Chatbot support program to improve well-being of caregivers of children with autism
A Chatbot-based Program to Promote Well-being in Caregivers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
This program will try a chatbot to improve mental well-being for caregivers of 6–11 year-old children with autism.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 130 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Hong Kong Metropolitan University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hong Kong) |
| Trial ID | NCT07059013 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional program uses a chatbot-based intervention offered by Hong Kong Metropolitan University to support the mental well-being of primary caregivers of children with autism aged 6–11. Eligible caregivers must be 18 or older, able to read and communicate in Chinese, and provide documentation of their child’s clinician-diagnosed ASD. Participants will interact with the chatbot and complete questionnaires at three time points to measure changes in stress, mood, and coping. People with severe psychiatric disorders, cognitive impairment, or recent participation in a similar psychological intervention are excluded.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Primary caregivers aged 18 or older of a child aged 6–11 with a clinician-confirmed diagnosis of ASD who can read Chinese and agree to complete questionnaires at three time points.
Not a fit: Caregivers with severe psychiatric disorders or cognitive impairment, those who received a similar psychological intervention within the past year, or those unable to read Chinese or use a chatbot are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the chatbot could reduce caregiver stress and improve mood and coping while making psychological support easier to access.
How similar studies have performed: Some digital mental-health programs have shown benefit for caregivers, but chatbot-specific support for caregivers of children with ASD is relatively new and not yet widely proven.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * caregivers providing long-term care for the children with a diagnosis of ASD from a qualified clinician, confirmed through the provision of documentation by the parents; * caregivers of primary-school-age child (6-11 years old) (this age range is selected because social and communication interaction of children with ASD may be progressively more awkward in this age range when the social demands become more prominent); * caregivers who are over 18 years old; * caregivers who have the ability to communicate and read in Chinese; Exclusion Criteria: * Unwilling to complete the questionnaires at 3 time points; * Diagnosis of severe psychiatric disorder (such as schizophrenia and severe bipolar disorder) or cognitive impairment; * Participation of a similar psychological intervention within one year.
Where this trial is running
Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Metropolitan University — Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Recruiting)
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.