Research PTSD research for undergraduate senior capstone project

[aroll]

My name is Annika Roll and I am an undergraduate student at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ. For my senior capstone project I am developing a mobile app to assist with symptoms of PTSD and want to assure that the product I am designing will address those symptoms. I am now performing research through either a survey or if you are interested you can message me to schedule a 15-30 minute interview about your symptoms and how therapy has helped you. Questions are non-triggering and we will not discuss your trauma, only the symptoms (like how long flashbacks last, tools you use to assist during a flashback, etc.) I am looking for individuals who are:

• 18 years or older
• Have experienced PTSD (or other trauma-related mental health conditions) either now or at some point in their lives
• Are proficient in the English language

I really appreciate your time, the survey should take 10 minutes and the phone interview will last no longer than 30 minutes. All responses will be confidential and we will only be analyzing the aggregate data. Thank you!

Best regards,

Annika Roll

 

[cherileisman]

Hey there @aroll - external link took me to secure google docs page else would've completed the survey...good luck with the app :)

 

[aroll]

@cherileisman Thank you for letting me know! I think I fixed the bug that was causing that problem. It should work fine now

 

[Missycat]

@aroll , hi ive completed the survey and am happy to trial the app.
I have selected the no option for a phone call as i am in the uk so trying to save your costs.

 

[Sideways]

Just FYI - ACT has easily been the single most helpful therapy I’ve received but wasn’t included on the survey:)

 

[Lucycat]

I've just completed this. I see the original post is quite old, but am hoping the responses are still helpful as the survey is live.

 

[aroll]

Beta trial of app now available

Hey everyone! I have been developing an app for my senior capstone project at Stevens Institute of Technology that offers support tools for PTSD symptoms.

If anyone here would like to try out the app please fill out this short survey.

It is a closed beta trial only available on the Google Play store (for now, sorry Apple users) but if you have an iPhone and want to use it just fill out the survey anyway and I'll email you to download it once our iOS version is complete.

We will not take any of your personal information, only your email and your age.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Wait, the only thing in the "survey" is an email and age? How do we know you are not selling our email or won't spam our email?

What, exactly, is this app providing? Can you give a little bit of info about it so I know if I even want it?

Sounds like an ad. But, you really need to give me more details before I just willy nilly give you my email and download an app on an open source operating system which could literaly be anything. Personally.

 

[aroll]

I realize now that this sounds like an ad but it's not meant to be spammy! This app is in early-stage beta testing and I'm looking for feedback on it. Here's a bit of a background on the app:

Mira is a support tool for PTSD symptoms that I designed in college because my friend has PTSD and I wanted her to have access to tools when she would experience flashbacks by herself. After testing it out with a few friends, we are now looking for more users to play around with the app to see if the features we developed actually function as they are designed to. We currently have about 20 beta users but are looking for more people to try it out and give us feedback before we release it to the public on the app store.

The reason we're only collecting your email address and age is because (1) we need your email so we can send you an invite to download the app because it's a closed beta trial and it's only available on the Google play store. And (2) we need your age because we are only offering it to people 18 yrs+ for liability and regulatory issues. We are not collecting any other information and will not sell any of your personal data. We will only be able to analyze usage of the app on an aggregate scale and will not have access to individual information.

The app has 2 main features: grounding exercises and journal prompts. We have been working with trauma-focused clinicians to design grounding exercises that encourage you to focus on the present moment and can pull you out of a flashback.

Please let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[shatter eyes]

Interesting were you here before because i am on the list for Mira app but backed out after the email link wanted me to sign in to google.

Personally i love helping and resources, however with my ptsd i get really protective about privacy and also the hoops to jump through.

I have shared the Mira beta email with a friend also and he also backed out because of the requirment of logging into Google docs. My name is Shatter Eyes and that is my safety.

With PTSd safety is a major factor and anything that creates doubt automatically defaults as a threat.

You are in the right place for passionate dedicated members that can offer feedback in your project. I like to offer what i can but i got spooked

 

[shatter eyes]

The reason we're only collecting your email address and age is because (1) we need your email so we can send you an invite to download the app because it's a closed beta trial and it's only available on the Google play store. And (2) we need your age because we are only offering it to people 18 yrs+ for liability and regulatory issues.

Do u think it be ok if you sent tge download links to participant via PM here? Or maybe to a moderator if they kool with that and pass on to the person?

The 18+ is hard to verify because how would you know it is true or not? When i was under 18 i click yes i am 18+ even had email setup to sign up for sites to see people practice making babies.

I am glad i am on the Mira list. Are you able to share who you are referring to as "we"? Are you leading the project? Is this research and has the Ethics Board approved, if yes it be great to get a link to see thesis.

 

[shatter eyes]

Just took one for the team here exposing myself by completing surve and i learned that this is a tech start up, how can u have a startup as your capstone project without a conclusion reached. I understand the beta offering which I will provide feedback on but really if you come here its preferred to come clean and straight up. I feel you presented yourself as a student which you are but leaving the info about CEO Tech start up on PTSd you may not grasp is a bit reckless. Unless you are doing what a contact of mine did by creating an app for medical use where users pay nothing and get service referrals to practitioners nearby. He gets paid by clinics signing up, the more they pay the more referrals are sent to users.

From Deal of the Week: Mira Therapeutics, A Tech Solution for PTSD - Impakter
"CJ Internicola is the CEO and Co-founder of Mira Therapeutics, a startup based in Hoboken, New Jersey. The startup aims to provide a mobile therapy solution to patients suffering from PTSD by creating a set of interactive and easily-accessible grounding exercises that patients can utilize prior to and during flashbacks. Mr. Internicola sat down with Impakter Magazine in order to discuss the issue of PTSD, his treatment for it, and Mira Therapeutic’s plans going forward."...

"PTSd is a disociative mental health condition" it is not and hope this helps The Dissociative Subtype of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Research Update on Clinical and Neurobiological Features. - PubMed - NCBI

. Disociating is a symptom of PTSD and others can disociated without having PTSD.

I feel this app has good intention but i am offended how it was presented to us here on the forum and also how it is being promoted to mass market without due diligence of what PTSD is and building algorithms and recruiting therapists to deliver therapy.

I feel those with PTSd are being used not for academic project but used a consultants for you to build a platform for profit. Correct me if i am wrong.
****

Update, i just uninstalled app because i found it very invasive to ask my location when i want to make journal entry. I also found a typo