Can an AI app give a voice to brain tumor patients?

NCT ID NCT07732140

Symptom relief Sponsor: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 28, 2026 · Last updated Jul 29, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial tests whether a smartphone app called LISTEN can help people with brain tumors who have trouble speaking (aphasia) communicate more easily. The app uses artificial intelligence to adapt to each user's needs and can be used with voice input and output. Researchers will see if the app is practical and acceptable for patients and their care partners.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: LISTEN, an AI-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) smartphone app
What this could lead to: If it works, this could provide a practical, personalized communication tool for people with brain tumors who struggle to speak.
What could go wrong: This is an early feasibility study with only 80 participants. The app may not be user-friendly or effective for everyone, and it requires a smartphone and comfort with AI technology.

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

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 80 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

Jan 2027

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

Dec 2030

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: Patient inclusion criteria are as follows: * A histologically or cytologically confirmed primary or secondary brain tumor with expected ongoing deterioration in language as determined by their oncologist * Mild-to-moderate aphasia or other acquired communication disorder as determined by their oncologist or speech-language pathologist * ECOG Performance Status of ≤2 or Karnofsky Performance Status ≥60 * Expected overall survival of \>6 months * Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written consent form * Age ≥18 years * Willingness to participate in study interviews and be recorded for the study (for monitoring of study fidelity) * Cancer survivors will also be included Care-partner inclusion criteria are as follows: * Identified by their patient as someone who is integral to their care * Age ≥18 years * Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written consent form * Willingness to participate in study interviews and be recorded for the study (monitoring of study fidelity) Exclusion Criteria: Patient exclusion criteria are as follows: * Unable to read or respond to questions in English * Severe dysarthria as determined by their oncologist * Aphasia that is moderate-to-sever enough that the patient cannot consent without a proxy * Expected survival of ≤ 6 months * Severe cognitive impairment as determined by their oncologist Care-partner exclusion criteria are as follows: -Unable to read or respond to questions in English

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

aphasia brain cancer

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Aphasia Malignant brain tumor

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.

Can an AI app give a voice to brain tumor patients?

What the study statuses mean