Wsparcie przy użyciu sztucznej inteligencji (chatbota) dla opiekunów pacjentów z epilepsją: związek z obciążeniem opiekuna i wynikami psychospołecznymi
Large language model-assisted support among caregivers of patients with epilepsy: associations with caregiver burden and psychosocial outcomes
W skrócie
Badania wykazały, że opiekunowie pacjentów z epilepsją, którzy używali chatbota sztucznej inteligencji do pomocy w opiece, odczuwali mniejsze obciążenie i stres, a także lepiej radzili sobie z lękiem i depresją w ciągu trzech miesięcy. Chatbot okazał się skutecznym, łatwo dostępnym narzędziem wspierającym opiekunów bez względu na to, jak często go używali. Autorzy badania sugerują, że tego rodzaju wsparcie AI może być przydatnym rozwiązaniem dla rodzin opiekujących się chorymi na epilepsję, choć potrzebne są dalsze badania długoterminowe.
Oryginalny abstract (angielski)
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between large language model (LLM)-assisted support and caregiver burden as well as psychosocial outcomes among family caregivers of patients with epilepsy. METHODS: This single-center, prospective cohort study enrolled primary caregivers of patients with epilepsy. Participants were classified into an LLM group and a control group based on whether they had used DeepSeek for epilepsy caregiving-related support. Caregiver burden was assessed using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Secondary outcomes included anxiety, depression, perceived stress, social support, quality of life, and caregiving self-efficacy, measured at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months. Adjusted generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to evaluate longitudinal associations between LLM use and the study outcomes, and dose-response analyses were performed within the LLM group. RESULTS: A total of 296 caregivers were included (149 in the control group and 147 in the LLM group). The two groups were comparable at baseline. At 3 months, the LLM group had lower caregiver burden (median ZBI: 23.00 vs. 25.00), anxiety, depression, and perceived stress scores, as well as a higher perceived social support score, than the control group. Adjusted GEE analyses revealed significant between-group differences in changes in caregiver burden and depression at both follow-up assessments and in anxiety, perceived stress, and psychological quality of life at 3 months, favoring the LLM group. Within the LLM group, no significant dose-response associations were observed between weekly usage time or the weekly number of effective conversations and caregiver burden at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Among caregivers of patients with epilepsy, use of LLM-assisted support was associated with lower caregiver burden and better psychosocial outcomes over 3 months. LLMs may serve as a low-threshold, scalable supportive tool in epilepsy family caregiving, though further studies are needed to evaluate long-term effectiveness and safety.