Mayo Clinic Study: Wearable Tech Aids Kids Mental Healthcare
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Mayo Clinic researchers, including Magdalena Romanowicz, M.D., and Arjun Athreya, Ph.D., have developed a smartwatch-based alert system designed to signal parents at the earliest signs of tantrums in children with emotional and behavioral disorders. The system detects physiological stress signals – such as rising heart rate, and changes in movement or sleep – and transmits them to a parent’s smartphone via an AI-enabled app. A study published in JAMA Network Open demonstrated that these alerts facilitated parental intervention within four seconds, shortening severe tantrums by an average of 11 minutes—approximately half the duration observed with standard therapy. This technology aims to bridge gaps in pediatric mental healthcare by providing actionable support outside of clinical settings.
Smartwatch System Detects Early Signs of Tantrums Mayo Clinic researchers developed a smartwatch system to help parents intervene early when children with emotional and behavioral disorders show signs of a tantrum. The system detects physiological stress signals – like rising heart rate – and changes in movement or sleep. This data is sent to an AI-enabled app on the parent’s smartphone, providing an alert to connect with their child. This technology aims to bridge a gap in pediatric mental healthcare when professional help isn’t immediately available. In a study of 50 children aged 3 to 7, families using the smartwatch system demonstrated a measurable change in behavior. Parents were able to intervene within four seconds of an alert, and severe tantrums were shortened by an average of 11 minutes – approximately half the duration observed with standard therapy alone. Children wore the smartwatch for about 75% of the 16-week study period, indicating good feasibility and family engagement with the technology. This system builds on previous research where a machine learning algorithm accurately predicted disruptive behaviors in hospitalized children with 81% accuracy, providing a 30- to 60-minute advance warning. Researchers believe this data-driven approach, leveraging everyday smart devices, can empower families to manage severe behavioral symptoms at home and offers a valuable lifeline beyond the clinical setting, addressing an increasing need for support. Study Design and Results of the Clinical Trial A randomized clinical trial involving 50 children aged 3 to 7 assessed a smartwatch-based alert system designed to shorten severe tantrums. Participants receiving Parent-Child Interaction Therapy were divided into two groups: one using the smartwatch system and one continuing standard therapy. The study spanned 16 weeks and evaluated both technology usage and measurable changes in parent response times and children’s behavior, demonstrating feasibility with children wearing the smartwatch approximately 75% of the time. The smartwatch system detects physiological stress signals – like rising heart rate – and changes in movement or sleep, sending data to an AI-enabled app on the parent’s smartphone. This allows parents to intervene within four seconds of an alert, ultimately shortening severe tantrums by an average of 11 minutes—approximately half the duration seen with standard therapy alone. Researchers noted that well-timed interventions can positively change a child’s emotional dysregulation episode. Building on earlier research which predicted behavioral outbursts with 81% accuracy, this study translated inpatient findings to outpatient care. The results demonstrate how data from everyday smart devices can offer real-time support to families managing severe behavioral symptoms, bridging a gap in pediatric mental healthcare when professional help isn’t immediately available. Future studies will focus on refining the system’s predictive accuracy and assessing long-term benefits.
Expanding Predictive Technology from Inpatient to Outpatient Care Mayo Clinic researchers have expanded predictive technology from inpatient to outpatient care through a smartwatch system designed to help parents manage children’s severe tantrums. The system detects physiological stress signals—like rising heart rate or changes in movement/sleep—and sends alerts to a parent’s smartphone. This allows for intervention within approximately four seconds, shortening tantrums by an average of 11 minutes compared to standard therapy, demonstrating potential for real-time support outside of clinical settings. This technology builds upon earlier research successfully used in a hospital setting, where a machine learning algorithm predicted disruptive behaviors with 81% accuracy, providing a 30- to 60-minute advance warning. The current study involved 50 children aged 3-7 participating over 16 weeks, with families using the smartwatch for about 75% of the study period, indicating feasibility and engagement. Researchers aim to translate these inpatient findings to broader outpatient care. The system empowers families with data-driven care, offering a lifeline for managing severe behavioral symptoms at home. Researchers note the increasing severity of children in crisis and emphasize the system provides tools for immediate intervention, even when professional help isn’t readily available. Future studies will focus on refining predictive accuracy and assessing long-term benefits in routine outpatient settings. A smartwatch may seem simple, but when it’s backed by evidence-based treatments and advanced analytics, it becomes a lifeline for families trying to manage severe behavioral symptoms at home.Paul Croarkin, D.O. Source: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-smartwatch-system-helps-parents-shorten-and-defuse-childrens-severe-tantrums-early/ Tags: