AI chatbot support for parents of children with special needs
Pai.ACT: A Deep-learning-powered, Smartphone-delivered, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Parents of Children With Special Needs: A Feasibility Study
NA · Chinese University of Hong Kong · NCT06086951
This study is testing an AI chatbot designed to support parents of children with special needs in Hong Kong by providing mental health help and resources to make their lives easier.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 19 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Chinese University of Hong Kong (other) |
| Locations | 2 sites (Hong Kong and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06086951 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This project introduces Pai.ACT, an AI-driven mental health advisory system designed to support parents of children with special needs in Hong Kong. Utilizing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) principles, the system allows parents to engage in natural language conversations, receive assessments, and access tailored mental health interventions. The study aims to pilot-test the feasibility and acceptability of Pai.ACT while evaluating its potential effectiveness in improving mental health outcomes for these parents. By addressing the psychological burdens faced by caregivers, the project seeks to enhance the overall rehabilitation process for children with developmental disorders.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are Cantonese-speaking primary caregivers of children aged 2-8 years who are diagnosed or suspected to have developmental conditions like ASD or ADHD.
Not a fit: Parents diagnosed with severe mental illnesses or those who are currently pregnant may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve the mental health and well-being of parents, thereby positively impacting the rehabilitation of their children.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of AI in mental health support is emerging, this specific approach combining deep learning with ACT is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in similar contexts.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Primary caregivers who are Cantonese-speaking Hong Kong residents. * The caregiver must cohabitate with the child with special needs. * The child under the participant's care should be aged between 2-8 years. The child should be either diagnosed or suspected to have one of the developmental conditions such as ASD, ADHD, or DD. These conditions must be recognised by the Child Assessment Service of the Department of Health and conform to the DSM-5 criteria. The diagnosis or suspected diagnosis should be documented in the electronic medical record at the study hospital or the case profile record at the collaborating non-governmental organisations. Note: The age range of 2-8 years was selected due to the substantial impact of parenting on the developmental milestones of preschoolers and junior school-aged children. Exclusion Criteria: * Parents diagnosed with severe mental illnesses are excluded. * Parents who are currently pregnant are excluded. * Parents who are less than six months postpartum are excluded. * Parents with a developmental disability that interferes with their ability to comprehend the program's content are excluded. * Parents with cognitive, language, communication, visual, or hearing impairments or disorders that could impede their understanding of the intervention content are excluded. * Parents currently participating in other psychosocial, psychoeducational, or parenting interventions are excluded.
Where this trial is running
Hong Kong and 1 other locations
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong — Hong Kong, Hong Kong (RECRUITING)
- The Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital — Hong Kong, Hong Kong (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Yuen Yu CHONG, PhD
- Email: conniechong@cuhk.edu.hk
- Phone: (852) 3943 0665
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Intellectual Disability, Specific Learning Disorder, Communication Disorders, Motor Disorders, Deep learning