2 results
The use of new technology in prevention and treatment of psychiatric diseases - preliminary results
- A. Häussl, F. Fellendorf, E. Fleischmann, S. Guggemos, E. Schönthaler, T. Stross, I. Zwigl, D. Albert, J. Mosbacher, K. Stix, S. Draxler, G. Lodron, T. Orgel, M. Pszeida, S. Russegger, M. Schneeberger, M. Uray, W. Weiss, M. Fellner, T. Fruhmann, R. Hartmann, P. Hauptmann, R. Pfiszter, G. Pötz, U. Prattner, N. Saran, S. Spat, E. Zweytik, T. Lutz, S. Lindner-Rabl, R. Roller-Wirnsberger, S. Schüssler, J. Zuschnegg, K. Ceron, M. Danilov, C. Grossegger, M. Macher, O. Sokolov, S. Egger-Lampl, B. Roszipal, L. Paletta, M. Lenger, N. Dalkner, E. Reininghaus
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S853-S854
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Introduction
The COVID-19 outbreak is a serious global public health issue with wide-ranging negative effects on people’s lives, which is reflected in steadily rising mental health problems. In order to appropriately respond to the increased occurrence of psychiatric illness, protect mental health and strengthen resilience it is necessary to include new technologies, such as extended reality (XR) or socially assistive robots (SAR) in not only psychiatric treatment but also in the prevention of psychiatric diseases. In this context, the use of new technologies offers innovative ways to strengthen resilience, self-efficacy and stress coping skills and plays an important role in improving psychological wellbeing.
ObjectivesPreliminary results from studies at the Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine in Graz, Austria, dealing with new technologies in psychiatry, show new options for psychiatric settings.
MethodsProject AMIGA: The aim of this study is to test the effectiveness of a cognitive training session, conducted with the SAR named Pepper. In this randomized controlled trial, the effectiveness of SAR on depressive symptoms and correlates is evaluated in a sample of 60 individuals with major depression. While the intervention group will receive cognitive training with the SAR Pepper, the control group will receive “treatment-as-usual” therapy with a common PC software. Participants will receive 30 minutes of training 2 times per week over a period of 3 weeks.
Project XRes4HEALTH: The aim of this study is to develop an XR resilience training to increase resilience and stress coping mechanisms in healthcare workers. A total of 40 people will be included. To test the effectiveness of the resilience training, 3 XR training sessions of 15 minutes each will be held. A pre-post measurement will test the effectiveness of the training on wellbeing and stress levels as well as the acceptance and satisfaction with the training.
Project AI-REFIT: The overall goal of this study is to explore key information to increase resilience in healthy individuals who are at increased risk for mental health problems. Through a usability study, the artificial intelligence-based prototype app of the resilience training will be tested for acceptance, usability, functionality, and efficiency. During the resilience training, participants are wearing a smartwatch which measures psychophysiological parameters. Conclusions about the success of the therapy can be drawn based on digital data acquisition.
ResultsNew technologies including XR and SAR support classical psychiatric treatment in the topics of resilience and cognitive training as an add-on therapy in times of reduced availability of healthcare workers.
ConclusionsThe rapid development of new technologies holds a lot of potential in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, which is why it is important to scientifically evaluate those innovative tools.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Robot assisted treatment in psychiatry - fiction or reality?
- E. Z. Reininghaus, A. Häussl, I. Zwigl, S. Guggemos, F. T. Fellendorf, N. Dalkner
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S856
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Introduction
The evolution of technologies like artificial intelligence and robotics has already begun to shape the future of health care delivery and will have an undeniable impact on patient experiences over the next decades. In times of shortened human resources, especially in the field of health care settings, we should also consider robots as assistance for existing treatment settings. The use of robotic assisted surgery has already found its way into clinical practice and allows doctors to perform many types of complex procedures with more precision, flexibility and control. Nevertheless, to date, the use of robotics in the field of psychiatry is sparse, at least in European countries.
Socially assistive robots (SARs) are robotic technology platforms with audio, visual, and movement capabilities that are being developed to interact with individuals while also assisting them with their management of their well-being. Robots could support classic psychiatric treatment by training cognition and motivation as well as educating patients.
ObjectivesThe robot “Pepper” has found its home at the Medical University of Graz, Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapeutic Medicine in Austria in summer 2022. It is friendly and positive, around 1,30m tall, can make conversations, learn people’s tastes, preferences, and habits to help personalize responses and better address needs. He can also offer games, make music and dance.
MethodsIn our ongoing studies we use the robot “Pepper” in the context of psychoeducational settings on different mental diseases, training of cognitive functions as well as motivational aspects in inpatients with psychiatric disorders. It can also react and suggest a break during the sessions if he has the impression that participants are stressed or overstrained with content. We collect personal feedback of the patients and associated employees in the hospital through the ongoing usability study, as well as perform a randomized controlled trial to test effects of cognitive and motivational training aspects in comparison to standardized treatment settings.
ResultsIt is time to apply new technologies in healthcare, especially in times when the staff is decreasing. Better integrating and expanding on the mental health implications of social robots will complement the ongoing drive in the field of psychology and psychiatry to better assist clients with supportive exercises and education, cognitive training, and an asynchronous care option.
ConclusionsAlthough the use of SARs in mental health research is not yet widespread, new robots and programming are constantly changing, adapting and expanding. There is an abundance of opportunity for growth, expansion, and exploration to triangulate SARs usability and efficacy as the next step in advancing this field. We should not be afraid of this new and expanding technology but come to use it as soon as possible as a support in psychiatric treatment. Let‘s make fiction become reality!
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared