SynthesisFrontiers in digital health2026
The use of chatbots as interventions for mental health conditions: scoping review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Synthesis in Frontiers in digital health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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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.
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Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of mental health chatbots received potential attention as a means of addressing the increase in demand for mental healthcare, which has become inaccessible due to a shortage of healthcare workers and lockdown. Even after the pandemic, chatbot versatility holds the potential to address the ongoing limited accessibility of mental healthcare due to a shortage of professionals, geographical challenges, cost, or stigma. Objective: This review examines the scope and nature of the systematic review and meta-analysis evidence on chatbot interventions for mental health. Method: This scoping review follows Arksey and O'Malley's five-step guide and was reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The following databases were used to conduct all systematic literature searches: PubMed, Scopus, Medline, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria include systematic reviews and meta-analyses, written in English, that focus on the use of chatbots as an intervention for mental conditions, with all primary articles being relevant. A total of 14 articles were relevant and included in the data extraction and analysis. Results: It was found that although current review-level evidence suggests potential short-term benefits, there was a discrepancy regarding the specific conditions under which chatbots are effective. Moreover, the use of chatbots for symptom improvement is still inconclusive, since there are issues with important aspects such as unclear risk of bias, lack of longitudinal studies, and lack of comparison with traditional therapy. Conclusion: There is potential for chatbot implementation as an intervention for mental conditions. However, this is still at its early stages of development and requires more research to improve communication quality and ensure safety, which is paramount when communicating with vulnerable patients. The findings of the review provide a useful foundation for informing clinical practice, policy, and future research.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.