Table 1.
Reported Information about Each Selected Study and Chatbot Where Provided.
| Study | Duration | Chatbot | n | Mean Age, y | Sex (% Male) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ly et al.15 | 2 weeks | Shim (text only) | 23 | 26.0 | 0.460 | Assessed the effectiveness and adherence of a CBT delivery chatbot, showing that participants who adhered showed significant increase in psychological well-being and reduction in stress compared to control. |
| Tielman et al.16 | 1 day | 3D WorldBuilder (3D) | 4 | NR | 0.500 | Showed that the use of a chatbot is effective in recollection of details from traumatic memories with high usability ratings. |
| Shinozaki et al.17 | 14 weeks | Unnamed (3D) | 15 | 21.1 | 0.267 | Interaction with a counseling chatbot is effective and leads to higher user acceptance and longer interaction times in software engineers. |
| Fitzpatrick et al.18 | 2 weeks | Woebot (Text-only) | 70 | 22.2 | 0.333 | Chatbots are feasible in delivering CBT to significantly reduce self-reported anxiety or depression. |
| Gardiner et al.19 | 4 weeks | Gabby (3D) | 57 | 35.0 | 0.000 | Shows that stress management and healthy lifestyle techniques delivered by chatbots can significantly decrease alcohol consumption and increase fruit consumption in women. |
| Tielman et al.20 | NR | 3D WorldBuilder (3D) | 46 | 23.0 | 0.830 | Attitudes towards chatbots in the presentation of psychoeducation are positively related to adherence in task execution. |
| Bickmore et al.21 | 4 weeks | Laura (3D) | 13 | 43.0 | 0.333 | Chatbots with behaviour fostering therapeutic alliance are determined to be effective and accepted in promoting antipsychotic medication adherence and lifestyle change in people with schizophrenia. |
| Bickmore et al.22 | 4 weeks | Laura (3D) | 131 | NR | NR | Patients with depression using a chatbot rated its therapeutic alliance significantly higher than those who did not have depression, and many preferred chatbot over clinician for psychoeducation and ease of use. |
| Lucas et al.23 | 1 day | Unnamed (3D) | 24 | 42.0 | 0.930 | Two studies using the same chatbot. Military members report more symptoms of PTSD anonymously and report preferring such disclosure with an interviewer chatbot able to build rapport. |
| 1 day | 126 | 44.0 | 0.880 | |||
| Philip et al.24 | 1 day | Unnamed (3D) | 179 | 46.5 | 0.425 | Chatbots are capable of identifying depression in patients, with sensitivity increasing with symptom severity, and their acceptability is rated well compared to clinicians by those patients. |
| Summary | Mean | Median | Mean | Mean | ||
| 3 weeks | 0 | 33.6 | 0.496 |
Summary statistics of interest are provided along with the measure.
CBT, cognitive behavioural therapy; NR, not reported; PTSD, posttraumatic stress disorder.