Impact of AI-Induced Cognitive Overload on Treatment Adherence in Patients with GAD: The Moderating Role of Digital Health Literacy

Abstract

The fast adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the healthcare field has revolutionized the manner in which patients are educated about their health and how they manage their own health, but the problem of overload of information created by AI can also lead to cognitive load especially, among Generalized Anxiety Disorder patients. This research focused on assessing the effects of cognitive overload induced by AI on the adherence to treatment among GAD patients, as well as the role of digital health literacy as a moderator. Cross-sectional type of analysis was carried out on a sample of 120 diagnosed GAD patients aged between 18 and 60 years and recruited through a stratified random sampling method in psychiatric outpatient units and online mental health services. The structured questionnaire included the AI Cognitive Overload Scale (AICOS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder- 7 (GAD-7) scale, Treatment Adherence Questionnaire (TAQ), and Digital Health Literacy Instrument (DHLI) to collect the data. The SPSS statistical package version 26 were used and descriptive statistics was used, Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression and moderation analysis using the PROCESS macro. The findings have shown that increased cognitive overload caused by AI was significantly linked to poorer treatment adherence (p < 0.05), with the digital health literacy showing a significant moderating effect, lessening the negative correlation between cognitive overload and treatment adherence. The results indicate that although AI tools have significant potential, their overuse or uncontrolled application can hamper their adherence in vulnerable patients, and it is essential to promote digital health literacy to achieve the maximum effects of treatment.