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

Peking University

Status: Active, not recruiting

Conditions: Stigma of Mental Illness; Depression Literacy; Depression Disorders

Treatments: Behavioral: AI Depression Literacy and Support Training; Behavioral: Psychoeducation Material Group; Behavioral: AI Depression Literacy Education

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06858371

Depression Literacy AI Chatbot

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Enrollment: 200 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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200 participants in 3 patient groups

AI Depression Education Teacher + AI Depression Patient Simulation Group

Experimental group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Behavioral: AI Depression Literacy and Support Training

Control Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Psychoeducation Material Group

AI Depression Education Teacher Only Group

Experimental group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Behavioral: AI Depression Literacy Education