt Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills into short videos and an AI chatbot called Angel to help older adults living with HIV cope with stigma and reduce suicidal thoughts.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11322648 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be offered brief, tailored DBT skills videos and conversational coaching from an AI chatbot named Angel developed by CareAngel. The team will adapt existing DBT materials specifically for older people living with HIV to address stigma and emotion regulation. They will pilot delivering the skills through the videos and chatbot, collect user feedback, and measure mood and suicide-risk related outcomes. Findings will be used to refine the program for future testing and wider use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (likely aged 55 and older) living with HIV who experience stigma, emotional distress, or suicidal thoughts and who can use a smartphone or computer are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without HIV, much younger adults, those who need immediate inpatient psychiatric care, or individuals unwilling/unable to use digital tools may not benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make proven DBT coping skills more accessible and reduce suicidal thinking and distress among older adults with HIV.
How similar studies have performed: DBT has strong evidence for reducing suicidal behaviors in other groups, while AI-chatbot delivery shows promise for mental health support but is still relatively new and untested in older adults with HIV.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences — Newark, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kozlov, Elissa K — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Kozlov, Elissa K
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.