Friendly chatbot aims to spark joy in emotionally numb students

NCT ID NCT07671131

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 help college students with anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure) feel more emotional arousal. Eighty participants will interact with the chatbot or a control version, and their brain activity will be scanned with fMRI while watching emotional videos. The goal is to see if the chatbot can boost emotional responses and engagement.

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 experience more pleasure and engagement in daily life.
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 effects may be small or short-lived.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for DEPRESSION are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

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

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.