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Efficacy of mobile app-based interactive cognitive behavioral therapy using a chatbot for panic disorder
Jooyoung Oh1, Sooah Jang2, Hyunji Kim2
1Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Institute of Behavioral Sciences in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
International Journal of Medical Informatics
|May 24, 2020
Summary
A new chatbot delivering cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) effectively reduced panic disorder symptoms in a preliminary study. This mobile app approach offers accessible, interactive self-management for patients.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Digital Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective for panic disorder but underutilized compared to medication.
- Mobile applications offer a potential solution to increase access to CBT.
- A novel chatbot was developed to deliver interactive CBT for panic symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a newly developed chatbot for short-term treatment of panic disorder.
- To evaluate the impact of chatbot-guided CBT on panic symptom severity.
Main Methods:
- A 4-week randomized controlled trial was conducted with 41 patients diagnosed with panic disorder.
- Participants were assigned to either a chatbot intervention group (n=21) or a control group (n=20) receiving a book on panic disorder.
- The chatbot group received guided instruction on using the application.
Main Results:
- Panic disorder severity significantly decreased in the chatbot group compared to the control group.
- The chatbot intervention led to a significant reduction in social phobia scores.
- A significant increase in the control of helplessness score was observed in the chatbot group.
Conclusions:
- Mobile app-based interactive CBT delivered via chatbot is feasible and effective in reducing panic symptom severity.
- This novel approach provides accessible, interactive, and self-managed therapeutic outcomes for individuals with panic symptoms.
- Chatbot-guided CBT represents a promising tool for clinicians to improve patient treatment accessibility and efficacy.
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