Abstract
BackgroundArtificial intelligence–based chatbots are emerging as instruments of psychological intervention; however, no relevant studies have been reported in Latin America.ObjectiveThe objective of the present study was to evaluate the viability, acceptability, and potential impact of using Tess, a chatbot, for examining symptoms of depression and anxiety in university students.MethodsThis was a pilot randomized controlled trial. The experimental condition used Tess for 8 weeks, and the control condition was assigned to a psychoeducation book on depression. Comparisons were conducted using Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests for depressive symptoms, and independent and paired sample t tests to analyze anxiety symptoms.ResultsThe initial sample consisted of 181 Argentinian college students (158, 87.2% female) aged 18 to 33. Data at week 8 were provided by 39 out of the 99 (39%) participants in the experimental condition and 34 out of the 82 (41%) in the control group. On an average, 472 (SD 249.52) messages were exchanged, with 116 (SD 73.87) of the messages sent from the users in response to Tess. A higher number of messages exchanged with Tess was associated with positive feedback (F2,36=4.37; P=.02). No significant differences between the experimental and control groups were found from the baseline to week 8 for depressive and anxiety symptoms. However, significant intragroup differences demonstrated that the experimental group showed a significant decrease in anxiety symptoms; no such differences were observed for the control group. Further, no significant intragroup differences were found for depressive symptoms.ConclusionsThe students spent a considerable amount of time exchanging messages with Tess and positive feedback was associated with a higher number of messages exchanged. The initial results show promising evidence for the usability and acceptability of Tess in the Argentinian population. Research on chatbots is still in its initial stages and further research is needed.
Highlights
The most prevalent disorders in Argentina are anxiety (16.4%) and mood (12.3%) disorders.The average age for the onset of these conditions is 20 years [1]
Students engaged a considerable amount of time exchanging messages with Tess and positive feedback was associated with higher numbers of messages exchanged
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Summary
The most prevalent disorders in Argentina are anxiety (16.4%) and mood (12.3%) disorders.The average age for the onset of these conditions is 20 years [1]. Chatbots are an example of BITs that represent an opportunity for addressing delays associated with access to treatment for depression and anxiety [4]. No studies on the use of chatbots for depression and anxiety have been conducted in Argentina. Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the viability, acceptability and potential impact of Tess, a chatbot, on symptoms of depression and anxiety in university students. The experimental condition used Tess for eight weeks and the control condition was assigned to a psychoeducation book on depression. No significant intergroup differences from baseline to week eight between the experimental group and the control group were found for depression and anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: Students engaged a considerable amount of time exchanging messages with Tess and positive feedback was associated with higher numbers of messages exchanged. Research on chatbots is still in its initial stages and further research is needed
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