Brain in Hand – how does it help keep the day on track?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How does the use of the Brain in Hand app add to usual treatment for people with ASDs?
IRAS ID
147850
Contact name
Sarah Helps
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Brain in Hand
Research summary
BiH is an assistive technology support system enabling users to monitor and manage the tasks of daily living in a more confident and independent way. Using smartphone technology and a secure website, users can log in, manage their timetable of activities, identify potential problems and generate solutions to keep their learning on track. Initially users are helped to develop a list of situations that they find challenging. Through conversation with their supporters, they are helped to generate a list of strategies that they can use in stressful situations. These are then programmed into the BiH app, which is accessible via a smartphone. In situations of stress and anxiety users can they easily access a list of coping resources. If they find themselves unable to use the strategies without assistance, users can contact a mentor by pressing a single button the app, who will call them and help them chose a coping strategy that fits with the situation. In addition to this, the app can prompt users to regularly monitor their levels of stress, so that users can develop an awareness of what makes them feel more and less stressed / anxious over time. The aim of this smallscale research project is to evaluate the benefits of using the BiH system for a group of patients known to the Tavistock clinic, as an adjunct to usual treatment.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/0852
Date of REC Opinion
25 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion