Anticipatory Detection of Compulsive Body-focused Repetitive Behaviors with Wearables

Abstract

Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), like face-touching or skin-picking, are hand-driven behaviors which can damage one's appearance, if not identified early and treated. Technology for automatic detection is still under-explored, with few previous works being limited to wearables with single modalities (e.g., motion). Here, we propose a multi-sensory approach combining motion, orientation, and heart rate sensors to detect BFRBs. We conducted a feasibility study in which participants (N=10) were exposed to BFRBs-inducing tasks, and analyzed 380 mins of signals 1 under an extensive evaluation of sensing modalities, cross-validation methods, and observation windows. Our models achieved an AUC > 0.90 in distinguishing BFRBs, which were more evident in observation windows 5 mins prior to the behavior as opposed to 1-min ones. In a follow-up qualitative survey, we found that not only the timing of detection matters but also models need to be context-aware, when designing just-in-time interventions to prevent BFRBs. CCS CONCEPTS• Human-centered computing → Ubiquitous and mobile computing; Ubiquitous and mobile computing design and evaluation methods.

Examining the Landscape of Cognitive Fatigue Detection: A Comprehensive Survey

“…Firstly, they provide a measurable aspect that allows for observation and recording, enhancing objectivity in assessment. This tangibility makes it easier for clinical practitioners and researchers to measure and evaluate behaviors consistently [151]. Additionally, these behaviors often occur before obvious signs of fatigue appear, providing an opportunity for early detection and intervention.…”

“…This lack of specificity raises concerns about attributing these behaviors to cognitive fatigue, which could potentially lead to misinterpretations during assessments. Additionally, contextual variations in how repetitive behaviors manifest complicate their interpretation; therefore, it is crucial to consider cultural factors and individual differences when developing assessment protocols [151,152].…”