Testing the Effectiveness of AI Chatbots to Improve Public Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Depression

NCT ID: NCT06858371

Last Updated: 2025-03-05

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

200 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-02-10

Study Completion Date

2025-03-30

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to find out whether using AI Chatbots can help the public better understand depression, reduce negative attitudes towards it, and encourage more people to seek help when needed. The study will also explore whether the Chatbot can help individuals feel more confident in supporting others who might be experiencing depression.

Participants will be randomly assigned to either:

1. AI-PsyTeacher Group: Participants interact with the AI psychology teacher "Liran" to complete three progressive tasks (identifying depression symptoms, learning coping strategies, and understanding prevention). This group assesses the independent role of AI in mental health education.
2. AI-Integrated Intervention Group: Participants first learn with the AI psychology teacher "Liran" and then interact with the AI-simulated depressed patient "Beibei" to complete three tasks (identifying issues, teaching coping strategies, and creating a prevention plan). This group examines the combined effect of AI teaching and patient simulation.
3. Traditional Psychoeducation Group (Control): Participants gain depression-related knowledge by reading traditional educational materials and watching a first-person experience video. This group serves as the control to compare AI interventions.

Primary outcomes include changes in depression literacy, attitudes toward depression, help-seeking intentions, and confidence in helping others. The study aims to determine whether AI-driven interactive learning can improve public understanding and support for mental health.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Depression Literacy Depression Disorders Stigma of Mental Illness

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

PREVENTION

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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AI Depression Education Teacher + AI Depression Patient Simulation Group

Participants in this group will interact with two AI-based chatbots, one after the other:

First Chatbot (Psychoeducation Phase): The first chatbot is designed to provide psychoeducation about depression. Participants will interact with the chatbot to learn key information, such as common symptoms of depression, causes, treatment options, coping strategies, and how to provide emotional support to others experiencing depression. The goal of this phase is to improve participants' understanding of depression and reduce stigma.

Second Chatbot (Empathy and Support Practice Phase): After completing the psychoeducation phase, participants will interact with a second chatbot simulating a person experiencing depression. This chatbot will simulate real-life conversations, allowing participants to practice empathetic communication, recognize signs of depression, and offer appropriate emotional support.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

AI Depression Literacy and Support Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The intervention consists of two AI-based chatbots designed to enhance depression literacy, reduce stigma, and improve confidence in supporting others with depression.

AI Depression Education Teacher - This chatbot provides interactive psychoeducation on depression, covering symptoms, causes, treatments, and ways to support others. Participants engage in a structured conversation to enhance their understanding and receive real-time feedback.

AI Depression Patient Simulation ("Beibei") - Participants interact with a simulated individual experiencing depression to practice empathetic communication and support strategies. Through guided conversations, they learn to recognize depressive symptoms, offer emotional support, and encourage help-seeking.

This two-phase intervention provides both knowledge and practical experience in a safe, interactive environment. Participants will engage with both chatbots sequentially within a one-hour session.

Control Group

Participants in this group will not receive any intervention or access to the Chatbots. Participants will be directed to a depression-related article and a video describing the lived experience of a depression patient.

Participants in this group will complete the same baseline and post-study assessments as those in the intervention group, which include measures of depression literacy, attitudes toward depression, help-seeking intentions, and confidence in helping others.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Psychoeducation Material Group

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The intervention contains standard psychoeducation materials about depression. Participants will be directed to:

A depression-related article - Provides general information about depression, including its symptoms, causes, and treatment options.

A video describing the lived experience of a depression patient - Shares a personal story to help participants understand the real-life impact of depression.

AI Depression Education Teacher Only Group

Participants will interact with the AI Depression Education Teacher, an interactive chatbot designed to provide psychoeducation on depression. The chatbot covers topics such as depression symptoms, causes, treatment options, and ways to support individuals experiencing depression. Participants engage in structured conversations and receive real-time feedback to reinforce learning.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

AI Depression Literacy Education

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

This intervention consists of interaction with an AI chatbot, i.e., AI Depression Education Teacher, which provides interactive psychoeducation on depression, covering symptoms, causes, treatments, and ways to support others.

Interventions

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AI Depression Literacy and Support Training

The intervention consists of two AI-based chatbots designed to enhance depression literacy, reduce stigma, and improve confidence in supporting others with depression.

AI Depression Education Teacher - This chatbot provides interactive psychoeducation on depression, covering symptoms, causes, treatments, and ways to support others. Participants engage in a structured conversation to enhance their understanding and receive real-time feedback.

AI Depression Patient Simulation ("Beibei") - Participants interact with a simulated individual experiencing depression to practice empathetic communication and support strategies. Through guided conversations, they learn to recognize depressive symptoms, offer emotional support, and encourage help-seeking.

This two-phase intervention provides both knowledge and practical experience in a safe, interactive environment. Participants will engage with both chatbots sequentially within a one-hour session.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

AI Depression Literacy Education

This intervention consists of interaction with an AI chatbot, i.e., AI Depression Education Teacher, which provides interactive psychoeducation on depression, covering symptoms, causes, treatments, and ways to support others.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Psychoeducation Material Group

The intervention contains standard psychoeducation materials about depression. Participants will be directed to:

A depression-related article - Provides general information about depression, including its symptoms, causes, and treatment options.

A video describing the lived experience of a depression patient - Shares a personal story to help participants understand the real-life impact of depression.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Adults aged 18 to 65.
2. General population, non-clinical individuals.
3. No history of diagnosed mental disorders or current mental health diagnosis.
4. Ability to complete AI interactions and related tasks via the internet or mobile devices.
5. Native Chinese speakers.
6. Willingness to participate in the study and sign an informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria

1. History of mental disorders or self-reported current mental health issues.
2. Currently undergoing psychological counseling.
3. Inability to use mobile or internet devices properly.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Peking University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

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Peking university

Beijing, , China

Site Status

Countries

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China

Other Identifiers

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Depression Literacy AI Chatbot

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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