Currently submitted to: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Jul 10, 2026
Open Peer Review Period: Jul 27, 2026 - Sep 21, 2026
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Comparing Automated and Human-Led Social Skills Training in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Social skills training (SST) is an established intervention that improves interpersonal functioning and psychological well-being; however, its dissemination is limited by the need for in-person sessions and trained instructors. Recent advances in conversational agents suggest that automated SST may improve accessibility and scalability.
Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an automated SST system using a randomized controlled trial, comparing outcomes among a human-led SST group, an automated SST group, and a control group of healthy adults.
Methods:
We assigned 45 participants to the human-led SST, automated SST, or control group. Training was delivered in four weekly 30-min sessions and covered core social skills. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included self-reported measures of anxiety and social functioning, as well as objective behavioral indicators evaluated by independent raters who were blinded to group allocation during role-play tasks.
Results:
In the role-play assessments, participants in the human-led SST group showed significantly improved facial expression skills, with a mean post–pre change of −0.47 (±0.55), compared with −0.09 (±0.41) in the control group (total N = 45; p < 0.05), whereas participants in the automated SST group showed no significant effects. No significant differences were observed in self-reported measures.
Conclusions:
Human-led SST was more effective in improving facial expressions, whereas automated SST showed limited impact. Longer and more interactive interventions may be needed for broader social skill improvements.
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