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 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.

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.

A single-blinded parallel randomized controlled trial (RCT allocation ratio = 1:1) will be conducted, with baseline data collection at week 1 (T0) and three follow-up timepoints at week 8 (T1), week 12 (T2) following radiotherapy commencement.

Participants in the Treatment-As-Usual group will receive routine onsite nursing care in which the nurse discussed general knowledge of self-care behaviors regarding the management of radiotherapy-related side effects.

Participants in the intervention group 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.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 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 Criteria:

• insufficient command of Chinese
• have any other factors precluding the ability to give informed consent or comply with the protocol