Considering the Role of Human Empathy in AI-Driven Therapy

JMIR Mental Health, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11, P. e56529 - e56529

Published: April 23, 2024

Recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) language models have elevated the vision of using conversational AI support for mental health, with a growing body literature indicating varying degrees efficacy. In this paper, we ask when, therapy, it will be easier to replace humans and, conversely, what instances, human connection still more valued. We suggest that empathy lies at heart answer question. First, define different aspects and outline potential empathic capabilities versus AI. Next, consider determines when these are needed most both from perspective therapeutic methodology patient objectives. Ultimately, our goal is prompt further investigation dialogue, urging practitioners scholars engaged AI-mediated therapy keep questions considerations mind investigating implementation health.

Language: Английский

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Engagement and retention in digital mental health interventions: a narrative review

BMC Digital Health, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2(1)

Published: Aug. 7, 2024

Abstract Background While many digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) have been shown to be effective, such also criticized for poor engagement and retention rates. However, several questions remain about how users engage with DMHIs, define engagement, what factors might help improve DMHI engagement. Main abstract In this narrative review, we show that although DMHIs are research suggests rates quite variable across studies DMHIs. some instances, high, even in real-world settings where there is evidence of a subset who could considered ‘superusers’. We then review on the barriers facilitators highlighting qualitative users’ perceptions does not always align quantitative assessing relationships between these barriers/facilitators actual introduce potential issues conceptualizations may explain mixed findings, including inconsistent definitions assumptions linear outcomes. Finally, outline suggesting comparable mobile application use broadly as well more traditional forms care (i.e., pharmacological, psychotherapy). Conclusions order increase number people can benefit from additional necessary. Importantly, believe it critical move away existing misconceptions make three recommendations believe, if addressed, likely substantially impact DMHIs: (1) need adopt clearly defined, common definition , (2) importance exploring patterns optimal rather than taking ‘one size fits all’ approach, (3) defining success within based outcomes frequency or duration user’s DMHI.

Language: Английский

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Outcomes of Best-Practice Guided Digital Mental Health Interventions for Youth and Young Adults with Emerging Symptoms: Part I. A Systematic Review of Socioemotional Outcomes and Recommendations

Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(2), P. 424 - 475

Published: March 15, 2024

Youth-specific digital mental health interventions (DMHI) represent an emerging field of study, and aim to increase access, improve socioemotional outcomes, and, where required, support triage targeted interventions. However, prior reviews have reported inconsistent findings on the clinical effectiveness such in young adults (12-25 years). Further, shortfalls remain for impact guided based mode delivery type human personnel (e.g., professional or peer) guiding intervention. In response, this systematic review, co-designed with Australia's leading organization, aims assess programs improving youth outcomes. Included studies involve people experiencing ill-health, receiving brief (i.e., 1-12 sessions), digitally delivered (at least partially) psychological that were partially guided, tested a experimental outcome. Specific outcomes examined depression, anxiety, stress, wellbeing, mindfulness, quality life. A search contemporary published grey literature identified 22,482 records 32 relevant between 2018 2023. narrative synthesis integration findings. Results demonstrated strong evidence stress) yet these effects short-lived. When factoring use different control groups active vs. inactive), observed stress. The asynchronous, synchronous, combined) did not appear indicate efficacious depression anxiety include refresher/follow-up content, goal setting relapse prevention content. contrast, poor efficacy is associated homework tasks, self-monitoring, log-keeping content.PROSPERO, ID CRD42023405812.

Language: Английский

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Engagement With an Internet-Administered, Guided, Low-Intensity Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention for Parents of Children Treated for Cancer: Analysis of Log-Data From the ENGAGE Feasibility Trial

JMIR Formative Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 9, P. e67171 - e67171

Published: Jan. 28, 2025

Background Parents of children treated for cancer may experience psychological difficulties including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. Digital interventions, such as internet-administered cognitive behavioral therapy, offer an accessible flexible means to support parents. However, engagement with adherence digital interventions remain a significant challenge, potentially limiting efficacy. Understanding factors influencing user is crucial enhancing the acceptability, feasibility, efficacy these interventions. We developed internet-administered, guided, low-intensity therapy (LICBT)–based self-help intervention parents cancer, (EJDeR [internetbaserad självhjälp för föräldrar till barn som avslutat en behandling mot or internet-based who have completed treatment]). EJDeR included 2 LICBT techniques—behavioral activation worry management. Subsequently, we conducted ENGAGE feasibility trial was found be acceptable feasible. rates were marginally under progression criteria. Objective This study aimed (1) describe examine whether (2) sociodemographic characteristics differed between adherers nonadherers, (3) depression anxiety scores nonadherers at baseline, (4) (5) fathers mothers. Methods performed secondary analysis data, 71 participants. User data collected through log-data tracking, example, communication e-therapists, homework submissions, log-ins, minutes working EJDeR, modules completed. Chi-square tests examined differences mothers concerning categorical data. Independent-samples t regarding continuous variables. Results Module completion higher among those worked their first module versus Of 20 opened allocated, 30% (n=6) 70% (n=14) No in found. Nonadherers allocated had significantly level symptoms baseline than adherers. other Minutes number days using written messages sent participants, total exercises submitted nonadherers. There no Conclusions Straightforward techniques, activation, well-suited delivery, more complex management, require modifications improve engagement. measured behaviorally, future research should measure emotional components Trial Registration ISRCTN Registry 57233429; https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN57233429

Language: Английский

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Mind-body internet and mobile-based interventions for depression and anxiety in adults with chronic physical conditions: A systematic review of RCTs

PLOS Digital Health, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 3(1), P. e0000435 - e0000435

Published: Jan. 23, 2024

This review summarizes the effectiveness of scalable mind-body internet and mobile-based interventions (IMIs) on depression anxiety symptoms in adults living with chronic physical conditions. Six databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, EMBASE, CINAHL, CENTRAL) were searched for randomized controlled trials published from database inception to March 2023. Mind-body IMIs included cognitive behavioral therapy, breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, yoga or Tai-chi. To focus a greater potential scale, intervention delivery needed be online no limited facilitation by study personnel. The primary outcome was mean change scores (Hedges’ g ). In subgroup analyses, random-effects models used calculate pooled effect size estimates based personnel support level, techniques, condition, survey type. Meta-regression conducted age length. Fifty-six studies met inclusion criteria (sample 7691, participants 43 years, 58% female): 30% (n = 17) neurological conditions, 12% 7) cardiovascular 11% cancer 6), 43% other conditions 24), 4% 2) multiple demonstrated statistically significant reductions ( SMD -0.33 [-0.40, -0.26], p<0.001) -0.26 [-0.36, -0.17], p<0.001). Heterogeneity moderate. Scalable hold promise as managing without differences seen While modest, sizes are comparable those pharmacological therapy. field would benefit detailed reporting participant demographics including related technological proficiency, well further evaluation non-CBT interventions. Registration: is registered PROSPERO ID # CRD42022375606 .

Language: Английский

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Web-Based Interpretation Bias Training to Reduce Anxiety: A Sequential, Multiple-Assignment Randomized Trial

Published: March 4, 2024

Objective: Web-based cognitive bias modification for interpretation (CBM-I) can improve biases and anxiety symptoms but faces high rates of dropout. This study tested the effectiveness web-based CBM-I relative to an active psychoeducation condition addition low-intensity telecoaching a subset participants. Method: 1,234 anxious community adults (M_age = 35.09 years, 81.2% female, 72.1% white, 82.6% not Hispanic) were randomly assigned at Stage 1 sequential, multiple-assignment randomized trial complete five weekly sessions or on our team’s public research website. After first session, 2, algorithm attempted classify participants as higher (vs. lower) risk dropping out; those classified then four brief check-ins no coaching). Results: As hypothesized (https://doi.org/j2xr; Daniel, Eberle, &amp; Teachman, 2020), significantly outperformed improving positive negative (Recognition Ratings, Brief Body Sensations Interpretation Questionnaire) (Overall Anxiety Severity Impairment Scale, Scale from Depression Stress Scales–Short Form), with smaller treatment gains remaining significant 2-month follow-up. Unexpectedly, had worse dropout outcomes than psychoeducation, adding coaching coaching) did efficacy (notably, many chose interact their coach). Conclusions: appears effective, supplemental may mitigate challenge

Language: Английский

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Outcomes of Best-Practice Guided Digital Mental Health Interventions for Youth and Young Adults with Emerging Symptoms: Part II. A Systematic Review of User Experience Outcomes

Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(2), P. 476 - 508

Published: April 18, 2024

Although many young people demonstrate resilience and strength, research clinical evidence highlight an upward trend in mental health concerns among those aged 12 to 25 years. Youth-specific digital interventions (DMHIs) aim address this by providing timely access support for (12-25 years). However, there is a considerable gap understanding user experiences with interventions. This review, co-designed Australia's leading organization Beyond Blue, utilizes systematic methodology synthesize on experience youth-oriented that are fully or partially guided. Five relevant online databases were searched articles published from 2018 2023, yielding 22,482 screening 22 studies included the present analysis. User outcomes relating satisfaction engagement assessed each intervention, indicators usefulness, usability, value, credibility, desirability being examined. Elements associated positive/negative extracted. shown positively influence peer engagement, modern app-based delivery, asynchronous support, personalized content. In contrast, users disliked static content, homework/log-keeping, requirement multiple devices, social media integration. Asynchronous showed high but faced issues, combined asynchronous/synchronous reporting better completion rates. DMHIs offer promising platform youth has potential dramatically increase reach of through adoption technological best practices. While respond aspects intervention modernization, such as interactive, design, other concepts, integration, they need be adopted field more cautiously ensure trust engagement.Trial Registration CRD42023405812.

Language: Английский

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Efficacy of a Digital Mental Health Biopsychosocial Transdiagnostic Intervention With or Without Therapist Assistance for Adults With Anxiety and Depression: Adaptive Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Medical Internet Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 25, P. e45135 - e45135

Published: April 5, 2023

Digital mental health (DMH) interventions incorporating elements that adapt to the evolving needs of consumers have potential further our understanding optimal intensity therapist assistance and inform stepped-care models.The primary objective was compare efficacy a transdiagnostic biopsychosocial DMH program, with or without for adults subthreshold symptoms diagnosis anxiety depression.In randomized adaptive clinical trial design, all participants had access eligibility their program augmented determined by engagement symptom severity. Participants who met criteria were treatment either low-intensity (10 min/week video chat support 7 weeks) high-intensity (50 assistance. A total 103 (mean age 34.17, SD 10.50 years) assessed before (week 0), during (weeks 3 6), after intervention 9) at 3-month follow-up 21). The effects conditions (DMH only, program+low-intensity assistance, program+high-intensity assistance) on changes in 2 outcomes (7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale [GAD-7]) depression (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9]) using Cohen d, reliable change index, mixed-effects linear regression analyses.There no substantial differences outcome measures among conditions. However, there significant time effect most over time. All demonstrated strong GAD-7 PHQ-9 scores, absolute d values ranging from 0.82 1.79 (all P<.05). models revealed that, Life Flex program-only condition week 3, mean scores significantly decreased baseline 3.54 4.38 P<.001), respectively. At weeks 6, 9, 21, least 6 points Nonresponders stepped up increased response. postintervention point follow-up, 67% (44/65) 69% (34/49) participants, respectively, longer diagnostic depression.The findings highlight early detection low non-treatment response presents an opportunity effectively intervene design. Although study indicate more effective than alone reducing depression, data influence participant selection bias preferences within models.Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12620000422921; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=378317&isReview=true.RR2-10.2196/45040.

Language: Английский

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The use of artificial intelligence in mental health services in Turkey: What do mental health professionals think?

Cyberpsychology Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 18(1)

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) supported applications have become increasingly prevalent in health care practice, with mental services being no exception. AI can be employed at various stages of and different roles. This study aims to understand the potential advantages disadvantages using services, explore its future roles, outcomes through opinions professionals engaged AI. Thus, we conducted a qualitative semi-structured interviews 13 who expertise AI, content analysis interview transcripts. We concluded that use revealed for clients, profession itself, experts. Our emphasized four findings. Firstly, participants were likely positive about services. Increased satisfaction, widespread availability reduced expert-driven problems, workload among primary advantages. Secondly, stated could not replace clinician but serve functional role as an assistant. However, thirdly, they skeptical notion would radically transform Lastly, expressed limited views on ethical legal issues surrounding data ownership, ‘black box’ problem, algorithmic bias, discrimination. Although our research has limitations, expect will play important

Language: Английский

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The Helping Hand in Ukraine: feasibility and potential impact

Pilot and Feasibility Studies, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: June 29, 2024

New services are needed to prevent the mental health consequences of war in Ukraine. Ten adolescents self-recruited use and evaluate Ukrainian version Helping Hand (HH) Odesa, From April June 2023, they participated a 10-session group program where played cognitive behavioral game app, shared stories, engaged activities enhance their coping skills.

Language: Английский

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