Effectiveness of chatbot-based interventions on mental well-being of the general population in Asia: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Introduction: In Asian countries, stigma against psychiatric disorders and shortage of manpower are the two major challenges that hinder people from receiving treatments. Chatbots can surely help people surpass the stigmatising and manpower shortage challenges. Since a comprehensive review in the Asian context is lacking, this systematic review will evaluate the effects of chatbot interventions on the mental well-being of the general population in Asia.

Methods and analysis: Four electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO and MEDLINE) will be searched until December 2024. Randomised controlled trials with English/Chinese full text available will be included. Random-effect models will be used for meta-analyses. The risk of bias (RoB) and certainty of evidence across studies will be assessed using the Cochrane RoB2 and Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation tools, respectively.

Ethics and dissemination: This study will not require ethical approval. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications.

Funding: School Research Grant of the Tung Wah College (2023-04-52-SRG230401) PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42024546316.