Using a chatbot to help with prenatal genetic counseling
Official title: A Randomized Trial of Chatbot for Prenatal Genetic Counseling
Funded at Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island · NIH-10880793 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how a friendly chatbot can help pregnant people learn about genetic testing options, making it easier for them to get important information when there aren't many genetic counselors available.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $718,630 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD111426-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10880793 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals seeking information about genetic testing options during their prenatal care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not require genetic testing will not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of a chatbot to provide prenatal genetic counseling to pregnant individuals. It aims to improve access to information about genetic testing options for conditions like aneuploidy and cystic fibrosis, especially in areas where genetic counselors are scarce. By utilizing mobile technology, the chatbot will help patients understand the benefits and risks associated with various testing options, ultimately supporting informed decision-making during pregnancy. The study will assess how effectively the chatbot can deliver this information compared to traditional counseling methods.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance access to prenatal genetic counseling, leading to better-informed decisions for expectant parents.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using digital tools for health education, suggesting that this approach could be effective in prenatal genetic counseling as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tuuli, Methodius Gamuo — Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island
- Study coordinator: Tuuli, Methodius Gamuo
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Neonatal Brain Injury Protection with New Purine Compounds
A new medication approach using purine derivatives is being studied to protect newborn brains from injury caused by limited blood flow and oxygen during birth.
-
Prenatal Nutrition and Maternal Stress: Impact on Baby’s Growth and Brain Development
This project uses data from a large pregnancy study to see how a mom’s stress and nutrition during pregnancy together affect a child’s growth and early brain development.
-
Adolescent outcomes after very preterm birth using a holistic exposome approach
This grant aims to understand how a wide range of environmental, biological, and social factors together influence development in kids born very preterm.
-
Juggling Work and Family for Parents of Very Preterm Babies
A study to understand how work and family demands affect parents of very preterm infants and how this shapes their ability to support their baby’s development.
-
Randomized chatbot tool to support prenatal genetic counseling
A mobile chatbot helps pregnant people learn about prenatal genetic testing options and questions to ask their providers.
-
Technology-based touchpoints to improve postpartum blood pressure care for people with hypertensive disorders
A modern, phone- and app-based program helps people who had high blood pressure during pregnancy measure their BP at home and stay connected with care after giving birth.
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.