SEARCHSYSTEMATIC_REVIEWsystematic review, nutrition

systematic_review·systematic review, nutrition, clinical nutrition, public health, endocrinology·PMC10257112

Conversational Agents for Body Weight Management: Systematic Review

Journal of Medical Internet Research · 5 authors, 3 centres

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TL;DR

This systematic review evaluated 8 clinical studies on conversational agents (CAs) for weight management, finding that only 3 reported substantial weight loss (1.3-2.4 kg) and that the overall quality of evidence was low, suggesting CAs are feasible for behavior change but lack sufficient evidence for clear efficacy.

Full summary

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The systematic review analyzed 8 clinical studies (3 randomized controlled trials and 5 uncontrolled before-and-after studies) on conversational agents with unconstrained natural language input for weight management. The CAs aimed to promote behavior changes through education, advice, or psychological approaches. Key findings indicated that higher user engagement was associated with better weight-related outcomes in 62% of studies, with 38% reporting weight loss of 1.3-2.4 kg over 12-15 weeks. The overall quality of evidence was judged as low, with limitations including study heterogeneity, reliance on self-reported weight, and a paucity of adverse event reporting.

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systematic_review

SPECIALTY

systematic review

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AI pipeline

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100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10257112

Conversational Agents for Body Weight Management: Systematic Review

Journal of Medical Internet Research

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ABSTRACT

Abstract Background Obesity is a public health issue worldwide. Conversational agents (CAs), also frequently called chatbots, are computer programs that simulate dialogue between people. Owing to better accessibility, cost-effectiveness, personalization, and compassionate patient-centered treatments, CAs are expected to have the potential to provide sustainable lifestyle counseling for weight management. Objective This systematic review aimed to critically summarize and evaluate clinical studies on the effectiveness and feasibility of CAs with unconstrained natural language input for weight management. Methods PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library (CENTRAL), PsycINFO, and ACM Digital Library were searched up to December 2022. Studies were included if CAs were used for weight management and had a capability for unconstrained natural language input. No restrictions were imposed on study design, language, or publication type. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool or the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. The extracted data from the included studies were tabulated and narratively summarized as substantial heterogeneity was expected. Results In total, 8 studies met the eligibility criteria: 3 (38%) randomized controlled trials and 5 (62%) uncontrolled before-and-after studies. The CAs in the included studies were aimed at behavior changes through education, advice on food choices, or counseling via psychological approaches. Of the included studies, only 38% (3/8) reported a substantial weight loss outcome (1.3-2.4 kg decrease at 12-15 weeks of CA use). The overall quality of the included studies was judged as low. Conclusions The findings of this systematic review suggest that CAs with unconstrained natural language input can be used as a feasible interpersonal weight management intervention by promoting engagement in psychiatric intervention-based conversations simulating treatments by health care professionals, but currently there is a paucity of evidence. Well-designed rigorous randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes, longer treatment duration, and follow-up focusing on CAs’ acceptability, efficacy, and safety are warranted. Keywords: conversational agent, chatbot, obesity, weight management, artificial intelligence, behavioral therapy

CITATION EXPORT

Eunyoung Noh, Jiyoon Won, Sua Jo et al.. Conversational Agents for Body Weight Management: Systematic Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research. (2023). https://doi.org/10.2196/42238

AUTHORS

5 · 3 CENTRES

Eunyoung Noh, Jiyoon Won, Sua Jo, Dae-Hyun Hahm, Hyangsook Lee

1Department of Medical Science of Meridian, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
2Department of Meridian & Acupoint, College of Korean Medicine, Dong-eui University, Busan, Republic of Korea
3Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea