Effectiveness of mental health chatbots in depression and anxiety for adolescents and young adults: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND: The mental health chatbot is dedicated to providing assistance to individuals grappling with the complexities of depression and anxiety. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the mental health chatbot in alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety among adolescents and young adults. METHODS: A systematic review framework was employed with a protocol pre-registered on Prospero (CRD42023418877). Databases were systematically searched, including PubMed, ACM Digital Library, Embase, Cochrane and IEEE. Data synthesis was conducted narratively, and meta-analysis was performed by pooling data from the original studies. RESULTS: = .74). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence supports the effectiveness of mental health chatbots in treating depression, but further exploration and refinement are needed to optimize their efficacy in managing anxiety.