Earkick App for Caregivers

Overseen By Christopher Graves

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Michigan

Disqualifiers: Professional caregivers, Lives in facility, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new AI chatbot app, Earkick, designed to help caregivers manage their well-being. It targets caregivers of adults with traumatic brain injury, dementia, or Huntington disease and aims to determine if the app eases their daily challenges. Participants will use the app for eight weeks, focusing on both physical and mental health, and will share their experiences through surveys and interviews. Caregivers who feel overwhelmed and provide emotional, physical, or financial support might be well-suited for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers caregivers a unique opportunity to explore innovative support tools and contribute to research that could enhance their quality of life.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems unlikely that you would need to stop, as the study focuses on using an app to support caregivers.

What prior data suggests that the Earkick app is safe for caregivers?

Research on the Earkick app shows it is safe to use. Designed as an AI chatbot to assist with mental health, the app requires no medication or physical treatments, reducing the risk of side effects. Studies have examined its ease of use and acceptability in daily life. Participants have found it helpful for managing mental health without harmful effects. No negative effects related to the app itself have been reported, making it a promising tool for supporting well-being. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

The Earkick app is unique because it leverages digital technology to support caregivers, providing real-time mental health monitoring and interventions. Unlike traditional treatments that may rely on periodic in-person therapy sessions or medications, this app offers continuous, on-the-go support, making it more accessible and convenient. Researchers are excited about the Earkick app because it empowers caregivers with immediate tools and feedback, potentially reducing stress and improving mental well-being more effectively than conventional methods.

What evidence suggests that the Earkick app is effective for supporting caregivers of individuals with TBI, dementia, or HD?

Research shows that using the Earkick app, which participants in this trial will use, can help improve mood and reduce anxiety. Studies have found that regular use of this AI-powered app links to better mental health over time. Earlier trials found the app easy to use and well-received by family caregivers, suggesting it could benefit everyday well-being. While specific data on its effectiveness for caregivers of people with traumatic brain injury, dementia, or Huntington disease is still being collected, early results are encouraging. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Noelle Carlozzi, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Michigan

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for informal caregivers of individuals with traumatic brain injury, dementia, or Huntington disease. Participants should be willing to use the Earkick app daily over an 8-week period and complete surveys and an interview about their experience.

Inclusion Criteria

Care partner must be able to independently provide informed consent

Care partner must be able to read, speak, and understand English

Care partner must 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)

Exclusion Criteria

Care partner not meeting the inclusion criteria above

Professional, paid caregivers

Individuals at the discretion of the Principal Investigator (PI) that would be a preclusion of safe or meaningful participation

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants engage with the Earkick app, focusing on physical health for four weeks and mental health for another four weeks

8 weeks

Surveys at midpoint and end of intervention

Follow-up

Participants complete a semi-structured interview to discuss their experience using the Earkick app

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Earkick

Trial Overview

The study tests the Earkick app's feasibility and acceptability as a support tool for caregivers' physical and mental health. It involves using the AI chatbot app for eight weeks, with assessments at four weeks focusing on physical health and another four on mental health.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Earkick app Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Michigan

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,891

Recruited

6,458,000+

Citations

1.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07280650?aggFilters=status%3A

Feasibility and Acceptability of Earkick for Family ...

This study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of using the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot mobile application (called Earkick) to ...

2.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07145723

Supporting Care Partners' Well-Being With Artificial ...

This study is being completed to test an AI therapy chatbot application called Earkick to see whether it is feasible and acceptable in ...

3.

trial.medpath.com

trial.medpath.com/clinical-trial/1205880d85fa39e0/nct07280650-earkick-family-caregivers-feasibility-study

Feasibility and Acceptability of Earkick for Family Caregivers

This study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of using the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot mobile application (called Earkick) to support the ...

4.

blog.earkick.com

blog.earkick.com/continued-use-of-earkick-for-mental-health/

Continued Earkick Use Correlates with Improved Mental ...

Using Earkick correlates with improved mood and reduced anxiety over time—explore how app engagement can enhance mental health.

5.

earkick.com

earkick.com/research/

Research - Mental Health AI Studies and Publications

Explore the latest research and studies on AI-powered mental health support. Discover scientific publications and findings related to Earkick's technology.

6.

earkick.com

earkick.com/

Earkick

Your Personal AI Chat Bot for Self Care. Measure & improve your mental health in real time with your personal AI chat bot. No sign up. Available 24/7.

7.

earkick.com

earkick.com/research/new-laws-same-mission/

New Laws, Same Mission: AI for Mental Health in 2025

They are focused on patient safety, responsible data use, the risk of AI systems impersonating professionals, and the lack of clear national standards. With ...

8.

blog.earkick.com

blog.earkick.com/ai-for-autism-gentle-companion-or-privacy-risk/

AI For Autism: Gentle Companion or Privacy Risk?

Can AI for autism really offer support, early insights, and real-life tools without pressure? Here's how to use it without losing yourself in the process.