NCT05240534

ElderTree Via a Voice Activated Device for Managing Chronic Health Conditions (NHLBI)

Using Smart Displays to Implement Evidence-Based eHealth System for Older Adults With Multiple Chronic Conditions (NHLBI)

• Status: Active Not Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 502 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, Madison · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) are costly and pervasive among older adults. MCCs account for 90% of Medicare spending, and 65% of Medicare beneficiaries have 3 or more chronic conditions; 23% have 5 or more. MCCs are often addressed in primary care, where time pressures force a focus on medication and lab results rather than self-management skills. Patients often struggle with treatment adherence and the emotional and physical burdens of self-management and health tracking. Chronic conditions reduce quality of life (QOL) and increase loneliness, which exacerbate those conditions. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate whether a voice-based platform is better for delivering an electronic health intervention to older adults than a text/typing-based platform. We have an evidence-based electronic health intervention (Elder Tree, ET) that has been shown to improve quality of life, physical and socio-emotional health outcomes for older adults with multiple chronic conditions when delivered via a text/typing-based system. The current project would test whether such patients would benefit even more if ET were delivered via a voice-based system (vs. the text-based system) because they would use it more consistently. ET is an existing intervention providing tools, motivation, and support on a computer platform to help older adults manage their health.

Conditions

• Chronic Conditions, Multiple

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	ET-Text (Laptop)	ElderTree (ET) is based on the extensively tested Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (CHESS). ET is a "walled garden" free of ads, with design features based on older users' feedback as well as best-practice principles such as uncluttered screens and large type. Like all CHESS systems, ET uses computers to deliver key elements of successful interventions: long duration, ongoing outreach, prompts, monitoring, cognitive reframing, action planning, problem solving, self-tailoring, and peer support. ET-Text arm will access ET on Laptop.
BEHAVIORAL	ET-Voice (Smart System)	ElderTree (ET) is based on the extensively tested Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (CHESS). ET is a "walled garden" free of ads, with design features based on older users' feedback as well as best-practice principles such as uncluttered screens and large type. Like all CHESS systems, ET uses computers to deliver key elements of successful interventions: long duration, ongoing outreach, prompts, monitoring, cognitive reframing, action planning, problem solving, self-tailoring, and peer support. ET-Voice arm will access ET on a smart speaker. Voice-activated devices can potentially be easy to use, even by those with limited dexterity or computer experience.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-04-29
• Primary completion: 2027-04-30
• Completion: 2027-04-30
• First posted: 2022-02-15
• Last updated: 2025-06-11

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States