Technological Advances in Psychiatry – From Couch to Cloud by Arshya Vahabzadeh

Dr. Arshya Vahabzadeh, Harvard-trained physician-technologist and innovation officer of the Massachusetts General Psychiatry Academy talks about key technological advances in psychiatry and their potential to change the way we prevent, diagnose and treat mental health disorders.

A DIGITAL SIGNATURE FOR MENTAL HEALTH?

• Is there a digital signature for your mental health? –

• Will digital signatures redefine categorical diagnoses?

APPS FOR MENTAL HEALTH

A CLOSED-LOOP APPROACH

1. Collect all the sensor-rich data-  e.g. voice, affect, sleep, phone use, motor interaction, etc.

      2. Analyze data

3. Intervene: CBT, DBT, mindfulness, crisis plans, medications support

4. Support: clinical team, research team, social support, caregiver, etc.

A study using an app for suicide non-suicidal and suicidal self-injury as an intervention tool showed the following results

• Self-cutting episodes decreased by 32%-40%
• Suicide plans decreased by 21%-59%
• Suicidal behaviors decreased by 33%-77%
• Suicidal ideation was not reduced

Previously on the hub, we also covered Dr. Vahabzadeh’s paper on digital prevention of suicide.

A MOTOR SIGNATURE FOR AUTISM?

A study looking to identify a motor signature for autism using tablets with touch-sensitive screen found the following according to the authors –