Papers by Michela Ponticorvo
Measuring Spatial Behaviour and Cognition: A Method Based on Trajectories Analysis and Supported by Technology and Artificial Intelligence
Lecture notes in computer science, 2024
PloS one, Apr 22, 2024
In recent years, research has been demonstrating that movement analysis, utilizing machine learni... more In recent years, research has been demonstrating that movement analysis, utilizing machine learning methods, can be a promising aid for clinicians in supporting autism diagnostic process. Within this field of research, we aim to explore new models and delve into the detailed observation of certain features that previous literature has identified as prominent in the classification process. Our study employs a game-based tablet application to collect motor data. We use artificial neural networks to analyze raw trajectories in a "drag and drop" task. We compare a two-features model (utilizing only raw coordinates) with a fourfeatures model (including velocities and accelerations). The aim is to assess the effectiveness of raw data analysis and determine the impact of acceleration on autism classification. Our results revealed that both models demonstrate promising accuracy in classifying motor trajectories. The four-features model consistently outperforms the two-features model, as evidenced by accuracy values (0.90 vs. 0.76). However, our findings support the potential of raw data analysis in objectively assessing motor behaviors related to autism. While the fourfeatures model excels, the two-features model still achieves reasonable accuracy. Addressing limitations related to sample size and noise is essential for future research. Our study emphasizes the importance of integrating intelligent solutions to enhance and assist autism traditional diagnostic process and intervention, paving the way for more effective tools in assessing motor skills.
“Safer”: Design and Development of a Supportive Assistant for Emotion Regulation
Artificial Intelligence Applied to Spatial Cognition Assessment
Springer eBooks, 2022
Spatial Frames of Reference and Action: A Study with Evolved Neuro-agents
Springer eBooks, 2022
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Background: Mental health care has been enriched with the progressive use of technology during th... more Background: Mental health care has been enriched with the progressive use of technology during the last ten years, in particular after the COVID-19 pandemic. Mobile applications (apps) and smartphones have become the most widespread access point for many people who look for self-help in the psychological domain. Objective: We focused on a systematic review of mobile apps for mental health, focusing on the blending of apps with psychotherapy contexts, with a specific focus on emotional dysregulation. Methods: A comprehensive literature search (January 2017 to August 2022) in PubMed, PsycInfo, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library was conducted. s were included if they described mental health mobile apps targeting emotional dysregulation and their use during ongoing psychological or psychotherapy treatment for adults and adolescents. Results: In total, 397 abstracts were identified; of these, 19 publications describing apps targeting borderline personality disorder, depression, anx...
From Principal Component Analysis to Autoencoders: a comparison on simulated data from psychometric models
2022 IEEE International Conference on Metrology for Extended Reality, Artificial Intelligence and Neural Engineering (MetroXRAINE)
Mental Health Mobile Apps to Empower Psychotherapy: A Narrative Review
2022 IEEE International Conference on Metrology for Extended Reality, Artificial Intelligence and Neural Engineering (MetroXRAINE)
The Design Of A Game-based Software For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
2022 IEEE International Conference on Metrology for Extended Reality, Artificial Intelligence and Neural Engineering (MetroXRAINE)
Frontiers in Psychology
IntroductionThe ecological assessment and the analysis of spatial organization behaviors, like th... more IntroductionThe ecological assessment and the analysis of spatial organization behaviors, like the organization of objects in an empty space, in clinical and neurotypical conditions, is crucial. The Enhanced-Baking Tray Task (E-BTT) is as simple as that – placing objects inside a frame as evenly as possible, as if they were “cookies” to be baked in the oven. The E-BTT is the enhanced version of a task for neglect assessment, the Baking Tray Task, and has the advantage to register the coordinates of each object and their temporal order, meaning that it is easy to reconstruct the sequence of their placement. This sequence could be further analyzed, and, in this paper, we aim to do that with a series of indexes. Moreover, since they investigate the visual search organization of the sequence itself, their validity will be tested with a convergent measure of subjective organization.MethodsTherefore, we asked 100 observers (76 women) to evaluate the subjective organization of each of 97 E...
IUL Research, Dec 20, 2021
Educare dalla nascita. Per una riqualificazione dei nidi e dei servizi per l'infanzia Inf@nzia Di... more Educare dalla nascita. Per una riqualificazione dei nidi e dei servizi per l'infanzia Inf@nzia Digi.Tales 3.6: un'esperienza di introduzione di strumenti innovativi per l'apprendimento nella fascia di età 3-6 anni Inf@nzia Digi.Tales 3.6: an experience introducing innovating tools for learning for 3-6 years old children
Communications in computer and information science, 2022
Diligo 2.0 is a mobile app designed as a serious game to assess spatial and numerical cognition a... more Diligo 2.0 is a mobile app designed as a serious game to assess spatial and numerical cognition as key elements of the school readiness concept in association with a preference for slow and fast thinking strategies. School readiness is a key concept for the future development of cognitive and emotional abilities of children, and it is highly correlated with academic success. The app is also focused on evaluating a preference for slow or fast thinking activities. The Diligo 2.0 app has been developed for Android platform and has been distributed in two Italian schools as a pilot study with 44 children. Usage data have been collected and are discussed in this paper to show possible directions for this kind of digital tool both for assessment and for training children's abilities.
Towards Continuous Professional Monitoring of Health Status Based on Energetic Balancing
2022 IEEE International Workshop on Sport, Technology and Research (STAR)
BTT-SCAN: a tool for the assessment of the Unilateral Spatial Neglect
In this paper, we describe an approach that integrates in an educational tool, namely a MOOC, cre... more In this paper, we describe an approach that integrates in an educational tool, namely a MOOC, creativity and digital aspects. Starting from a brief introduction on the attributes that such an approach must have: creative, digital and “open”, this paper describes how these aspects can find their place in educational contexts, giving birth to creatively digital and digitally creative learning environment.
Midpoint: A Tool to Build Artificial Models of Numerical Cognition
The present paper describes a tool developed to model and simulate tasks related to numerical cog... more The present paper describes a tool developed to model and simulate tasks related to numerical cognition, a very important element of both animal and human cognition. In particular, we describe how this software has been used to study a bias that has been consistently observed in humans, both adults and children, about the calculation of the middle point between two numbers and related with the position of numbers in intervals, called NIPE (number interval position effect). Along with the description of the software and the experimental results about the NIPE effect, some results are reported which show the potential of this approach.
Spatial abilities allow humans to perceive and act in the world around them. Combining technology... more Spatial abilities allow humans to perceive and act in the world around them. Combining technology with a wide used neuropsychological test, the EBaking Tray Task have proved to be very versatile and useful. Here we examine its properties and potentialities, trying to propose new challenges in visuospatial cognition. Firstly, we address to actual algorithms of data analysis and propose new ones. Then we propose several new variables that could be inspected related to spatial exploration measured with this new device: verticality, stress, emotions, explored areas in peri-personal space and so on.
Educational Robotics Improves Social Relations at School
ERCIM News, 2018
Pseudoneglect assessment by means of tangible and digital tools
Qwerty - Open and Interdisciplinary Journal of Technology, Culture and Education, 2018
Together with books, tangible educational materials are widely used in formal and informal contex... more Together with books, tangible educational materials are widely used in formal and informal contexts, as they improve learning, especially in children. Marrying tangibles with traditional books through digital technology can enrich both materials, making them a powerful tool. In this paper, we describe an approach to design and build Hyper Activity Books (HAB) that allows transforming books in multisensory materials, bonding books with tangible materials. To show the effectiveness and the wide viability of this approach we describe some examples of HAB implementation, applied to mathematics, storytelling, science, and assessment. These examples indicate that HAB can be very useful to produce educational tools.
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Papers by Michela Ponticorvo