The effects of artificial intelligence-based chatbots on mental health: A systematic review and three-level meta-analysis
Systematic review across seven databases identifying 16 eligible studies of AI-based chatbot interventions for mental health, pooled with a three-level random-effects meta-analysis over 67 effect sizes to account for multiple outcomes within studies. Reports the pooled effect, moderator tests, sensitivity analyses, risk of bias and certainty of evidence.
Publisher
Psychiatry Research (Elsevier); Nanjing Sport Institute; Yongin University; Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport; Guangdong Ocean University
Published
12 Sept 2026
Added
today
Key Findings
- Pooled effect of chatbot interventions on mental health outcomes was small to moderate, Hedges' g = 0.47 (95% CI 0.18 to 0.77)
- Leave-one-out sensitivity analyses left the pooled estimate stable; no significant moderators were identified
- Significant improvements were observed for depression, anxiety, loneliness, affect and sleep
- Most included studies carried some risk of bias and overall certainty of evidence was rated low
Methodology Notes
Seven-database search; 16 studies; 67 effect sizes; three-level random-effects model. Article 117459 in volume 366, published online 12 September 2026. The author group is affiliated with sport-science and physical-education institutions (Nanjing Sport Institute, Yongin University, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Guangdong Ocean University). Abstract verified from the PubMed record (42743601); the ScienceDirect page blocks automated access.
Authors
Wang, Qiyi, Zhong, Jiale, Qi, Kai, Bao, Hanshuo, Wang, Yang, Guo, Shuai, Chen, Aiguo
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Cite This
APA
Wang, Qiyi et al. (2026). The effects of artificial intelligence-based chatbots on mental health: A systematic review and three-level meta-analysis. Psychiatry Research (Elsevier); Nanjing Sport Institute; Yongin University; Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport; Guangdong Ocean University. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2026.117459