Virtual Avatar Coaches for Behavioral Therapy of Patients With Overactive Bladder (OAB)

Miami VA Healthcare System

Status: Completed

Conditions: Overactive Bladder

Treatments: Other: Avatar group; Other: No Avatar group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other U.S. Federal agency; Industry

Identifiers

NCT02251054

WS624459

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study compares the efficacy of embedding avatars into an online self-management program that teaches OAB behavioral therapy on OAB-related quality of life, symptoms, self-efficacy, and adherence versus the same program without avatars

Enrollment: 47 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 55+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• age 55 or older
• women living in the community
• who could read and speak English
• urgency (≥3 episodes/24 hrs.) ± urge urinary incontinence
• urinary frequency (≥8 times/24 hrs.)
• nocturia (awakening ≥2 times at night)

Exclusion criteria

• hematuria
• abdominal pain
• fever
• cognitive impairment (Mini-Cog < 3)
• positive screen for depression (PHQ2 > 3)
• hearing issues
• uncorrected visual difficulties

Trial design

47 participants in 2 patient groups

Avatar group

Experimental group

Description:

Intervention group viewed two avatar coaches: a generic avatar coach (GAC) and a self-avatar, "peer" mentor (SAP).

Treatment:

Other: Avatar group

No Avatar group

Active Comparator group

Description:

The control group version (voice only) observed the identical program, including introductions, question asking, narration of animations, delivery of key points, and summary of each section with identical pre-recorded voices without the avatars.

Treatment:

Other: No Avatar group