Using Gout Buddy to Enhance Gout Management
Key facts
- Who runs it
- SingHealth Polyclinics
- Where
- Singapore1 site in 1 countryChoose a country to see its sites
- Trial code
- Status
- Active, not recruiting
- People taking part
- 110 people enrolled
- Started
- 1 Jul 2025
- Ended
- 15 Aug 2026
- Type of study
- Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets no study treatment, for comparison.
- Treatments tested
- GOUT Buddy, an AI chatbot
- Record updated
- 12 May 2026
Who can take part
- Age
- 21 years and older
- Sex
- Women and men
- Healthy volunteers
- Cannot take part
The registry criteria, word for word
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Who can take part
- Age > 21 years
- At least one serum uric acid > 360 μmol/L or an episode of acute gout attack within the last 18 months
- Able to read and speak English
- Access to an internet-enabled device compatible with Gout Buddy
Who cannot take part
- End-stage kidney disease or on renal replacement therapy
- Known terminal illness
- Visual and/or hearing impairment
- Cognitive impairment or mental illness
- Not a Singapore citizen or permanent resident
- Pregnant
- Unable to provide informed consent
- Individuals who do not have a personal mobile device with internet access
This trial has no sites in United States.
It has sites in one country. Choose a country to see its sites.
About the trial
What the trial wants to find out
Background: Dietary management is crucial for gout, but patients often lack adequate dietary literacy. However, patients often lack adequate dietary literacy and struggle to navigate complex dietary recommendations. Gout Buddy is an autonomous AI agent to offer personalized gout education and awareness tailored to individual needs. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and user experience of Gout Buddy, in improving dietary literacy and gout management.
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Materials and methods: A two-arm RCT will randomize patients with gout to either the intervention (Gout Buddy) or control (standard care). Two study visits within 3-6 months will assess changes in dietary literacy and gout management behaviours. Qualitative interviews will be conducted with intervention arm participants and multidisciplinary care team members to explore their experiences with Gout Buddy till the point of data saturation.
Expected Outcomes: The current trial is expected to demonstrate the effectiveness of Gout Buddy in improving dietary literacy and gout management compared to standard care. Qualitative data will provide rich insights into user engagement, perceived benefits, challenges, and the feasibility of integrating the chatbot into routine gout management.
Significance: This study will provide evidence on the potential of AI chatbots to enhance gout self-management. The findings will inform the development and implementation of digital health tools for chronic disease management, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden of gout.
The 2 groups in the trial
- Intervention arm using Gout BuddyTreatment being tested
Participants in the intervention group will receive usual care, including standard medical management and dietary counselling for gout. In addition, they will use the Gout Buddy chatbot (a prototype mobile application developed by HELF AI). The chatbot will be installed on their mobile phones (iOS or Android, 2020 models or newer) and requires a stable but standard mobile internet connectivity. Participants will download and enroll in Gout Buddy with the guidance of study team. The chatbot provides interactive support by allowing users to ask questions and receive daily tips and recommendations to help them manage their condition effectively. Notifications will be sent by Gout Buddy to the users' phones; these happen one to three times every day and mainly consist of daily tips related to better gout literacy and self-efficacy. The notifications are also useful conversation starters with users.
Treatment: GOUT Buddy, an AI chatbot
- Standard careNo study treatment, for comparison
Participants in the control group will receive usual care, which includes standard medical management and dietary counselling for gout. They will also receive a pamphlet containing information on dietary management for gout.
Data and sources
- Registry record
- Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Official title
- Using Gout Buddy to Enhance Dietary Literacy and Gout Management-A Mixed Method Clinical Trial
- Record updated
- 12 May 2026