Objective:

To assess the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of PROMBot-HSM-AF over the first 3 months after AF catheter ablation.

Approach:

• Study Design: Single-center, open-label, randomized controlled pilot feasibility trial with two parallel groups.
• Participants: 76 patients undergoing AF ablation randomized to chatbot-supported follow-up or standard care.
• Evaluation Metrics: Feasibility evaluated through recruitment rate, retention at 3 months, and chatbot engagement rate.
• Usability and Acceptability Assessment: Measured through behavioral engagement, System Usability Scale (SUS), Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ), and semi-structured interviews.
• Data Analysis: Quantitative findings will undergo descriptive analysis with exploratory between-group comparisons; interview data will be assessed using thematic content analysis.

Key Findings:

• Preliminary evidence regarding the feasibility and acceptability of a chatbot-based platform in post-ablation care will emerge.
• The study addresses critical gaps in remote monitoring for post-procedural care.

Interpretation:

Results will guide intervention refinement and subsequent effectiveness research among this population.

Limitations:

• Single-center study may limit generalizability.
• Small sample size may affect the robustness of findings.

Conclusion:

The pilot trial aims to provide insights into the integration of chatbot technology in routine AF post-ablation care.

Sources:

• Clinical Trials Registration