More than 4 out of 10 Italians complained of a worsening of anxious and depressive symptoms during the last year in the emergency period and in particular in the lockdown: to tell us this are the data that emerge from a research published in the magazine Journal of Affective Disorders.
However, the digital therapies would open new horizons in the so-called “digital health” by providing, through smartphone apps and computer software, clinically validated and useful tools for integrate technology with traditional therapies.
And it is precisely for this reason that the Italian startup Convforth wanted to give life to Noa Psychological Virtual Coach: a certified medical device as well as the first conversational system of artificial intelligence – being validated for medical certification – able to provide psychological support to anyone in more ways than one quick and easy, within reach of the app, but above all always available.
With the experience and the union of three different personalities who merge the knowledge of scientific research in the field of neuroscience, conversational artificial intelligence and psychology, the project Noa born from Martina Caccia, Rebecca Ascension Barbanti e Francesco Sanavio supported by a team of conversation designer which will contribute to development: “Noa is the result of our long research to fight depression, the most widespread disease of modern society, a silent disease that is very often not recognized by those affected by it that affects mainly young people, the most exposed to change in states of pathological alteration and the most reluctant to rely on professional help for shame or misinformation “he explains Martina Ciaccia, CEO by Convforth.
The project will provide a path calibrated to the patient’s needs and is designed to report any mood changes, loss of confidence and, without replacing the consultation of a specialist, also of propose a support path integrative and at the same time of collect useful information for the psychotherapist
“There are many possible applications of artificial intelligence to support mental health. In this first phase we have chosen to limit its role to the understanding of natural language, that is to the trace a specific request for help to the reference need. As interactions increase, artificial intelligence will be able to analyze the collected data – always anonymously – in order to optimize decision-making algorithms” explains Rebecca Ascension Barbanti, COO of society.
Available in version freemium in which the first three sessions will be free and the others will be provided at € 4.99 each, the app can be downloaded by anyone who feels the need to receive support. However, during the first interaction with the virtual assistant, the suitability of the path with respect to the specific needs of the user will be assessed: on the contrary, Noa will recommend that you consult a specialist.
«Many patients with mild or“ below-threshold ”depression can benefit from low intensity therapies that are practically absent in the Italian panorama. With Noa we also want to offer a free evaluation that can intercept the many people who do not come to clinical attention, “he says Francesco Sanavio, psychotherapist psychologist e Scientific director of the startup, and continues «Noa welcomes the user with a assessment, that is to say a thorough evaluation of the problem. Then it sequentially integrates behavioral and cognitive interventions recommended as the most effective according to scientific research and adapted to the patient. It is a path in 16 practical sessions, with many exercises, in which the patient learns to become his own therapist ».
Waiting for the official release to take place next autumn, in the gallery you can learn about some advantages offered by artificial intelligence in the field of psychological support!
Other stories of Vanity Fair that may interest you:
7 psychological strategies to straighten a “bad” day
Proven for you: Relief, the psychological first aid service
8 strategies for relieving work-related stress
.
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
