Research Article
Let Me Relax: Toward Automated Sedentary State Recognition and Ubiquitous Mental Wellness Solutions
@INPROCEEDINGS{10.4108/eai.14-10-2015.2261900, author={Vijay Rajanna and Folami Alamudun and Daniel Goldberg and Tracy Hammond}, title={Let Me Relax: Toward Automated Sedentary State Recognition and Ubiquitous Mental Wellness Solutions}, proceedings={5th EAI International Conference on Wireless Mobile Communication and Healthcare - "Transforming healthcare through innovations in mobile and wireless technologies"}, publisher={ACM}, proceedings_a={MOBIHEALTH}, year={2015}, month={12}, keywords={personal health assistant sedentary state recognition intervention techniques relaxation stress anxiety cognitive reappraisal mental wellness ubiquitous computing}, doi={10.4108/eai.14-10-2015.2261900} }- Vijay Rajanna
Folami Alamudun
Daniel Goldberg
Tracy Hammond
Year: 2015
Let Me Relax: Toward Automated Sedentary State Recognition and Ubiquitous Mental Wellness Solutions
MOBIHEALTH
ICST
DOI: 10.4108/eai.14-10-2015.2261900
Abstract
Advances in ubiquitous computing technology improve workplace productivity, reduce physical exertion, but ultimately result in a sedentary work style. Sedentary behavior is associated with an increased risk of stress, obesity, and other health complications. Let Me Relax is a fully automated sedentary-state recognition framework using a smartwatch and smartphone, which encourages mental wellness through interventions in the form of simple relaxation techniques. The system was evaluated through a comparative user study of 22 participants split into a test and a control group. An analysis of NASA Task Load Index pre- and post- study survey revealed that test subjects who followed relaxation methods, showed a trend of both increased activity as well as reduced mental stress. Reduced mental stress was found even in those test subjects that had increased inactivity. These results suggest that repeated interventions, driven by an intelligent activity recognition system, is an effective strategy for promoting healthy habits, which reduce stress, anxiety, and other health risks associated with sedentary workplaces.
