Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41314645›Full record

ArticleJMIR research protocols2025

Determining the Feasibility and Usability of a Co-Designed Culturally Appropriate Conversational Agent (DESI-Heart) to Support Self-Care in People With Cardiovascular Diseases: Protocol for a Single-Arm Pilot Trial.

Ann Tresa Sebastian, Paul Jansons, Ee Ling Ng, Samantha David, Ralph Maddison

Abstract readClinical Trial Protocol
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR research protocols, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Ann Tresa SebastianFaculty of Health, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-9291-4525
Paul JansonsFaculty of Health, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-8766-0516
Ee Ling NgFaculty of Health, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-5886-2541
Samantha DavidCommunity Assessment and Response Team, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID 0009-0001-5027-5497
Ralph MaddisonFaculty of Health, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-8564-5518

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. For people living with CVD, clinical guidelines recommend ongoing self-care such as symptom monitoring, medication adherence, and lifestyle modifications. However, many people struggle to engage in this due to the complexity of disease management, limited understanding, and a lack of cultural support. Conversational agents (CAs) offer a solution by providing artificial intelligence-driven, voice-based support that enables human-like communication. While many CAs and digital interventions are good for people with CVDs, they are for mainstream populations and overlook culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

objectiveThis study outlines the protocol for pilot testing the feasibility and usability of Diaspora Engaged Self-Care Intervention and Heart (DESI-Heart) program, to support self-care management among Indian diaspora populations with CVDs in Australia over an 8-week intervention period. The formative development of DESI-Heart is also described.

methodsWe integrated the Double Diamond Model and the ecological validity model to develop our DESI-Heart program. First, we co-designed the program with end users, who identified 4 key goals for engagement with self-care through culturally and linguistically appropriate approaches. Based on these priorities and ideas, we developed specific goals, including (1) medication reminders, (2) daily exercise guidance, (3) diet buddy, and (4) guided meditation. Participants will access the DESI-Heart program through a web-based CA, available on smartphones, laptops, or PCs. Based on their preferred timing, individuals will receive links to access specific components of the program corresponding to each goal. These links will be sent to participants via SMS or email, depending on their preference. A single-arm prepost pilot trial (N=28) will be conducted to evaluate the feasibility and usability of the DESI-Heart program among Indian adults living in Australia with CVDs. The primary outcome will assess feasibility indicators, including recruitment, engagement, and usability, while secondary outcomes will examine changes in self-care behaviors and quality of life.

resultsThe DESI-Heart program received ethics approval in July 2024. Recruitment for the pilot trial is scheduled to begin in June 2025 and conclude by September 2025, with participant follow-up expected to be completed by the end of December 2025. All 28 participants have been recruited, and data analysis will be conducted once follow-up is finalized.

conclusionsWe have co-designed and developed the DESI-Heart program, a culturally and linguistically appropriate self-care intervention aimed at supporting Indian adults with CVD living in Australia. The next step is to conduct a pilot study to assess the feasibility and usability of DESI-Heart, which will inform the design of a larger evaluation trial. DESI-Heart has the potential to complement existing health services by helping individuals with CVD manage their condition within the community, while acknowledging their cultural backgrounds and language preferences. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/78923.

Indexed as

Cardiovascular DiseasesSelf CareAdultAustraliaCommunicationFeasibility StudiesFemaleHumansIndiaMalePilot Projectsbehavior changecardiovascular diseasesconversational agentculturally and linguistically diverse communitiesdigital health, technologymethodological considerationmobile phoneself-care

Identifiers

PMID41314645
PMCPMC12701350

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.