Embodied Conversational Agents for Chronic Diseases: Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Digital Health
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Background:

• Embodied conversational agents (ECAs) are animated characters using verbal and nonverbal cues for user interaction.
• ECAs are increasingly adopted across various sectors, notably in healthcare applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review identifying current practices in the development and evaluation of ECAs for chronic diseases.
• To synthesize findings on ECA design, application, and assessment in chronic disease management.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was performed across six major databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, ACM, IEEE, Web of Science) in October 2023.
• Studies were selected and data extracted by two independent reviewers, adhering to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines.

Main Results:

• Out of 6332 identified papers, 36 met the inclusion criteria, with 75% originating from the US and 78% published since 2020.
• ECAs were primarily developed for cancers, atrial fibrillation, and type 2 diabetes, focusing on screening and self-management.
• Most ECAs featured middle-aged female characters, utilizing voice and nonverbal communication; acceptability and effectiveness were the most common evaluation outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The review offers insights for developers and healthcare professionals on ECA implementation for chronic diseases.
• Key areas for advancement include embodiment, personalization, communication strategies, and understanding user preferences for appearance and content.
• Future evaluations should integrate cost, efficiency, and productivity metrics for a holistic assessment of ECA benefits in healthcare.