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How do people with a brain disorder experience sensory overload, and how can these often invisible symptoms be made more visible? What role can Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) play in this? Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ and partners are investigating this in the project "Mind Shadows: Talking about Stimuli." (in Dutch: Hersenschimmen: Praten over Prikkels)

Images about overstimulation

In the ''Hersenschimmen'' project, participants create images that represent how they experience sensory overload. We then examine whether these images facilitate better communication about sensory overload between people with sensory overload, their loved ones, and healthcare providers.

One in four people in the Netherlands has a brain disorder, and many people with these disorders experience sensory overload. It's often not obvious from the outside that someone is experiencing sensory overload. Yet, it can be a significant hindrance, for example, through fatigue, headaches, attention problems, and daily activities that require more effort and energy.

Because overstimulation often remains invisible to loved ones and caregivers, and people experiencing overstimulation often experience a lack of understanding of their symptoms, we are exploring ways to use AI to visualize experiences of overstimulation in the research project. By having AI generate an image, participants don't have to search for an image or photo themselves, nor do they have to draw one. Using the AI ​​tool, participants can describe in their own words how they experience or perceive overstimulation. GenAI then creates an image from this description. Together, we will explore whether the images can make the conversation about overstimulation easier and more enjoyable.

The research is conducted in Dutch. Information about participating can be found on the Dutch website.