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. 2021 Jan 25;2020:504–513.

Table 1.

Study methodology and outcomes of reviewed studies.

Study Study Design and Methodology Participant Characteristics Outcomes
Baskar et al, 201523 Quasi-experimental + interviews 11 older adults and 2 health professionals played the role of a fictitious persona while interacting with the agent for ~10 minutes followed by an interview. Age: N/A
Gender: 55% female
Race: N/A
Baseline Clinical Characteristics: N/A

  • Attitudes, perceptions

  • Usage
Elmasri et al, 201624 Quasi-experimental + interviews
17 participants interacted with the agent to explore their alcohol consumption for ~10 minutes followed by a survey and interview.		 Age: 18-25
Gender: 41% female Race: N/A Baseline Clinical
Characteristics: <5 drinks/day

  • Attitudes, perceptions

  • Client Satisfaction Survey

  • Usage
Fitzpatrick et al, 201726 RCT
70 participants were randomly assigned to Woebot or directed to a National Institute of Mental Health ebook for 2 weeks. Surveys were completed at baseline and post-intervention.		 Age: 18-28
Gender: 67% female Race: 79% Caucasian Baseline Clinical
Characteristics: 46% had
moderately-severe or severe
PHQ-9 depression scores; 74% had severe GAD-7 anxiety scores

  • Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 (p=0.017)

  • General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)-7 Scale (p=0.004)

  • Positive Affect Schedule (p=0.951)

  • Negative Affect Schedule (p=0.80)

  • Satisfaction (p<0.001)

  • Usage

  • Knowledge
Gaffney et al, 201325 RCT
48 participants were randomly assigned to MYLO or ELIZA to discuss a current problem for ~20 minutes. Surveys were completed at baseline, post-intervention, and 2-week follow-up.		 Age: 18-32
Gender: 79% female Race: N/A Baseline Clinical
Characteristics: N/A

  • Resolution ratings (p<0.05)

  • Helpfulness ratings (p<0.05)

  • Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale (p=0.36)

  • Distress (p=0.13)

  • Usage
Kazemi et al, 201427 Focus groups
26 participants were placed into one of four focus group sessions to determine their views of mHealth technology to deliver an alcohol-related intervention.		 Age: 18-20
Gender: 73% female Race: 70% Caucasian Baseline Clinical
Characteristics: N/A

  • Attitudes, perceptions
Ly et al, 201728 RCT + interviews
28 participants were randomly assigned to Shim or a wait list control group for 2 weeks. Surveys were completed at baseline and post-intervention. 9 participants from the intervention group were selected for a semi-structured interview.		 Age: 20-49
Gender: 54% female Race: N/A Baseline Clinical
Characteristics: N/A

  • Flourishing Scale (p=0.032)

  • Perceived Stress Scale (p=0.048)

  • Satisfaction With Life Scale (p=0.10)

  • Attitudes, perceptions

  • Usage
Schroeder et al, 201829 RCT
84 participants were randomized into two messaging groups (semi-personalized messages or non-personalized messages). Participants completed weekly surveys over the 4-week study.		 Age: 18-63
Gender: 89% female Race: N/A Baseline Clinical
Characteristics: 83% had an
anxiety disorder on the Overall
Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale; 68% had moderate to severe range of depression on PHQ-9

  • Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (p<0.05)

  • PHQ-9 (p<0.01)

  • System Usability Scale

  • Usage
Stein et al, 201730 Quasi-experimental
159 participants interacted with Lark for up to 16 weeks followed by a survey.		 Age: 18-76
Gender: 75% female Race: N/A Baseline Clinical
Characteristics:
BMI>25kg/m2

  • Weight loss

  • Healthy meals logged

  • Satisfaction

  • Usage
Tsiourti et al, 201431 Focus group + interviews
20 older adults and 14 health professionals participated in two focus groups and an interview to assess acceptance and expectations.		 Age: 65-92
Gender: 65% female Race: N/A Baseline Clinical
Characteristics: N/A

  • Attitudes, perceptions
van Heerden et al, 201732 Quasi-experimental + interviews
10 Participants interacted with Lwazi/Nolwazi for ~25 minutes and provided feedback.		 Age: 30 (average)
Gender: 50% female Race: N/A Baseline Clinical
Characteristics: N/A

  • Attitudes, perceptions

  • Usage
Wang et al, 201833 Quasi-experimental
401 participants were placed into WeChat groups with an agent or received smoking cessation tips over the 8-week study. Participants completed weekly surveys.		 Age: 33 (average)
Gender: 40% female Race: N/A Baseline Clinical
Characteristics: Smoked in the
past 7 days

  • Smoking cessation

  • Usage
Watson et al, 201234 RCT
70 participants were given a pedometer and randomly assigned to a conversational agent or access to website for 12 weeks. Surveys were completed at baseline and post-intervention.		 Age: 42 (average)
Gender: 84% female Race: 76% Caucasian Baseline Clinical
Characteristics: BMI between
25-35kg/m2

  • Step count (p=0.07)

  • BMI (p=0.44)

  • Attitudes, perceptions

  • Usage

*Abbreviations: N/A: data not available in manuscript; RCT: randomized controlled trial; BMI: body mass index