Can a cartoon character help you understand your Doctor's handouts?

NCT ID NCT06435819

Recruiting now Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Northeastern University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether a computer-animated character that explains medical illustrations helps people understand patient education materials better than looking at the pictures alone. Researchers will compare the character on a regular screen versus in virtual reality. The goal is to see which method leads to the best understanding and lowest anxiety. The study involves 300 healthy adults who speak English or Spanish.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Embodied Conversational Agent (ECA)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward better ways to help patients understand medical information using animated guides.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage study in healthy volunteers, not patients, so results may not apply to real healthcare settings. The intervention is a computer character, not a treatment.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

HEALTHY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Northeastern University
RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
Tufts Medical Center
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, United States

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