Natural Language Processing Tools for Assessing Progress and Outcome of Two Veteran Populations: Cohort Study From a Novel Online Intervention for Posttraumatic Growth.
JMIR Formative Research September 23, 2020 Kim P Norman, Anita Govindjee, Seth R Norman et al.
An online intervention combining mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy and narrative therapy with peer support groups and asynchronous discussions was tested among 16 combat veterans and military sexual trauma survivors. Natural language processing (NLP) analysis of participants' narrative writings and online postings detected significant decreases in fear, anxiety, sadness, and disgust, and increases in joy. Shifts in personality traits (openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, neuroticism), personal values and needs (closeness, helping others), and increases in authenticity and confidence were observed. The authors suggest NLP can provide valuable insights into treatment progress not captured by subjective symptom measures.