Implementation of a Scalable Depression Regulation Chatbot (DRBot) for Self-Managing Depressive Symptoms for People with Multiple Sclerosis

Depression is a common and serious comorbidity in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), yet previous studies show  that about two-thirds of PwMS with depression are left untreated. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing (MI) have been shown to be effective for addressing depression and promoting healthy behavior in PwMS, but these methods require trained personnel for phone-based counseling, limiting scalability and accessibility. For her project, Associate Professor Jessie Chin will develop the Depression Regulation chatbot (DRBot), an open-source tool that integrates evidence-based, self-guided CBT with motivational interviewing. The new tool will provide patients with the support they need for their recommended treatment in a single, easy-to-use format. Learn more.