None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Overall, this exploratory open study is designed to test the engagement and universal acceptability of a Chatbot for emotional wellbeing in older adolescents. The Chatbot is designed for use everyday over a four week period. Participants will be asked to complete assessment measures before using the Chatbot, and 4 weeks after being given access to the Chatbot. Usage data will be collected for up to 8 weeks after being given access to the Chatbot. The primary hypothesis of the study is that participants will find the Chatbot engaging as shown by using the Chatbot at least three times per week over four weeks and will find it acceptable as indicated by an average rating of the Chatbot at least 6/10 stars. Self-reported wellbeing outcome data will be collected electronically at baseline, and at 4-6 weeks (“post intervention”) from baseline. Chatbot rating measures will be completed at post-intervention. Passive data collection (duration and pattern of use as well as completion of activities in the Chatbot) will be used during the intervention period and for four weeks afterwards (therefore 8 weeks) to report on Chatbot usage.
Interventions
Headstrong is a digital intervention that sits on the HABITs (Health Advances through Behaviour Intervention Technologies) platform - a digital ecosystem developed by the University of Auckland to manage a body of research around the use of digital technologies for mental health support.
Participants are directed to this platform, where they first register, then consent electronically to the study and proceed to complete baseline measures. Participants are then instructed (via a link) on how to
Headstrong is a digital intervention that sits on the HABITs (Health Advances through Behaviour Intervention Technologies) platform - a digital ecosystem developed by the University of Auckland to manage a body of research around the use of digital technologies for mental health support. Participants are directed to this platform, where they first register, then consent electronically to the study and proceed to complete baseline measures. Participants are then instructed (via a link) on how to activate the chatbot using their Facebook Messenger. The Chatbot is designed for daily use and is hosted via the Facebook Messenger Platform. Users are able to choose their own “Chatbot Persona” (Aroha, Olivia, Manaia, or Ravi) to make the Chatbot more engaging. The content of the intervention is steeped in cognitive behavioural (CBT) framework that includes relaxation, problem solving, identifying and challenging negative thoughts. Interpersonal skills (communication, negotiation, assertiveness) are also part of the program. Principles of positive psychology (e.g. gratitude journal), goal setting are also included. Other elements such as jokes, distraction games and motivational quotes are used to enhance appeal and engagement. The focus of the intervention is to teach positive coping skills, increase resilience and emotional wellbeing. A typical daily interaction with the Headstrong chatbot takes about 5 minutes. It consists of: 1) a message/notification from the chatbot at an agreed time 2) brief mood check in (on a 5 point Likert scale using emojis) 3) a choice of an activity (e.g. STEPS aka problem solving or another skill) 4) an option to enter something into the gratitude journal 5) a joke, motivational quote or another 'random' activity' (e.g. a brief relaxation exercise). Gamification elements (e.g. badges as rewards for completion of activities) are designed to enhance continuous engagement. Content is delivered in short, easy to digest segments of psycho-education followed by examples and activities for participants to practice. For this evaluation, the intervention period will be four weeks. Participants are free to use the chatbot as much or as little as they choose during the 4-week period, usage data will be accessed via the HABITs platform to analyse adherence. The Chatbot has been designed in conjunction with the University of Auckland HABITs research team and Rush Digital (a creative design and technology studio).
Sponsors
The University of Auckland
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Single group
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
16 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
1) Aged 16 years of age or older (on the day of consent); 2) Enrolled or attending a participating New Zealand secondary school, alternative education provide or a partner organisation; 3) They have access to a device that is able to run and support the use of Facebook Messenger.
Exclusion criteria
This is an open trial and no exclusion criteria exist
Outcome results
None listed