Background: ALS imposes devastating physical and emotional challenges on patients and caregivers, necessitating reliable, timely, and personalized information to navigate the disease. Traditional resources and human interventions often fail to meet these demands. Recent advancements in AI-powered chatbots offer a scalable, accessible solution, leveraging natural language processing to deliver tailored, real-time informational support. This scoping review investigates the potential of AI-powered chatbots to meet these complex informational needs
Objectives: Examine the potential of AI-powered chatbots to address the informational needs of ALS patients and caregivers.
Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in six databases: Medline (PubMed), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Embase, PsycInfo, ACM Digital Library, and Scopus, identifying 24 studies published between 2019 and 2024. Initial searches targeting ALS yielded no relevant studies, and broadening the scope to neurodegenerative diseases resulted in five studies. To maximize results, the scope was expanded to include all diseases addressing chatbot-based informational needs. A dual-reviewer approach was employed for study selection, and methodological quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).
Results: Data were extracted from all selected articles and organized thematically using an inductive approach aligned with the scoping review objectives. The final themes identified were:
(1) Accessibility; (2) Empowerment; (3) Efficiency; (4) Personalization; (5) Lack of empathy and nuanced understanding; (6) Linguistic and technical barriers; (7) Ethical responsibility.
Conclusions: AI-powered chatbots represent a promising tool to complement traditional resources and address the informational needs of individuals with ALS and their caregivers. However, their implementation must rely on strong ethical principles and inclusive design while addressing specific user needs. Rigorous evaluations centered on user experience are crucial to maximize their potential and mitigate risks. Future research should focus on refining chatbots to ensure equitable, effective, and tailored informational