The National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Engineering awarded the University of Pittsburgh a 3-year, $350,000 Project Grant to develop an innovative closed-loop brain-computer interface (BCI) system for use in exposure therapy for socially fearful teenagers with depression and anxiety. The proposed technology synchronizes electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring with augmented reality (AR) simulations of social fear scenarios, enabling real-time detection of fearful responses and dynamic adjustment of exposure challenge levels. This system aims to better reflect the social challenges experienced by the target population and provide objective feedback to therapists and patients during exposure therapy sessions. The project leverages Bayesian inference methods and novel machine learning techniques to identify individualized EEG-based fear indices. The outcomes will be openly disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, outreach programs, and data/code repositories to support this technology-driven paradigm for enhancing exposure therapy for mental health treatments.
Mod # | Description | Reason For Modification | Federal Obligation (Click to sort descending) | Date (Click to sort ascending) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not listed | $350.0k | 8/30/23 |