Mindfulness based stress reduction: A randomised trial of a virtual human, teletherapy, and a chatbot
Mariam Karhiy, Mark Sagar, M. Antoni, Kate Loveys, E. Broadbent
2023 11th International Conference on Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction Workshops and Demos September 10, 2023 DOI: 10.1109/aciiw59127.2023.10388195 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 108 |
| Population | Stressed university students |
| Intervention | human teletherapist |
| Duration | One in-person session followed by four weeks of online homework at least twice a week |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Stress and mindfulness improved across all three MBSR delivery formats (virtual human, human teletherapist, chatbot), with no significant heart rate effects. Homework adherence was significantly greater in the virtual human group than the teletherapy group and lowest in the chatbot group, while the teletherapist was rated significantly more empathetic than the other agents. |
Abstract
Psychological stress is a significant issue amongst University students. Mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) interventions can significantly reduce stress, in both face to face and digital formats. However, adherence to digital interventions is typically low. Virtual humans may improve adherence through their increased humanlike-ness and rapport-building behaviors. This study aimed to investigate whether there were any differences in response to MBSR when delivered by a virtual human, a human teletherapist or a chatbot. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with 108 stressed University students randomized to one of the three delivery methods. Participants attended one in-person session of an MBSR intervention using their allocated delivery method and were asked to complete online homework at least twice a week for the following four weeks. The primary outcome was perceived stress, with secondary outcomes of physiological stress indices over the session, mindfulness, homework adherence, and perceived empathy of the agent. Results showed significant reductions in stress and increases in mindfulness across all groups over time. Peripheral skin temperature significantly increased across all three groups, but only the teletherapy group had significantly increased electrodermal activity after the in-person session. There were no significant effects on heart rate or indices of heart rate variability. Homework adherence was significantly greater in the virtual human group compared to the teletherapy group, and homework engagement was lowest in the chatbot group. The teletherapist was rated significantly more empathetic than the other agents. Overall, these results support the use of all three digital interventions for delivering MBSR. Virtual humans may have the advantage of increasing adherence to homework mindfulness sessions in student populations, but more work is needed to increase perceived empathy and to replicate these results in other populations.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 4
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Engagement Strategies to Improve Adherence and Retention in Web-Based Mindfulness Programs: Systematic Review Journal of Medical Internet Research August 28, 2023
- Systematic review of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction via group videoconferencing: Feasibility, acceptability, safety, and efficacy. Journal of psychotherapy integration September 14, 2020
- Efficacy of the Mindfulness Meditation Mobile App “Calm” to Reduce Stress Among College Students: Randomized Controlled Trial JMIR mHealth and uHealth June 1, 2019