Population Health
April 26, 2017
Treating mental health with mobile apps
Smartphones and tablets are often used to look up symptoms, but could this technology also be used for treatment? Dr. Pat Areán, a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, believes so, and is currently researching the use of mobile apps to improve mood, cognition and social functioning for individuals with attention deficit disorder.
The apps, which closely resemble video games, helps individuals to better ignore distracting information. By strengthening this ability, the brain is hopefully able to then improve at other tasks, such as being able to focus in class or on homework.