A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Chatbot (Otis) for Health Anxiety Management: Mixed Methods Pilot Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

An increase in health anxiety was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, due to physical distancing restrictions and a strained mental health system, people were unable to access support to manage health anxiety. Chatbots are emerging as an interactive means to deliver psychological interventions in a scalable manner and provide an opportunity for novel therapy delivery to large groups of people including those who might struggle to access traditional therapies.

Objective

The aim of this mixed methods pilot study was to investigate the feasibility, acceptability, engagement, and effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based chatbot (Otis) as an early health anxiety management intervention for adults in New Zealand during the COVID-19 pandemi

SUBMITTER: Goonesekera Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9586257 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature