StressWatch: Real-time Detection, Intervention and Control of Stress Using Smart Watch
Project Lead Organisation:
University of Technology Sydney
Collaborating Organisation:
University of New South Wales
Western Sydney University
University of Sydney
DIN Funding:
$170,000
Project objective:
Existing wearables are currently unable to provide accurate and real time measures or control complex physiological manifestations such as stress. This project aims to develop a real time stress-detecting algorithm (StressWatch) that could be incorporated into smartwatch and would monitor biometric data and alert and control stress in wearers.
Problem:
The ADF currently faces challenges with recruiting and retaining personnel across the Army, Air Force and Navy, resulting in the ADF being understrength. A core issue underpinning these challenges are the perceived, and actual, hardships Defence personnel must face. An estimated 46% of transitioned ADF members within the past five years met 12-month diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder. One of the direct causes of mental illness/injury from ADF service is prolonged exposure to stress, which not only damages brain cells but could lead to irreversible chronic stress.
Outcome:
This project aims to research, validate and deliver a prototype, with high prediction, for a smart non-invasive wearable device for the ADF. Within a 10-12 month timeframe, the project aims to deliver a world-first, user-friendly device that monitors and responds to physiological and behavioural biometric data to alert ADF personnel and training/support staff about ongoing stress levels when prolonged symptoms of stress occur.
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