Social robots for supporting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder diagnosis and treatment

Laban, G. , Ben-Zion, Z. and Cross, E. (2022) Social robots for supporting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder diagnosis and treatment. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 752874. (doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.752874) (PMID:35185629) (PMCID:PMC8854768)

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Abstract

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a severe psychiatric disorder with profound public health impact due to its high prevalence, chronic nature, accompanying functional impairment, and frequently occurring comorbidities. Early PTSD symptoms, often observed shortly after trauma exposure, abate with time in the majority of those who initially express them, yet leave a significant minority with chronic PTSD. While the past several decades of PTSD research have produced substantial knowledge regarding the mechanisms and consequences of this debilitating disorder, the diagnosis of and available treatments for PTSD still face significant challenges. Here, we discuss how novel therapeutic interventions involving social robots can potentially offer meaningful opportunities for overcoming some of the present challenges. As the application of social robotics-based interventions in the treatment of mental disorders is only in its infancy, it is vital that careful, well-controlled research is conducted to evaluate their efficacy, safety, and ethics. Nevertheless, we are hopeful that robotics-based solutions could advance the quality, availability, specificity and scalability of care for PTSD.

Item Type:Articles (Other)
Additional Information:The authors gratefully acknowledge funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie to ENTWINE, the European Training Network on Informal Care (Grant agreement no. 814072), the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (Grant agreement no. 677270 to EC), and the Leverhulme Trust (PLP-2018-152 to EC).
Keywords:post-traumatic stress disorder, social robots, trauma, mental health, human-robot interaction, affective computing, affective science, emotion, PTSD, HRI
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Laban, Mr Guy and Cross, Professor Emily
Authors: Laban, G., Ben-Zion, Z., and Cross, E.
Subjects:B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science
Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Computer software
R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
R Medicine > RB Pathology
T Technology > T Technology (General)
T Technology > TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
Research Group:Social Brain in Action Lab
Journal Name:Frontiers in Psychiatry
Publisher:Frontiers Media
ISSN:1664-0640
ISSN (Online):1664-0640
Published Online:04 February 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 Laban, Ben-Zion and Cross
First Published:First published in Frontiers in Psychiatry 12: 752874
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
306871The European Training Network on Informal CareEmily CrossEuropean Commission (EC)814072Centre for Neuroscience
303930SOCIAL ROBOTSEmily CrossEuropean Research Council (ERC)677270Centre for Neuroscience
304215Philip Leverhulme Prize - ECEmily CrossLeverhulme Trust (LEVERHUL)PLP-2018-152Centre for Neuroscience