Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Chatbots in Mental Health: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Clinical applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for mental health care have experienced a meteoric rise in the past few years. AIenabled chatbot software and applications have been administering significant medical treatments that were previously only available from experienced and competent healthcare professionals. Such initiatives, which range from "virtual psychiatrists" to "social robots" in mental health, strive to improve nursing performance and cost management, as well as meeting the mental health needs of vulnerable and underserved populations. Nevertheless, there is still a substantial gap between recent progress in AI mental health and the widespread use of these solutions by healthcare practitioners in clinical settings. Furthermore, treatments are frequently developed without clear ethical concerns. While AI-enabled solutions show promise in the realm of mental health, further research is needed to address the ethical and social aspects of these technologies, as well as to establish efficient research and medical practices in this innovative sector. Moreover, the current relevant literature still lacks a formal and objective review that specifically focuses on research questions from both developers and psychiatrists in AI-enabled chatbotpsychologists development. Taking into account all the problems outlined in this study, we conducted a systematic review of AI-enabled chatbots in mental healthcare that could cover some issues concerning psychotherapy and artificial intelligence. In this systematic review, we put five research questions related to technologies in chatbot development, psychological disorders that can be treated by using chatbots, types of therapies that are enabled in chatbots, machine learning models and techniques in chatbot psychologists, as well as ethical challenges.

AI-Powered Mental Health Virtual Assistants Acceptance: An Empirical Study on Influencing Factors Among Generations X, Y, and Z

“…Although AI-enabled solutions demonstrate potential in the field of mental health, further research is required to examine the ethical and societal implications of these technologies. Furthermore, it is necessary to build effective research and medical practices within this innovative area [ 50 ]. Overall, findings suggested that acceptance does not only depend on the design of the chatbot software but also on the characteristics of the user, and most prominently on self-efficacy, state anxiety, learning styles, and neuroticism personality traits.…”

Critical review of self‐diagnosis of mental health conditions using artificial intelligence

“…AI tools offer the ease of accessing medical information and advice, encouraging individuals to gather initial information regarding their symptoms and possible conditions (Lee & Yoon, 2021). This accessibility facilitates the initial collection of information regarding symptoms and potential conditions (Madhu et al., 2017), circumventing the immediate need for medical consultation (Ahuja, 2019; Omarov et al., 2023). AI‐powered tools provide immediate information (Kumar et al., 2022), allowing individuals to input their symptoms and receive prompt suggestions regarding potential diagnoses or underlying causes (Baker et al., 2020).…”

“…While not a substitute for professional diagnosis, these tools can complement professional care by guiding individuals towards help, assisting practitioners in monitoring progress, and contributing valuable research data. AI-powered assessments and chatbots play a role in modern mental healthcare, but their integration should always be part of a comprehensive approach that includes professional evaluation and treatment (Abd-alrazaq et al, 2022(Abd-alrazaq et al, , 2023Omarov et al, 2023;Rathnayaka et al, 2022).…”

“…The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly impacted various facets of life, including the field of mental health (Abd‐alrazaq et al., 2022; Wilson et al., 2023). Technologies such as machine learning, natural language processing, and data analytics have become integral to digital mental health interventions, encompassing virtual therapy programs and even self‐diagnosis tools (Aboueid et al., 2019; Omarov et al., 2023; Rathnayaka et al., 2022; Su et al., 2020). This growing AI influence extends to both assisting professionals in diagnosing mental illnesses and analysing large datasets to uncover trends and predict treatment outcomes (Abd‐alrazaq et al., 2022, 2023).…”

Innova4Health: an integrated approach for prevention of recurrence and personalized treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

“…The use of AI and wearable devices allows for continuous, objective patient monitoring, offering insights into mood changes and treatment effects, thereby enhancing mental health care and research (Nahavandi et al, 2022 ). Integrating AI algorithms with real-time data from wearables and sensors marks a substantial stride forward, enabling the creation of personalized and responsive mental health systems (Boucher et al, 2021 ; Omarov et al, 2023 ). Personal wearable devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers offer real-time data collection for healthcare.…”