Dartmouth researchers have introduced MoodCapture, the first smartphone application utilizing artificial intelligence and facial-image processing software to detect the onset of depression before individuals are aware of the symptoms. The app, employing a phone's front camera, captures facial expressions and surroundings during regular use, analyzing images for clinical cues associated with depression. In a study of 177 individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder, MoodCapture demonstrated a 75% accuracy in identifying early symptoms. The app's potential public availability within the next five years was suggested by the researchers, highlighting its capacity to predict mood non-intrusively through real-time image analysis.
MoodCapture's innovative approach involves utilizing "in-the-wild" images to predict depression, focusing on facial expressions and environmental features. The app's AI model, trained on a diverse set of participants, analyzes real-time image sequences during phone unlocking, identifying specific image features indicative of the user's depression dynamics. Dartmouth researchers anticipate that such technology could provide valuable real-time support, bridging the gap between the need for intervention and limited access to mental health resources, ultimately offering preventive measures to disrupt depression before it intensifies.
