Testing an AI chatbot app to support family caregivers' well-being
Tests an AI chatbot app for caregivers of people with brain conditions.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Feasibility and Acceptability of an LLM-based Chatbot for Family Caregivers: Evaluation Study
Key facts
- Where
- Ann Arbor, United StatesSee the site
Where in United States
- University of MichiganAnn Arbor, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Michigan
- Trial code
- NCT07280650
- Record updated
- 26 October 2026
- Original description
This study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of using the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot mobile application (an LLM-based Chatbot) to support the well-being of informal care partners of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI), dementia, or Huntington disease (HD). Over an 8-week intervention period, up to 60 care partners will engage with the application (app), spending four weeks focusing on physical health and four weeks focusing on mental health. Participants will complete surveys at the midpoint and end of the intervention period. Participants will also complete a semi-structured interview to discuss participants experience using an LLM-based Chatbot.Read full original descriptionShow less
Feasibility and Acceptability of an LLM-based Chatbot for Family Caregivers: Evaluation Study
This study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of using the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot mobile application (an LLM-based Chatbot) to support the well-being of informal care partners of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI), dementia, or Huntington disease (HD). Over an 8-week intervention period, up to 60 care partners will engage with the application (app), spending four weeks focusing on physical health and four weeks focusing on mental health. Participants will complete surveys at the midpoint and end of the intervention period. Participants will also complete a semi-structured interview to discuss participants experience using an LLM-based Chatbot.
The study team hypothesizes that care partners will find the chatbot acceptable and feasible to use in daily life, and that there will be low attrition and high completion rates of the study.
Inclusion: Age 18 years or older; Able to independently provide informed consent; Able to read, speak, and understand English; Have an Apple (iOS) smartphone, tablet, or laptop, have access to the internet and text messages, and be willing to use these resources for the study, including downloading and using the AI chatbot app (Earkick); Be caring for and adult with a medically documented diagnosis of TBI, dementia or Huntington disease (HD); Provide emotional, physical, and/or financial support/assistance to the individual with the TBI, dementia, or HD, indicating a response per protocol; Indicate high levels of caregiver burden, confirmed using the 12-item Zarit Burden questionnaire (scores must be ≥20); Willing to complete all study assessments for the duration of their study participation; Age 18 years or older; Have a medically documented diagnosis of TBI, dementia or Huntington disease as noted per protocol.
Exclusion: Anyone not meeting inclusion criteria above; Professional, paid caregivers; Anyone at the discretion of the Principal investigator (PI) that would be a preclusion of safe or meaningful participation; Anyone not meeting inclusion criteria; Lives in a care facility (assisted living, nursing home) or is bedbound.