Washington State University researchers have developed a new intervention that uses wearable technology and personalized music playlists to help people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) manage stress, according to a Washington State University announcement. It is said to be under consideration.
The project, funded by the National Institutes of Health’s Health Initiative, aims to reduce relapse rates by detecting stress through a wristband and playing soothing music to suppress appetite.
The research team, which includes scientists from Arizona State University and the University of Southern California, is building on previous research showing that wristbands can accurately detect physiological signs of stress.
In this study, volunteers with AUD wear wristbands that measure their heart rate and sweat rate for 14 days.
When participants feel stressed, they press a button to record their time, allowing researchers to check the wristband’s accuracy.
In the next phase, participants create a personalized playlist on a streaming service that automatically plays music when their stress level increases.
The research team hopes to use music to disrupt the stress response and prevent recurrence.
Researchers will also analyze data from streaming services to determine which songs are most effective at reducing stress.
Lead researcher Michael Cleveland emphasized that this music-based approach is not meant to replace traditional therapy, but to complement it.
If successful, this program could provide a low-cost, widely accessible tool to help manage stress.
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