60 and older, any sex, with Pain, Chronic or Loneliness. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.
Results — posted to ClinicalTrials.gov
Per-arm endpoint measurements with 95% confidence intervals where reported. Source: trial results section.
Self-reported Pain SeverityPrimary· Baseline and 12 weeks
Self-reported pain severity will be recorded using the Brief Pain Inventory Short Form. Scores range from 0 as minimal score meaning no pain or pain interference to 10 as maximum score that equates to severe pain or complete pain interference. Higher scores indicate worse symptoms.
Brief Pain Inventory Pain Interference
Group
Value
95% CI
Conversational Voice Assistant (Standard)
2.57
± 2.11
Conversational Voice Assistant (Enhanced)
3.71
± 2.36
Brief Pain Inventory Pain Severity
Group
Value
95% CI
Conversational Voice Assistant (Standard)
3.22
± 2.21
Conversational Voice Assistant (Enhanced)
3.89
± 2.69
Self-reported LonelinessPrimary· Baseline and 12 weeks
Self-reported loneliness will be recorded using the University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale. The range of scores is 20 minimum to 80 as the maximum. The cut-offs for loneliness severity: \<28 = no/low loneliness, 28 to 43 = moderate loneliness, and total score \>43 = high loneliness. Higher scores indicate worse self-reported loneliness. Scores will be compared between groups at baseline and 12-weeks post-intervention.
Group
Value
95% CI
Conversational Voice Assistant-Standard
58.83
± 19.73
Conversational Voice Assistant-Enhanced
58.84
± 15.95
Conversational Voice Assistant System UsabilitySecondary· 12-weeks
Self-reported ease of use of the voice assistant routines will be recorded. Score range from a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 100. Higher scores mean better usability: 0-51 "awful" or "poor" usability (significant problems), 51-68 "okay" usability (room for improvement), 68-80.3 "good" usability, 80.3+ "excellent" usability (highly usable system). Scores will be compared between groups at 12-weeks post-intervention.
Group
Value
95% CI
Conversational Voice Assistant (Standard)
66.29
± 6.94
Conversational Voice Assistant (Enhanced)
74.5
± 11.9
Geriatric DepressionSecondary· Baseline and 12-weeks
Self-reported depressive symptoms will be recorded. Scores range from 0 as a minimum to a 15 as a maximum. Higher scores indicate worse depression: 0-4 normal, 5-8 5ild depression, 9-11 moderate depression, and 12-15: severe depression. Scores will be compared between groups at baseline and 12-weeks post-intervention.
Group
Value
95% CI
Conversational Voice Assistant-Standard
6.25
± 2.36
Conversational Voice Assistant-Enhanced
6.65
± 2.54
Self-efficacy for Managing SymptomsSecondary· Baseline and 12-weeks
Self-reported self-efficacy or confidence in managing pain symptoms will be recorded using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). Scores range from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 100. A score of 50 represents the average. Higher scores above 50 indicate better self-reported self-efficacy in managing pain. Scores will be compared between groups at baseline and 12-weeks post-intervention.
Group
Value
95% CI
Conversational Voice Assistant-Standard
34
± 7.56
Conversational Voice Assistant-Enhanced
31
± 8.41
Sponsor's own description
Approximately 24% of community-dwelling older adults are socially isolated, and over 40% of adults 60 and older report feeling lonely. Over 50% of midlife and older adults who perceive their health as fair or poor are lonely in contrast to 27% percent who believe their health to be excellent or very good. Loneliness has been associated with high mortality and inflammation which can influence symptoms such as pain. Social isolation and pain further contribute to loneliness. Studies have reported one and a half greater odds of being socially isolated among older adults with clinical osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and/or knee than someone with similar characteristics without OA. Pain is significant because it is highly prevalent among older adults and is associated with disability, social isolation, and greater costs and burden to health care systems. A recent review of the literature found that several interventions influence social isolation and loneliness. As these interventions require in-person interaction, those who are socially isolated or distanced due to pain may not benefit due to a lack of access. Current advancements in technology and social media may provide opportunities to reduce loneliness and pain due to social isolation. Online and technology-based interventions have shown potential to engage older adults to improve communication and social connection. Given that socialization with these approaches are supportive only when the other person is available for that interaction. An intervention that utilizes technology to incorporate solitary interventions may be efficacious. Studies found a trend for a positive relationship between the use of a voice assistant and loneliness in aging adults living alone.
Building upon this evidence on loneliness and pain research, conversational voice assistant (CVA) technology and personalized persuasion, investigators will conduct a 12-week randomized control pilot with older adults that live alone and self-report pain. Participants will interact with a standard or a personally enhanced loneliness routine delivered through a CVA. Investigators will explore intervention feasibility and examine the efficacy of both standard and personalized interventions on loneliness and secondary outcomes.
Publications & conference data
1 peer-reviewed publication reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):
Publications: Europe PMC API search by NCT ID, retrieved 10 June 2026
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Sponsor: as reported to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Nebraska
Last refreshed: 23 May 2025
Drug Landscape aggregates and links these public records for informational use only. Always verify against the primary source before clinical or regulatory decisions. Canonical URL: https://druglandscape.com/trial/NCT05387447.