An Oncology Nurse AI Agent to Reduce Cancer Distress During Radiotherapy
An Oncology Nurse Artificial Intelligence Agent to Reduce Cancer Distress of Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy: A Mixed-Methods Randomized Controlled Trial
The University of Hong Kong
138 participants
Feb 1, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the effectiveness of the Digi-Coach chatbot for reducing physical and psychological distress in people undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. The main question it aims to answer is: How effective is the Digi-Coach chatbot in reducing physical and psychological distress? Researchers will compare Digi-Coach chatbot to usual nursing care to see if Digi-Coach chatbot is effective for reducing physical and psychological distress in people undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Participants will have access to the Digi-Coach chatbot during radiotherapy in addition to usual care. The research nurse will provide training on how to navigate the chatbot and ask participants to query all their cancer-related concerns in the chatbot.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria6
- aged 18 and above
- are able to read and speak Cantonese or Mandarin fluently
- have a new, primary diagnosis of head and neck/laryngeal cancer
- are waiting to receive a full course of curative-intent, external beam radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy
- have a Karnofsky performance score ≥70
- have distress scored 3 or above on the NCCN distress thermometer
Exclusion Criteria2
- insufficient command of Chinese
- have any other factors precluding the ability to give informed consent or comply with the protocol
Interventions
Participants will have access to the Digi-Coach chatbot in addition to usual care. The research nurse will provide training on how to navigate the chatbot and ask participants to query all their cancer related concerns in the chatbot.
Locations(2)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
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NCT06636188