AI Assistance for Cognitive Overload

Overseen By Victoria Xu

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Non-physicians, Non-medical students, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can reduce the mental effort doctors experience when writing case reports about rare medical events. Participants will review two rare tumor cases and write about them—once with AI assistance and once without. The trial seeks medical students, resident doctors, and practicing physicians who often handle these complex cases. Those who fit this profile and wish to see if AI simplifies case reporting may find this trial suitable. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could transform medical documentation practices.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems unlikely since the study focuses on cognitive tasks and AI assistance, not on medication effects.

What prior data suggests that this AI tool is safe for reducing cognitive burden?

Research has shown that artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare can reduce the mental effort required for tasks. For example, one study found that AI tools helped healthcare workers manage tasks more efficiently, reducing stress and the risk of burnout. Another study demonstrated that AI improved decision-making and accuracy, enhancing workplace safety for healthcare workers. Although these studies focus on different areas, they suggest that AI tools are generally well-received and can alleviate mental strain. In this trial, AI assists in writing case reports, potentially lessening the mental workload for medical professionals. No specific reports of negative effects have emerged from using AI in these situations. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how artificial intelligence (AI) can assist medical professionals in managing cognitive overload. Unlike traditional methods where doctors rely solely on their expertise and available resources to make decisions, this AI-driven approach aims to enhance decision-making by quickly analyzing complex medical data and suggesting potential diagnoses or treatment options. This could significantly reduce the time and mental effort required for doctors to report rare cases, allowing for faster and possibly more accurate medical insights.

What evidence suggests that AI assistance is effective for reducing cognitive burden in case report writing?

Research has shown that artificial intelligence (AI) tools can ease the mental strain of processing excessive information. One study found that AI-based tools kept students engaged and reduced their mental overload. Another review demonstrated that AI tools increased work efficiency and improved writing quality. Additionally, AI use in education has positively impacted the training of health professionals. In this trial, one group of participants will use AI to assist in writing case reports, while another group will write case reports without AI assistance. These findings suggest that AI could help doctors manage the mental load of writing case reports. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Shivani Sud

Principal Investigator

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for physicians, medical students, or postdoctoral students. It's designed to see if AI can help reduce the mental effort they use when writing about rare tumor cases.

Inclusion Criteria

The subject is a physician, medical student, or postdoctoral student.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

Single Session

Participants review two rare tumor cases and write a clinical vignette with and without AI assistance

2 hours

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for cognitive workload and perceived cognitive load using NASA-TLX and SUS

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Artificial Intelligence

Trial Overview The study tests whether artificial intelligence (AI) assistance can ease cognitive workload during the preparation and submission of case reports on rare tumors by comparing report writing with and without AI help.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Case Report with Artificial Intelligence Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Medical students, resident physicians, or attending physicians report rare cases with using Artificial Intelligence.

Group II: Case Report without Artificial Intelligence Active Control 1 Intervention

Medical students, resident physicians, or attending physicians report rare cases without using Artificial Intelligence.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

377

Recruited

95,900+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11852728/

Challenging Cognitive Load Theory: The Role of Educational ... Research findings from integrating AI-based interventions within CLT indicate a considerable improvement in students' engagement and reduced cognitive overload, ...

2. jmir.org jmir.org/2025/1/e76340

Generative Artificial Intelligence in Medical Education Users have reported increased efficiency and improved linguistic output; however, concerns have also been raised regarding the risk of cognitive ...

3. bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12909-025-06719-5

A systematic review of the impact of artificial intelligence on ... The primary outcome was a measured effect on the educational outcomes of AI in training and assessment in health professions education, ...

4. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2075-4698/15/1/6

AI Tools in Society: Impacts on Cognitive Offloading and ... This study investigates the relationship between AI tool usage and critical thinking skills, focusing on cognitive offloading as a mediating factor.

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12492703/

The impact of artificial intelligence-assisted teaching on ... This study included 523 participants, with a valid response rate of 87.2%. An integrated model based on the ARCS motivation model and ...

6. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41746-025-02093-0

Do we need AI guardians to protect us from health ... This article explores how artificial intelligence-enabled assistants might balance informed health management alongside cognitive burden, ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10466077/

How can artificial intelligence decrease cognitive and work ... This article reviews critical issues for the use of AI to reduce cognitive and work burden for frontline healthcare workers.

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949761224001263

Impact of Ambient Artificial Intelligence Documentation on ... High cognitive load is associated with increased risk of clinician burnout—particularly emotional exhaustion and depersonalization—which adversely affects ...

9. hsi.com hsi.com/blog/ai-reduces-cognitive-stress-ehs

Reduce Cognitive Stress in EHS with AI-Driven Decision Making This article explores how AI can reduce cognitive stress for EHS leaders, boost decision accuracy, and create safer workplaces.