RecruitingNot Applicable

Smart Symptom Tracking ALEX Application for Tracking and Monitoring Gastrointestinal Health, Smart Horizons Pilot Trial

United States50 participantsStarted 2026-04-20

Plain-language summary

This clinical trial compares the impact of the Smart Symptom Tracking ALEX application (app) to standard symptom-tracking practices in tracking and monitoring gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in young adults. Rates of early-onset colorectal cancer are rising sharply and it is projected to become the leading cause of cancer-related death in young adults. Despite this, adults under 45 still face barriers to diagnosis, including access to screening, unclear guidance on the impact of GI symptoms and dismissal of symptoms by healthcare providers. Current screening guidelines lack guidance on monitoring early symptoms in younger adults. The Smart Symptom Tracking ALEX tool is a digital platform that uses artificial intelligence to provide prompts for symptoms, coaching, reminders and education. Standard of care clinical practices include paper-based logs to report symptoms. Using the Smart Symptom Tracking ALEX app may provide more detailed symptom reports and increase self-reported symptom communication compared to standard symptom-tracking practices in young adults concerned about their GI health.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 44 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Ages 18-44 years * Concerned about their GI health * Able to speak and read English * Willing to complete a four-week symptom tracking protocol Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to understand the informed consent or comply with protocol requirements

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in gastrointestinal self-advocacy

Timeframe: At baseline and at 4 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07618273

SponsorMayo Clinic

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-04-20

Contact for this trial

Enhancing Technology & Communication in Healthcare (ETCH) Lab

904-953-5375 ETCH@mayo.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Colorectal Carcinoma trials