MindLens: Designing Emotionally Sensitive Interaction for Cognitive Restructuring in Adults with ADHD
Authors
Mandau, Melanie ; Pedersen, Casper With Nørskov
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2026
Abstract
This thesis investigates how principles from Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CCBT) can be translated into a digital interaction design that supports cognitive restructuring in adults with ADHD without increasing their cognitive and emotional load. Building on evidence for the effectiveness of CBT and CCBT in addressing both ADHD symptoms and emotional difficulties, the work focuses on how a cognitive diary can structure a user’s process from concrete situations and automatic thoughts to new interpretations and actionable steps. The thesis presents MindLens, a design concept for a digital cognitive diary that guides users through six steps: identifying a trigger, describing the situation, mapping thoughts and emotions, engaging in cognitive restructuring, formulating a new narrative with AI support and turning reflections into manageable tasks through task chunking. Through an iterative design process, a mid-fidelity Figma prototype was formatively evaluated with five adults diagnosed with ADHD using paper prototyping, the Wizard of Oz technique, think-aloud protocols and observations. The tests revealed key interactional breakdowns closely tied to the target group’s cognitive and emotional profile, including a ‘cognitive wall’ when moving from reflection to action, AI-driven text rewriting being experienced as a corrective authority, stress caused by abstract metaphors and anxiety about data loss due to unclear navigation. Based on these findings, the thesis proposes design implications for ADHD-sensitive systems, such as making AI support user-initiated, replacing abstract labels with concrete terms and creating smoother transitions between reflection and action. It concludes that digitalising therapeutic principles for this group requires a delicate balance between providing structure and maintaining user autonomy, with the system acting as an appreciative partner that respects users’ fluctuating mental energy and lived experience rather than as a corrective authority; while therapeutic outcomes are not measured, the study offers empirical insights into designing digital support that is both cognitively gentle and emotionally safe.
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan principper fra internetbaseret kognitiv adfærdsterapi (CCBT) kan omsættes til et digitalt interaktionsdesign, der støtter kognitiv omstrukturering hos voksne med ADHD uden at øge deres kognitive og følelsesmæssige belastning. Med udgangspunkt i den dokumenterede effekt af CBT og CCBT på både ADHD-symptomer og følelsesmæssige udfordringer fokuserer arbejdet på, hvordan en kognitiv dagbog kan strukturere brugerens proces fra konkret situation og automatiske tanker til ny fortolkning og handlemuligheder. Afhandlingen præsenterer MindLens, et designkoncept for en digital kognitiv dagbog, der guider brugeren gennem seks trin: identifikation af trigger, situationsbeskrivelse, kortlægning af tanker og følelser, kognitiv omstrukturering, formulering af en ny fortælling med AI-støtte og omsætning til håndterbare handlinger via opgaveopdeling. Gennem en iterativ designproces blev en mid-fidelity Figma-prototype formativt testet med fem voksne diagnosticeret med ADHD ved hjælp af papirprototyper, Wizard of Oz-teknik, think-aloud og observationer. Testene afdækkede centrale interaktionsmæssige sammenbrud tæt knyttet til målgruppens kognitive og følelsesmæssige profil, herunder en ’kognitiv mur’ i overgangen fra refleksion til handling, at AI-omskrivning af tekst kunne opleves som en korrigerende autoritet, stress udløst af abstrakte metaforer samt angst for datatab på grund af uklar navigation. På baggrund af disse fund foreslår afhandlingen designprincipper for ADHD-følsomme systemer, såsom brugerinitieret AI-støtte, konkrete begreber frem for abstrakte metaforer og blødere overgange mellem refleksion og handling. Afhandlingen konkluderer, at digitalisering af terapeutiske principper til denne målgruppe kræver en fin balance mellem struktur og brugerkontrol, hvor systemet skal fungere som en anerkendende partner, der respekterer brugerens kognitive ressourcer og livserfaring, frem for en korrigerende autoritet; terapeutisk effekt måles ikke, men studiet bidrager med empirisk viden om design af kognitivt skånsom og følelsesmæssigt sikker digital støtte.
[This abstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]