Apple has developed many health features that are more focused on the Apple Watch. Now they are preparing mental health features for the iPhone.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple is collaborating with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and pharmaceutical company Biogen to find out if gadgets can be used to detect depression, anxiety and cognitive decline.
Apple's research with UCLA called 'Seabreeze' will focus on studying depression and anxiety. Meanwhile, the research with Biogen called 'Pi' will focus on cognitive decline.
This research will find out whether the data collected by sensors in iPhones can be used to detect patterns related to mental health conditions and cognitive abilities.
For example, Apple's project with UCLA will collect data from the iPhone's camera, keyboard, and audio sensors. The study will also involve data from the Apple Watch related to movement, vital signs and sleep.
The data to be studied includes facial expressions, speech patterns, walking speed and frequency, typing speed, content and a series of other health metrics. These data are then compared with the results of a questionnaire filled out by users about the emotions they feel.
They will also examine the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the hair. This collaborative project will involve 3,000 volunteers and will last for three years, as quoted from Gizmodo, Wednesday (22/9/2021).
Meanwhile, Apple's project with Biogen will examine data in a similar way and will follow a study conducted in 2019 that showed 31 adults with cognitive impairments used iPhones differently than other adults without cognitive impairment.
The WSJ report says all of this data processing will be done locally on the user's device and nothing will be sent to Apple's servers. This is in line with Apple's principle of prioritizing the confidentiality of health data.
If the data from this study match the symptoms of depression and anxiety, Apple may use it to develop features that can detect mental health problems. iPhone can also warn users to seek medical help as soon as possible.
Currently, studies by Apple and its partners are still in their early stages, so don't expect iPhones to feature mental health monitors any time soon. This research is also not a guarantee that Apple will launch the feature.