Chatbot therapy could help students beat insomnia and boost mental health

NCT ID NCT07711769

First seen Jul 17, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This pilot study tests whether a nurse-led digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (dCBT-I), delivered through a chatbot on WhatsApp, can help university students with mild to moderate anxiety or depression. Participants will complete a two-week daily sleep diary via the chatbot and receive personalized sleep advice. The goal is to see if this approach is feasible, acceptable, and potentially effective in reducing insomnia symptoms and improving quality of life.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
a chatbot-based digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (dCBT-I) delivered via WhatsApp, plus a 2-week daily sleep diary
What this could lead to
If effective, this approach could offer a scalable, accessible way to improve sleep and mental health in university students.
What could go wrong
This is a small pilot study focused on feasibility, so results may not confirm effectiveness. The chatbot-based delivery may not suit all students.

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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

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, 18/F, Metro South Tower 1, 39 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong

    Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

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