App Reviews /

Wysa Review

Wysa Screenshots
Credibility

Credibility

4.67 / 5.00

Overall Score: 14/15

Consumer Ratings: 2/2
Proposed Goal: 2/2
Evidence-Based Content: 1/1
Software Updates: 2/2
Clinical Input in Development: 1/1
Research on Development Process: 1/1
Efficacy of Other Products: 1/1
Research Independence and Review: 1/2
Research Base: 3/3

Rating Date: March 2023

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User Experince

User Experience

4.54 / 5.00

Engagement: 4.25 Functionality: 4.56 Aesthetics: 4.83 Information: 4.50 Subjective quality score: 4.44 Perceived impact score: 3.92 Rating date: November 2020 Rated by: Queensland University

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Transparency

Transparency

Acceptable

Overall Score: Acceptable

Does the app have a privacy policy?: Yes

Does the policy describe the information storage and sharing procedures related to user entered information OR state that user information is stored locally?: Yes

Does the app provide the option of a pin entry or log-in process to view and enter user data?: Yes

Does the privacy policy state that the app/server encrypts the entered data OR state that user information is stored locally?: Yes

Does the privacy policy state whether or not users can delete entered information OR state that user information is stored locally?: Yes

Does the privacy policy state whether or not users can edit entered information OR state that user information is stored locally?: Yes

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Professional Reviews

Professional Review

Not Yet Available

Wysa is an artificially intelligent (AI) chatbot who can coach users to better cope with daily stresses. Wysa is designed to help with a variety of issues, including depression, anxiety, sleep, issues facing the LGBTQ+ community, and more. Users select the areas they want to work on on the home screen. Users can then choose to chat with Wysa or complete other self-care activities. When chatting with Wysa, the user is presented with multiple response options as well as a text box to type customized responses. From there, Wysa guides users through cognitive reframing, breathing exercises, and other strategies depending on how they report feeling and what is appropriate for that situation. Conversations are not saved in the app, so there is no log-in or account required. Users can also connect with a licensed therapist through the app (for an additional payment). There is also an “SOS” section where users can create a safety plan and access crisis helplines.

Technical Details

Available for: Requires iOS 10.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch; Android 4.1 and up, Facebook Messenger
Developer: Touchkin eServices Private Limited
Type of Treatment: Cognitive Behavioral Principles, Mindfulness
Targeted Conditions: Mood Disorders, Stress and Anxiety, Sleep
Target Audience: Adults, Adolescents
Designed to be used in conjunction with a professional? No
Languages Available: English
Cost: Free with in-app purchases
Get it on: Apple App StoreGoogle Play, Web

Research on this App

129 anonymous global Wysa users were observed who voluntarily installed the Wysa app, engaged in text-based messaging, and self-reported symptoms of depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The study used mixed-methods approach to evaluate the impact and engagement levels among high engagement and low engagement users. A qualitative analysis measured the app engagement and experience by analyzing in-app user feedback. High users had significantly higher improvement on depression than low users. 67.7% of user-provided feedback responses found the app experience helpful and
encouraging (Inkser et al., 2018. https://mhealth.jmir.org/2018/11/e12106/pdf)

How we evaluate

We review apps against rating criteria developed by experts in the field. Some of those criteria are:

icon-Credibility

Credibility

We look at the research supporting the technology and the credibility of the development process.

icon-Transparent

Transparency

We review privacy policies to see if key pieces of information about what happens with entered data are addressed.

UserExperiencePG

User Experience

We explore how fun, functional, easy-to-use, engaging, and interesting the technology is.

ProfessionalReviews

Professional Reviews

A professional in a relevant field downloads and uses the technology and writes a narrative review, highlighting pros & cons and some recommendations for use.

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