Researchers created a special AI chatbot called DESI-Heart designed specifically for Indian Australians living with heart disease. Unlike other health apps that don’t consider cultural differences, this chatbot speaks in a culturally appropriate way and helps people remember to take medicine, exercise daily, eat healthy, and meditate. Scientists are testing whether 28 people find it easy to use and helpful over 8 weeks. This study is important because many people from different cultures struggle with managing heart disease using regular health apps that weren’t made with them in mind.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Can a new AI chatbot designed for Indian Australians help people with heart disease manage their condition better?
  • Who participated: 28 Indian adults living in Australia who have heart disease. This is a small pilot test to see if the idea works before testing it with more people.
  • Key finding: This is a protocol paper describing the plan for testing DESI-Heart. The actual results aren’t available yet—researchers are still recruiting participants and collecting data through December 2025.
  • What it means for you: If you’re from an Indian background and have heart disease, this chatbot might eventually help you remember medications, get exercise tips, plan healthy meals, and practice meditation in a way that respects your culture and language. However, it’s still being tested, so it’s not available to the public yet.

The Research Details

This is a pilot study, which means it’s a small test run before doing a bigger study. Researchers created DESI-Heart by working directly with Indian Australians who have heart disease, asking them what they needed most. The team used two design methods: the Double Diamond Model (which helps explore problems and solutions) and the ecological validity model (which makes sure the solution works in real life). Based on what people told them, they built four main features: medicine reminders, daily exercise guidance, a diet helper, and guided meditation. The study will run for 8 weeks, and participants can access the chatbot through their phones, laptops, or computers whenever they want.

Most health apps are designed for mainstream populations and don’t consider cultural differences in how people communicate, what they eat, or what matters to them. This approach is important because it means the tool actually fits people’s lives instead of forcing them to change how they live. By including Indian Australians in the design process from the start, researchers made sure DESI-Heart speaks their language (literally and culturally) and addresses their real concerns.

This is a well-designed pilot study because: (1) It involved real patients in creating the tool, not just doctors; (2) It uses established design methods proven to work; (3) It has ethics approval from a review board; (4) The small sample size (28 people) is appropriate for a pilot test; (5) It measures both whether people can use it and whether it actually helps them. The main limitation is that it’s very small and only includes one cultural group in one country, so results may not apply everywhere.

What the Results Show

This paper describes the study plan, not the actual results yet. All 28 participants have been recruited, and data collection is ongoing through December 2025. The researchers will measure whether people can easily use the app, how often they use it, and whether they find it helpful. They’re also tracking whether people get better at taking their medicine on time, exercising regularly, eating healthier, and managing stress through meditation. Once the study finishes, they’ll know if DESI-Heart is ready for a larger test with more people.

The study will also look at whether people’s quality of life improves—meaning do they feel better, have more energy, and feel more confident managing their heart disease. Researchers will ask participants about their experience using the chatbot and what could be improved. This feedback will help them make DESI-Heart even better before testing it with larger groups.

Many digital health tools exist for heart disease, but most were created for general populations without considering cultural or language differences. Some research shows that when health tools match people’s culture and language, they’re more likely to use them and get better results. DESI-Heart builds on this knowledge by being specifically designed for Indian Australians from the beginning, rather than trying to adapt a generic tool later.

This is a very small pilot study with only 28 people, so results won’t prove the app works for everyone. It only includes Indian Australians, so we don’t know if it would work for other cultural groups. There’s no comparison group (like people using a regular app), so we can’t say DESI-Heart is better than other options. The study is still in progress, so we don’t have the actual results yet. Finally, people who volunteer for studies are often more motivated than average, so real-world results might be different.

The Bottom Line

Wait for the full results before deciding to use DESI-Heart—it’s still being tested. If you’re an Indian Australian with heart disease, ask your doctor about this tool once it becomes available. In the meantime, use whatever tools your doctor recommends and stay consistent with your medicine, exercise, and diet. (Confidence level: Low, because this is preliminary research)

This research matters most to: (1) Indian Australians with heart disease; (2) Healthcare providers serving diverse communities; (3) Technology developers creating health apps; (4) People from other cultural backgrounds who struggle with generic health apps. This probably won’t apply to people who don’t speak the languages DESI-Heart uses or who aren’t part of the Indian diaspora community.

The full study results won’t be available until early 2026. If the pilot is successful, a larger study would take another 1-2 years. Even if everything goes well, it could be 2-3 years before DESI-Heart is available to the public. Don’t expect immediate changes—managing heart disease is a long-term process.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Once DESI-Heart becomes available, track: (1) How many times per week you use the app; (2) Whether you took your medicine on the days the app reminded you; (3) Minutes of exercise completed each week; (4) Number of meditation sessions completed. These specific numbers help you see if the app is actually helping you stay on track.
  • Start by using just one feature—maybe the medicine reminder first. Once that becomes a habit (usually 2-3 weeks), add another feature like the exercise guidance. This gradual approach is easier than trying to change everything at once. Set the app to send reminders at times that fit your daily routine.
  • Check your progress every week by looking at your app usage and comparing it to your goals. Every month, ask yourself: Am I taking my medicine more consistently? Am I exercising more? Do I feel better? Keep a simple journal noting how you feel. Share this information with your doctor at your regular check-ups so they can see if the app is helping your overall health.

This article describes a research study that is still in progress. The results are not yet available. DESI-Heart is not currently available to the public and has not been proven to work. Always follow your doctor’s advice for managing heart disease. Do not use any new health app or tool without first talking to your healthcare provider. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have heart disease, continue taking your prescribed medications and attending regular doctor appointments.