Efficacy, User Engagement, and Acceptability of CBT-oriented Psychological Chatbots for Adults With Depressive and/or Anxiety Symptoms: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (Preprint)

Key Points

• To evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of CBT-oriented chatbots for adults experiencing depressive and anxiety symptoms.
• Conducted systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
• Included studies assessing user engagement and acceptability of chatbots.
• Analyzed the impact of chatbots on depressive and anxiety symptoms.
• CBT-oriented chatbots demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms.
• High levels of user engagement were reported among participants.
• Overall acceptability of chatbot interventions was favorable among adults.