We have two short 2-week trials starting next weekend.

Research study 1: Evaluation of a Virtual Agent in Guiding Users in Nurturing Self-Compassion and Foresighted Compassion

Help improve wellbeing and compassion towards self and others

The Algorithmic Human Development group at Imperial College London is dedicated to improving mental well-being in all people and is sponsored by the non-profit organization Empowered Human Foundation.

The Self-Attachment Technique (SAT) has generated promising results in both clinical and non-clinical populations. In this non-invasive intervention, participants imaginatively create a passionate affectional bond with their childhood selves using their favourite childhood photos and on this basis practice protocols that simulate optimal interactions of a parent-child dyad. Our pilot projects in 2022 and 2023 show that the daily practice of SAT can enhance your self-and-other compassion, happiness and your problem-solving ability.

Compassion has never been more urgently required today in face of ever increasing conflict at national and international scales in all domains of human activities. Only a significant increase in compassion at local and global levels can enable us to solve our existential problems in today’s world.

The CompassionBot, which builds upon SAT, guides the user to practice exercises to enhance self-compassion and foresighted as well as tender compassion to others.

This study is based on two weekly one-hour Zoom sessions on Saturday 19 and 26 August at 5pm UK Summer time, and requires daily practice of exercises using your favourite and non-favourite childhood photos and interacting with a chatbot for at least 20 minutes a day. The protocol has the potential to make a positive impact on individuals and societies around the world and you can be a part of that change. Your participation is very important for our research and we would greatly appreciate it.

You are eligible to take part if you are a healthy adult in the age range 20-70, do not suffer from any current psychiatric disorders, organic brain diseases or substance abuse, and speak fluent English, and are based in Europe, Americas, Africa or Middle East.

If you are interested contact Tian Gu at tg222@ic.ac.uk

Thank you for considering taking part in this study and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any additional questions!

Principal Investigator: Prof. Abbas Edalat (a.edalat@imperial.ac.uk)

Co-investigator: Tian Gu (tg222@ic.ac.uk)

Research study 2: Evaluation of a Virtual Agent in Guiding Users in Nurturing Creativity and Problem Solving

Help improve wellbeing and creativity and problem-solving ability

The Algorithmic Human Development group at Imperial College London is dedicated to improving mental well-being in all people and is sponsored by the non-profit organization Empowered Human Foundation.

The novel Self-Attachment Technique (SAT) has recently generated promising results in both clinical and non-clinical populations. In this non-invasive intervention, participants imaginatively create a passionate affectional bond with their childhood selves using their favourite childhood photos and on this basis practice protocols that simulate optimal interactions of a parent-child dyad. Our pilot projects in 2022 and 2023 show that the daily practice of SAT can enhance your self-and-other compassion, happiness and your problem-solving ability.

The current study is based on an SAT protocol to enhance creativity and problem-solving ability.  In a world grappling with complex challenges such as climate change, geopolitical conflicts, and social inequalities, creativity emerges as an indispensable force for transformative solutions. It is a catalyst that can unravel the most pressing existential issues we face today

We incorporated SAT protocols into our application to allow individuals to ignite a passion towards a creative domain of their interest, enhance their playfulness, enhance openness to experience, and enrich their emotions

This study is based on two weekly one-hour Zoom sessions on Saturday 19 and 26 August at 5pm UK Summer time, and requires daily practice of exercises using your favourite and non-favourite childhood photos and interacting with a chatbot for at least 20 minutes a day. The protocol has the potential to make a positive impact on individuals and societies around the world and you can be a part of that change. Your participation is very important for our research and we would greatly appreciate it.

If you are interested to take part in the study, please contact Olivia Chavigny de Lachevrotiere: ohc22@ic.ac.uk.

Thank you for considering taking part in this study and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any additional questions!

Principal Investigator: Prof. Abbas Edalat (a.edalat@imperial.ac.uk)

Co-investigator: Olivia Chavigny de Lachevrotiere (ohc22@ic.ac.uk)

Testimonial of a Psychiatrist