Efficacy, User Engagement, and Acceptability of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy–Oriented Psychological Chatbots for Adults With Depressive and/or Anxiety Symptoms: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials - Summary - MDSpire
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Efficacy, User Engagement, and Acceptability of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy–Oriented Psychological Chatbots for Adults With Depressive and/or Anxiety Symptoms: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of CBT-oriented chatbots for adults with depressive and/or anxiety symptoms, explore potential moderators of intervention efficacy, and synthesize evidence on user engagement and acceptability, highlighting their importance in treatment outcomes.
Key Findings:
CBT-oriented chatbots show mixed results in reducing depressive and/or anxiety symptoms, with engagement and acceptability being critical factors influencing effectiveness.
Interpretation:
The efficacy of CBT-oriented chatbots remains inconsistent, highlighting the need for further research to clarify their therapeutic potential, identify specific moderators, and improve user engagement.
Limitations:
Existing reviews lack quantitative synthesis and sufficient statistical power.
Inconsistent outcome assessments and inclusion of nontarget populations may skew results.
Limited exploration of moderators affecting efficacy, and potential lack of diversity in study populations.
Conclusion:
This study establishes an evidence base for the effectiveness and user experience of CBT-oriented chatbots, addressing the urgent need for accessible digital mental health solutions and the barriers to access in mental health care.
