Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2012 Mar;8(1):5-9.
doi: 10.1007/s13181-011-0200-4.

Preliminary efforts directed toward the detection of craving of illicit substances: the iHeal project

Affiliations

Preliminary efforts directed toward the detection of craving of illicit substances: the iHeal project

Edward W Boyer et al. J Med Toxicol. 2012 Mar.

Abstract

Many behavioral interventions, whether for the management of chronic pain, overeating, medication adherence, or substance abuse, are ineffective outside of the clinic or office environments in which they are taught. This lack of utility has spawned interest in enabling technologies that are capable of detecting changes in affective state that potentially herald a transition to risky behaviors. We have therefore undertaken the preliminary development of "iHeal", an innovative constellation of technologies that incorporates artificial intelligence, continuous biophysical monitoring, wireless connectivity, and smartphone computation. In its fully realized form, iHeal can detect developing drug cravings; as a multimedia device, it can also intervene as the cravings develop to prevent drug use. This manuscript describes preliminary data related to the iHeal Project and our experience with its use.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
iHeal system architecture
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
iHeal state diagram demonstrating the number of ways that users can interact with the enabling technology

References

    1. Boyer EW, Smelson D, Fletcher R, Ziedonis D, Picard R. Wireless technologies, ubiquitous computing, and mobile health: application to drug abuse treatment and compliance with HIV therapies. J Med Toxicol. 2011;6:212–216. doi: 10.1007/s13181-010-0080-z. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Boucsein W, Schaefer F, Sommer T. Electrodermal long-term monitoring in everyday life. In: Fahrenberg JMM, editor. Progressin ambulatory assessment. Gottingen: Hogrefe; 2001. pp. 549–600.
    1. Cross N, Naughton J, Walker D. Design method and scientific method. Des Issues. 1981;2:195–201.
    1. Cross N. Designerly ways of knowing: design discipline versus design science. Des Issues. 2001;17:49–55. doi: 10.1162/074793601750357196. - DOI
    1. Heather N, Stallard A, Tebburr J. Importance of substance cues among heroin users: comparison of two methods of investigation. Addictive Behavior. 1991;16:41–49. doi: 10.1016/0306-4603(91)90038-J. - DOI - PubMed

Publication types