CogTech: A workshop on low-cost, non-invasive technologies for decision-making, cognitive wellness, and mental health

Abstract

A number of low-cost, non-invasive interventions from Western and Indian sciences exist that could enable enhanced decision-making, and help attain cognitive wellness, and mental health among people. First, neuromodulation techniques like transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may allow both healthy and depressed people to improve their decision-making, cognitive wellness, and mental health. Second, neuro- and bio - feedback about electroencephalography (EEG) and heart rate variability (HRV) via low-cost devices may enable people to improve their decision-making, cognitive wellness, and mental health. Third, low-cost social robots provide an opportunity to assess and guide people on the level of their stress, anxiety, and depression. Furthemore, interventions from the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) like meditation, chanting of mantra, and other Indian performing arts (e.g., dance and music) may also allow people to improve their decision-making, and help attain cognitive wellness, and mental health. However, currently the research in this area has been scanty.

The likely benefits from the Western and Indian science low-cost, non-invasive interventions as mentioned above are as follows:

1. People can self-administer these interventions in their homes.
2. These interventions can address mental health problems and cognitive wellness requirements of both affected and healthy populations in an easy-to-use manner.
3. These interventions would reduce cost compared to existing methods that may require repeated trips to doctors and hospitals.

This workshop invites contributions in the above areas to foster the nurture of knowledge and understanding with the progressive acceptance of the methods to bring in accessibility of medical care at a low cost and with the use of non-invasive processes aided by HCI-based technology.

Goals

This workshop aims to attract an interdisciplinary group of researchers, practitioners, and academicians from the fields of Computer Science, Industrial Design and Cognitive and Medical Sciences. The research topics would be related to western and Indian science low-cost, non-invasive interventions focusing on novel technologies that aim to improve decision-making, cognitive wellness, and mental health. The researchers, practitioners, and academicians are expected to present their research work in the above areas, and would receive feedback from their peers. As part of the larger theme of the PETRA conference, the participants would also have the opportunity to interact with the leading scientists engaged with other Western and Indian science low-cost, non-invasive, assistive based interventions leading to a vibrant exchange of valuable ideas that could advance the state-of-the-art transformative technologies relevant to the field of medical treatment and mental health.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to

• Neuromodulation techniques for cognitive wellness and decision-making
• Neuro- and Bio - feedback for cognitive wellness and mental health improvement
• Social robotics for assessment and guidance about mental health
• Brain-to-text communication for physically challenged population
• Biosignals and associated low-cost devices for mental health applications
• Brain-computer interface applications for targeted population suffering from mental and physical challenges
• Indian knowledge system interventions for mental health
• Cognitive technologies for enhancing complex decision-making
• Immersive technology interventions for mental health and education
• Fusion of western and Indian science methods for cognitive wellness

Workshop Organizers