​The Technology and Aging Lab at McLean Hospital
Our lab is a center of global expertise in the area of digital geriatric mental health.

Active Projects

Digital Diagnostics and Phenotyping

AI-Based Digital Phenotyping of Behavioral Symptoms in Dementia
This project examines the feasibility, tolerability, safety, and reliability of the Emerald device for use by those diagnosed with major neurocognitive disorder and their caregivers.
​To learn more about the Emerald device, click here.
Electronic Media and Its Application in Psychotherapy (EMAP)
​This study explores the feasibility and effectiveness of including electronic communication as part of standard clinical care.
​To review early findings, click here.
Sensor-Guided Psychopharmacology in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADAPT)
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​This project examines use of a publicly available wearable device as a way to monitor mood and actigraphy changes those diagnosed with major neurocognitive disorder after undergoing medication changes/adjustments. 
​To learn more about this study, click here.

Digital Therapeutics​

Virtual Reality Therapy in Older Adults
Our team is working closely with clinicians in the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry at McLean to develop protocols for implementing virtual reality based interventions for older adults. Click here to read our proof of concept for VR as a targeted and personalized approach to late-life psychotherapy.
Mindfulness-Based Art Psychotherapy Group for Older Adults Using Digital Tools
We have conducted preliminary feasibility and qualitative effectiveness research on a digital phototherapy-based mindfulness group for older adults experiencing anxiety and depression in the SAGE program within the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry at McLean.
Robotics
Our lab is currently conducting work around the impact of assistive and other robotic technology.

Clinical Implementation

Technology and Aging Initiative
The goal of the Technology and Aging Initiative is to serve as an early adopter of technologies for clinical care and study their feasibility, with the aim of expanding their use at McLean in collaboration with the Institute for Technology in Psychiatry (ITP). 

Recent Publications

Two Years of COVID-19: Understanding Impact and Implications for the Mental Health of Older Adults
​Our most recent publication surrounding the impact of COVID-19 on the older adult population headed by Tech Lab coordinator Hailey Cray MPH, 2022.

​Contactless In-Home Monitoring of the Long-Term Respiratory and Behavioral Phenotypes in Older Adults With COVID-19: A Case Series
​Read about the some of the work we have accomplished with our collaborators at Emerald Innovations.

Older Adults and the Mental Health Effect of COVID-19
Listen to Dr. Vahia's interview with the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
The corresponding article.

Sensing Technology to Monitor Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms and to Assess Treatment Response in People with Dementia, A Systematic Review
This publication was a product of a collaboration between our lab and colleagues at the University of Bergen in Norway.
Virtual Reality and Mental Health in Older Adults: A Systematic Review
This publication highlights VR as a promising intervention in the care of older adults.
​Click here to read it. 

Late-Life Depression: A Role for Accelerometer Technology in Diagnosis and Management
Read our clinical case conference in The American Journal of Psychiatry here.
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​Technology in Psychiatry Summit, 2022 

Improving Care Through Research

​As a freestanding psychiatric hospital and the largest psychiatric affiliate of Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital provides a unique environment for optimizing treatments and providing support for a wide range of patient-centered research initiatives. The Institute for Technology in Psychiatry (ITP) brings together the leading minds in technology, science, and clinical care with a shared vision of using technology to improve mental health.
The goal of the McLean Institute for Technology in Psychiatry is to support mental health in the digital age. The Technology in Psychiatry Summit (TIPS) is targeted at an inclusive group of academics, data scientists, clinicians, technology developers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, patient advocates, and health professionals who are interested in shaping the future of mental health care. It is the ITP’s mission to incorporate these technologies into research and clinical care to address the most pressing problems in mental health. 

The 2022 Summit will be held virtually from October 26 - October 28, 2022.
For more information and to register for the conference, check out the TIPS website.
Content from past summits (2017-2021) can be found on the McLean Institute for Technology in Psychiatry's YouTube channel.


​Check out the Tech Lab in action!

 Explore and check out our social media and presentations pages to see more presentations and pictures!
Click here to learn more about AAGP.
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