Wristwatch device can help direct PTSD patients through treatments

San Francisco: The sights, sounds, and smells of daily life can act as triggers for PTSD patients, causing them to recall the precise traumatic scene they are trying to forget. To combat PTSD, researchers are testing a device called "Bio Ware," which is intended to boost the effects of prolonged exposure therapy.

Medical device manufacturer Zeriscope and researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina in the US tested the gadget and explored the possibility of deploying the bio-ware with service members at a US medical facility.

With live physiological data, researchers at MUSC show significant enhancements during in vivo exposure (directly facing a feared object, situation or activity in real life) treatments for patients with PTSD, the findings revealed.

"What I find so exciting about this new Bio Ware device is that when used alongside evidence-based, exposure treatment methods for PTSD, we've seen significantly better results for our patients," said Sudie Back, PhD, Professor at MUSC Health and principal investigator of the study.

Back and her team saw significant decreases in both PTSD symptoms and depression symptoms among their patients who used the new technology.

As a wearable device, the BioWare system includes a discreet button-shaped camera attached to the patient's clothing, a watch-sized tool around their wrist and Bluetooth headphones in their ear so their therapists can be virtual with them in the experience or situation that causes them stress.

"This is the first time, to my knowledge, that we've been able to virtually go with patients during their in vivo exposures and have instant access to their physiological data at the moment to really help them get the most out of those exercises, which I believe will translate into them seeing significant reductions in their PTSD symptoms," said Back.

With inputs from IANS