Clinical Research Directory

Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health Literacies Among Older Adults: A Mixed-method Pilot Intervention Study

The goal of this pilot study is to determine the feasibility and to learn if a training program called E2NGAGE-Literacy (Empowering Elders in Navigating Generative AI for Greater E-health Literacy) can potentially help older adults in Singapore use generative AI (GenAI) chatbots safely and confidently to find and evaluate health information. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is the conduct of E2NGAGE-Literacy program to improve older adults' AI literacy and digital health literacy feasible? * Do older adults find the E2NGAGE-Literacy program acceptable? * What are the potential changes in AI literacy, digital health literacy and actual use of AI-chatbot apps and web-based apps between older adults who receive E2NGAGE-Literacy program and those who do not receive the program? * What do participants think about E2NGAGE-Literacy, and how can it be improved? Researchers will compare two groups: * E2NGAGE-Literacy group: Participants will join a 6-week program with face-to-face group lessons on using GenAI for health information, supported by online videos, quizzes and short homework tasks. * Waitlist control group: Participants will continue with their usual activities at the senior centres and receive the same program after the study period. Participants in the E2NGAGE-Literacy group will: * Join weekly 1.5-hour face-to-face sessions for 6 weeks during the study period * Watch short videos and complete online quizzes and practice tasks between sessions during the study period * Be invited to a focus group discussion after the program to share their experiences * Complete a questionnaire at the start of the study and again at 7 and 12 weeks later * Be invited to share AI-chatbot transcripts for analysis Participants in the waitlist group will: * Complete a questionnaire at the start of the study and again at 7 and 12 weeks later * Join weekly 1.5-hour face-to-face sessions for 6 weeks after the study period (after week 8) * Watch short videos and complete online quizzes and practice tasks between sessions after the study period (after week 12) * Be invited to share AI-chatbot transcripts for analysis

The Effects of a Scenario-based Fact-checking Course on eHealth Literacy and Fact-checking Skills Among Older Adults.

As more older adults use the internet to seek health information, it may be difficult to determine whether online information is trustworthy. Social media posts, advertisements, messages, and product promotions may contain misleading information or scams. This study will examine whether a practical fact-checking course can help older adults make more accurate judgments about online health information. Approximately 100 older adults from senior learning centers in northern Taiwan will participate in this study. Participants will be assigned to one of two groups. The experimental group will receive a four-week health information fact-checking course, and the control group will receive a four-week nutrition education course. Both groups will participate in learning activities; however, only the fact-checking course will involve digital tools and examples of online health information. Participants in the fact-checking course will practice evaluating health information through common real-life situations, including health-related social media posts, online product advertisements, free-gift promotions, and suspicious text messages. The course will teach a fact-checking method called SIFT: Stop: Pause before believing or sharing information. Investigate the source: Check who created or posted the information. Find better coverage: Look for other reliable sources that discuss the same claim. Trace claims to the original context: Locate the original source and determine whether the claim has been presented accurately. Before and after the four-week intervention, participants will complete questionnaires and short activities concerning the use of online health information and the evaluation of health-related messages. The investigators will compare outcomes between the two groups to determine whether the fact-checking course improves confidence and accuracy in judging online health information. This study may inform the development of digital health learning programs for older adults.

The e-SINCERE Study

The e-SINCERE study will evaluate whether providing stable cell phones and digital navigation assistance helps patients overcome ICT barriers and connect more successfully with community services. The study will begin with patients in the UHealth ED, with additional sites added in the future, and will involve working with community service providers and policy leaders to refine and implement the intervention. Findings from this study may guide the development of future programs and policies to improve access to services for patients facing economic and technological barriers.

On the Effect of a Hybrid Health Literacy Intervention on Sexual Function and Digital Health Literacy in Menopausal Women

This randomized controlled study will evaluate whether a hybrid health literacy education program improves sexual function and digital health literacy in postmenopausal women. Hybrid education combines in-person and online sessions. The study will include 128 women aged 45-60 years who have not had a menstrual period for at least 12 months. Participants will be recruited from the gynecology and obstetrics outpatient clinic at Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Hospital in Türkiye and randomly assigned to an education group or a usual-care group, with 64 women in each group. The education group will receive a midwife-led program consisting of one in-person session and two online sessions over three weeks. The sessions will cover sexual health during menopause, finding and evaluating reliable online health information, and using this information in daily life. Women in the usual-care group will continue to receive routine health services without additional study education. Participants in both groups will complete questionnaires assessing sexual function and digital health literacy before and after the intervention period. Researchers will compare changes between the groups to assess the effects of the education program.

Cognitive and Emotional Inoculation Against Nutrition-Related Misinformation in Young Adults

This study aims to examine the effects of cognitive and emotional inoculation interventions on young adults' ability to identify and respond to nutrition-related misinformation on social media. The study will compare two game-based inoculation approaches-a cognitive inoculation intervention and an emotional inoculation intervention-with a control condition. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 2 weeks later.

Interactive Demonstration-Based Cyber Health Education in High School Students

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of an interactive demonstration-based cyber health education intervention on digital health literacy and information security awareness among high school students. Two public high schools were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. Students in the intervention group received a three-week education program consisting of one 30-40-minute session per week. The program included interactive presentations, demonstrations, scenario-based activities, group discussions, and question-and-answer sessions focusing on digital health literacy and information security. Students in the control group continued their routine school education without receiving the intervention during the study period. Digital health literacy and information security awareness were assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at a four-week follow-up.

Social Media-Based Education on Cancer Screening Awareness in Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled study evaluated a social media-based educational program for women who had not previously participated in breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer screening. A total of 132 women aged 30-70 years were assigned to either a social media-based education group or a standard online education group. The social media-based program was structured according to the Social Ecological Model and delivered through closed WhatsApp and Instagram groups. The standard education group received two online educational sessions via Zoom. The study evaluated three primary outcomes: knowledge regarding cancer screenings, attitudes toward cancer screening, and self-reported digital health literacy. These outcomes were measured before the assigned educational program and four weeks after its completion. The study did not measure actual participation in cancer screening.

Digital Health Literacy and Oocyte Cryopreservation Among Women With Gynecological Cancer

This study evaluated a digital health literacy education intervention related to oocyte cryopreservation among newly diagnosed women with gynecological cancer. A quasi-experimental single-group pre-post design was used at the Outpatient Clinics of the Oncology Center, Mansoura University Hospital, Egypt. A purposive sample of 158 women participated. Outcomes were measured before and after the intervention and included knowledge about oocyte cryopreservation, attitudes toward oocyte cryopreservation, and decisional conflict. The intervention used videos, images, WhatsApp, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, PowerPoint slides, short text messages, simple Arabic-language educational materials, and follow-up through phone or social media when needed. Outcomes were reassessed at the end of week 4.

FACE-APPS-Based Approach for Improving Iron Deficiency Anaemia Indicators Among Female Adolescents at Marginalized Communities

This study aims to evaluate the effect of the Face-to-face Assisted Counselling with Enhanced Application School-Based Approach (FACE-APPS-Based Approach) on anemia indicators among female adolescents. The study is a prospective, randomized controlled trial. A total of 160 female adolescents with hemoglobin levels below 12.0 g/dL will be recruited from 7 secondary schools. Random assignment at the individual level, stratified by baseline anemia status, will be used to ensure balance. For participants in the intervention group, the intervention will be designed by an interdisciplinary team and administered over 4 months, comprising 8 face-to-face counseling sessions and 8 parallel mobile application modules. Control group participants will receive standard care (diagnosis and referral). The primary outcomes are the mean differences in hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels. Secondary outcomes are engagement among female adolescents (attendance at counseling sessions and completion of mobile application modules).

Digital Technology for Active and Healthy Ageing in Taiwan

Taiwan is entering a super-aged society in 2025, with more than 20% of the population aged 65 years or older. This rapid demographic shift, combined with increasing rates of chronic diseases, frailty, and dementia, has created growing challenges for healthcare and caregiving systems. Yunlin County, particularly its coastal region, has been one of Taiwan's earliest super-aged areas, showing higher rates of diabetes (10.5%), hypertension (28%), hyperlipidemia (26%), dementia (8%), and depression (12%) compared with national averages. Lifestyle factors such as tobacco (30%), betel nut (8%), and alcohol (15%) use are also more prevalent among local residents. From 2022 to 2024, health screenings at CMU Beigang Hospital revealed a 36.1% abnormality rate among 12,222 visits, while another 5,965 assessments from the county's ICOPE program showed similarly high rates. Many older adults, particularly retired agricultural and fishing workers, experience sedentary lifestyles and polypharmacy-related risks, which worsen frailty, insomnia, depression, and cognitive decline. Low general and digital health literacy further limits their ability to adopt preventive behaviors, forming a vicious cycle between poor health and aging. To address these challenges, the Ministry of Health and Welfare launched the "Healthy Taiwan Cultivation Plan." In alignment with this initiative, this project-led by CMU Beigang Hospital in collaboration with the National Health Research Institutes-aims to develop a wearable- and mobile-based health promotion model for rural older adults. The study will integrate research-grade actigraphy (Geneactiv), a mobile health platform ("iMED"), and the in-bed sensor iCue to monitor behavior, promote active aging, and enhance health and digital literacy. Ultimately, this project seeks to establish Taiwan's first integrated digital aging database and identify digital biomarkers for predicting cognitive and functional decline in older adults.

Effect of Primary Care Education on Parents' Health-Related Perceptions and Attitudes

This study aims to evaluate the effect of a structured education program delivered in primary health care settings on parents of children aged 0-2 years. The education focuses on childhood vaccination and related health perceptions. Parents will receive education covering childhood vaccines, vaccine hesitancy, evaluation of vaccine-related information obtained from digital sources, eco-anxiety, and perceived vulnerability to diseases. The study examines whether this education influences parents' levels of vaccine hesitancy, digital vaccine literacy, eco-anxiety, and perceived vulnerability to diseases. The findings are expected to contribute to the development of effective educational interventions in primary health care services to support informed parental decision-making regarding childhood vaccination.

Digital Health Literacy of Egyptian Parents and Oral Health Outcomes of Their Preschool Children

The aim of the study is to examine the association between the digital health literacy (DHL) of Egyptian parents and oral health outcomes of their preschool children. The study will also examine the association between the parents' DHL and parents' sociodemographic characteristics. The main research question is: What is the association between digital health literacy (DHL) of Egyptian parents and oral health outcomes of their preschool children?

Effectiveness of Intensive Tutoring vs. Flexible Self-Learning on Digital Health Literacy and Self-Efficacy for "My Health Bank" App Use Among Adults Over 50

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of two different educational models in improving the use of the "My Health Bank" App (a Personal Health Record system in Taiwan) among adults aged 50 and older. As Taiwan's population ages, digital health management has become essential, yet older adults often face a "digital divide." Participants will be randomly assigned to either a "Intensive Guided Learning group" (receiving one-on-one human instruction) or a "Flexible Self-study group" (using self-learning materials co-created with Generative AI). The study aims to compare the outcomes of these two groups in terms of enhancing digital health literacy, self-efficacy, and actual App usage behavior to identify more effective and scalable digital health education strategies.

WhatsApp Intervention for Seniors' Digital and Cognitive Management (WISDOM)

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a digital health literacy program using mobile phone chat-based application called WISDOM (WhatsApp Intervention for Seniors' Digital and cOgnitive Management) can help older adults in Singapore with fewer resources improve their digital health skills and support brain health. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is it feasible to run WISDOM in senior centres, and will participants join and stay in the program? * Does WISDOM help older adults find and use online health information? * Does WISDOM help older adults make health decisions and impact brain functions? * What do participants think about WISDOM, and how can it be improved? Researchers will compare two groups: * WISDOM group: Participants will join a 6-week program with face-to-face learning sessions and WhatsApp activities about digital health skills. Extra support will be given if needed. * Control group: Participants will continue with their usual activities at the senior centres. Participants in the WISDOM group will: * Join weekly face-to-face sessions for 6 weeks * Use WhatsApp to complete learning activities

Active aGeing And Personalised Service's Ecosystem (AGAPE) Aims to Implement an Advanced Technology Platform That Provides Services to the Elderly, Formal and Informal Caregivers, and Caregiving Organizations

AGAPE aims to implement an advanced technology platform that provides services to older adults, formal and informal caregivers, and caregiving organizations.