The frequency and speed of a person's typing on their phone can reveal a lot about their brain health. Scientists from the University of Illinois at Chicago came to this conclusion. The study was published in the Journal of Psychological and Clinical Science (JPCS).
Researchers have found that analyzing "passive" data from smartphones, such as the time between keystrokes, can help identify cognitive impairments common to depression and bipolar disorder.
The study involved 127 people between the ages of 25 and 50, both healthy volunteers and patients with various mood disorders. Over the course of a month, they used the BiAffect app, which recorded their typing speed, typing frequency and phone movement.
All participants also completed standard neuropsychological tests, including tasks assessing attention, memory, and mental flexibility.
In healthy individuals, slow typing was found to be associated with lower cognitive performance, while faster and more frequent typing was associated with better outcomes. However, the relationship between input and test scores was weaker in individuals with depression and bipolar disorder.
“Input speed reliably reflects information processing speed and executive function. And the more severe the symptoms of depression, the clearer this connection becomes," said the leader of the study, director of the Center for Depression and Resilience at the University of Illinois, Professor Olu Ajilore.
According to scientists, smartphone data can become a useful tool for monitoring cognitive function in real time. By monitoring changes in typing speed and rhythm, doctors will be able to quickly detect signs of deterioration and adjust treatment.
Translation:Euromedia24.com-in:
