(image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Sept. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — A recent study revealed that an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot developed for cognitive behavioral therapy for those suffering from panic disorder actually has an effect in the alleviation of symptoms.
A research team from the Gangnam Severance Hospital announced on Wednesday that such a result was achieved in a follow-up study to confirm the effect of its AI chatbot mobile app ‘Todaki.’
Among the 41 patients with panic disorder who participated in the study, 21 (group A) were asked to freely use the chatbot-based cognitive behavioral therapy for four weeks.
The remaining 20 (group B) were asked to read books that contain general information on panic disorder.
As a result, those in group A saw their symptoms alleviated with their Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) scores falling from 12.9 to 12.4. In contrast, members of group B showed no change in symptoms.
Compared to group B, group A showed a decrease in the degree of fear and an improvement in the control of their sense of helplessness.
The study also found that the use of an app was not significantly more difficult than reading a book.
“The mobile app-based chatbot cognitive behavioral therapy turned out to have an effect in alleviating panic disorder symptoms, and subjects also reported that it was not difficult to use.” said Prof. Kim Jae-jin, one of the members of the research team.
“Since the mobile app-based chatbot can be used anytime, anywhere and at a lower cost, it would contribute to helping cognitive behavioral therapy, which has not been used widely compared to drug treatment, to overcome its limits.”
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
