AI chatbot aims to spark joy in people with anhedonia

NCT ID NCT07665242

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 10, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tests whether a chatbot that uses motivational interviewing can improve how people with anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure) respond to social rewards. Eighty college students with elevated depression and anhedonia will interact with the chatbot regularly over a period, and brain scans will measure changes in how their brains anticipate social and monetary rewards. The goal is to see if this low-cost digital tool can help re-engage reward-seeking behavior.

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 digital tool to help people with anhedonia engage more with social rewards.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study in healthy college students, so results may not apply to broader populations. The intervention is brief and behavioral, so any benefits may be modest or short-lived.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

HEALTHY

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
RECRUITING

Chengdu, Sichuan, China

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