Mason mathematics professor receives US patent
George Mason University Professors Padmanabhan Seshaiyer, Mathematical Sciences and Holly Matto, Social Work recently received a patent (No. 11445956) for systems and methods for biobehavioral-regulation treatments. Their invention provides recovery support for users by monitoring their biobehavioral state and strategically delivers, in real-time, personalized recovery cues to treat and prevent relapse.
In various embodiments, a user wears a sensor that collects biobehavioral data and is operatively connected the user's phone or computer. Generally, the disclosed system monitors the collected biobehavioral data to mitigate relapse of a previous disease and/or disorder (e.g., addiction, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.) by presenting personalized recovery cues (e.g., images, videos, etc.) to the user when the user is experiencing stimuli that increase the risk of relapse. In addition, the user has the ability to modulate the implicated brain structure image interactively on the smartphone interface (e.g., changing the size, texture, color, image), in order to change its functionality in real-time and improve in-the-moment emotional regulation using mathematical modeling, machine learning and data-driven approaches.
Professors Seshaiyer and Matto also received a NSF STTR grant to work with a tech company on gamifying the concept. The app, Recovery Engaged Mind-health, or REMind-H, is a great application and promotion of “Why Math?” for understanding and addressing societal challenges such as addiction, depression, PTSD and more. REMind-h delivers a personalized intervention through mobile phone to regulate body’s response to drug cue stimuli and uses.
