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ABSTRACT: Most clinicians and patients consider obesity just as a problem of energy balance: more energy input than expenditure. However, the epidemiological data and the clinical practice clearly show that obesity is more complex than described by this simple equation. In particular the chapter underlined the possible role of negative body image in the etiology of this disturbance. Specifically, we suggested that unhealthful weight-control behaviors, that induce significant weight gain over time, may be driven by an allocentric negative body image that is no more updated by contrasting egocentric representations driven by perception (allocentric lock). In other words, subjects are locked to an allocentric negative representation of their body that their sensory inputs are no more able to update even after the dramatic body changes following a successful diet or bariatric surgery. In the chapter we also discussed the possible role of virtual reality (VR) in addressing this problem within an integrated treatment approach. Specifically, we suggested that adding a 10-session experiential protocol based on the free NeuroVR (www.neurovr.org) virtual reality software to the classical treatment of obesity may improve its long-term outcome. The characteristics of the protocol and the outcome of two controlled clinical trials used to test it (VEPSY UPDATED - ISRCTN59019572, and AVATOB - NCT01394393) are detailed and discussed.
04/2013: pages 269-284; , ISBN: 978-3-642-35971-2
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Several research studies investigating the effectiveness of the different treatments have demonstrated that exposure-based therapies are more suitable and effective than others for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Traditionally, exposure may be achieved in two manners: in vivo, with direct contact to the stimulus, or by imagery, in the person's imagination. However, despite its effectiveness, both types of exposure present some limitations that supported the use of Virtual Reality (VR). But is VR always an effective stressor? Are the technological breakdowns that may appear during such an experience a possible risk for its effectiveness? METHODS: To answer these questions we compared changes following the exposure to an academic examination, one of the most universal examples of real-life stressors, in a sample of 39 undergraduate students. The same experience was offered using text (TX), audio (AU), video (VD), and VR. However, in the virtual environment we manipulated the experience introducing technological breakdowns. The Post Media Questionnaire (PMQ) and the Slater-Usoh-Steed Presence Questionnaire (SUS) were administered to each participant in order to evaluated self-report measures of anxiety and relaxation and the level of presence experience during media exposure. Electrocardiogram (ECG), Thoracic Respiration Signal (RSP) and Facial corrugator supercilii muscle Electromyography (EMG) were recorded in order to obtain objective measures of subjects' emotional state. RESULTS: Analyses conducted on PMQ showed a significant increase in anxiety scores and a mirror decrease in relax scores after all our emotional procedures, showing that all the condition were effective in inducing a negative emotional response. Psychometric scores and psychophysiological indexes showed that VR was less effective than other procedures in eliciting stress responses. Moreover, we did not observe significative difference in SUS scores: VR induced a sense of presence similar to that experienced during the exposition to other media. CONCLUSIONS: Technological breakdowns significantly reduce the possibility of VR eliciting emotions related to complex real-life stressors. Without a high sense of presence, the significant advantages offered by VR disappear and its emotional induction abilities are even lower than the ones provided by much cheaper media.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01683617.
BMC Psychiatry 02/2013; 13(1):52. · 2.55 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Different studies, including longitudinal studies, suggest a link between body dissatisfaction, unhealthful weight-control behaviors and obesity in both male and female adolescents. Here we suggest that body dissatisfaction in obese adolescents may be driven by an allocentric negative body image that is no more updated by contrasting egocentric representations driven by perception. In other words, subjects are locked to an allocentric negative representation of their body (allocentric lock hypothesis - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2011.10.039) that their sensory inputs are no more able to update even after the dramatic body changes following a successful diet. More, the possible role of virtual reality in the prevention and treatment of obesity in adolescence is presented and discussed.
Studies in health technology and informatics 01/2013; 184:356-62.
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ABSTRACT: The combination of smart phones, wearable sensor devices and social media offer new ways of monitoring and promoting mental and physical wellbeing. In this contribution, we describe recent developments in the field of mobile healthcare (or mHealth), by focusing in particular on mobile mental health applications. First, we examine the potential benefits associated with this approach, providing examples from existing projects. Next, we identify and explain possible differences in focus between mobile mental health and mobile wellbeing applications. Finally, we discuss some open challenges associated with the implementation of this vision, ranging from the lack of evidence-based validation to privacy, security and ethical concerns.
Studies in health technology and informatics 01/2013; 184:141-7.
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ABSTRACT: Identifying ‘networked flow’ as the key driver of networked creativity, this new volume in the Springer Briefs series deploys concepts from a range of sub-disciplines in psychology to suggest ways of optimizing the innovative potential of creative networks. In their analysis of how to support these networks, the contributing authors apply expertise in experimental, social, cultural and educational psychology. They show how developing a creative network requires the establishment of an optimal group experience in which individual intentions inform and guide collective goals.
The volume represents a three-fold achievement. It develops a ground-breaking new perspective on group creativity: the notion of ‘networked flow’ as a bridging concept linking the neuropsychological, psychological and social levels of the creative process. In addition, the authors set out a six-stage model that provides researchers with a methodological framework (also by referring to the social network analysis) for studying the creativity traditionally associated with interpersonal contexts. Finally, the book includes perceptive analysis of the novel possibilities opened up by second-generation internet technologies, particularly in social networking, that seem destined to develop and sustain online creativity. As a wide-ranging exposition of a new direction in theoretical psychology that is laden with exciting possibilities, this volume will inform and inspire professionals, scholars and students alike.
11/2012; SPRINGER., ISBN: ISBN 978-94-007-5551-2
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ABSTRACT: The proliferation of computer-mediated communication has led to the experimentation of these tools in psychotherapy. This article examines the possible integration between traditional and new tools in psychotherapy, showing pros and cons of the use of technology. In particular, the article focuses on the concept of e-therapy and the technology it requires. An analysis of the most functional tools and software now available is also presented, with a particular focus on shared hypermedia, new Internet tools in which different users who are simultaneously browsing the Web can communicate and surf together. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Psychotherapy Theory Research & Practice 10/2012; 40(1-2):33-44. · 0.98 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This paper introduces activity-related behavioural features that can be automatically extracted from a computer system, with the aim to increase the effectiveness of automatic stress detection. The proposed features are based on processing of appropriate video and accelerometer recordings taken from the monitored subjects. For the purposes of the present study, an experiment was conducted that utilized a stress-induction protocol based on the stroop colour word test. Video, accelerometer and biosignal (Electrocardiogram and Galvanic Skin Response) recordings were collected from nineteen participants. Then, an explorative study was conducted by following a methodology mainly based on spatiotemporal descriptors (Motion History Images) that are extracted from video sequences. A large set of activity-related behavioural features, potentially useful for automatic stress detection, were proposed and examined. Experimental evaluation showed that several of these behavioural features significantly correlate to self-reported stress. Moreover, it was found that the use of the proposed features can significantly enhance the performance of typical automatic stress detection systems, commonly based on biosignal processing.
PLoS ONE 09/2012; 7(9):e43571. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: a b s t r a c t Traditional stress management techniques require significant professional training and expertise to administer as well as people, time, and resources, which can be difficult to achieve. Thanks to the recent progress and diffusion of mobile electronic devices, it is possible today to set up and test an effective self-help stress management program outside a clinical setting. Although the efficacy of mobile self-help approaches have been tested through several studies, and promising applications can be developed, as yet no study has tested the feasibility of mobile platforms to actually elicit core affective states. In this study we used an advanced approach to assess the efficacy of these mobile platforms by recording and processing many psychophysiological measures, which extend the capabilities of the standard self-report questionnaires, objectifying the subjective. Our results seem to show the efficacy of inducing positive and negative affective states, using smart phones. & 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Neurocomputing 05/2012; 84:23-30. · 1.58 Impact Factor
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IJARAS. 01/2012; 3:46-64.
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ABSTRACT: Awake surgery can be highly stressful for patients. In fact, being awake, patients could perceive that the environmental demands are taxing or exceed their adaptive abilities. We proposed the use of Virtual Reality as a functional and effective tool for a new class of clinical applications aimed at helping patients to cope with these specific stressful situations. Using coping skills that have been learnt during the virtual experience, patients can reduce their psychological stress and improve their collaboration and - in general - the outcome of the intervention.
Studies in health technology and informatics 01/2012; 173:13-5.
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ABSTRACT: Self tracking is a recent trend in e-health that refers to the collection, elaboration and visualization of personal health data through ubiquitous computing tools such as mobile devices and wearable sensors. Here, we describe the design of a mobile self-tracking platform that has been specifically designed for clinical and research applications in the field of mental health. The smartphone-based application allows collecting a) self-reported feelings and activities from pre-programmed questionnaires; b) electrocardiographic (ECG) data from a wireless sensor platform worn by the user; c) movement activity information obtained from a tri-axis accelerometer embedded in the wearable platform. Physiological signals are further processed by the application and stored on the smartphone's memory. The mobile data collection platform is free and released under an open source licence to allow wider adoption by the research community (download at: http://sourceforge.net/projects/psychlog/).
Studies in health technology and informatics 01/2012; 173:136-8.
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ABSTRACT: Psychological Stress occurs when an individual perceives that environmental demands tax or exceed his or her adaptive capacity. Following this view, that underlines the role of the situated experience of the patient in experiencing a stressor, the European Union funded Interstress project (http://www.interstress.eu) is exploring the possible use of the virtual simulation technology offered by SecondLife (http://www.secondlife.com) to administer a stress management experiential training. The structure of the environment and the contents of the course are described and discussed.
Studies in health technology and informatics 01/2012; 173:369-71.
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ABSTRACT: In this study we consider neurophysiological aspects for the assessment of stress-related disorders. EEG Alpha Asymmetry could represent an effective method to be used in the virtual environment. Nonetheless, new protocols need to be defined. In this study herein, we present two methods and a case study.
Studies in health technology and informatics 01/2012; 173:102-4.
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ABSTRACT: Bariatric surgery is an operation on the stomach and/or intestines that helps patients with extreme obesity to lose weight. Even if bariatric surgery, compared with traditional obesity treatment, is more effective in reducing BMI, this approach does not achieve equal results in every patient. More, following bariatric surgery common problems are body image dissatisfaction and body disparagement: there is a significant difference between the weight loss clinicians consider successful (50% of excess weight) and the weight loss potential patients expect to achieve (at least 67% of the excess weight). The paper discusses the possible role of virtual reality (VR) in addressing this problem within an integrated treatment approach. More, the clinical case of a female bariatric patient who experienced body dissatisfaction even after a 30% body weight loss and a 62% excess body weight loss, is presented and discussed.
Studies in health technology and informatics 01/2012; 181:278-82.
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ABSTRACT: This study aimed at measuring objectively the experience of using social network sites (SNSs). At this aim, a model of experience has been defined, focusing on three main aspects of time-space continuum of individuals' states: physiological arousal, emotional valence, and attentional resources. At this purpose we developed a new approach to assess such an experience. The main idea is to consider arousal, valence and attention to track the users' experience collecting psychophysiological indexes at predefined period (for example each 10 seconds) to build an empirical model based on these data. Once we got the empirical curve we can fit these data using mathematical models.
Studies in health technology and informatics 01/2012; 181:12-6.
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ABSTRACT: "Psychological stress" occurs when an individual perceives that environmental demands tax or exceed his or her adaptive capacity. According to the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the best validated approach covering both stress management and stress treatment is the Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) approach. CBT has undergone a very large number of trials in research contexts. However, it has been less efficacious in clinical contexts and it has become obvious that CBT has some failings when applied in general practice. INTERSTRESS is a EU-funded project that aims to design, develop and test an advanced ICT-based solution for the assessment and treatment of psychological stress that is able to address three critical limitations of CBT: a) the therapist is less relevant than the specific protocol used. b) the protocol is not customized to the specific characteristics of the patient; c) the focus of the therapy is more on the top-down model of change (from cognitions to emotions) than on the bottom-up (from emotions to cognitions). To reach this goal the INTERSTRESS project applies an innovative paradigm for e-health - Interreality - that integrates assessment and treatment within a hybrid environment, bridging physical and virtual worlds. On one side, the patient is continuously assessed in the virtual and real worlds by tracking the behavioral and emotional status in the context of challenging tasks (customization of the therapy according to the characteristics of the patient). On the other side, feedback is continuously provided to improve both the appraisal and the coping skills of the patient through a conditioned association between effective performance state and task execution behaviors (improvement of self efficacy). Within this conceptual framework, it is possible to set up and test psychological treatments that could be extended also beyond the traditional research and clinical setting by using more and more emerging mobile technology to deliver real-time interventions during daily activities and ecological contexts.
Studies in health technology and informatics 01/2012; 181:8-11.
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Andrea Gaggioli,
Giovanni Pioggia,
Gennaro Tartarisco,
Giovanni Baldus,
Marcello Ferro,
Pietro Cipresso,
Silvia Serino,
Andrei Popleteev,
Silvia Gabrielli,
Rosa Maimone,
Giuseppe Riva
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ABSTRACT: Prolonged exposure to stressful environments can lead to serious health problems. Therefore, measuring stress in daily life situations through non-invasive procedures has become a significant research challenge. In this paper, we describe a system for the automatic detection of momentary stress from behavioral and physiological measures collected through wearable sensors. The system's architecture consists of two key components: a) a mobile acquisition module; b) an analysis and decision module. The mobile acquisition module is a smartphone application coupled with a newly developed sensor platform (Personal Biomonitoring System, PBS). The PBS acquires behavioral (motion activity, posture) and physiological (hearth rate) variables, performs low-level, real-time signal preprocessing, and wirelessly communicates with the smartphone application, which in turn connects to a remote server for further signal processing and storage. The decision module is realized on a knowledge basis, using neural network and fuzzy logic algorithms able to combine as input the physiological and behavioral features extracted by the PBS and to classify the level of stress, after previous knowledge acquired during a training phase. The training is based on labeling of physiological and behavioral data through self-reports of stress collected via the smartphone application. After training, the smartphone application can be configured to poll the stress analysis report at fixed time steps or at the request of the user. Preliminary testing of the system is ongoing.
Studies in health technology and informatics 01/2012; 181:182-6.
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ABSTRACT: We have developed a system, allowing real-time monitoring of human gestures, which can be used for the automatic recognition of behavioural correlates of psychological stress. The system is based on a low-cost camera (Microsoft Kinect), which provides video recordings capturing the subject's upper body activity. Motion History Images (MHIs) are calculated in real-time from these recordings. Appropriate algorithms are thereafter applied over the MHIs, enabling the real-time calculation of activity-related behavioural parameters. The system's efficiency in real-time calculation of behavioural parameters has been tested in a pilot trial, involving monitoring of behavioural parameters during the induction of mental stress. Results showed that our prototype is capable to effectively calculate simultaneously eight different behavioural parameters in real-time. Statistical analysis indicated significant correlations between five of these parameters and self-reported stress. The preliminary findings suggest that our approach could potentially prove useful within systems targeting automatic stress detection, through unobtrusive monitoring of subjects.
Studies in health technology and informatics 01/2012; 181:287-91.
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Journal of Medical Internet Research 01/2012; 14(1):e10. · 4.41 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: It is generally assumed that technology assists individuals in improving the quality of their lives. However, the impact of new technologies and media on well-being and positive functioning is still somewhat controversial. In this paper, we contend that the quality of experience should become the guiding principle in the design and development of new technologies, as well as a primary metric for the evaluation of their applications. The emerging discipline of Positive Psychology provides a useful framework to address this challenge. Positive Psychology is the scientific study of optimal human functioning and flourishing. Instead of drawing on a "disease model" of human behavior, it focuses on factors that enable individuals and communities to thrive and build the best in life. In this paper, we propose the "Positive Technology" approach--the scientific and applied approach to the use of technology for improving the quality of our personal experience through its structuring, augmentation, and/or replacement--as a way of framing a suitable object of study in the field of cyberpsychology and human-computer interaction. Specifically, we suggest that it is possible to use technology to influence three specific features of our experience--affective quality, engagement/actualization, and connectedness--that serve to promote adaptive behaviors and positive functioning. In this framework, positive technologies are classified according to their effects on a specific feature of personal experience. Moreover, for each level, we have identified critical variables that can be manipulated to guide the design and development of positive technologies.
Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking 12/2011; 15(2):69-77.
