ECA-enhanced Document Explanation RCT

Part of paid clinical trials in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sponsor
Northeastern University
Study ID
NCT06435819
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Healthy

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Embodied Conversational Agent (ECA) — OTHER
    A computer-animated character that can explain a medical illustration to laypersons.

Study Details

The investigators will evaluate a computer-animated character that explains medical illustrations to people, comparing the character to having people understand the illustrations on their own, and also comparing the computer character on a computer display to one in immersive virtual reality. The investigators will determine which method leads to the best understanding and lowest anxiety.

Key Dates

Start date
Sep 5, 2025
Status verified
Sep 2025
Primary completion
Aug 1, 2027
Completion
Sep 1, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
300 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER

Arms

  • Experimental: ECA-2D
    Participants read a patient education document with the assistance of an embodied conversational agent rendered in 2D on a computer monitor.
  • Experimental: ECA-3D
    Participants read a patient education document with the assistance of an embodied conversational agent in virtual reality.
  • No Intervention: CONTROL
    Participants read a patient education document without assistance.

Primary Outcome Measure

Knowledge [ Time Frame: Baseline and 30 minutes ]

Central Contacts

Locations (2)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Northeastern UniversityBostonMassachusetts02115
Madison Blain
[email protected]
617-858-6727
Tim Bickmore, PhD
[email protected]
617-373-5477
Tufts Medical CenterBostonMassachusetts02111
Cameron Neeson
[email protected]
617-636-5747

Find similar trials in Boston, MA

By research site
Northeastern University· Boston, MATufts Medical Center· Boston, MA

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