AI chatbots reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in randomized controlled trials.

the verdict

SUPPORTED

the evidence backs this

Recorded sources

7 sources for · 0 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Is it true that AI chatbots reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in randomized controlled trials?

Yes. A 2026 meta-analysis of 29 randomized controlled trials reports that CBT-oriented chatbots produced a moderate pooled reduction in depressive symptoms and a small pooled reduction in anxiety symptoms, with smaller and partly nonsignificant effects at follow-up. Several individual randomized trials and additional meta-analyses also report symptom reductions, though some cover only depression or only specific populations.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 7 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

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Evidence for · 7

Using Psychological Artificial Intelligence (Tess) to Relieve Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety: Randomized Controlled Trial

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Using Psychological Artificial Intelligence (Tess) to Relieve Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety: Randomized Controlled Trial. (n.d.). cir.nii.ac.jp. https://doi.org/10.2196/mental.9782

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More for · 6

Effectiveness of a Web-based and Mobile Therapy Chatbot on Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Subclinical Young Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial

2024

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Karkosz, S., Szymański, R., Sanna, K., & Michałowski, J. (2024). Effectiveness of a Web-based and Mobile Therapy Chatbot on Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Subclinical Young Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.2196/47960

Efficacy, User Engagement, and Acceptability of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Oriented Psychological Chatbots for Adults With Depressive and/or Anxiety Symptoms: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

2026

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B, G., N, Y., H, X., C, H., T, K., H, B., & W, M. (2026). Efficacy, User Engagement, and Acceptability of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Oriented Psychological Chatbots for Adults With Depressive and/or Anxiety Symptoms: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.2196/82677

Too good to be true? Exploring the role of artificial intelligence chatbots in treating depression and anxiety -

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Too good to be true? Exploring the role of artificial intelligence chatbots in treating depression and anxiety - PMC Lock. (n.d.). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. https://doi.org/10.1080/08998280.2025.2596553

Therapeutic Interaction Features of AI Chatbots in Depression Interventions: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

2026

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T, H., S, L., Y, W., & W, L. (2026). Therapeutic Interaction Features of AI Chatbots in Depression Interventions: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.2196/88697

Chatbot interventions for improving mental health among people in Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

2026

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WKC, L., SC, L., BCL, C., JNL, C., YYY, W., F, N., CCK, Y., & ACK, C. (2026). Chatbot interventions for improving mental health among people in Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjhci-2025-101479

Feasibility and impact of a mental health chatbot on postpartum mental health: a randomized controlled trialAJOG Global Reports at a Glance

2023

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MD, S. S., MD, M. R., PhD, S. A. L., MD, A. G., MD, D. J. L., & PhD, A. D. (2023). Feasibility and impact of a mental health chatbot on postpartum mental health: a randomized controlled trialAJOG Global Reports at a Glance. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xagr.2023.100165

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