Artificial Intelligence-Powered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Chatbots, a Systematic Review
Objective: This review identifies the characteristic features of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots and their therapeutic effect; assesses their efficacy in treatment of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders; and establishes levels of user engagement and satisfaction. Method: Se...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Tehran University of Medical Sciences
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Iranian Journal of Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://ijps.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijps/article/view/4007 |
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| _version_ | 1841558579652329472 |
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| author | Maryam Farzan Hamid Ebrahimi Maryam Pourali Fatemeh Sabeti |
| author_facet | Maryam Farzan Hamid Ebrahimi Maryam Pourali Fatemeh Sabeti |
| author_sort | Maryam Farzan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Objective: This review identifies the characteristic features of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots and their therapeutic effect; assesses their efficacy in treatment of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders; and establishes levels of user engagement and satisfaction.
Method: Searches were conducted on the PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar databases using a set of keywords such as, not limited to, AI cognitive behavioral therapy (AI CBT), Youper, Wysa, Woebot, and other related terms. We included studies that were empirical, peer-reviewed, conducted between January 2017 and June 2024, and primarily focused on efficacy regarding the interventions and therapeutic outcomes. Data were then extracted and analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods concerning the mental health outcome.
Results: Our review identified large improvements across the three chatbots in symptoms of mental health, as supported by the 10 included studies: five on Woebot, four on Wysa, and one on Youper. Woebot showed remarkable reductions in depression and anxiety with high user engagement; Wysa demonstrated similar improvements, especially in users with chronic pain or maternal mental health challenges; Youper also presented a significant symptom reduction, including a 48% decrease in depression and a 43% decrease in anxiety. Common benefits of all chatbots were the therapeutic alliance and a high rate of satisfaction among users. We have also discussed the included studies’ limitations; that is, study design shortcomings and lack of sample diversity.
Conclusion: AI CBT chatbots, including but not limited to Woebot, Wysa, and Youper, are highly promising because of their availability and effectiveness in mental health support. They provide a useful complement to standard therapy when professional help is unavailable, and offer constant engagement with tailored interventions. However, it is necessary that further studies investigate their potential impact as long-term intervention models and explore how they may be integrated into holistic mental health care systems.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1e5f46cd02ec47f8b9c32287e63e6e20 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1735-4587 2008-2215 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Tehran University of Medical Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Iranian Journal of Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj-art-1e5f46cd02ec47f8b9c32287e63e6e202025-01-06T08:39:43ZengTehran University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Psychiatry1735-45872008-22152024-12-0120110.18502/ijps.v20i1.17395Artificial Intelligence-Powered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Chatbots, a Systematic ReviewMaryam Farzan0Hamid Ebrahimi1Maryam Pourali2Fatemeh Sabeti3Isfahan No. 2 Health Clinic, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.Al-Zahra Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.Isfahan No. 2 Health Clinic, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.Heart Failure Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Objective: This review identifies the characteristic features of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots and their therapeutic effect; assesses their efficacy in treatment of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders; and establishes levels of user engagement and satisfaction. Method: Searches were conducted on the PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar databases using a set of keywords such as, not limited to, AI cognitive behavioral therapy (AI CBT), Youper, Wysa, Woebot, and other related terms. We included studies that were empirical, peer-reviewed, conducted between January 2017 and June 2024, and primarily focused on efficacy regarding the interventions and therapeutic outcomes. Data were then extracted and analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods concerning the mental health outcome. Results: Our review identified large improvements across the three chatbots in symptoms of mental health, as supported by the 10 included studies: five on Woebot, four on Wysa, and one on Youper. Woebot showed remarkable reductions in depression and anxiety with high user engagement; Wysa demonstrated similar improvements, especially in users with chronic pain or maternal mental health challenges; Youper also presented a significant symptom reduction, including a 48% decrease in depression and a 43% decrease in anxiety. Common benefits of all chatbots were the therapeutic alliance and a high rate of satisfaction among users. We have also discussed the included studies’ limitations; that is, study design shortcomings and lack of sample diversity. Conclusion: AI CBT chatbots, including but not limited to Woebot, Wysa, and Youper, are highly promising because of their availability and effectiveness in mental health support. They provide a useful complement to standard therapy when professional help is unavailable, and offer constant engagement with tailored interventions. However, it is necessary that further studies investigate their potential impact as long-term intervention models and explore how they may be integrated into holistic mental health care systems. https://ijps.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijps/article/view/4007Artificial IntelligenceAnxietyCognitive Behavioral TherapyDepressionSubstance-Related Disorders |
| spellingShingle | Maryam Farzan Hamid Ebrahimi Maryam Pourali Fatemeh Sabeti Artificial Intelligence-Powered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Chatbots, a Systematic Review Iranian Journal of Psychiatry Artificial Intelligence Anxiety Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Depression Substance-Related Disorders |
| title | Artificial Intelligence-Powered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Chatbots, a Systematic Review |
| title_full | Artificial Intelligence-Powered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Chatbots, a Systematic Review |
| title_fullStr | Artificial Intelligence-Powered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Chatbots, a Systematic Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Artificial Intelligence-Powered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Chatbots, a Systematic Review |
| title_short | Artificial Intelligence-Powered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Chatbots, a Systematic Review |
| title_sort | artificial intelligence powered cognitive behavioral therapy chatbots a systematic review |
| topic | Artificial Intelligence Anxiety Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Depression Substance-Related Disorders |
| url | https://ijps.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijps/article/view/4007 |
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