A framework for haptic psycho-therapy

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A framework for haptic psycho-therapy

• Leonardo Bonanni Cati Vaucelle
• Tangible Media Group
• MIT Media Laboratory
• IEEE ICPS Health Pervasive Systems Workshop
• June 29, 2006

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A framework for haptic psycho-therapy

• Touch-based therapy has been found to offer
  treatment for sensory issues related to mental
  illness (autism, mania, dementia)
• We propose a framework for designing haptic
  devices that complement existing treatment for
  mental illnesses
• Haptic Psycho-Therapy describes an innovative
  system that can capture, broadcast and replay
  touch in a discrete wearable garment

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Touch
A framework for haptic psycho-therapy

• Definition
• To cause or permit a part of the body,
  especially the hand or fingers, to come in
  contact with so as to feel
• Touch has profound social connotations
• Touch affects emotions

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A framework for haptic psycho-therapy
Related work

• Touch is crucial to the physical and social
  development of infants
• Sensory Integration Therapy uses applied touch as
  a means to help overcome sensory defensiveness,
  violence and depression
• Products such as heavy blankets are used to
  provide soothing touch sensations for autistic
  children

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A framework for haptic psycho-therapy
Touch Therapy

• The Wilbarger Protocol uses therapeutic touch,
  brushing and pressure applied by a therapist as
  often as every two hours for up to six months to
  treat sensory defensiveness
• Weighted blankets and vests are applied to
  children with autism during the rumbling stage
  before a meltdown to prevent panic attacks
• The Restraint and Seclusion Reduction Initiative
  of the USDH encourages the use of touch therapy
  in in-patient psychiatric settings to help treat
  a number of mental illnesses

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A framework for haptic psycho-therapy
Haptics

• Haptics is the science of applying touch
  (tactile) sensation and control to interaction
  with computer applications
• Simulated touch can engender many of the same
  emotions as real touch
• Haptics can convey co-presence and remote
  affection

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A framework for haptic psycho-therapy
Computer therapy

• Affective Feedback is the process of using
  technology to help people achieve and maintain
  specific internal states
• Immersive sensory environments can teach people
  to reach a specific mental state, such as
  relaxation or concentration
• Virtual Reality, in which users are immersed in a
  totally artificial world through head-tracking
  display goggles, has been demonstrated to have
  significant effect on the perception of pain and
  fear

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A framework for haptic psycho-therapy
Haptic psycho-therapy

• The Hugging Machine supports the hypothesis that
  deep pressure has a calming effect for persons
  with autism, especially those with high levels of
  arousal or anxiety
• We propose that haptic technology can be applied
  to the simulation of therapeutic touch
• Our goal is that soothing therapy can be
  experienced by people in their social environment
  and optimized to their specific physical and
  social conditions

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A framework for haptic psycho-therapy
Pilot tests

• During our first pilot, four kinds of actuators
  were tested vibrating motors, solenoids, air
  bladders and Peltier junctions

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A framework for haptic psycho-therapy
First prototype

• We mounted one of the actuators on a neoprene
  back brace

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A framework for haptic psycho-therapy
Design of the pilot study

• We asked a series of questions intended to
  discover which actuators were better at
  simulating pleasant human touch
• With each of the actuators, subjects were asked
  if the sensation reminds them of someone they
  know from a family gathering, from a friends
  party or from an embrace before a goodbye
• Four men and four women were tested using the
  vibrating motors and the solenoids

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A framework for haptic psycho-therapy
Results of the pilot study

• Individuals have differing preferences and
  sensitivity to touch
• The pilot revealed the need for cusomizing the
  haptic actuators for each individual
• Women prefer motors and dislike solenoids. Men
  prefer solenoids and dislike motors. The
  solenoids were interpreted as a tap, a bump or
  the touch of a stranger. Vibrating motors are
  sublte, sensual and soft

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A framework for haptic psycho-therapy
Results of the pilot study

• The exact location and sequence of actuators are
  also important they often had to be moved to the
  right place and angle on the shoulder to feel
  pleasant
• The repetitive sequence pre-programmed into the
  actuators were too machine-like. Universally the
  solenoids were considered more like machines than
  the vibrators
• Two main problems of the brace design were that
  it was difficult to adjust the position of the
  actuators and that it was perceived as
  constraining overall

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A framework for haptic psycho-therapy
Design Principles

• For this product to be effective out of the home
  and/or hospital, it should be
• Highly customizable
• Easily controlled by the user
• Discrete enough to be worn in public

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A framework for haptic psycho-therapy
Second prototype

• The second prototype is a felt scarf with pockets
  into which haptic actuators or everyday objects
  can be placed

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A framework for haptic psycho-therapy
Second Prototype - Actuation

• New configurations of vibrating motors and
  solenoids were developed to feel more like human
  touch
• 1. a large single solenoid that acts to expand
  and contract inside a cloth pocket to provide
  pressure
• 2. a circular array of small solenoids at an
  oblique angle meant to feel like fingers tapping
• 3. vibrating motors arranged concentrically
  activate from the center out and back to simulate
  pressing

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A framework for haptic psycho-therapy
Second prototype - Sensing

• Touch recording is achieved through momentary
  switches attached to large plastic contact pads.
• Fabric-based sensors were also tested but proved
  too unstable.

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A framework for haptic psycho-therapy
Second Prototype Modularity

• This design allows different actuators to be
  placed in different pockets, and for the system
  to work only when the scarf is held against the
  body
• Six different sensingactuation circuits mounted
  on flexible plastic sheets can be inserted into
  any of six pockets on a scarf, where they connect
  to conductive snaps that provide power

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A framework for haptic psycho-therapy
Future work

• We are developing new haptic systems for
  treatment of specific mental illnesses
• a vest that simulates therapeutic holding to
  prevent panic attacks (meltdowns) in autistic
  children and that can also manage aggressive
  children
• a bracelet that generates controlled pain in
  treatment of self-mutilation patients
• an electronic cold wrap for patients suffering
  from schizophrenia

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A framework for haptic psycho-therapy
Future work

• We are testing this third generation of
  prototypes in hospitals and schools in the Boston
  area in the hope that a safe and effective device
  can be developed within the coming year
• We are seeking solutions to make these prototypes
  into medical devices, where they will need to be
• -durable
• -stable
• -waterproof
• -shielded
• -low-power/low-current
• -idiot-proof
• -coupled with biometric sensing

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A framework for haptic psycho-therapy
Acknowledgments

• Our research advisor Prof. Hiroshi Ishii, the
  Tangible Media Group at the MIT Media Lab, Jeff
  Lieberman and Orit Zuckerman
• Christina Gulliver, Jessica McGuigan and Robin
  Orlando and Dr. Lawrence Park of of the Acute
  Inpatient Psychiatry Ward at Massachusetts
  General Hospital
• Dania Jekel of the Aspergers Foundation of New
  England

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A framework for haptic psycho-therapy
Contact

• Leonardo Bonanni Cati Vaucelle
• amerigo, cati_at_media.mit.edu