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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Avatar-based online health consultations by midwives to enhance the well-being of working women: A randomised pilot trial
1
Institute of Science Tokyo, Department of Reproductive Health Nursing, Tokyo, Japan
2
The University of Osaka, Department of Children and Women’s Health, Osaka, Japan
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A1015
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The COVID-19 pandemic shifted the format of health consultations from face-to-face to online. Furthermore, Research has also begun in the field of mental health counselling using avatars in online health consultations. However, avatar-based health consultations including those related to sexuality, remain underutilised due to limited evidence of their impact.
OBJECTIVES:
This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of avatar-based consultations by midwives for working women. Outcome measures and dropout rates were also examined to evaluate the feasibility of a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT).
METHODS:
Working women aged 20–50 years, who were employed and literate in Japanese, were recruited via Social Networking Service from companies that support women's health. The participants were randomly assigned to either the avatar group (AG; n=51), receiving online health guidance via avatars, or the face-to-face online group (FG; n=51). Surveys were conducted before allocation and 28 days post-intervention to measure well-being and health literacy. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. This study was conducted with the approval of the ethics committee of the affiliated institution.
RESULTS:
Most participants were in their 20s (AG, 27.5%; FG, 29.4%). Post-intervention scores for well-being were 68.7±8.9 (AG) and 69.6±9.8 (FG) and health literacy scores were 9.5±1.7 (AG) and 9.3±1.3 (FG). The valid response rates were 33% and 57% in the AG and FG, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS:
Avatar-based consultations showed outcomes comparable to those of face-to-face online guidance, indicating the feasibility of future trials. However, the lower response rates in the avatar group suggested challenges in terms of engagement and usability. Further refinement is needed before scaling up to a full RCT.
KEY MESSAGE:
Avatar-mediated health consultations by midwives may be a viable alternative for working women; however, strategies to enhance engagement are essential for broader implementation. Poster session 4 (Group B)
The COVID-19 pandemic shifted the format of health consultations from face-to-face to online. Furthermore, Research has also begun in the field of mental health counselling using avatars in online health consultations. However, avatar-based health consultations including those related to sexuality, remain underutilised due to limited evidence of their impact.
OBJECTIVES:
This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of avatar-based consultations by midwives for working women. Outcome measures and dropout rates were also examined to evaluate the feasibility of a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT).
METHODS:
Working women aged 20–50 years, who were employed and literate in Japanese, were recruited via Social Networking Service from companies that support women's health. The participants were randomly assigned to either the avatar group (AG; n=51), receiving online health guidance via avatars, or the face-to-face online group (FG; n=51). Surveys were conducted before allocation and 28 days post-intervention to measure well-being and health literacy. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. This study was conducted with the approval of the ethics committee of the affiliated institution.
RESULTS:
Most participants were in their 20s (AG, 27.5%; FG, 29.4%). Post-intervention scores for well-being were 68.7±8.9 (AG) and 69.6±9.8 (FG) and health literacy scores were 9.5±1.7 (AG) and 9.3±1.3 (FG). The valid response rates were 33% and 57% in the AG and FG, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS:
Avatar-based consultations showed outcomes comparable to those of face-to-face online guidance, indicating the feasibility of future trials. However, the lower response rates in the avatar group suggested challenges in terms of engagement and usability. Further refinement is needed before scaling up to a full RCT.
KEY MESSAGE:
Avatar-mediated health consultations by midwives may be a viable alternative for working women; however, strategies to enhance engagement are essential for broader implementation. Poster session 4 (Group B)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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