Now, experts can study patients suffering from bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia by using a novel and amazing device - ‘LifeShirt.’ It is a computerized vest that if the patient is made to wear, can continuously monitor his movements.
At times, it is difficult for physicians to diagnose if an individual is exhibiting signs of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, especially when patients are highly symptomatic. So, this new gadget can be a breakthrough as an answer to such problems.
Hats off to the Psychiatric researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine for designing this amazing vest. The vest is sensitive enough to show even the differing movements patterns of patients with the two disorders.
This VivoMetrics device can help monitor hyperactive and repetitive movements, and can also collect data on respiration, heart rate and other physiological measures!
Leading a five-year study of bipolar disorder, Perry, Ph.D., UC San Diego professor of psychiatry, said
In our first report from the study, we find that patients in the two groups show different patterns of exploration in new environments.
The study is funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health William.
Once the prototype proved successful, physicians can easily monitor behavioral patterns of their high symptomatic patients.
