Chatbots as Virtual Health Coaches: What Does the Research Say?

Chatbots, also known as conversational agents, are computer programs that can have conversations with people using text or voice. A new systematic review and meta-analysis published in npj Digital Medicine looked into the available research on using chatbots to help people improve their physical activity, diet, and sleep. The analysis included 19 studies with over 3,500 participants total.

The researchers found consistent evidence that chatbots can positively impact health behaviours. Meta-analysis results showed significant increases in physical activity, fruit/vegetable consumption, sleep duration and sleep quality among people using chatbot programs compared to control groups.

Specifically, the meta-analysis found chatbot users:

• increased total physical activity by an average of 28 minutes per day
• added 735 extra steps per day
• boosted time in moderate-to-vigorous activity by 103 minutes per week.

In addition to this, chatbot use was associated with increased fruit/vegetable intake by about 1 serving per day. In terms of sleep health, chatbots improved sleep duration by 45 minutes per night and significantly enhanced sleep quality.

The chatbots incorporated various behaviour change techniques like goal setting, tracking progress, and offering feedback and motivation. Both text-based and voice-based chatbots were effective, and both chatbot-only programs as well as multi-component interventions that added other tools like pedometers. The chatbots worked for diverse populations including children, adults, seniors, and people with health conditions.

This research highlights the potential for chatbots to provide accessible, engaging, cost-effective digital health coaching to support healthier lifestyles. With further development, chatbots may be integrated into everyday life through platforms like smartphones, watches, home assistants, and healthcare services to provide personalised support anytime, anywhere.

However, the authors noted more high-quality, large-scale studies are needed, especially long-term trials, to confirm effectiveness. Findings so far suggest conversational agents can make a meaningful impact on behaviours like physical activity, healthy eating, and sleep hygiene. As chatbot technology rapidly advances, these virtual health coaches are likely to become even more interactive, useful and ubiquitous.

Have you ever used a virtual health assistant coach? What was your experience?