Virtual agents among participants with methamphetamine use disorders: Acceptability and usability study.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Digital Health

Background:

• Virtual agents (VAs) offer a promising avenue for addiction treatment, yet user attitudes towards VA-led psychotherapy remain under-researched.
• This knowledge gap may impede the adoption of VA-based interventions for individuals with substance use disorders (SUD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the acceptability and usability of virtual agents for psychotherapy among individuals with methamphetamine use disorder.
• To explore user preferences and willingness to engage in VA-led psychotherapy, considering diverse psychological needs.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 49 individuals with current substance dependence underwent a single session of VA-led psychotherapy via the Echo-app.
• Participants completed questionnaires on psychotherapy preferences and willingness to use VAs, followed by focus group interviews.

Main Results:

• Acceptability of VA-led psychotherapy was comparable to traditional face-to-face therapy, with no significant difference found.
• Participants expressed willingness to use VAs for relapse prevention, emotional issues, somatic symptom management, and social/family recovery.
• Attitudes towards VA-led psychotherapy were significantly influenced by the need for anxiety-focused therapy, presence of chronic somatic diseases, and marital status.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with SUD demonstrate a willingness and practical acceptance of VA-led psychotherapy.
• Findings provide valuable insights for refining VA-based therapeutic tools to better meet user needs and preferences.
• This research supports the integration of virtual agents into addiction treatment frameworks.