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Mental Well-being Opportunities in Interacting and Reflecting with Personal Data Sculptures of EEG

Maria Teresa Ortoleva, Rita Borgo, Alfie Abdul-Rahman

TL;DR

This study investigates whether personal data sculptures derived from EEG and mood data can promote self-reflection and well-being. By encoding brainwave and heart-rate patterns into 3D sculptures and 2D visuals, the researchers compare embodied interaction with visualization and assess reflective interviews and PANAS changes. Findings indicate that data sculptures elicit interest, aid memory recall, foster self-discovery, and can reduce negative affect, with 3D objects producing stronger engagement and behavioral-change propositions. The work suggests data physicalization as a viable non-clinical tool to promote mental well-being and informs future longitudinal and contextual deployment, including public and educational settings.

Abstract

Data physicalization is a research area in quick expansion whose necessity and popularity are motivated by the pervasiveness of data in our everyday. While the reflective ability of personal data physicalization has been vastly documented, their mental health and emotional well-being benefits remain largely unexplored. We present a qualitative study where we create personal data sculptures of electroencephalograms (EEG) and mental activity, observe users' interactions with them, and analyze their reflections for hints of self-discovery and intended behavioral change. We argue that there is a ground for using personal data sculptures as prompts for reflection on mental well-being and motivators for self-caring, and that data sculptures for mental well-being are a finalized use of data physicalization worth exploring further.

Mental Well-being Opportunities in Interacting and Reflecting with Personal Data Sculptures of EEG

TL;DR

This study investigates whether personal data sculptures derived from EEG and mood data can promote self-reflection and well-being. By encoding brainwave and heart-rate patterns into 3D sculptures and 2D visuals, the researchers compare embodied interaction with visualization and assess reflective interviews and PANAS changes. Findings indicate that data sculptures elicit interest, aid memory recall, foster self-discovery, and can reduce negative affect, with 3D objects producing stronger engagement and behavioral-change propositions. The work suggests data physicalization as a viable non-clinical tool to promote mental well-being and informs future longitudinal and contextual deployment, including public and educational settings.

Abstract

Data physicalization is a research area in quick expansion whose necessity and popularity are motivated by the pervasiveness of data in our everyday. While the reflective ability of personal data physicalization has been vastly documented, their mental health and emotional well-being benefits remain largely unexplored. We present a qualitative study where we create personal data sculptures of electroencephalograms (EEG) and mental activity, observe users' interactions with them, and analyze their reflections for hints of self-discovery and intended behavioral change. We argue that there is a ground for using personal data sculptures as prompts for reflection on mental well-being and motivators for self-caring, and that data sculptures for mental well-being are a finalized use of data physicalization worth exploring further.
Paper Structure (18 sections, 3 figures)

This paper contains 18 sections, 3 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Related Work
  3. Study Design
  4. Participants' Sampling
  5. Session One: Data Collection
  6. Data Sculptures Design and Prototyping
  7. Session Two: Interaction
  8. Analysis
  9. Reflection
  10. Modalities of interaction
  11. Emotional response
  12. Supporting memory retrieval
  13. Cognition and self-discovery
  14. Self-identification and reflection
  15. Propositions for change and effects on behavior
  16. ...and 3 more sections

Figures (3)

  • Figure 1: Alignment of EEG, heart rate, and narrative timeline
  • Figure 2: Gestures of interaction with personal data sculptures
  • Figure 3: PANAS scores show a decrease in negative emotions upon encountering data representations and a milder increase for most participants in positive affect upon reflecting on their experience.