Background Artificial intelligence–based chatbots are emerging as instruments of psychological intervention; however, no relevant studies have been reported in Latin America. Objective The objective of the present study was to evaluate the viability, acceptability, and potential impact of using Tess, a chatbot, for examining symptoms of depression and anxiety in university students. Methods This was a pilot randomized controlled trial. The experimental condition used Tess for 8 weeks, and the control condition was assigned to a psychoeducation book on depression. Comparisons were conducted using Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests for depressive symptoms, and independent and paired sample t tests to analyze anxiety symptoms. Results The initial sample consisted of 181 Argentinian college students (158, 87.2% female) aged 18 to 33. Data at week 8 were provided by 39 out of the 99 (39%) participants in the experimental condition and 34 out of the 82 (41%) in the control group. On an average, 472 (SD 249.52) messages were exchanged, with 116 (SD 73.87) of the messages sent from the users in response to Tess. A higher number of messages exchanged with Tess was associated with positive feedback (F2,36=4.37; P=.02). No significant differences between the experimental and control groups were found from the baseline to week 8 for depressive and anxiety symptoms. However, significant intragroup differences demonstrated that the experimental group showed a significant decrease in anxiety symptoms; no such differences were observed for the control group. Further, no significant intragroup differences were found for depressive symptoms. Conclusions The students spent a considerable amount of time exchanging messages with Tess and positive feedback was associated with a higher number of messages exchanged. The initial results show promising evidence for the usability and acceptability of Tess in the Argentinian population. Research on chatbots is still in its initial stages and further research is needed.

<p>El presente estudio tuvo por objetivo la traducción y validación de The Compassion Of Others’ Lives scale (COOL; Escala de Compasión hacia Otros; Chang, Fresco, &amp; Green, 2014), evaluando su funcionamiento en una población de adolescentes y adultos jóvenes argentinos. El estudio empírico instrumental se realizó a partir de un muestreo no probabilístico, con la participación de 385 adolescentes y adultos jóvenes, 210 mujeres y 175 varones de 13 a 23 años (M = 17.32; DE = 2.51). Para estudiar las propiedades psicométricas de la versión propuesta, se analizó el poder discriminativo de los ítems, la consistencia interna del instrumento, sumando diferentes evidencias de validez de constructo, convergente y de criterio. La versión traducida y adaptada de la COOL presentó propiedades psicométricas satisfactorias, por lo cual resulta factible de ser utilizada para evaluar el constructo compasión en adolescentes y adultos jóvenes, con un adecuado grado de fiabilidad y validez en el contexto en que fue estudiada.</p>

BackgroundThis study analyzed the difference in psychological distress of the healthcare workers in three different periods of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Argentina. Specifically, from the third week of the mandatory quarantine through the two following weeks.MethodsAnalysis of the responses of 1,458 members of the health personnel was done on a questionnaire on healthcare workers concerns regarding the care of patients with coronavirus, indicators of depression, anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, and coping.ResultsThe psychological indicators that were considered presented differences between the evaluated periods. Perceived concerns about the possibility of infecting loved ones and infecting themselves were greatest in the periods after the onset of the pandemic. In addition, the perception of how the work environment worsened and how lack of sleep interfered with their work was also higher in periods 2 and 3. The same results were found in the indicators of depression, anxiety, and intolerance of uncertainty. Finally, the indicators of high tension and concurrent lack of emotional control, which was greater in the last periods evaluated, were also expressed in the coping strategies (showing emotional lability, only contained by hypercontrol).ConclusionThe differences found in the psychological indicators between the evaluated periods support the need for early psychological care of health personnel which should be a priority of public health and a fundamental fact to increase its immediate effectiveness in the care of infected patients.

BACKGROUND The use of artificial intelligence based chatbots as an instrument of psychological intervention is emerging, however no studies have been reported in Latin America. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate usage patterns and whether the use of a chatbot is effective for relieving depression and anxiety symptoms compared to a control group utilizing a psychoeducation book in Argentina. METHODS This was a randomized controlled trial study utilizing the chabot Tess throughout eight weeks. The initial sample consisted of 181 Argentinian college students ages 18 to 33, 87.2% female. Of those, 33 participants in the experimental condition and 30 in the control condition provided data on depressive symptoms at week eight, and 27 participants in the experimental condition and 23 in the control condition provided data on anxiety symptoms at week eight. Between and within group comparisons were analysed using Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests for depression symptoms, and Independent and Paired Samples t Tests to analyze anxiety symptoms. RESULTS There was no significant intergroup differences between the experimental group and the control group for depression and anxiety symptoms from baseline to week eight (P>.05). However, there were significant intragroup differences, where the experimental group showed a significant decrease in anxiety symptoms (P=.04) and no differences were observed for the control group (P=.33). No significant differences were found for depressive symptoms within the groups (P>.05). The effect size of the intervention was moderate for anxiety (d=.50) and small for depression (r=.09). In regards to participants engagement after eight weeks, there was an average of 472 exchanged messages (M=472.15; SD=249.52) and a higher number of messages exchanged with Tess was associated with positive feedback (F2,36=4.37; P=.02). CONCLUSIONS Students engaged a considerable amount of time exchanging messages with Tess and positive feedback was associated with higher numbers of messages exchanged. The initial results show promising evidence for the use of Tess for anxiety symptoms and a lower effect on depressive symptoms in Argentinian college students. Research on chatbots is still in its initial stages and further research is needed.