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Digital Humans for Depression Assessment and Intervention Support: Scoping Review
Jiashuo Cao1, Wujie Gao2, Ruoyu Wen3
1Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
JMIR Mental Health
|January 6, 2026
Summary
Digital humans offer scalable mental health support for depression management, aiding in assessment and therapy. These AI agents provide accessible, stigma-free care, comparable to human providers.
Area of Science:
- Mental Health Technology
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Digital Therapeutics
Background:
- The global rise in mental health issues necessitates innovative, accessible interventions.
- Digital humans (virtual agents/avatars) show promise for delivering scalable mental health support.
- These agents can reach diverse populations and settings effectively.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of digital humans in depression management.
- To identify applications in depression diagnosis and therapy.
- To evaluate digital human design (appearance, interaction, intelligence, roles).
Main Methods:
- Scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
- Searched ACM, IEEE, Web of Science, PubMed for relevant literature.
- Included studies on digital human development, implementation, or evaluation for mental health.
Main Results:
- 20 studies (2010-2024) analyzed: 35% assessment, 55% intervention, 10% combined.
- Digital humans used in assessment (questionnaires, interviews) and interventions (CBT, psychoeducation, etc.).
- Roles included interviewer, facilitator, counselor, educator, and actor, demonstrating versatility.
Conclusions:
- Digital humans are transformative for depression management, aiding assessment and intervention.
- They offer advantages like 24/7 access, reduced stigma, and personalized support.
- Further research is needed to explore their full potential in diverse therapeutic contexts.
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