The University of Alabama at Birmingham, in partnership with the Lakeshore Foundation and key stakeholders will, in the course of this three-year project, develop, test and optimize an accessible and inclusive artificial intelligence (AI) assisted chronic disease self management platform for people with disabilities. The goal of this project is to create an online chronic disease self-management program for people with disabilities that is accessible, inclusive, scalable and sustainable. The objectives are: 1) to develop an AI-assisted, individualized, family-focused, lifestyle modification telehealth intervention AI4CHRON for chronic disease management in participants with disabilities using a participatory design approach; and 2) to pilot test, optimize and evaluate the feasibility (i.e., process, resource, management and scientific feasibility), acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of AI4CHRON in adults with permanent impaired mobility and chronic conditions (diabetes, health conditions or lung conditions) using the engineering inspired Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST). Anticipated outcomes include: 1) a robust optimized telehealth platform for chronic disease management; 2) preliminary efficacy of the intervention (program, content and technology) established; 3) a dissemination and utilization plan instituted to begin offering this program beyond research settings; 4) areas needing further refinement and research identified and 5) a sustainability plan developed to support the project in the future. The expected products are 1) a complete inclusive chronic disease management program including a library of textual, graphical, audio and video content; 2) a robust telehealth platform with multi-channel convergent communication capabilities and artificial intelligence assistance; 3) a coaching manual and 4) publications. This proposal focuses on the Health and Function outcome domain of the NIDILRR Long Range Plan and includes activit
ies across multiple stages of research and development.
