Publication:

Efficacy of artificial intelligence‑integrated emotional granularity growth at improving resilience and quality of life in young and middle aged colorectal cancer survivors: protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial

Background Young and middle-aged colorectal cancer survivors frequently experience emotional distress and difficulties adapting during the cancer trajectory. Emotional granularity, the ability to identify and differentiate emotional experiences, may represent a modifiable target for improving emotion regulation and resilience. However, interventions targeting emotional granularity among colorectal cancer survivors remain limited. The artificial intelligence-integrated emotional granularity growth program (AI-EGG), delivered via a WeChat mini program, was developed to enhance resilience and quality of life.

Methods A two-arm pilot randomised controlled trial will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of AI-EGG among young and middle-aged colorectal cancer survivors. Fifty-four participants will be randomly assigned (1:1) to either the intervention group or usual care across three teaching hospitals in Suzhou, China. The intervention group will receive a four-week AI-EGG intervention consisting of emotion identification and differentiation, selection of regulation strategies, implementation of regulation strategies, and maintenance and adaptation. Primary outcomes include recruitment, retention, adherence, ecological momentary assessment completion, and system usability. Secondary outcomes will include resilience, emotional granularity, emotion regulation, and quality of life. Assessments will occur at baseline, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up. Semi-structured interviews with a purposive subsample will explore acceptability and implementation experiences. Ethical approval has been obtained from the Human Subjects Ethics Sub-Committee of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and participating hospitals.

Conclusions This study will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of AI-EGG for young and middle-aged colorectal cancer survivors and inform intervention refinement and a future definitive trial. Trial Registration: The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07611071).