I-Corps: Real-time anxiety detection and modulation using wearables

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is the development of technology that provides objective data to patients and caregivers before and after clinical psychological consults to provide improved adherence and to improve the informal support infrastructure for new referrals to a clinical psychologist. Mental health disorders are prevalent in the United States, with nearly one in four adults living with a mental illness. Mental health disorders account for a large proportion of the disease burden in younger populations across the world. While mental health disorders are often diagnosed in adulthood, these diseases often stem from disorders arising as a childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood. Social and health disparities have a widespread impact on developmental periods and have been associated with an increase in mental health conditions in racial minorities. Furthermore, with increased social isolation, increased depression, anxiety, insomnia, and stress become more prevalent, particularly in females. For young adults, in college or professional programs, the need to balance life and work already present significant challenges for emotional wellbeing, let alone when faced with a pandemic. This I-Corps project is based on the development of a technology that integrates personalized, wearable devices and machine learning/artificial intelligence frameworks to establish a personalized evaluation and intervention targeting mental health changes in stressful environments. Wearable sensors enable continuous measurement and evaluation of potential behavioral markers of disease progression, physiological health, and wellness in adults across their lifespan. Given the shortage of mental health professionals, limited access to quality mental health services, and the stigma associated with mental disorders, the need for improved tele-monitoring of changes in health and wellness is paramount. Wearable sensors of physiological or psychological function have been integrated into accessories, clothing, body attachments, and implantable devices. However, fitness trackers and smartwatches experience abandonment rates of ~30%, which highlights the need to develop technologies that are user‐centered and respond to users’ functional and emotional needs to ensure adoption and continued use. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.