Derks investigated how alexithymia plays a role in people with borderline personality problems (BPD). People with alexithymia have trouble recognizing and naming their emotions. In BPD, a person has trouble channeling their emotions. Emotions are often not noticed until they are very strong and overwhelm the person. Derks’ research shows that there is a clear relationship between alexithymia and BPD. Together with other researchers from the University of Twente, Derks developed the biosensor app ‘Sense-IT’ as a new form of treatment for alexithymia.
Changes in emotional tension
The Sense-IT app works on a smartwatch, registers the heart rate and combines this with the amount of movement. The app gives a signal when the voltage rises. If you don’t move or move little, while your heart rate is rising, that can be a sign of increasing emotion. You can then see in real-time what your physical tension level is by the amount of glowing balls on the smartwatch. The purpose of the app is that people learn to recognize changes in their emotional tension sooner, so that they can respond more quickly and, if possible, prevent unpleasant consequences.
Integrate into existing treatment
In such situations, users can note information about the circumstances at the time of the signal, and what they notice for themselves. If necessary, they can easily share the measurements and notes with their practitioner, so that they can integrate them into the existing treatment. Sense-IT is currently not allowed to be used freely in existing treatments, but it is one of the first and few apps that is ready to be used in clinical effectiveness studies. Wider dissemination and implementation is therefore expected in the near future.
Innovative treatment methods
People with BPD experience a high burden of disease, which means that they are often unable to participate fully in society. Derks therefore believes it is important to look for truly innovative treatment options. A mission that fits GGNet: “The research fits our need to really develop new options for patients and thereby improve their self-management and well-being,” says Derks.
Research Line
The investigation into the use of Sense-IT continues. The line of research has not only landed within GGNet and the University of Twente, but also beyond. Research is now being conducted in various other institutions (Pluryn, Arkin, Levvel, Inforsa), also in collaboration with Amsterdam UMC. Various other studies are underway into the further development and clinical application of Sense-IT. Later this year, two new PhD trajectories will be started within GGNet on this subject at De Boog (forensic psychiatry) and Scelta (personality problems).
By: National Education Guide
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