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Generative Artificial Intelligence Intervention and Individual Psychological Counseling on Emotional Distress in Young Adults

NCT06992180 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 222

Last updated 2025-05-28

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an AI-based mental health chatbot, Emohaa, in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and academic burnout among young adults experiencing emotional distress. A total of 222 participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) AI chatbot intervention, (2) traditional counseling, or (3) waitlist control. The study spans six time points from baseline through one-month follow-up. Primary and secondary outcomes will be measured via validated self-report questionnaires. The intervention is delivered entirely online through a WeChat-integrated platform, ensuring high accessibility and scalability.

Conditions

  • Depression, Anxiety

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Generative Artificial Intelligence Intervention

The intervention is delivered via a generative artificial intelligence platform called Emohaa. Participants will register and gain access to the platform prior to the start of the trial. Emohaa's responses are based on Hill's helping skills theory in psychology and are designed to simulate the basic communication strategies of a human counselor. The system demonstrates strong capabilities in active listening, emotional mirroring, and empathy, supporting users in understanding their own thoughts and feelings, learning to cope with emotional challenges, and achieving a more optimistic and positive mental and emotional state.

BEHAVIORAL

Individual Psychological Counseling

Participants in the traditional counseling group will receive individual psychological counseling sessions conducted by certified psychotherapists.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Beijing Normal University

    collaborator OTHER

  • China Agricultural University

    collaborator OTHER

  • Qinghai University

    collaborator OTHER

  • Central University of Finance and Economics, China

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Zhihong Qiao, Doctor · Beijing Normal University

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
15 Years
Max Age
30 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-05-20
Primary Completion
2025-08-30
Completion
2025-09-10

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06992180 on ClinicalTrials.gov