Chronic Depression

Dr. Ashley Mason is developing innovative methods for assessing and treating behavioral health conditions using non-pharmacologic approaches. Dr. Mason's work aims to provide effective, inexpensive, and easily accessible treatments for mental health issues that affect millions of Americans, such as clinical depression and insomnia. Her research explores the use of mind-body interventions, particularly thermal treatments, to target the biological underpinnings of depression and insomnia.

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She is investigating whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a mind-body treatment for clinical depression, as well as developing a home-based thermal treatment that pairs with a behavioral intervention for the treatment of insomnia. Additionally, Dr. Mason is developing novel treatment protocols that include cold water immersion (CWI) therapy as a "contrast" therapy with WBH.

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Dr. Mason is harnessing the power of physiological data collected by wearable devices to potentially detect mental health problems to optimize treatment timing. By developing algorithms that utilize metrics such as body temperature, which she and others have shown to be elevated in people with depression, she aims to create a personalized approach to mental health care that leverages the potential of wearable technology.

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Furthermore, Dr. Mason is dedicated to increasing access to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), the recommended first-line treatment for insomnia. She has developed a 7-week CBT-I treatment platform that is delivered through web-based group medical visits, making this effective intervention more widely available to those in need. This research aligns with the Tiny Foundation's focus on advancing human health and well-being through innovative scientific research.