A Mindfulness-Based Brain-Computer Interface to Augment Mandala Coloring for Depression: Protocol for a Single-Case Experimental Design.

Claudia Daudén Roquet,Corina Sas

doi:10.2196/20819

Abstract

BackgroundThe regular practice of mindfulness has been shown to provide benefits for mental well-being and prevent depression relapse. Technology-mediated interventions can facilitate the uptake and sustained practice of mindfulness, yet the evaluation of interactive systems, such as brain-computer interfaces, has been little explored.ObjectiveThe objective of this paper is to present an interactive mindfulness-based technology to improve mental well-being in people who have experienced depression. The system, Anima, is a brain-computer interface that augments mandala coloring by providing a generative color palette based on the unfolding mindfulness states during the practice. In addition, this paper outlines a multiple-baseline, single-case experimental design methodology to evaluate training effectiveness.MethodsAdult participants who have experienced depression in the past, have finished treatment within the last year, and can provide informed consent will be able to be recruited. The Anima system, consisting of 2 tablets and a nonintrusive mental activity headband, will be delivered to participants to use during the study. Measures include state and trait mindfulness, depression symptoms, mental well-being, and user experience, and these measures will be taken throughout the baseline, intervention, and monitoring phases. The data collection will take place in the form of a questionnaire before and after each mandala-coloring session and a semistructured interview every 2 weeks. Trial results will be analyzed using structured visual analysis, supplemented with statistical analysis appropriate to single-case methodology.ResultsStudy results will offer new insights into the deployment and evaluation of novel interactive brain-computer interfaces for mindfulness training in the context of mental health. Moreover, findings will validate the effectiveness of this training protocol to improve the mental well-being of people who have had depression. Participants will be recruited locally through the National Health Service.ConclusionsEvidence will assist in the design and evaluation of brain-computer interfaces and mindfulness technologies for mental well-being and the necessary services to support people who have experienced depression.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/20819

Highlights

Recent developments in interventions for depression and the prevention of its relapse have focused on applying mindfulness-based strategies, that aim on shifting the focus of attention away from the negative content of thought to non-judgmentally observing the mind processes [44,49,84]
The approach presented in this paper differs from previous Mindfulness-based Art Therapy (MBAT) programs as in it is an individual self-care approach that uses interactive technology, that we named Anima, to decrease depressive symptoms and increase mental wellbeing in people who have suffered from depression in the past
Anima is a mindfulness-based technology that was designed and developed after an exploratory study with experts of the practice of mandala, in which we found that people used mandala as a self-care tool for their mental wellbeing

Summary

Introduction

Background Recent developments in interventions for depression and the prevention of its relapse have focused on applying mindfulness-based strategies, that aim on shifting the focus of attention away from the negative content of thought to non-judgmentally observing the mind processes [44,49,84]. The underlying mechanisms of mindfulness training have been widely investigated, and there is an agreement in the literature that mindfulness is a metacognitive attentional process that is concerned with how individuals relate to the content of their thoughts [94] This specific relational process is believed to reduce the ruminative aspects of depression by altering the way individuals view their own process of thought [66,67,88]. Objective: The objective of this paper is to present an interactive mindfulness-based technology to improve mental wellbeing in people who have suffered from depression. Conclusions: Evidence will assist in the design and evaluation of brain-computer interfaces and mindfulness technologies for mental wellbeing, and its necessary services to support people who have suffered from depression

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