ClinicalTrials.Veeva

Menu

CES and EGChatbot in Reducing Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, and Mental Risk

C

China Medical University

Status

Not yet enrolling

Conditions

Depression, Anxiety

Treatments

Other: Exercise Chatbot
Behavioral: Both EGChat and CES intervention
Device: CES (Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation)

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT06493695
CMUH113-REC3-050

Details and patient eligibility

About

The objective of this three-year study is to provide comprehensive care to young adults presenting with ARMS. The aim is use an exercise group (EGChat) developed by prior study and CES to decrease cognitive mental risks, improve emotional stability, enhance sleep quality, and elevate overall life satisfaction. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) design will be conducted using purposive sampling to recruit 180 young adults with ARMS from a medical center and its affiliated hospitals. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups, undergoing a 16-week intervention: EGChat plus CES, EGChat without CES, or CES without EGChat groups. The study integrates the EGChat application into an online health promotion platform, coupled with CES intervention, to enhance the biological and psychological health of individuals at ARMS. The goal of this RCT study is to enhance the biological and psychological well-being of individuals with ARMS, covering exercise levels, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels, health-promoting behaviors, metabolic indexes, cognitive mental risks, emotional status, sleep quality, and overall life quality. Assessments will occur at baseline (T0), 8 weeks into the intervention (T1), upon completion of the 16-week intervention (T2), and during a follow-up assessment at 3 months post-intervention (T3). The study will utilize generalized estimating equations (GEE) for mixed model repeated measures analysis to evaluate the significant influences of the intervention and interactions between study variables, utilizing group-time interaction.

Full description

In our previous study, the two-year psychosis transition rate was 8.33%, comparatively lower than rates reported in other international studies. Our findings highlight that individuals in the at-risk mental state (ARMS) category face cognitive, emotional, and sleep-related challenges, leading to compromised self-identity and impairments in daily functioning. A significant proportion of young adults at risk of mental health issues not only display cognitive vulnerabilities but also endure emotional instability and sleep disturbances, increasing the likelihood of suicidal ideation and persistent self-harming behaviors. It's clear that individuals facing mental health challenges, especially those with ARMS, require support from the health system. Exercise has been linked to enhanced cognitive function and mental health. The mental health chatbot as a promising tool for adolescents and young adults in the ARMS, showing potential in alleviating anxiety, depression, and mental health risks. Additionally, cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) is recommended as a safe and effective approach to address sleep-related problems. Together, these interventions may be proposed as a comprehensive care strategy, providing secure support for individuals with ARMS.

The objective of this three-year study is to provide comprehensive care to young adults presenting with ARMS. The aim is use an exercise group (EGChat) developed by prior study and CES to decrease cognitive mental risks, improve emotional stability, enhance sleep quality, and elevate overall life satisfaction. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) design will be conducted using purposive sampling to recruit 180 young adults with ARMS from a medical center and its affiliated hospitals. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups, undergoing a 16-week intervention: EGChat plus CES, EGChat without CES, or CES without EGChat groups. The study integrates the EGChat application into an online health promotion platform, coupled with CES intervention, to enhance the biological and psychological health of individuals at ARMS. The goal of this RCT study is to enhance the biological and psychological well-being of individuals with ARMS, covering exercise levels, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels, health-promoting behaviors, metabolic indexes, cognitive mental risks, emotional status, sleep quality, and overall life quality. Assessments will occur at baseline (T0), 8 weeks into the intervention (T1), upon completion of the 16-week intervention (T2), and during a follow-up assessment at 3 months post-intervention (T3). The study will utilize generalized estimating equations (GEE) for mixed model repeated measures analysis to evaluate the significant influences of the intervention and interactions between study variables, utilizing group-time interaction. Additionally, a machine-learning framework for EGChat will be implemented to enhance outcome predictions. The analysis of these machine-learning algorithms will be conducted using the WEKA software.

Comprehensive care intervention programs for individuals with ARMS should address the management of cognitive mental risks, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The study findings provide evidence supporting the effectiveness of EGChat and CES in assisting young adults with ARMS. The ultimate goals are to achieve early intervention, delay the onset of psychosis, impede disease progression, and enhance the patient's capacity for self-management and societal adaptation.

Enrollment

180 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 65 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

  • between 18 and 65 years old
  • meet the DSM-5 criteria for ARMS as assessed by psychiatrists, who serve as the Co-PI of this research
  • exhibit persistent symptoms without clinically significant fluctuations
  • consent to participate in the study and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • have a DSM-5 diagnosis of intellectual disability or substance (including alcohol) use disorder
  • possess a history of epilepsy, head trauma, central nervous system diseases, or frequent syncope
  • are pregnant or lactating
  • have an implanted neurostimulator or cardiac pacemaker
  • have metal implants in the body
  • non-removable cochlear implant
  • are unable to adhere to the protocol (including the absence of a computer, tablet, or smartphone for use)

Trial design

Primary purpose

Supportive Care

Allocation

Randomized

Interventional model

Parallel Assignment

Masking

None (Open label)

180 participants in 3 patient groups

Chatbot & CES
Experimental group
Description:
Exercise Chatbot intervention with Cranial Electrical Stimulation intervention
Treatment:
Behavioral: Both EGChat and CES intervention
Chatbot
Experimental group
Description:
Exercise Chatbot intervention without Cranial Electrical Stimulation intervention
Treatment:
Other: Exercise Chatbot
CES
Experimental group
Description:
Cranial Electrical Stimulation intervention without Exercise Chatbot intervention
Treatment:
Device: CES (Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation)

Trial contacts and locations

1

Loading...

Central trial contact

Wei-Fen Ma, PHD

Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov

Clinical trials

Find clinical trialsTrials by location
© Copyright 2026 Veeva Systems