Chatbot vs Usual Care for Genetic Testing in Cancer Survivors
(PROPEL Trial)
Trial Summary
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on genetic education and testing, so it's unlikely that your medications will be affected.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Relational agent (RA) / Chatbot, Relational Agent, Chatbot Intervention for genetic testing in cancer survivors?
Research shows that chatbots can effectively provide genetic education and help patients make informed decisions about genetic testing, as seen in a study with pancreatic cancer patients where 80% engaged with the chatbot and found it helpful. Additionally, chatbots are considered acceptable for moderately complex tasks in genetic service delivery, especially when used alongside usual care.12345
Is the chatbot intervention safe for use in genetic testing for cancer survivors?
How is the chatbot treatment different from other treatments for genetic testing in cancer survivors?
The chatbot treatment is unique because it uses artificial intelligence to simulate human conversation, providing genetic education and support to cancer survivors. This approach helps patients understand genetic testing and make informed decisions, offering a more interactive and accessible alternative to traditional methods of genetic counseling.12378
What is the purpose of this trial?
The goal of this observational study is to increase genetic education and genetic testing for hereditary cancer risk among Black cancer survivors. The study will:1. Test the effectiveness of a chatbot intervention (also called relational agent, or RA) vs. enhanced usual care (EUC) on engagement in genetic education and requests for genetic testing.2. Evaluate the impact of the chatbot vs. EUC on the process that participants use to make decisions and evaluate effects on well-being (also called psychosocial outcomes).3. Explore the ways (methods) that influence how participants experience the intervention.The main questions this study aims to answer are which group - the chatbot (RA) group or the EUC group - is more likely to request genetic testing and which group is more likely to get (engage with) genetic education.Participants will be randomly assigned to either the chatbot (RA) group or EUC group. This means each participant has an equal chance of being placed in either group, just like flipping a coin. Each group will receive genetic education and have an opportunity to request genetic testing. Researchers will compare the chatbot (RA) group and the EUC group to see which may request more GT (genetic testing) and which group engages more with genetic education.
Research Team
Anita Y Kinney, PhD, RN
Principal Investigator
Director at Rutgers Cancer Institute
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for Black or African American cancer survivors, aged 18-80, who are at least six months post-diagnosis with specific cancers like breast or prostate. They must have been treated at a participating site within the last two years and meet criteria for genetic testing.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention
Participants are randomly assigned to either the chatbot (RA) group or EUC group to receive genetic education and have an opportunity to request genetic testing.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for informed decision-making and psychosocial outcomes via surveys at 1-month and 6-month intervals.
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Relational agent (RA) / Chatbot
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Lead Sponsor
Georgetown University
Collaborator
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Collaborator