Published on
Updated
Reading 1 min.
By coupling in vivo exposures to a 2.0 system – called Bio Ware – researchers have significantly reduced the symptoms of patients suffering from post-traumatic stress.
After a physical or emotional shock, a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur and be accompanied by nightmares, depressive disorders or suicidal thoughts. To treat this state of severe anxiety, researchers at the MUSC Health university hospital may have found the solution: a connected watch, designed to reduce the symptoms of victims.
A significant decrease in depressive symptoms
This connected watch, designed to improve the effects of prolonged exposure therapy, must be used in parallel with “in vivo exposures”.
Concretely, patients must confront their phobias and fears (for example, placing themselves in a crowded space) while using the Bio Ware system, comprising: a discreet button-shaped camera attached to clothing, a tool the size of a watch placed around the wrist and a Bluetooth headset (so therapists can be virtually with the patient in the experience or situation).
Through this method, the clinician can access the patient’s heart rate, breathing, and emotional distress.
He can guide him through the experience – pushing him to do more or removing him from the situation – in order to optimize in vivo exposure.
According to Sudie Back, Ph.D, a professor in the department of psychiatry at MUSC Health and the study’s principal investigator, “This is the first time, to my knowledge, that we have been able to virtually walk patients through their in vivo exposures and have instant access to their physiological data at the time to really help them get the most out of these exercises, which I believe will result in a significant reduction in their PTSD symptoms.”
The Bio Ware watch would thus increase the patient’s chances of recovery by impacting his actions and “his autonomic nervous system“.
A great step forward for all victims of post-traumatic stress disorder.