GenAI Chatbots Reduce Negative Mental Health Outcomes
A systematic review and meta-analysis (search updated March 5, 2025) analyzed 26 studies and 14 randomized controlled trials evaluating generative AI mental health chatbots. Meta-analysis (N=6,314) found a modest but statistically significant reduction in negative mental health outcomes (ES=0.30, P=.047, 95% CI 0.004–0.59), with social-oriented chatbots outperforming task-oriented programs. Reviewers noted moderate risk of bias and research gaps for adolescents and older adults.
Key Points
- 1Found modest overall effectiveness (ES=0.30) across 14 RCTs totalling 6,314 participants
- 2Observed greater effects for social-oriented chatbots versus task-oriented programs, indicating design matters
- 3Recommend prioritizing social-interaction designs and testing in adolescents, older adults, and diverse settings
Scoring Rationale
Strong systematic RCT meta-analysis across 6,314 participants, limited by modest RCT count and moderate risk of bias.
Sources
Public references used for this report.
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