Chatbot for Mental Health Issues

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byNicholas C Jacobson, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?The research team would like to test how efficacious an artificial intelligence chatbot is in delivering supportive behavioral interventions in populations with anxiety, depression, or eating concerns.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for people who experience anxiety, depression, or eating disorders as confirmed by specific questionnaires (PHQ-9 for depression, GADQ-IV for anxiety, and SWED 3.0 for eating concerns). Participants will be recruited online through various platforms like Facebook and Reddit.

Inclusion Criteria

Participants recruited online using Facebook, Google Ads, Reddit, MTurk, listservs, and other online platforms

I have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or an eating disorder.

Exclusion Criteria

Individuals currently being treated for active suicidality (measured with C-SSRS)

Individuals with Bipolar I/II

Individuals with active psychosis

Participant Groups

The study is examining the effectiveness of 'Therabot', an AI chatbot designed to provide supportive behavioral interventions to individuals with mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or disordered eating.

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: ExperimentalExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

This group will have access to the Therabot smartphone application. They will interact with the generative chatbot daily to discuss their mental health. Each participant in this group will have some benchmark symptoms of depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. They will fill out questionnaires every 4 weeks to describe changes in symptoms.

Group II: ControlActive Control1 Intervention

This group will not have access to the Therabot App. They will fill out questionnaires every 4 weeks to describe changes in symptoms. Each participant in this group will have some benchmark symptoms of depression, anxiety, or eating disorders.