Exploratory factor analysis of postural sway measures reveal potential biomarkers of childhood mental health
Conference Year
2024
Abstract
ADHD and internalizing disorders (anxiety and depression) are common in children. Current screening relies on parent-report surveys as children are unreliable reporters of their emotions, yet even attentive caregivers may underreport as many symptoms are unobservable. This study aims to enhance childhood mental health disorder detection by identifying objective biomarkers from chest-accelerometers during an anxiety-inducing task. Applying exploratory factor analysis, sixteen chest-based postural sway features were reduced into three factors that are significantly different by mental health disorder groups. Amount (F1) identifies children with mental health impairment, and Jerkiness (F2) and Complexity (F3) differentiate between types of mental health disorders.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
David Jangraw
Graduate Student Mentors
Drs. Ryan and Ellen McGinnis
Status
Graduate
Student College
College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences
Program/Major
Biomedical Engineering
Primary Research Category
Engineering and Math Science
Exploratory factor analysis of postural sway measures reveal potential biomarkers of childhood mental health
ADHD and internalizing disorders (anxiety and depression) are common in children. Current screening relies on parent-report surveys as children are unreliable reporters of their emotions, yet even attentive caregivers may underreport as many symptoms are unobservable. This study aims to enhance childhood mental health disorder detection by identifying objective biomarkers from chest-accelerometers during an anxiety-inducing task. Applying exploratory factor analysis, sixteen chest-based postural sway features were reduced into three factors that are significantly different by mental health disorder groups. Amount (F1) identifies children with mental health impairment, and Jerkiness (F2) and Complexity (F3) differentiate between types of mental health disorders.