HABITAWARE, INC. — Department of Health and Human Services SBIR Phase I: 102

Description

Abstract SignificanceTrichotillomaniaTTMcharacterized by repeated pulling of one s hair to the point of hair loss or thinningproduces impairment in physicalsocialpsychological and occupational functioningEmpirically supported treatment options for those with TTM are seriously limitedAmong treatments shown to be effective is behavior therapyUnfortunatelybehavior therapy is limited in that developing real time awareness of pulling remains challengingthere is a lack of widespread availabilityand it typically has high costHypothesisIt is hypothesized that a novel wrist worn device and app system can be used to deliver Habit Reversal Therapya key component of behavior therapyfor trichotillomaniaThe deviceusing sophisticated motion sensors and algorithmscan be trained to detect an individual s pulling behavior and thus augment awareness in real timeFurtherit can detect a competing response and build motivation via a user friendlyfeature rich mobile applicationPreliminary DataThe investigative team s device can record and detect a motion and orientationrepresentative of hair pulling behaviorreliablyper machine testingAdditionallyin one individuala behavior of playing with eyebrows was reliably detected in andgtof cases with an acceptable rateof false positives for similar behaviorsSpecific AimThe ability of the device to accurately detect TTM related behavior will be established and validatedThe team willcatalog and record the range of motions that go into TTM related pullingandrefine and test the capacity of the device to accurately detect the motions in both simulated and human tests Specific AimDevelop the HabitAware device and accompanying app as a stand alone system for delivering self administered HRTutilizing an iterative process informed by expert end user clinicians and persons with TTMSpecific AimThe team will conduct an initial feasibilityusability and acceptability test of the HabitAware device to determine next steps and progress to a Phase II proposalLong Term GoalWe aim to develop a user friendlywidely accessible and affordable system that helps treat trichotillomania via a device that provides real time awareness of pulling behavior and a mobile app that incorporates elements of existing behavior therapy protocols Narrative Trichotillomania severely impairs socialphysical and mental well beingbut is often undertreated due to limited treatment optionsavailability accessibility of these optionsand variable outcomesOne treatment shown to be effective is behavior therapyyet a key challenge remains developing an individual s awareness of pullingWe seek to adapt and optimize HabitAware s sophisticated motion recognition technology and mobile application to become a stand alone treatment for trichotillomania by teaching the user to self implement Habit Reversal Traininga key element of behavior therapy