The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effectiveness of NeuroBot in alleviating anxiety of patients undergoing neurovascular procedures. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is NeuroBot effective in alleviating anxiety? Is NeuroBot effective in enhancing patients' procedure and disease-related knowledge? Is NeuroBot effective in enhancing patients' compliance to treatment? If there is a comparison group: Researchers will compare with standard perioperative education (control group) to see if there is any difference in results. Participants will be invited to chat with the artificial intelligence based chatbot "NeuroBot" for 6 weeks, from the date of preoperative clinic visit till 4 weeks after the surgery. The participants are allowed to access the NeuroBot at anytime anywhere, to ask surgery- related questions at their discretion.
The NeuroBot is co-developed by the neurosurgeons, nuerosurgical specialty nurses in Queen Elisabeth Hospital and AI experts from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The NeuroBot is developed based on the large language model that used machine learning algorithm and generative pretrained transformer model. Vast dataset of neurovascular surgery related information from validated sources, including DynaMed, UpToDate and textbooks were included and used for training of NeuroBot. The precision of the responses generated by NeuroBot was verified by a group of neurosurgical domain experts (neurosurgeons and experienced neurosurgical nurses).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
146
NeuroBot is an artificial intelligence online accessible chatbot that used machine learning and generative pretrained transformer model for supporting patients undergoing neurovascular surgery during perioperative period
Standard care include face-to-face consultation in preoperative nurse clinic and provision of leaflet
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Anxiety
Level of preoperative and postoperative anxiety, measured using State Trait Anxiety Inventory - State scale (6-item Chinese version). There are total of 6-item in the questionnaire, each item uses a 1 to 4 point rating scale. 1: not at all; 2: somewhat; 3: moderate; 4: very much so. The higher the score indicates the greater levels of anxiety
Time frame: From preoperative (at nurse clinic) to postoperative from 1 week to 4 weeks after surgery
Knowledge
The level of procedure and disease related knowledge. A 10-item multiple choice questionnaire was developed and validated by neurosurgical experts. It will be used to assess participants' level of knowledge. Each participant will score 1 mark if they correctly answer each question. The higher the score, the higher the level of knowledge.
Time frame: From preoperative nurse clinic visit to 1 week postoperative
Compliance
Compliance to prescribed treatment including follow-up visit, arranged investigation. The incidence of non-compliance will be traced through reviewing medical records. Each missed follow-up visit and investigation within 1 month after surgery will be counted. Each incidence of missed follow-up visits and investigations will be descriptively reported in both groups
Time frame: 4 weeks after surgery
Readmission
Readmission related to the surgery. The incidence of readmission related to the postoperative complications will be traced in medical record. Number of Participants with readmission will be descriptively reported.
Time frame: 4 weeks after surgery
Postoperative complications
surgery-related postoperative complications. The incidence of surgery-related postoperative complications will be traced in medical record. Number of Participants with surgery-related postoperative complications will be descriptively reported in both groups
Time frame: 4 weeks after surgery
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