Earkick App for Caregivers

Overseen By Christopher Graves

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Michigan

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

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.

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

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+