Chatbot therapy shows promise for anhedonia in small trial
NCT ID NCT07663019
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a chatbot that uses motivational interviewing can help college students with anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure) update their beliefs in a more positive way. 80 participants will interact with the chatbot or a control version over several sessions. The goal is to see if the chatbot can reduce negative thinking patterns and improve expectations about future life events.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Motivational Interviewing chatbot
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a low-cost, accessible digital tool to help people with anhedonia feel more hopeful and engaged in daily life.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage study in healthy college students, not a clinical population. The chatbot may not produce lasting changes, and results may not apply to people with severe depression.
Disclaimer
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
RECRUITINGChengdu, Sichuan, China