Lay summary (by Claude 3 Sonnet): Researchers tested whether a virtual human computer program could help reduce stress in university students as effectively as a real human therapist or a chatbot program. 158 stressed students were randomly assigned to use one of the three options - the virtual human, chatbot, or video call with a therapist. All students did an initial session in the lab and were asked to do online practice sessions at home at least twice a week for four weeks. The study found that stress levels went down and mindfulness increased across all three groups. However, students using the virtual human were more likely to complete the at-home practice sessions compared to the other groups. Students felt the virtual human’s robotic voice could be improved and the chatbot needed audio added. Some felt judged by the real therapist. Overall, the virtual human program helped reduce stress about as much as the therapist video calls while getting students to stick with the program better.