Project Leader: Dr. Jacek Matulewski, PhD, UMK
The aim of the project is to investigate:
- the relationships between our ways of thinking and the cognitive system associated with health-promoting behaviors,
- their connection with susceptibility to postoperative delirium and early postoperative cognitive impairments, which occur in some patients after cardiac surgery, and
- the implementation of remote support using artificial intelligence based on theory of mind for patients following cardiac surgery.
We propose an interdisciplinary project combining cognitive science, medicine, neuroscience, data science, and computer science to study how entrenched mental frameworks influence the health-promoting behaviors of cardiac surgery patients and their cognitive outcomes. By integrating these fields, we adopt a broader perspective on the human mind, linking cognitive research results with neuroimaging data analysis (fMRI) in cardiac surgery patients. The focus is on identifying key relationships between thinking patterns, cognitive functioning, and susceptibility to postoperative delirium and early cognitive impairment.
The project also involves developing a personalized, AI-based medical assistant, delivered through a mobile application, grounded in theory of mind, to support the mental health recovery of post-hospitalization patients. This application will provide preoperative guidance, cognitive preparation based on gamification, postoperative monitoring and support, and motivational engagement. The key innovation lies in creating a system capable of natural, emotionally adapted dialogue with patients. Using specialized large language models (LLMs), the system will recognize emotions, respond with empathy, and tailor interactions based on individual needs, trust levels, and readiness for behavior change. The model’s specialization will allow control over the reliability of the information it conveys by training it on carefully selected materials. Simultaneously, this application will serve as a platform for patient engagement and data collection for research conducted within the project, as well as for future studies, including long-term longitudinal research.
Central to our approach is the concept of theory of mind, linking cognitive-affective functions with social cognition. Competencies related to theory of mind, captured through dialogue and neuroimaging, will help us understand how patients’ self-perception, body image, and social attitudes influence recovery. This opens new avenues for personalized, AI-supported care that promotes mental health and resilience following cardiac surgery.