Impacts & Objectives

Project Objectives

IPC4MH pursues the following specific objectives:

To establish an evidence-based framework for immersive prevention centres.
This objective focuses on identifying user needs, ethical guidelines, and clinical requirements for XR-based mental-health prevention. It includes the analysis of target populations, prevention goals, and evaluation criteria to ensure feasibility, safety, and inclusion.

To develop an integrated XR platform for multimodal prevention and monitoring.
This includes designing and implementing a modular technological platform that integrates sensing, XR content, and data analytics for real-time monitoring of user engagement and wellbeing indicators.

To design and validate responsible AI models for mental-health support.
IPC4MH will train and validate interpretable AI models for affective and behavioural data, enabling personalised feedback, adaptation of preventive exercises, and explainable recommendations, aligned with ethical and GDPR principles.

To conduct multi-site pilots addressing different user archetypes.
Two pilots will be carried out: one targeting younger users (junior archetype) and one focusing on older adults (senior archetype). Each pilot will assess feasibility, usability, engagement, and effectiveness through validated psychological and behavioural measures.

To ensure dissemination, exploitation, and sustainability.
IPC4MH will deliver open-access materials, training resources, and exploitation strategies to foster long-term sustainability of prevention centres beyond the project duration.

Expected Impacts

According to the proposal, IPC4MH will contribute to the following impacts:

Improved accessibility of mental-health prevention services.
By providing XR-based prevention environments deployable in community, educational, and healthcare settings, IPC4MH increases reach and inclusion, particularly for underserved populations.

Enhanced engagement and adherence to preventive interventions.
Through immersive, interactive, and adaptive XR experiences, IPC4MH promotes motivation, emotional regulation, and sustained participation.

Strengthened digital capacity and multidisciplinary collaboration.
The project builds capacity among clinicians, educators, and developers by introducing XR and AI tools for prevention, and fostering interdisciplinary learning across Europe.

Scientific innovation in multimodal data and AI for prevention.
IPC4MH generates new datasets and methodological advances in affective computing, multimodal sensing, and behaviour analytics applied to preventive mental-health contexts.

Contribution to European digital-health policy and standardisation.
The project aligns with EU ethical and technical frameworks, contributing to the development of standards for responsible AI, data governance, and interoperability in preventive healthcare.

Sustainable and transferable prevention models.
The results will inform long-term operational and business models supporting the replication of immersive prevention centres across EU member states.

Alignment with THCS Expected Impacts

IPC4MH directly supports THCS objectives by:

  • Strengthening health promotion and mental wellbeing through innovative digital tools.
  • Enhancing integration between technology developers, clinical researchers, and end-users.
  • Providing validated, sustainable frameworks for prevention and early intervention.
  • Contributing to the European Research Area by sharing open, reproducible data and methods.

Attribution

This content reproduces material from the IPC4MH project proposal submitted under the THCS Joint Programme. Co-funded by the European Union. The views expressed are those of the consortium and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority.