{
  "abstract": "Objectives Chatbot-delivered treatments offer tremendous mental health benefits. This systematic review aimed at examining the effectiveness of using chatbots for improving mental health among people in Asia.Methods Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on standalone chatbot interventions targeting mental health conditions, ranging from mental well-being to clinically relevant mental health symptoms (eg, depression, anxiety, stress, affect, distress, insomnia and psychological well-being), were included. Four electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Medline) were searched until 11 December 2024.Results A total of eight RCTs (n=921) were included. Our meta-analysis results by random-effects models showed that chatbot interventions reduced the severity of depressive symptoms by 0.46 (95% CI −0.76 to −0.16, p=0.002, I 2=73%). In the subgroup analyses, chatbot interventions were effective in reducing depression in clinical populations by 0.54 (95% CI −1.02 to −0.07, p=0.02, I2=73%), among Chinese participants by 0.55 (95% CI −0.92 to −0.17, p=0.004, I2=81%), and when being compared with traditional bibliotherapy (eg, paperback books or e-book) by 0.47 (95% CI −0.76 to −0.18, p=0.001, I2=26%). Meanwhile, chatbot interventions were shown to reduce levels of negative affect by 1.95 (95% CI −3.46 to −0.44, p=0.01, I2=0%) versus no treatment. However, no significant effects were found for other mental health outcomes, including anxiety, positive affect and stress. Other relevant mental health outcomes included insomnia, attention deficit symptoms, panic disorder, social phobia, problem gambling and methamphetamine use disorder. No adverse events were reported.Discussion and conclusion Chatbot-assisted therapy is a clinically beneficial and safe modality for treating depressive symptoms in the Asian context.PROSPERO registration number CRD42024546316.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "School of Nursing, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China",
        "Translational Research Centre for Digital Mental Health, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China"
      ],
      "name": "Wilson Kin Chung Leung"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "School of Nursing, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China",
        "Translational Research Centre for Digital Mental Health, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China"
      ],
      "name": "Simon Ching Lam"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "School of Nursing, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China"
      ],
      "name": "Bobo Ching Lam Chan"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "School of Nursing, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China"
      ],
      "name": "Janice Ngar Lam Chow"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "School of Management, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China"
      ],
      "name": "Yvonne Yuet Ying Wong"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Translational Research Centre for Digital Mental Health, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China",
        "School of Management, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China"
      ],
      "name": "Fowie Ng"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Translational Research Centre for Digital Mental Health, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China",
        "School of Medical and Health Sciences, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China"
      ],
      "name": "Calvin Chi Kong Yip"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Translational Research Centre for Digital Mental Health, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China",
        "School of Arts and Humanities, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China"
      ],
      "name": "Alex Chi Keung Chan"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Chatbot interventions for improving mental health among people in Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials",
  "uid": "66a84bf1-e537-5426-b48a-0ca98c0862ca"
}