Personalized CBT for Anxiety

This trial explores how socially assistive robots (SARs) can help college students adhere to their Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) exercises for anxiety management. It tests whether personalizing these robots, through direct user feedback or cues like facial expressions and voice tones, can enhance therapy outcomes. The goal is to determine if personalized robots can make CBT more effective for students with anxiety. This trial suits college students who frequently experience anxiety and are open to using technology at home to manage their symptoms. As an unphased trial, it offers students the chance to engage with innovative technology that could enhance their therapy experience.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on using personalized CBT with socially assistive robots for anxiety.

Research has shown that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is generally safe and effective for treating anxiety disorders in various settings. Studies on both online and in-person CBT programs indicate that most patients receive them well. Although specific studies on the safety of using socially assistive robots (SARs) for personalized CBT are lacking, previous research on digital and internet-based CBT methods suggests they are safe and usually don't cause serious negative effects.

In digital CBT trials, participants have reported few negative experiences. In some cases, about 0-10% of patients felt their anxiety worsened, and 10-19% left the studies early. These numbers suggest that while CBT might not help everyone, most people do not experience significant harm.

Researchers are excited about these personalized CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) treatments for anxiety because they offer a unique approach compared to standard therapy methods. Unlike traditional CBT, which is generally one-size-fits-all, these treatments use Socially Assistive Robots (SARs) to deliver therapy that is tailored to each person. In one method, the therapy is explicitly personalized based on user feedback about the robot's features, while another method uses machine learning to adapt based on visual and auditory cues. This personalization could make therapy more engaging and effective, potentially leading to better outcomes for individuals struggling with anxiety.

Studies have shown that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) effectively reduces anxiety. Research suggests that customizing CBT to fit individual needs can enhance its effectiveness. In this trial, participants will join different treatment arms to evaluate these approaches. Reviews have shown that the Explicit CBT SAR Personalization treatment arm helps people adhere to therapy and reduce anxiety more effectively. Similarly, the Implicit CBT SAR Personalization treatment arm uses machine learning to adapt to user behavior, which has been linked to improved participation and anxiety relief. Overall, using technology like socially assistive robots (SARs) to personalize CBT aims to keep users more engaged, potentially leading to better anxiety management.⁴⁶⁷⁸⁹