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A WeChat-based, expert knowledge-constrained artificial intelligence health education intervention for patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery: protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Perioperative health education is essential for patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery, but conventional approaches are often limited by time, workload, continuity, and personalization. Artificial intelligence (AI) may offer a more accessible and interactive approach to patient education. This trial aims to evaluate whether a WeChat-based, expert knowledge-constrained AI health education system can improve anxiety and other patient-reported outcomes in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. Methods: This is a single-center, open-label, parallel-group randomized controlled trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio. A total of 120 eligible patients will be recruited from the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery at Chengdu Third People's Hospital and randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The control group will receive usual perioperative care and conventional health education, while the intervention group will additionally receive a WeChat-based AI-supported health education intervention for 3 months. The primary outcome is anxiety measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety subscale. Secondary outcomes include depression, perceived social support, self-efficacy, health-related quality of life, and eHealth literacy. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, discharge, 3 months, and 6 months. Analyses will primarily follow the intention-to-treat principle. Ethics and dissemination: This study is a low-risk behavioral intervention trial. Study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and other academic channels. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Medical Ethics Committee of Chengdu Third People's Hospital (Ethics No: 2026-S-69). The clinical trial is registered under ChiCTR2600122411, with registration completed on April 2026. Clinical trial registration: https://www.chictr.org.cn/, identifier ChiCTR2600122411.

Source: Frontiers in Public Health

DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1862627