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The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Researchers in U.K., Chennai, explore use of AI and social robots for early dementia detection and support
Dementia, a condition that affects millions worldwide, has become a challenge of significant concern as the global population ages. Traditionally, care for dementia has relied heavily on medication, therapy, and the support of family and caregivers. However, now, the approach to dementia care is beginning to evolve in unexpected ways. Researchers are exploring how technology, particularly robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI), can play a deeper role in supporting human care. Though still in its early stages, a notable example is the collaboration between Imperial College London and the Chennai-based Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), where a team is investigating how social robots could aid those living with dementia. The aim of this research is not only to provide companionship, but also to detect early signs of cognitive decline. Use of social robots The research seeks to use voice recognition and 'social robots' to detect early signs of cognitive decline. Social robots are those that interact and communicate with humans by following social behaviors and rules. According to Ravi Vaidyanathan, professor in biomecharonics at Imperial College London, who leads the research, the idea is to engage people with dementia and use these interactions to monitor their cognitive health. 'We are looking at how we can use voice interactions to diagnose dementia. By collecting data over time, the AI can help doctors spot early warning signs,' Prof Vaidyanathan explained. He believes the technology has the potential to identify changes in speech, like hesitation, difficulty finding words, or changes in inflection, that could signal the early stages of dementia. 'If we can get people to engage with the robot and enjoy the interaction, we create a richer dataset that may lead to more accurate diagnostics,' he added. The pilot studies conducted so far are said to have shown encouraging results. In one particular study at SCARF, a social robot was used to engage participants diagnosed with dementia. The robot initiated conversations with people about their daily lives, asking simple questions such as, 'How did you sleep last night?' and 'How are you feeling today?' Sridhar Vaitheshwaran, consultant psychiatrist and head of DEMCARES at SCARF, pointed out the positive outcomes, saying, 'People with dementia were genuinely interested in the robot and engaged in meaningful conversations. It was clear that they were interacting with it not as a machine, but as a companion.' This finding highlighted the potential for robots to alleviate feelings of isolation that many people with dementia experience. Data for early detection Prof. Vaidyanathan noted that the key goal of the research isn't just about keeping patients engaged but also about collecting meaningful data. 'We're gathering data in real-time, so it's not just about engaging people. It's about how we can make sure this interaction can lead to something useful. If we can detect early signs of dementia based on these conversations, we can better equip physicians with tools for early diagnosis,' he stated. He also stressed the significance of regular check-ins. 'By having conversations with people every day, we can observe fluctuations in their speech over time, which could be early indicators of cognitive decline.' Challenges in scaling up, data privacy One of the biggest challenges in scaling this research, however, lies in the cross-cultural differences in language, speech patterns, and patient engagement. By testing the technology in different cultural contexts, the team aims to make the AI more adaptable to various accents, linguistic nuances, and communication styles. While the potential for social robots in dementia care is exciting, the project also faces the critical issue of data privacy. In the context of AI, voice recordings and other personal data can raise significant concerns. Prof. Vaitheshwaran said of the importance of ethical research practices, 'I think any research, any data that we gather from people needs to be protected and it has to be ethical, and we need to be careful about what we do with the data,' adding that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed comprehensive guidelines for the use of patient data. 'All of our studies undergo thorough review by our Ethics Committee to ensure that the data is handled ethically and securely,' he said. The use of voice data, especially in healthcare settings, poses unique privacy challenges. According to the team, the data gathered is handled privately. Close oversight of both the research team and participants is maintained to ensure a degree of control. 'But when it comes to broader implementation, managing these aspects becomes much more complex — and that's something the research community hasn't fully resolved yet,' said Prof Vaidyanathan. He pointed out that as the research evolves, maintaining privacy during the broader deployment of the technology will be an ongoing concern. Early intervention and reducing physician load Looking ahead, Prof. Vaidyanathan said that the next step is to refine the technology for early dementia detection through AI-powered voice screening, which could alert physicians when further evaluation is needed. Ultimately, they aim to support clinicians and people with dementia through technology that is both effective and user-friendly. 'We want to move beyond just helping those already diagnosed with dementia. We aim to identify people at risk before they show any obvious symptoms.' He believes that if dementia is detected in its early stages, it could make a significant difference to managing the disease and improving patients' quality of life. The team also wants to explore combining voice data with other diagnostic methods, like urinary tract information or even genetic markers. 'Voice interactions are one piece of the puzzle, but when combined with other diagnostic tools, we could create a more holistic approach,' Prof. Vaidyanathan said.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
When work means wellness
Hospitals and not-for-profits have begun holding job fairs and employment programmes to help those with mental illness move from isolation to independence. CHENNAI: For nine out of 10 people, a job is about a salary. But for one of them, it could be about recovery. As per the National Mental Health Survey 2015-2016, one in ten people in India suffers from mental disorders. What makes matters worse is that most of them find it difficult to get employment, which is a crucial step in their path to wellbeing. 'Mental illness can leave a person feeling worthless, physically, emotionally and financially, even within their own family. Just as physiotherapy helps surgical patients regain strength, employment can help with psychiatric rehabilitation,' says psychiatrist Dr C Ramasubramanian. Which is why a few psychiatrists, hospitals and not-for-profits have begun running job fairs and employment programmes to help those with mental illness move from isolation to independence. Among the most prominent is a free employment exchange run by city-based Schizophrenia Research Foundation (Scarf) in partnership with Chennai Psychiatric Society. More than 200 people and 20 employers gathered at their job fair on Saturday, open exclusively to all with mild to severe mental illness. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo It was a response so overwhelming that Scarf has planned another on Dec 3, World Disability Day. 'Scarf also trains candidates in resume writing, interview skills and basic technical competencies before the fair,' says Dr R Mangala, psychiatrist and programme coordinator. 'But I've found that training candidates is not as much of a challenge as it is to change employer attitudes.' At the fair, she says, doctors are always asked: Will they turn violent in the workplace? Will they take leave frequently? Can they handle only basic tasks?' Her answer: 'No, no, and no. And we're happy to keep repeating it if it means at least one more employer is willing to listen.' Once convinced, some employers become steady supporters, says Dr Mangala. The Indian Oil petrol station outside the Scarf office in Anna Nagar now regularly hires people recovering from mental illness. 'We've never had a complaint from him or the employees,' she says. Research shows returning to work restores self-esteem, says Dr Aarti Jagannathan, consultant in psychiatric rehabilitation at Nimhans which runs a similar programme. 'We conducted a govt-supported study after the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 came into effect to assess whether people with severe mental health issues such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder could be employed and, more importantly, sustain those jobs.' More than half of those who came in for vocational rehabilitation were placed, she says. Follow-ups show most clients have stayed in their jobs for at least a year, supported by regular OPD visits and check-in calls to manage medication and workplace issues. Nimhans is now working with the Karnataka govt to identify job/ post identifications for people with mental illness under the 4% disability quota. Scarf and Nimhans use assessment tools to classify candidates as job-ready, trainable with support, or needing further engagement, based on which they also offer rehab plans, job matching and counselling. 'People with mental illness value employment,' says Dr Aarti. 'We haven't formally tracked attrition, but our experience shows they tend to stay longer because they know how hard-won the opportunity is.' Some return to jobs they held before the illness. Others, whose illness may have led to cognitive decline, are guided toward lower-stress, lower-pressure jobs. 'Night shifts are discouraged, as disrupted sleep can trigger relapse,' says Dr Mangala. 'Most people with mental illness don't struggle with tasks or technology, they freeze in social situations,' says D Srinivasan, district manager at Magic Bus, which trains young adults to be job-ready. Magic Bus runs a 45-day programme for youth aged 18-25 from low-income backgrounds. 'We use activity-based learning to help them open up,' says Srinivasan. 'When asked to describe themselves as an animal or object, for instance, we found many say 'ant' indicating they feel insignificant, or 'paper' (discarded), words that help us begin conversations about self-worth.' Ajan Kumar, among those trained at Magic Bus, says he spent years battling depression, making it difficult for him to hold down a job. 'My last job was at a bank, which I had to leave in 2024,' says the 35-year-old who was also diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder a year ago. 'It is hard for me to talk to people.' Trainees learn basic workplace skills like introducing themselves on their first day at work. A buddy system pairs them with empathetic peers, and HR managers meet candidates in advance to ease stigma. In two years, 54 youth with mental illness have been trained, and 34 placed in retail and IT roles, says Srinivasan. Scarf has placed 162 people in jobs over the past three years, while Dr Ramasubramanian's M S Chellamuthu Trust and Research Foundation (MSCTRF) has been running a placement programme in Madurai for a decade and matched more than 200 people with employment and self-employment. 'Many patients from rural backgrounds are given agro-based rehabilitation,' says Janarthana Babu, MSCTRF coordinator. 'We have tied up with a state university so they can earn diplomas, get loans, buy livestock, and make a living selling milk.' Rural Tamil Nadu seems to be more inclusive, say psychiatrists. People with mental illnesses find work in agriculture, under govt schemes like MGNREGA, or in neighbourhood shops. 'The community knows them, they're given light tasks, and there's no formal hiring process. It works,' says Dr Mangala. In cities, it's harder. There's more commuting, late hours, which for those on medication can lead to relapse. 'What they need is a bit of flexibility, something most companies can't offer,' she adds. Many also choose not to disclose their illness. 'They're doing well, holding jobs, even winning awards, but won't reveal their condition to employers,' says Dr Mangala. One client won a 'best teacher' award; another runs a YouTube channel. Both declined public recognition from Scarf. 'The stigma, especially among educated professionals, is still huge.' Ajan says that's why he chooses to speak up. 'I want more people to talk freely about what they're going through. Why should we have to hide? We exist and we want to work.' Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Heat and medication: A bitter pill
Maria Aruna notes this summer has been extremely cruel to her 87-year-old father, disrupting his routine. His typical day involves being picked up from his home in Mylapore around 9 a.m. in a van, which makes multiple stops to board other seniors en route to Dignity Foundation's Dementia Day Care Centre in Anna Nagar. The summer heat is adding to the discomfort of a long commute and taking a toll on this octogenarian with dementia. 'Dad had loose stools, so I did not send him to the day care centre for a week; I fear the heat and the travel would drain him further,' says the school teacher, who also had a tele-consultation with the doctor. High temperature can impact seniors (or anybody else) in another critical manner. Doctors point out high temperature and humidity can affect the efficacy of medicines. Venkatraman Karthikeayan, senior consultant neurologist with Kauvery Group of Hospitals, feels that those with multiple sclerosis are the most affected by summer heat. 'When I was running my clinic in Liverpool, the Brits would leave for Scandinavian countries during summer. They could not tolerate the heat. There would be 'reproduction' of all their symptoms. It is not a relapse but we term it as pseudo-relapse because of the heat around. The affected neurons will not be able to compensate when the heat is high. This is particularly a problem for those diagonised with multiple sclerosis living in cities where humidity is high,' says Dr. Karthikeayan. As heat-related fatigue can be hard on seniors, particularly those with such ailments, Dr. Karthikeayan has a word of advice for them: he asks them to 'reserve their energy for the most important and productive work'. For example, watching television does not equate with resting. 'People think brain becomes tired only while working but brain becomes super tired more with cognitive work than physical work. So I would ask them to cut down on such activities and take a quick nap,' he says. Medicines and dehydration Sridhar Vaitheswaran, consultant psychiatrist, Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), says some medication can amplify the risk related to heat and summer — dehydration. 'While some medicines can make our body deal with dehydration, there are some others that can exacerbate the condition. There are a few medicines that can increase sweating as well. Some of the medicines used for high blood pressure and heart disease would also make the body lose water. It is important that the patient and the caregiver are aware of these problems and the medicines that can cause them; the physician needs to explain these things to them,' says Dr. Vaitheswaran. 'The dosage of some of the medicines might have to be changed depending on the timing of the dose and how it causes those problems. Some medicines such as Lithium, which we prescribe for bi-polar disorder, can sometimes act up so we have to be careful,' says Dr. Vaitheswaran. Doctors says it is important to follow the instructions mentioned on the back of the tablet box or strip while storing medicines. Drugs should not be exposed to direct sunlight or left in cars for hours together anytime — more so, during summer. 'Certain tablets when kept under direct sunlight will lose its efficacy,' adds Dr. Vaitheswaran. Changes in appearance, smell or texture could mean the medication has been damaged.
