Armed with Science | Tag Archive | Psychological Health

BioZen, The Biofeedback Mobile App

Filed under Technology by jtozer on February 13, 2013 at 7:28 am {no comments}

Times Square BIOZEN ad

The Department of Defense has released a smart phone mobile application to help service members use the therapeutic benefits of biofeedback.

BioZen, a mobile app from the Defense Department’s National Center for Telehealth and Technology, known as T2, uses wireless sensors to show the user their physical level of relaxation.

It is the first portable, low-cost method for clinicians and patients to use biofeedback in and out of the clinic.

“Mastering biofeedback successfully is difficult and frustrating for many people,” said Dr. David Cooper, T2 psychologist.

“This app takes many of the large medical sensors found in a clinic and puts them in the hands of anyone with a smart phone. BioZen makes it easier for anyone to get started with biofeedback.”

BioZen shows real-time data from multiple body sensors including electroencephalogram (EEG), electromyography (EMG), galvanic skin response (GSR), electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), respiratory rate, and skin temperature. Each sensor sends a separate signal to the phone so users can see how their body is responding to their behavior.

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Fighting Stigma with Technology

Filed under Technology by jtozer on October 16, 2012 at 7:09 am {no comments}

Written by Dr. Karen O’Brien

The National Center for Telehealth & Technology produces mobile apps and websites to help service members, veterans, and their families enhance their psychological health.

As a mental health provider at Ft. Lewis and a former VA provider, I can’t count the number of times soldiers and veterans have expressed concerns that admitting to a mental health problem might lead to demotion, loss of security clearance, and even discharge from the service.

I have also heard many soldiers and veterans express the view that only “weak” people talk about their problems. We need to turn around the belief that warrior ethos and seeking help are somehow mutually exclusive.

Approximately one in five veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan have been formally diagnosed with either PTSD or major depression. Yet, stigma – the fear of being negatively labeled by others – is still the number one barrier to seeking treatment for mental health care. At the National Center for Telehealth & Technology, we produce mobile apps and websites to help service members, veterans, and their families enhance their psychological health.

Because these technology tools can be accessed anonymously anywhere, anytime, users can avoid any fear of stigma.

To make these technology tools even more useful, we need to understand the reasons people seek or choose not to seek mental health services. Our ongoing Stigma Study is an important step in understanding, and fighting, stigma. If we can better understand how it develops and how to undermine it, we can increase the chances that our service men and women will seek the help they need.

You can help us by participating in the Stigma Survey on AfterDeployment.org. The survey takes only a few minutes and is completely anonymous. You can take the survey here.

Dr. Karen O’Brien is a therapist and subject matter expert with the Research, Outcomes, Surveillance, and Evaluation (ROSE) division of the National Center for Telehealth & Technology.

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Disclaimer: The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense of this website or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation sites, the Department of Defense does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this DoD website.

Technological Coping Tools

Filed under STEM, Technology by jtozer on August 3, 2012 at 7:32 am {no comments}

New “LifeArmor” app, developed by National Center for Telehealth & Technology, is available for smartphones.

Sure, a wrench and hammer are handy tools to keep around, but how about a “Gratitude Letter” or a “Perspective Change” tool? Doesn’t have the same ring to it I guess.

LifeArmor is designed to be a different kind of tool; one that helps service members and veterans cope with returning home and discovering a new “normal”.

For those returning from deployment with common post-deployment issues, these interactive tools available on a new mobile application from National Center for Telehealth and Technology (T2), a Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury center, can be essential resources for coping and building resilience.

Modeled after afterdeployment.org and available on iPhone, iPad and Android systems, the app provides information on 17 different topics where post-deployment issues can impact. Each topic includes an assessment, information about concerns related to the topic, videos of those who coped with an issue, and tools to help cope with psychological concerns and traumatic brain injury.

“The app features many of the issues that are common to service members and military families, including tips for families and friendships, life stress and anxiety, mild traumatic brain injury, anger, substance abuse and military sexual trauma,” said Dr. Julie Kinn, T2 psychologist and mobile applications lead.

The app provides interactive ways to engage users who might be hesitant about reaching out for help, as well as resources that connect them with support.

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Mobile App Helps Troops Adjust to Life After Combat

Filed under STEM, Technology by jtozer on May 8, 2012 at 7:35 am {no comments}

The Department of Defense today announced the release of a mobile application to help service members adjust to life at home after returning from combat deployments.

Positive Activity Jackpot, developed by the National Center for Telehealth and Technology, uses augmented reality with a smart phone’s GPS to help find nearby activities and diversions for someone used to the high tempo of combat life.

The center, known as T2, used a behavioral therapy called pleasant event scheduling as the basis for design of the application. The therapy encourages a daily schedule of enjoyable activities to improve moods and overcome depression.

“After returning from a combat deployment, service members who are used to a more structured daily schedule may have difficulty adjusting to life at home,” said Dr. Amanda Edwards Stewart, psychologist who led the development of Positive Activity Jackpot. “This can lead to difficulties with relationships, depression and other problems. “

The application, available for Android systems, has an extensive list of pre-programmed activities.

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Participate in DCoE’s Monthly Webinar: “The National Intrepid Center of Excellence: An Overview”

Filed under Life Sciences, Social Sciences by John Ohab on June 15, 2010 at 10:04 am {no comments}

The National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) exterior rendering.

Please join the Defense Centers of Excellence on Thursday, June 17, from 1300 to 1430 hrs EST, for a chance to hear about the new National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE). We hope you’ll join us in our monthly webinar where we’ll discuss how this center will operate and how you can get involved in the future.

The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund has built and equipped NICoE, which is dedicated to the advancement of diagnosis, clinical care and research in warriors with complex combat related traumatic brain injury and psychological health issues. NICoE has been established to be the “hub” for exchange of expert ideas and initiation of innovative studies to provide hope for the restoration of quality of life for individuals with traumatic brain injury and psychological health issues and their families.

On June 24, a ribbon cutting ceremony will commemorate the dedication of NICoE. We’ve come a long way since the ground was broken on this project on June 5, 2008, and we are thrilled to be dedicating this center! NICoE will continue to proceed with the standup of operations following the ceremony with the goal of accepting patients this fall.

To register for this event, or for more information e-mail us at: DCoE.MonthlyWebinar@tma.osd.mil.

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