Background
The need for therapy is growing, but there aren’t enough therapists available. This study looks at how an AI chatbot named Friend can help people during tough times, especially compared to regular therapy.
Methods
We conducted a study with 104 women who have anxiety and live in war zones. They were split into two groups: one group used the Friend chatbot for daily support, while the other group had traditional therapy sessions for an hour, three times a week. We measured their anxiety levels before and after the treatment.
Results
Both groups felt less anxious after the treatment. The therapy group showed a 45% improvement on one anxiety scale and 50% on another. The chatbot group had a 30% and 35% improvement. While the chatbot was helpful and easy to use, traditional therapy was better at addressing emotional needs. The chatbot is useful where therapists are hard to reach, but it lacks the emotional connection of face-to-face therapy.
Conclusions
The Friend chatbot is a useful and affordable way to provide psychological support, especially when traditional therapy isn’t available. Still, traditional therapy is more effective at reducing anxiety. A combination of AI support and human therapists could provide the best care, especially in places that need it most. More research is needed to make the chatbot more emotionally responsive.
Opportunities Based on Trial Data
We can create a measurable plan for integrating AI in therapy:
Define Measurable Outcomes
Set clear goals for what we want AI to achieve in therapy settings.
Select AI Tools That Fit Clinical Needs
Choose AI solutions that match specific tasks needed in therapy.
Implement Step by Step and Expand
Start with a small pilot project, closely track results, and then grow from there based on real-world impacts.
Contact Us for AI Solutions in Medical Management
For more information, reach out to us:
Telegram: https://t.me/itinai
X: https://x.com/vlruso
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/itinai/
