Pneumonia Care Helper: using a chatbot to support family caregivers at home
Official title: Effectiveness of Chatbot for Improving Caregiving Outcomes in Primary Caregivers of Geriatric Pneumonia Patients: A Study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice.
Run by Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan · NCT07463443 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A chatbot-based digital education tool is tested to see if it helps family caregivers of elderly pneumonia patients learn better care skills than traditional paper instructions.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 150 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan Government |
| Locations | 1 site (Taipei, Taiwan) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 13, 2026 |
| Main results expected | February 24, 2027 |
| Study ends | February 24, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 14, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07463443 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are primary caregivers (18+) of patients aged 65+ hospitalized with pneumonia in Taipei Veterans General Hospital who can read Mandarin and use a mobile device.
✕Probably not a fit
Caregivers who do not own or cannot use a mobile device, or do not live with the patient, may receive little or no demonstrated benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This quasi-experimental study compares a 5-day digital intervention using an interactive LINE chatbot and educational videos with standard paper-based education for primary caregivers of elderly pneumonia patients at Taipei Veterans General Hospital. Caregivers in the experimental group have 24/7 access to the chatbot and four educational videos, while the control group receives a 20-minute verbal education session plus a printed brochure. The study recruits about 150 caregiver participants from multiple hospital wards and assigns them to groups by ward to minimize crossover. Outcomes focus on caregiver knowledge, attitudes, and caregiving practices related to airway clearance, safe feeding, and oral hygiene. The study aims to determine whether the chatbot approach improves caregiving capabilities compared with traditional methods over a five-day period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, caregivers may gain stronger knowledge and confidence to care for elderly pneumonia patients at home, potentially reducing complications and readmissions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous digital education tools have shown promise in caregiver training, but this specific chatbot-and-video approach for geriatric pneumonia caregivers is novel in this setting.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients with a primary diagnosis of pneumonia during the current hospitalization. * Patients aged 65 years or older. * Primary caregivers aged 18 years or older. * Primary caregivers who can read and understand Mandarin Chinese. * Primary caregivers who own a mobile device (e.g., smartphone or tablet) and can use the chatbot application. Exclusion Criteria: * Primary caregivers who do not live with the patient. * Primary caregivers who have received formal training as professional nursing assistants or caregivers. * Primary caregivers who are currently or were formerly healthcare professionals (e.g., physicians, nurses, therapists). * Primary caregivers who do not possess a mobile device or are unable to use chatbot applications.
Where it's running
-
Taipei Veterans General Hospital
Taipei, Taiwan, Taiwan Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Ming-Shan Jan, Doctor of Philosophy — Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan
- Study coordinator: Yu-Xuan Peng, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Email: ulysse0831@gmail.com
- Phone: +886 905569880
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Respiratory Physiotherapy in Critically Ill Pneumonia Patients
This study tests whether a structured breathing and chest therapy program can change inflammatory biomarkers in adults with pneumonia in the ICU compared to usual care.
-
AI-powered CT help to guide pneumonia care
A multicenter trial tests whether using a chest CT–based AI report to guide care reduces death or need for new organ support in adults with pneumonia.
-
Wintergreen oil inhalation for shortness of breath in pneumonia patients
Hospitals will test whether inhaling wintergreen essential oil helps relieve dyspnea in adults with pneumonia.
-
Optimising Antibiotic Use for Paediatric LRTIs in Africa
This study tests whether using point-of-care CRP tests together with the PREPARE score can safely reduce antibiotic use in infants aged 2–24 months with lower respiratory infections in a Johannesburg hospital.
-
Buteyko Breathing vs Incentive Spirometry for Smog-Induced Pneumonia
We’re testing whether the Buteyko Breathing Technique can improve oxygen levels and breathe easier for adults with smog-related pneumonia compared to incentive spirometry.
-
FUNGAL-P: A score to spot fungal pneumonia early in adults with pneumonia
Aimed at adults with pneumonia, this study tests a new score to help identify fungal pneumonia sooner so doctors can test appropriately and start antifungal treatment when needed.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.