Folks with depression who got therapy via text or voice messages fared just as well as those who got weekly video-based telemedicine sessions with a therapist, a new trial has found.
The findings "suggest that psychotherapy delivered via text messages may be a viable alternative to face-to-face or videoconferencing delivery and may allow for more immediate on-demand care," in a time when it's often tough for people to access mental health care, the study authors wrote.
8 Comments
Mighty@lemmy.world · 19 pts · 2y
Here's the interesting point:
The other half received psychotherapy delivered via voice or text messages, where patients could interact with the therapist whenever and how often they wanted.
So it's not text Vs in-person. It's also "whenever and how often they wanted" How tf do therapists do that? Texting 24/7 with dozens of people?
Also the study had 215 people. So 100+ per group. Not that big.
I think this study rather shows how important in-person therapy is. Since it shows that texting or video calls are comparably (non-)effective
Apytele@sh.itjust.works · 10 pts · 2y
coffeejoe@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 3 pts · 2y
Remember AT&T logs all of your texts and sends them to data warehouses for reasons. I hope they do this with more privacy in mind.
Intrama@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
I've always hoped to be able to utilise this kinda model. If anything it would bolster my confidence and build rapport.. so I would feel more comfortable going in person. Thanks for posting this.
Paragone@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
That means that neural-net/deep-learning therapist if done properly is a real potential.
And that means that we may finally hae a psychological equivalent to a "cane" or "wheelchair", soon, to help us when we're too exhausted to help ourselves, or when we need another's help, & there is no other, except for money which we don't have..
( no, I'm not saying that any for-profit business would do it properly.
I AM saying it's now possible. : )
_ /\ _
nickwitha_k@lemmy.sdf.org · 2 pts · 2y
Doing it properly is the important part. Without curation, RAG, and/or very strict quality control, you're gonna have a bad time. Like those who got a ChatGPT bot advising them how to best contribute to their eating disorders.
Wilzax@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y
Yeah it's theoretically possible the same way cold fusion is theoretically possible
nickwitha_k@lemmy.sdf.org · 1 pts · 2y
Exactly.
timewarp@lemmy.world · -5 pts · 2y
Progressive Democrats: We need to fix our broken healthcare system.
Corporate Democrats: Here, have an AI therapist.