HIMSSCast HIMSSCast: Cutting-edge digital health tech enhances brain health
Feb 14, 2025
Casey Bennett, an assistant professor at DePaul University, focuses on digital health technologies for brain health. He dives into using smartphones to track psychomotor disturbances, uncovering early signs of cognitive issues like Alzheimer's. Bennett discusses innovative robotic companions that provide emotional support while aiding in cognitive decline detection. He also highlights how wearables and virtual reality assist individuals with autism during transitions. Lastly, he shares insights on the future of IoT in brain health, emphasizing interconnected devices and AI's role in healthcare.
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Smartphones as Health Indicators
- Smartphones, packed with sensors, reveal psychomotor disturbances related to brain health.
- These subtle movement patterns, detectable during typing, can predict cognitive changes before clinical tests.
Robots for Brain Health
- Robotic pets and conversational robots offer companionship and monitor daily activity for brain health insights.
- Conversational robots analyze speech changes, an early sign of dementia, to support caregivers and individuals.
VR and Wearables for Autism
- VR environments of college campuses, combined with wearables tracking anxiety, help autistic young adults transition to college life.
- Eye-tracking in VR identifies anxiety triggers, enabling targeted interventions and desensitization.