AI-Assisted Art Therapy: Enhancing Psychological Recovery in Work-Related Injuries Through Personalized Emotional Support

Work-related injuries often trigger anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), where art therapy shows promise but faces personalization limitations. This preregistered study investigated artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted art therapy, utilizing ChatGPT-4, to reduce anxiety and PTSD symptoms and improve emotional well-being in 113 participants recovering from work-related injuries, compared to traditional art therapy. The AI-assisted group received personalized feedback via an AI platform analyzing artwork. Results showed significantly greater reductions in anxiety and PTSD symptoms in the AI-assisted group (moderate effect sizes, Cohen’s d = 0.55 and 0.62, respectively), but no significant difference in positive affect. Qualitative interviews revealed perceived emotional support from AI, enhancing engagement. These findings suggest AI augments art therapy by providing real-time, personalized support, though further research is needed to enhance positive emotional outcomes.