Ai-Aun Chatbot: A Pilot Study on the Effectiveness of an Artificial Intelligence Intervention for Mental Health Among...

Mental health disorders are a significant concern for older adults. Technology has the potential to provide support and companionship, which may improve mental health outcomes. This pilot experimental study explored the feasibility and potential effectiveness of the Ai-Aun chatbot in enhancing mental health among older adults in Thailand. Forty-four participants were randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 22) and a control group (n = 22). The experimental group interacted with the Ai-Aun avatar chatbot on an Android phone for 15 days. Mental health was assessed using the Thai Geriatric Mental Health Assessment Tool, and post-test scores were compared using ANOVA. The results showed a significant difference between the two groups, F(1, 42) = 15.85, p < 0.001, with an effect size of η² = 0.27. Satisfaction with the chatbot was notably high, with 81.8% of participants reporting ease of use and interactivity. These preliminary findings suggest that the Ai-Aun chatbot shows potential as a tool to enhance mental health among Thai older adults.