Trial reportJMIR human factors2025
Comparison of an AI Chatbot With a Nurse Hotline in Reducing Anxiety and Depression Levels in the General Population: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
Trial report in JMIR human factors, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 18 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
18 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence-Based Nursing Interventions for Chronic Illness Care: Umbrella Review.JMIR nursing · 2026Pooled it
- Therapeutic Interaction Features of AI Chatbots in Depression Interventions: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Pooled it
- Generative AI Mental Health Chatbots as Therapeutic Tools: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Their Role in Reducing Mental Health Issues.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Pooled it
- The Efficacy of Rule-Based Versus Large Language Model-Based Chatbots in Alleviating Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Pooled it
- Generative AI at the Bedside: An Integrative Review of Applications and Implications in Clinical Nursing Practice.Journal of clinical nursing · 2026Review
- Outcomes, Evaluation Metrics, and Measurement Tools for Large Language Model Applications Research in Nursing: A Scoping Review.International nursing review · 2026Article
- Finite State Machine-Guided Retrieval-Augmented Generation Improves Expert-Rated Acceptability of a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Self-Management Chatbot: Single-Center Content Validation Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Article
- Comparative Performance of AI Models and Clinicians in Evidence-Based Cardiovascular Disease Management for People Living With HIV: Comparative Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Article
- Bridging the Gap Between Potential and Practice: An Integrative Review of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Nursing.Computers, informatics, nursing : CIN · 2026Review
- Breaking Barriers in Student Mental Health Care With AI-Enhanced Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Pilot Feasibility Study.JMIR formative research · 2026Article
- Effectiveness of AI and rule-based conversational agents for depression, anxiety and stress: A meta-analysis.NPJ digital medicine · 2026Article
- User Experience and Early Clinical Outcomes of a Mental Wellness Chatbot for Depression and Anxiety: Pilot Evaluation Mixed Methods Study.JMIR formative research · 2026Article
- Exploring Nurses' Perspectives on the Use of Artificial Intelligence Chatbots for Mental Health Support: A Cross-Sectional Study in Greece.Nursing reports (Pavia, Italy) · 2026Article
- Systematic review and meta analysis of chatbots in the management of depressive and anxiety symptoms.NPJ digital medicine · 2026Article
- Review
- Advancing Nursing Through Artificial Intelligence: A Systematic Literature Review of Current Evidence.Cureus · 2025Review
- Urban mental health: a position paper of the European psychiatric association.European psychiatry : the journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists · 2025Review
- Too good to be true? Exploring the role of artificial intelligence chatbots in treating depression and anxiety.Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center)Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots have been customized to deliver on-demand support for people with mental health problems. However, the effectiveness of AI chatbots in tackling mental health problems among the general public in Hong Kong remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to develop a local AI chatbot and compare the effectiveness of the AI chatbot with a conventional nurse hotline in reducing the level of anxiety and depression among individuals in Hong Kong. Methods: This study was a pilot randomized controlled trial conducted from October 2022 to March 2023, involving 124 participants allocated randomly (1:1 ratio) into the AI chatbot and nurse hotline groups. Among these, 62 participants in the AI chatbot group and 41 in the nurse hotline group completed both the pre- and postquestionnaires, including the GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7), PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), and satisfaction questionnaire. Comparisons were conducted using independent and paired sample t tests (2-tailed) and the χ2 test to analyze changes in anxiety and depression levels. Results: Compared to the mean baseline score of 5.13 (SD 4.623), the mean postdepression score in the chatbot group was 3.68 (SD 4.397), which was significantly lower (P=.008). Similarly, a reduced anxiety score was also observed after the chatbot test (pre vs post: mean 4.74, SD 4.742 vs mean 3.4, SD 3.748; P=.005), respectively. No significant differences were found in the pre-post scores for either depression (P=.38) or anxiety (P=.19). No statistically significant difference was observed in service satisfaction between the two platforms (P=.32). Conclusions: The AI chatbot was comparable to the traditional nurse hotline in alleviating participants' anxiety and depression after responding to inquiries. Moreover, the AI chatbot has shown potential in alleviating short-term anxiety and depression compared to the nurse hotline. While the AI chatbot presents a promising solution for offering accessible strategies to the public, more extensive randomized controlled studies are necessary to further validate its effectiveness.
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