Group Actions
Engagement
  • Author Author: ilvyanyatka
  • Date Created: Date Created
  • Views 4109 views
  • Likes 9 likes
  • Comments 7 comments
Related
Recommended

Open Source EMDR machine #1. Initial Plan

ilvyanyatka

Open Source EMDR Machine. The Whole Blog.

 

 

 

  Abstract

My project is to make a fully functional EMDR machine. EMDR is used by psychotherapists in the office setting to reduce patients’ stress and anxiety. It works very well for patients diagnosed with depression, panic attacks, PTSD, addictions, eating disorders. And now due to Covid-19 almost everyone even without diagnosis is stressed and anxious. However this machine costs over $500. My goal is to make a fully functional EMDR machine with some enhancements that I believe will make it even more useful. I plan to make it as cheap as possible, and publish the instructions and the code on the web. This way therapists from poor countries, like Belarus, Ghana etc, can afford it and help people.

I am a big fan of EMDR and already made a partial version of the machine, with only Arduino, DC motors and potentiometers. It can be found However, DC motors do not feel as right as vibration motors and if the client clinches their fists they will stop working. Also I believe a full version of the machine with a user interface and my enhancements will be much more useful.



  The EMDR theory

 

During the session the therapist will start the machine and will have the client recall a disturbing event. This will include the emotions and body sensations that go along with it.

Gradually, the therapist will guide a client to shift their thoughts to more pleasant ones. People who use the technique argue that EMDR can weaken the effect of negative emotions and the disturbing memories will become less disturbing.

 


   Description of the machine

The commercial EMDR machine consists of tappers, headset, controller and light bar.

 

image

It has three main modes, that can be also combined together.

  1. Light mode. Light on the light bar is moving back and forth, and a client is following it with their eyes.
  2. Vibration mode. Client is holding tappers (small vibrating pieces) and they vibrate in a cycle, one after another.
  3. Sound mode. Client has a headset on, connected to controller. Sound in the headset cycle from the left ear to the right ear, and back.

When modes are combined, they are synchronized. All cycles repeat with the same speed. I.e. When light on the light bar in the most right position, client hears sound in the right speaker, and the right tapper vibrates.


  Hardware Implementation


Controller

 

For the controller of the hardware itself (light bar and vibration tappers) I will use Arduino Nano 33 IoT.

 

Light

 

BarFor the light bar I will use WS2812B Smart RGB LED Strip. I will enhance the light functionality by allowing the client to choose the light color he prefers. I do not plan to use a tripod. In permanent therapists’ offices the LED strip can be attached to the wall, for temporary offices I will use wall corner trim from any hardware store.

 

Tappers

 

For tappers I will use 2 vibration motors. I am also thinking about adding 2 more vibration motors on the band, to be held against the client’s chest. It is not a part of classic EMDR machines, but this method done separately has proven to be effective for clients. I assume a combination of 2 sets of tappers will make results even more effective.

 

Headset

 

Headset is a regular headset.

 

Sound

 

Sound will be played either through Arduino mini mp3 module, or Android phone itself.

 

 


  Software Implementation


For synchronizing all the parts and providing user interface I will use an Android phone. I will also add the option to skip the use of the light bar and show the light ball running back and forth on the phone screen. There will be 3 parts of software implementation:

  1. Arduino code to control vibration motors for the tappers, mini mp3 module and WS2812B strip for the light bar. It will be written in C, in Arduino IDE. I will use an open source FastLED library.
  2. Android and Windows code for overall control of the machine and additional light and sound functionality. I plan to write it in C#.NET using Xamarin Forms package. Xamarin Forms package is platform independent, so I expect to use the same code base for Android and Windows app, maybe with minor changes.
  3. Communication between Android and Arduino Nano. This is the hardest part for me. I have to research it, but currently I am open to all options: serial cable, bluetooth, wifi.



  Making the device accessible to everyone

 

First of all, I will keep a blog of my progress with all the required steps on Element14

 

I also plan to publish hardware assembling instructions on Instructables

I plan to publish all the code as open source on GitHub

 

That is it for now.



  • in reply to aspork42

    Hi James,

    Tappers are just waterproof vibration motors. Client holds them in his hands and they turn on in sequence. When one is on, another is off, and vice versa. Repetition and constant shifting of attention from one hand to another is supposed to calm people and to help them to process a psychological trauma. For the brain it works the same way as repetitive shifting of sound and/or light. The type of the machine I am going to make will let therapist to use all three sensory inputs together and it should be much more effective than just light. I did a small EMDR machine before with just tappers. I used rotating motors with a toothbrush heads glued on them, so they kind of rub client's palm. It was not a good solution - motors will just stop rotating if client clinches his fists hard enough.

    And in addition to hands' tappers I am going to add another set of tappers - more powerful 12V motors to be connected to client's chest. I will just put them in the pockets of a special t-shirt. The same idea: Both sets will be synchronized with each other and sound and light. I assume two sets of tappers will be more powerful that one.

  • Ccould you give some more detail on what the tappers are and how they are used?

  • in reply to jw0752

    Hi John,

    Thank you.

    I am not an engineer also, so I am sure will learn a lot.

    I see several challenges, both software and hardware related, and don't know how to solve them yet.

    And I cannot wait to build it and to test it on myself!

  • Hi Victoria,

     

    This will be a great project and I think you will have a lot of fun doing it. About 4 years ago I made one after my grandson asked if it was possible to make one. My first prototype was done completely with logic chips and on a bread board. The second prototype was done using an Arduino UNO. I am not an engineer but just a technician so mine lacked a lot but I learned from doing it. I will be interested in seeing how you build yours.

     

    John