Evaluating an Embodied Conversational Agent for Medical Explanations
This study is testing a computer-animated character, called an Embodied Conversational Agent (ECA), that explains medical illustrations. We want to see if using this character helps people understand medical information better and feel less anxious compared to reading documents on their own. We're also comparing the ECA on a regular computer screen to one in immersive virtual reality. You might be able to join if you are over 18, speak English or Spanish fluently, can give your own consent, and have good enough vision to read documents. The study aims to find out which method leads to the best understanding and lowest anxiety. The current recruitment status is unclear.
- Study design
- This is an interventional study with 300 planned participants. It is a 3-arm randomized experiment, meaning participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups.
- What's involved
- Participants will read a patient education document with medical illustrations. Your knowledge and anxiety will be measured at the start and again 30 minutes later.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- Your knowledge and anxiety will be measured at 30 minutes after the intervention.
AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.
ECA-enhanced Document Explanation RCT
At a glance
Conditions
Where it's being run
2 sites across 1 statesStudy leadership
- Timothy Bickmore, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Northeastern University
Who to contact
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Do you actually qualify for this trial?
Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.
Inclusion
What this trial measures
- KnowledgeBaseline and 30 minutes
A multiple-item knowledge test designed to test comprehension of the patient education document
- State Anxiety scale from State-Trait Anxiety Inventory30 minutes
Self-report state anxiety scale from the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. 20 items, 4-point Likert scale. A higher score indicates more severe anxiety with a potential range from 20 to 80.