Effects of a Chatbot-Based Intervention on Resting-State Functional Connectivity and Spontaneous Neural Activity in Individuals With Anhedonia
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Recruiting
- Sponsor
- Enrollment
- 80
- Locations
- 1
Study Overview
Brief Summary
The main aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of a Motivational Interviewing-based artificial intelligence chatbot on resting-state brain function in college students with elevated anhedonia and depressive symptoms. The study will use a randomized active-control intervention design with pre- and post-intervention resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging assessments.
Detailed Description
Anhedonia represents a core characteristic of depression and is characterized by reduced experience of pleasure. It is closely related to decreased motivation, altered reward processing, and alterations in intrinsic brain network function. Resting-state fMRI provides a way to examine intrinsic brain activity and functional connectivity without requiring participants to perform a specific task. This is important because changes associated with anhedonia may not only appear during reward-related tasks, but may also be reflected in spontaneous brain network organization.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Basic Science
- Masking
- Double (Participant, Investigator)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 40 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •18-40 years
- •Right-handed
- •Normal or corrected normal visual acuity
- •Participants must show elevated anhedonia and depressive symptoms at screening, defined as a total score of 22 or higher on the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale and a score of 14 or higher on the Beck Depression Inventory
Exclusion Criteria
- •History of major central nervous system disorders, such as epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke, or brain tumors.
- •History of severe mental illness, including schizophrenia spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder, or other psychotic disorders.
- •History of substance or alcohol use disorder or substance or alcohol misuse within the past 12 months that may affect study participation or outcome assessment.
- •Individuals currently at high risk of suicide, severe self-harm, or experiencing an acute psychiatric crisis.
- •Individuals who are currently using psychiatric medications or have undergone psychotherapy within the past 4 weeks that may significantly affect mood, motivation, or reward processing.
- •Severe vision or hearing impairments that cannot be corrected and would interfere with task performance.
- •Contraindications to MRI scanning, including metallic implants, pacemakers, severe claustrophobia, or other conditions incompatible with MRI.
- •Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Arms & Interventions
Motivational Interviewing-based AI chatbot group
Motivational Interviewing-based AI chatbot intervention
Intervention: MI Chatbot Interaction (Behavioral)
Active control chatbot group
Active control nature-story chatbot intervention
Intervention: Active Control Chatbot Interaction (Behavioral)
Investigators
Benjamin Becker
Professor
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China