Vitality members benefit from AI-powered mental health support

Vitality has completed a pilot that found its health insurance members who used conversational AI support through the Wysa app demonstrated clinically significant reductions in symptoms of anxiety and depression.

A group of 60,000 UK VitalityHealth members were identified who were screened as likely to need support for mental health. This group was offered Wysa Premium access for one year. During the onboarding process, each user’s anxiety and depression scores were measured using a standardized clinical questionnaire.

Improvements were seen in users’ scores after 28 days, and were statistically and clinically significant in the entire group. The anxiety screening showed a 31% reduction in moderate anxiety symptoms and a 38% reduction in severe anxiety.

The Depression Screening Questionnaire revealed a 40% reduction in symptoms for those with moderate depression and a 35% reduction in symptoms for severe depression.

In addition, 83% of Vitality members in the pilot said they found Wysa helpful, with 88% returning to use the app again and again.

Ramakant Vempati, founder of Wysa, said: “The improvement in scores is extremely positive and shows that Wysa helps people with moderate to severe symptoms at a clinically significant level. This is further evidence that Wysa really I help people in a big way.”

Regular progress tracking and notifications for users

The Wysa app uses natural language processing with an AI chatbot to understand the user’s free text input. An automated self-care pathway is generated by Wysa based on the triage score and AI interaction. Importantly, each Wysa response is written by a qualified psychologist and tested for clinical safety.

The AI ​​chatbot is capable of guiding users through Wisa’s library of evidence-based mental wellness practices. It also sends notifications at agreed check-in times and will recommend specific exercises based on user needs.

Weekly reports and personalized progress tracking verify user’s efforts.

Dr Katie Tryon, Director of Health Strategy, Vitality, said: “The impact of digital self-help for members we have identified as having medium or high need is significant. As well as providing a preventive tool for those on demonstrate the ability to provide on-demand support to those who need it. We look forward to continuing to work with Wysa to expand access to more Vitality members.”

Digital clinical health aids are being used more widely to support mental health. A year ago the Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust launched the Wisa AI-chatbot to guide patients before and after NHS-prescribed talking therapy. In September the app was also made available to those aged 13-18 with Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing and Hounslow in mind.

Vitality now plans to expand access and use to its broader member population for both prevention and early intervention in mental health. It hopes that this will improve its usage outcomes and reduce the cost of Vitality.