Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a chronic condition, characterized by emotional, physical, motivational and cognitive symptoms. In terms of cognitive abilities, inhibitory control, the executive function process which allows us to maintain goal-directed behavior while ignoring distractions, is considered a key, and even causal factor, in depression. Despite its significance for depression, we still lack the knowledge about the variation in inhibitory control in daily life, and the link between inhibitory control and ecological, daily variations, in mood.
The current project will use a mobile app (‘Moodify’) to monitor and track, ecologically, participants’ mood, and measure the link between mood variations and inhibitory control. Inhibitory control is measured using various tasks, including multiple object tracking, Stroop task and a Go/No-Go task.
Collaborators: Prof. Omer Bonne (Hadassah Psychiatry); Posit Science Corporation
Funding: Israel Science Foundation (ISF)
Given that inhibitory control seems key in depression, the current project aims at testing whether adaptive, mobile training of inhibitory control abilities can reduce depressive symptoms in those suffering from various mental health conditions. Training is performed using an app installed on the participant's mobile device, and varies adaptively based on individual performance. Cognition, depression, anxiety and function is measured at baseline, immediately following training and after a few weeks (follow up). The study is conducted on a sample of youth at a mental health facility in Nes Ziona.
Student (MA): Talia Lasry
Between 30-50% of cancer survivors report cognitive decline, which may result from the malignancy itself or is a by-product of treatments (chemotherapy, radiation). The current pilot study will test the effectiveness of a combined treatment approach, which includes remote cognitive training and functional treatment using tele-rehabilitation. We will assess cognitive function, quality of life and daily function in adult cancer survivors.
Collaborators: Dr Yafit Gilboa (Psychology); Dr. Chen Makranz (Oncology, Hadassah)
Funding: Israeli Cancer Association
ICRF Brause Family Initiative for Quality of Life
Our ability to empathize with others is affected by our mood and the intensity of our emotional experience. In the current study, we examine the effects of mood on our ability to emphasize.
Student (PhD): Noam Roth
Collaborators: Dr. Anat Perry (Psychology)
Resilience is an important factor determining how well warriors can cope with stressors during their military service. However, the factors affecting resilience and its manifestation in daily life is not well understood. In the current research, we will use a mobile application and a smart tracking watch to monitor resilience of male and female warriors during their training, and then measure how inhibitory control training improves resilience in these populations. We will also study the differences in resilience and coping with challenges between male and female warriors.
Students (MA): Anat Afek, Rina Ben Avraham
Collaborators: Dr. Yafit Gilboa (School of OT), Dr Ariel Ben Yehuda (IDF), Noa Barazin (IDF)
Funding: Ministry of Defense (Mafat)
Research ended
In this collaborative EU project, we will apply a combined remote intervention to treat major depression: a novel cognitive control videogame and at-home non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS). During the last 2 years of the project we will conduct a multi-site RCT in Germany, Latvia and Israel to test the feasibility and efficacy of this technology.
Collaborators: Prof. Omer Bonne (Hadassah), Prof. Daphne Bavelier (UNIGE), Prof. Friedhelm Hummel (EPFL), Prof. Frank Padberg (UMN), Prof. Elmars Rancans (LMU)
Clinical Coordinator: Shira Ahissar
Funding: ERA-Net Neuron (https://www.neuron-eranet.eu/_media/DiSCoVeR_summary.pdf)