Researchers from the Computing Institute at the Federal Fluminense University (UFF) decided to investigate whether movement data collected by smartwatches during daily life could be used to identify different anxiety levels. The study involved the development of artificial intelligence techniques capable of estimating these levels from body movements recorded.
Anxiety is characterized by symptoms such as excessive worry, restlessness, changes in attention and sleep. When these symptoms become persistent and intense, they may be related to anxiety disorders, which are among the most common mental health problems worldwide.
According to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) published in 2017, Brazil had one of the highest prevalence rates of anxiety disorders in the world, affecting approximately 9.3% of the population.
The research seeks to better understand how body movement patterns may be associated with anxiety levels, offering new possibilities for monitoring and early identification of these mental health problems.
