Monthly Archives: June 2015

MoodGYM, The Future of Cognitive Behavior Therapy

MoodGYMbanner
MoodGYM is an online interactive program that provides free mental help support. The website was started in Australia in 2004 as a trial to treat depression patients. Since then, it has crossed international barriers and is now offered in 6 languages. It has more than 800,000 people from 222 countries registered in its database.

MoodGYM focuses on the process of cognitive therapy. It consists of five modules, an interactive game, anxiety and depression assessments, downloadable relaxation audio, a workbook and feedback assessment.

Using flashed diagrams and online exercises, MoodGYM teaches the principles of cognitive behavior therapy – a proven treatment for depression. It also demonstrates the relationship between thoughts and emotions, and works through dealing with stress and relationship break-ups, as well as teaching relaxation and meditation techniques.”  – MoodGYM website

It seeks to change the way the user thinks about themselves, battling both depression and anxiety. However, MoodGYM does not let user self diagnose themselves. A new user is put through a series of quizzes and exercises. Cognitive therapy has proved to work in face-to-face therapy and now it is proven to work through online interactions. Kathy Griffins from the Australia National University said that those who have used MoodGYM have reported to have done better in terms of depression, with a reduction in anxiety and even alcohol use.

MoodGYM and other online therapy/mental health programs like it, is just another way technology is increasingly blending into the medical field. With growing technology, advances in medicine are constantly happening; however, this is especially important in mental health for two reasons. One being that the statistics of those suffering from mental health issues is a vast amount of a majority of people. The other being that most people who have mental health issues do not seek treatment, actually about a third of those do not, whether that be for costs or personal reasons. presentation-wohit-nice-innovative-solutions-in-ehealth-11-638

When MoodGYM first came out it was very controversial. Some thought, it was unethical and harmful. However, it has opened up the door for other programs to offer mental health support. This type of online therapy is innovative, mostly because it is creating convenience. People who are seeking support for mental health issues have less of an excuse to put off getting help. MoodGYM is also innovative because it is an online program that not only treats mental health issues but, a training program. It seeks to prevent mental health issues in youths. This is one of the first programs to build games and exercises that work the brain in a way to prevent any future mental issues. They do this by changing the way the user thinks about themselves and training the brain to recognizing toxic thoughts.

Taken from the MoodGYM website. https://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome/new/splash
Taken from the MoodGYM website.
https://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome/new/splash

 

Read the New York Times Article about MoodGYM here. 

Microsoft Hololens

This tiny new Microsoft device has the power to fill the world around you with 3D holograms. The holograms are supposed to be convincing enough that the consumer would think they were real. Recently, debuted at Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, the Hololens has the power to revolutionize gaming and Virtual Reality. It is sleek and futuristic looking compared to it’s competitors like the Oculus Rift.

However, the device has one major problem, a tiny field of view. Because the field of view is so small, those who have already used the device say that the user is aware of the edges of their virtual world. This makes it impractical for use and still just a prototype. Microsoft was given this feedback and at E3 where Microsoft  executive Kudo Tsunoda said “The hardware isn’t final so none of the things are completely done. I think you’re never going to get to full peripheral field of view, but certainly the hardware we have the field of view isn’t exactly final. But I wouldn’t say it’s going to be hugely noticeably different either.”

This Week In The Lab

This was an exciting week for the Innovation Lab. In the mist of preparing for our debut at Long Island Maker Festival: we were included in a Newsday article, visited the Yale CEID, and got a demo of the new Z Space by Computer Logic.

Tuesday

newsdayThe Innovation Lab was included in Tuesday’s article of Newsday “Long Island Maker Festival: 6 Things to Check Out,” for our 3-D printer build. At the festival we will also be showcasing a green screen demo, Google Cardboard, and Ultra Sound Sonar demonstration. For everything on the Newsday list, read the article below.

http://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/family/long-island-maker-festival-3-d-printing-robots-and-more-1.10510923

 Wednesday 

The Innovation Lab visited the Yale Center for Engineering Innovation and Design on. We were excited to see the strides taken by Yale in their own cross discipline lab.  The Yale CEID is engineering focused but, calls for all different interests to get involved. They even have a sewing station, wet lab, wood shop and metal shop. They have a growing partnership with their medical personal, which sometime in the future will begin to hold classes in the CEID as other professors do.

IMG_4213Thursday 

On Thursday, the Innovation Lab was visited by Computer Logic Group, a small Long Island company that specialized in in Cloud Computing, providing business Customized IT Solutions, Data backup and Network Integration. CLG came in to show the lab a demo of their Z Space. The Z Space is a real world virtual reality system that blends the real world with the virtual, creating never-before-seen experiences, naturally integrated into life. The Z Space is being capitalized by the education system. Schools throughout Long Island are implementing the Z Space into their K-12 curriculum. The Innovation Lab employees got to dissect hearts and learn about the anatomy of lions. We’d like to thank CLG for coming in and showing us their innovative product. IMG_4225

Google Has Found Its Way Onto You’re Car Display

General Motors CEO, Mary Barra, recently announced that 14 of Chevrolet’s 2016 model vehicles will be featuring Android Auto compatibility. This announcement was made during the Code conference held in Rancho Palos Verdes, California on Wednesday May 27th. This is exciting news because this will be the largest number of vehicles from any motor vehicle company to include Android Auto.

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Android Auto projects a customized version of a compatible Android smartphone onto the car display once the phone is connected to the car via USB. All phone calls are received through Bluetooth, allowing the use of mobile apps such as Google Maps and Google Play Music, along with third-party apps such as Pandora, while behind the wheel. Android Auto can be navigated with taps and swipes or through voice command.

The inclusion of Android Auto in 14 of Chevrolet’s new vehicles is significant because it offers a safer and more effective alternative to texting while driving, or even attaching one’s phone to the windshield using a suction cup holder. Chevrolet is prepared for any mishaps or confusion with the new technology in their cars; they are creating a new, dedicated technical support staff designated to problems specifically dealing with Android Auto.

So for all those who are looking for a safer way to use their phone as a tool for travel, 2016 will bring a whole new line of automobiles that comprehensively integrate cellphones with in-car technology and display.