Special tests to evaluate digital stress on TOI drives

The Times of India’s ‘Let’s D-Stress’ campaign aims to start a nationwide conversation about digital stress, its consequences and practical ways to address it. The goal of the program is to translate awareness of digital behaviors into action, using science and technology to help individuals regain focus, productivity and mental health in an increasingly distracted digital world.The program is launched in collaboration with Center of Excellence for Neurodegeneration and Brain Health (CENABH), Kochi as knowledge partner and IIT Delhi and NIMHANS as solution partners.CENABH has expanded its focus from neuroscience laboratory research to large-scale public-centered health programs. In October 2021, the center helped Kochi develop into India’s first dementia-friendly city. The initiative demonstrates how advanced research can be applied to create healthier, more inclusive communities, highlighting a fundamental shift in providing compassionate, community-based care for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. The center also helped launch the ‘Udbodh’ project designed by the Center for Neuroscience at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) to create a supportive ecosystem for the aging population.self-assessment toolas toy The activity is a simplified web-based assessment tool linked via a QR code that will give readers an initial understanding of their digital behavior and attention levels.The findings are intended to raise awareness of everyday technology use and encourage individuals to make progressive, practical adjustments to support improved focus, rest and overall cognitive health. Derived from the scientific framework used by the Mentacy app, the assessment tool is rooted in neuroscience research and behavioral insights and was developed by CENABH over a two-year collaboration with technology partners.The scientific framework behind the assessment tool was developed by a multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Baby Chakrapani PS, Director of CENABH and Director Emeritus of the CUSAT Center for Neuroscience, and Dr. Lima Raj, Psychologist and Head of the Social Neuroscience Program at CENABH.