Dr. ir. R.J. (Robbert Jan) Beun

Buys Ballotgebouw
Princetonplein 5
Kamer BBG-4.16
3584 CC Utrecht

Dr. ir. R.J. (Robbert Jan) Beun

Associate Professor
Human-Centered Computing
+31 30 253 3577
r.j.beun@uu.nl
Projects
Project
DietCare: A Gamified m-coaching program to improve dietary behaviour among adolescents from lower socioeconomic status.
Role
Supervisor
Funding
External funding
Project
CHOOSE: Healthy Lifestyle and wellbeing through coaching and continuous blood pressure sensing.
Role
Project Leader & Supervisor
Funding
External funding
External project members
  • Petra Wark
Project
SleepCare Learn to Sleep Better by Automated e-Coaching
Role
Project Leader & Supervisor
Funding
Other grant (government funding)
Completed Projects
Project
BEAT IT: Using serious games to train behavioral control in adolescents (Dynamics of Youth, UU) 02.11.2015 to 01.05.2017
General project description

http://www.uu.nl/onderzoek/beat-it

Role
Researcher
Funding
Utrecht University Dynamics of Youth, UU
Project
Sleep Care: Persuasive Technology for Personalized Sleep Coaching 15.01.2012 to 01.05.2016
General project description

Sleep disorders are among the most prevalent mental disorders in the general population. They impair daily functioning, reduce quality of life and enhance health care costs for millions worldwide. To improve the quality of sleep, we propose a non-pharmacological approach based on methods and techniques derived from cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), persuasive technology and current information and communication technology. The scientific aim of this project is to enhance the understanding of personalized self-help therapy in the domain of sleep with the aid of existing (hardware) technology. We aim in particular at a generic, scientifically-proven framework that integrates persuasion strategies for sustainable behaviour change and the technology to support these strategies. As a proof of concept, a virtual coach will be modelled and implemented that enacts a first contact in a stepped care system. The resulting implementation of the model will be called the coaching engine and may be considered as a persuasive assistant that, at an appropriate time, offers and adapts sleep relevant exercises, and that gives various types of support and advice given a personal model of the coachee and its environment. In the design process of the virtual coach, an incremental approach with short evaluation cycles will be followed. In the final year, a summative user study will be performed in a Randomized Controlled Trial. Criteria for success include (but are not restricted to) improved subjective sleep quality, sleep efficiency and daytime functioning, and reduced time to fall asleep. The expected results are 1. a generic computational coaching model scientifically validated in the domain of sleep, 2. persuasive coaching strategies for exercise adherence and cognitive restructuring in computerized mobile coaching and 3. an integrative framework for symbolic interaction, sensor data, environmental changing devices and human interaction/intervention.

Role
Project Leader & Supervisor
Funding
Other grant (government funding)
Project
Controled game-based stress manipulation 01.10.2010 to 01.10.2014
Role
Supervisor
Funding
Other grant (government funding)