Journal article
An exploratory randomized controlled trial of an AI-enabled mental health intervention for generalized anxiety
Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol.401, pp.1-12
2026
PMID: 41633449
Appears in UniSC Supported Open Access Outputs
Abstract
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is prevalent and often co-occurs with depression, contributing to significant disability and healthcare burden. Although treatments such as CBT and SSRIs are effective, access remains limited. This exploratory, randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of an AI-powered mental health app (PATH) in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. A total of 316 UK-based participants (aged 19-70) were randomized to either the intervention group (PATH) or a control group (NHS self-help website). The intervention provided evidence-based strategies including CBT-informed chat therapy and interactive tools. Anxiety (GAD-7) and depression (PHQ-9) scores were measured at baseline, two, eight, and twelve weeks. Of the 316 randomized participants, 235 completed the post-intervention assessment (33.0% attrition in the intervention group vs. 18.5% in the control group). Retention at 8-week and 12-week follow-ups was 77.4% and 54.0%, respectively. At two weeks, the intervention group showed significantly lower GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores compared to control, with medium effect sizes. At eight weeks, those who continued using the app showed significant reductions in both anxiety and depression, while those who discontinued still showed medium improvements in anxiety. Effects were maintained at twelve weeks, with moderate to large effect sizes. Findings suggest that PATH significantly reduces anxiety and depressive symptoms, particularly with continued use. These results support the app's potential as a scalable, accessible digital intervention to address mental health treatment gaps.
Details
- Title
- An exploratory randomized controlled trial of an AI-enabled mental health intervention for generalized anxiety
- Authors
- Andrew Allen (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - PsychologyAllan H. Young - Imperial College LondonFrancine C. JellesmaAnton VorobevEvgeniia IvanovaNikolay BabakovAni GisnarianLee Kannis-Dymand - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Psychology
- Publication details
- Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol.401, pp.1-12
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jad.2026.121275
- ISSN
- 1573-2517
- PMID
- 41633449
- Copyright note
- © 2026 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Data Availability
- Data can be made available upon reasonable request.
- Grant note
- Recruitment for this study was funded by Dr. Jay SAS.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Psychology; Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991210067902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Psychiatry
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