Mixed methods, single case design, feasibility trial of a motivational conversational agent for rehabilitation for adults with traumatic brain injury.
Judith Hocking, Anthony Maeder, David Powers and 3 others
PMID 38058144WHAT IT FOUND
Two adults with traumatic brain injury and four clinicians found a conversational agent helpful for maintaining rehabilitation goals between appointments.
Participants reported good usability and motivation, though the small sample and short duration limit conclusions about clinical effectiveness.
Key findings
01The conversational agent received very good usability scores (mean 76.25 on the System Usability Scale), with participants finding it easy to use and integrate into their existing care routine.
02Qualitative feedback indicated the tool supported motivation and accountability by providing regular reminders and goal reviews, though concerns were raised about memory demands and potential overexertion.
03No adverse events occurred during the two-week intervention, and quantitative wellbeing measures showed stable or slightly improved scores for anxiety and depression.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample size was extremely small (2 clients, 4 clinicians), limiting generalizability. The intervention duration was only two weeks, which is too short to assess long-term effectiveness or sustainability. Recruitment was difficult due to administrative burdens and eligibility constraints, resulting in a highly selected group. The study was a feasibility trial, not an efficacy trial, so it cannot determine if the tool improves clinical outcomes.
Declared interests
The study was funded by an Australian Research Council scholarship. The software platform is owned by Clevertar Pty Ltd, but no commercial partners were engaged for this study. Intellectual property rights rest with Flinders University.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the positive usability feedback as evidence that RehabChat improves clinical outcomes or recovery rates. The study was a small feasibility trial designed to test if the tool could be used, not if it worked effectively.