Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: May 10, 2024
Date Accepted: Dec 21, 2024
Generative AI-Enabled Therapy Support Tool Improves Clinical Outcomes and Patient Engagement in NHS Group Therapy: A Real-World Observational Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a highly effective treatment for depression and anxiety disorders. Nonetheless, a substantial proportion of patients do not respond to treatment. The lack of engagement with therapeutic materials and exercises between sessions - a necessary component of CBT - is a key determinant of unsuccessful treatment.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to test whether the deployment of a generative artificial intelligence (AI) enabled therapy support tool supporting patients in between sessions leads to improved treatment success and patient engagement with treatment.
Methods:
We conducted a real-world observational study of 244 patients receiving group-based CBT in five of the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) Talking Therapies services, comparing 150 patients who opted to use the AI-enabled therapy support tool to 94 patients who opted to use standard delivery of CBT exercises.
Results:
Patients using the AI-enabled therapy support tool exhibited greater attendance at therapy sessions and fewer dropouts from treatment. Furthermore, these patients demonstrated higher reliable improvement, recovery and reliable recovery rates when compared to the control group, which was related to the degree of usage of the AI-enabled therapy support tool.
Conclusions:
Our results thus show that an AI-enabled, personalised therapy support tool is a promising avenue to improve treatment outcomes and patient adherence.
Citation
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Copyright
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