Effectiveness of Chatbots for Depression in Adults: A Systematic Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53877/rc10.21-606Keywords:
depression, artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, depressive disorderAbstract
In recent years, technology has driven the development of digital tools for mental health, such as chatbots, which have emerged as an alternative for providing accessible and adaptable psychological interventions. Considering this, the present research aims to establish the effectiveness of chatbots in reducing depressive symptoms in adults through a systematic review of 10 articles published between 2020 and 2025, whose full versions were available in Spanish or English. These articles were searched in databases such as PubMed, SciELO, and Web of Science. A detailed protocol, written according to the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Elements for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses), was established for a thorough analysis. The results suggest that the use of chatbots has the capacity to alleviate depressive symptoms in adults. Furthermore, they function effectively as a complement to other conventional methods, improving adherence to psychological treatment. These findings are consistent with previous research that has demonstrated the effectiveness of digital interventions for depression. Therefore, it is considered that future research can improve the ability to treat serious mental disorders and find strategies that increase their accessibility to more people who, due to various circumstances, do not receive adequate treatment.
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