Delivering Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Young Adults With Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety Using a Fully Automated Conversational Agent (Woebot): A Randomized Controlled Trial
Two-week unblinded randomized controlled trial (n=70, ages 18-28) comparing a CBT-delivering conversational agent (Woebot) with an information-only control. Measures change in depression and anxiety symptoms and engagement.
Key Findings
- The Woebot group significantly reduced depression symptoms (PHQ-9) versus control
- Anxiety symptoms fell among completers in both conditions
- Establishes that a fully automated conversational agent can deliver a therapeutic intervention with measurable effect
Methodology Notes
Peer-reviewed RCT, JMIR Mental Health 4(2):e19 (6 June 2017), DOI 10.2196/mental.7785. Short two-week unblinded trial, small sample; foundational rather than definitive. mental.jmir.org is JS-rendered to fetchers; confirmed via PMC (PMC5478797).
Sources
JMIR Mental Health article (primary)
Archived snapshot (Wayback Machine) — preserved against link rot
Authors
Kathleen Kara Fitzpatrick, Alison Darcy, Molly Vierhile
Tags
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APA
Kathleen Kara Fitzpatrick, Alison Darcy, Molly Vierhile (2017). Delivering Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Young Adults With Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety Using a Fully Automated Conversational Agent (Woebot): A Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Mental Health. https://mental.jmir.org/2017/2/e19/