Using a chatbot and activity monitoring to help cancer patients during treatment
Use of Natural Language Processing ChatBot and Automated Continuous Activity Monitoring Via Mobile Phones for Early Detection and Management of Symptoms in Patients Undergoing Cancer Treatment
This study is testing whether a chatbot and activity tracking can help cancer patients manage their symptoms better during treatment and reduce unnecessary trips to the hospital.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 70 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT05318027 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study evaluates the feasibility of a chatbot combined with continuous activity monitoring to proactively identify and manage symptoms in patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy for lung, gastrointestinal, and head and neck cancers. The approach aims to decrease unnecessary triage visits by providing early outpatient interventions based on real-time symptom management and activity data. The study will also correlate changes in patient activity and symptom management with emergency department visits and unplanned hospitalizations.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 with a diagnosis of lung, gastrointestinal, or head and neck cancer who are receiving concurrent chemotherapy and radiation.
Not a fit: Patients who are bed bound or rely on a wheelchair for ambulation may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to improved symptom management and reduced hospital visits for cancer patients during treatment.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of technology in symptom management is gaining traction, this specific combination of chatbot and activity monitoring is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in similar studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults (age \>18 years) with a diagnosis of a head and neck, lung, gastrointestinal cancer, that are receiving concurrent chemotherapy and radiation treatment. * Possession of a mobile device that can receive SMS texts and can deliver FitBit data wirelessly * Ability read and respond in English * Ability to provide informed consent to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who are bed bound at baseline (ECOG 4) * Patients who rely on a wheelchair for ambulation
Where this trial is running
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Arun Goel, MD — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Michell Kim
- Email: Michell.Kim@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
- Phone: 215-760-2487
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.