Relaxelf

The problem

Most people experience stress and anxiety beginning in childhood (stemming from concerns regarding academic performance, violence from other children, and parental expectations), which continues into adolescence (in terms of social and environmental stresses both at school and at home), and is then replaced by the burdens of adulthood (including career, finances, family, and raising children).

Over the years, studies have shown a direct connection between continuous stress and the development of diseases and various physical and mental conditions, and in the last 50 years, institutions and organizations have been established around the world with the aim of monitoring the stress and anxiety we all experience.  

Stress is one of the body's natural coping mechanisms. Its role is to protect us in times of danger. However, in present times, many of ust live as though we are in a state of constant danger, at least on a physiological level. Over time, stress becomes a significant burden and difficulty, leading to exhaustion and burnout, as well as various diseases and health issues (such as migraines, hypertension, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and more).

We live in an age when stress has become a global epidemic affecting the quality of life of billions around the world, and children are more exposed to it now than ever before. Unfortunately, in Israel, this situation is significantly more acute compared to other places in the world.

In fact, over 77% of children in the U.S., approximately 60 million boys and girls aged 5-17, suffer daily from anxiety-like symptoms that affect their functioning at school, social interactions, family life, and even sleep habits and quality (from data collected prior to the COVID-19 pandemic).

Studies conducted following the COVID-19 pandemic have found that emotional and mental disorders are at an all-time high, especially among children: during 2016-2020, the number of children aged 3-17 who were diagnosed with anxiety increased by 29%, and those diagnosed with depression increased by 27%, (according to a study published in 2022 in JAMA Pediatrics, which also indicates changes in the well-being of children and families, in general).

• Children also suffer from high stress levels and feelings of helplessness before and during invasive treatments in clinics, hospitals, and dental clinics.Mindful breathing can help them feel more in control of this experience, as it enables them to focus on breathing and manage their response to the invasive procedure.
• Children with ADHD may also experience higher levels of stress than other kids.The prevalence of ADHD among children aged 6 to 11 years in the United States is 10.2%, and among adolescents it is 15.6%. 

Stress is common among many children on the autism spectrum as well. They experience stress related to social interactions, sensory overload, changes in routine, and other challenges associated with their condition.

In addition, studies show that stress can have a marked effect on diabetes in children. When children experience stress, their bodies release hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, which cause blood sugar levels to rise. Stress can make it difficult for these children to stick to their diabetes management routines, such as taking insulin or monitoring blood sugar levels regularly.

One of the most common things that children and teenagers hear from their parents is the repeated, sometimes urgent, request to “calm down!" But apart from giving that command, are parents really equipping their children with tools to do so?

The difficulty also stems from the fact that existing solutions, such as psychological therapy, require the guidance of experienced professionals, while alternative treatments, such as yoga or meditation, require high discipline and practice, which are often not so simple for young users. Anti-anxiety medications naturally  have their own set of side effects, while a dedicated stress relief device has so far been created only for use by adults. This is where Relaxelf comes into play – the first anxiety relief product designed and created with children and teens in mind.

The solution

Relieving tension through mindful breathing allows the nervous system to rebalance quickly. Mindful breathing is a simple yet powerful technique that can help children reduce stress, by teaching them to focus on their breathing pattern and transition it into deep, slow breaths, which in turn can aid and improve focus and stress levels quickly and easily. This type of breathing can also improve attention, contribute to a higher quality of sleep, and improve their general emotional state.

Relaxelf is an interactive biofeedback system, including a device and app, designed for relieving stress and tension among children and teens. The device guides users towards a breathing pattern that promotes calmness in the body, relieves tension, and re-balances the sympathetic nervous system.

Relaxelf is designed intuitively and simply for children's use. It offers a process that is easier and more accessible for children, who usually have difficulty concentrating in traditional meditation. Its unique method of operation, which involves watching the movement of the balloons, enables users to focus on the act of breathing itself. This is what differentiates Relaxelf from competitors and turns it into a mindfulness tool that tangibly enables users to focus.

The combination of a device platform and its companion app increases children's responsiveness to the device and enables monitoring and analysis of data accumulated over time by parents, caregivers, teachers, and/or medical staff. It enables improved coping with challenges in life and emotional regulation.

The technology

The device utilizes sensors that are attached to a belt and detect the breathing rate of the child. This information is then transmitted to the software located on the side of the sleeve, which controls the operation of two balloons located inside the sleeve. A pump is used to fill and deflate the balloons in a pre-determined pattern that decreases over time. Additionally, there is an "I Feel Good" button located between the balloons that allow the inflation rate to remain constant until the end of the procedure.

In the next stage of development, a technological application solution will be built that helps to deal with challenges such as:

• Adapting a unique program to the user over time and in accordance with his unique profile and the state of stress, he is in, supporting and cultivating correct usage habits that help put the user in the desired state, exposing the user to the progress of the change throughout the period in the device and contact with the world of therapists and professionals.
• In the next stage of development, a technological application solution will be built that helps to deal with challenges such as:
• Adapting a unique program to the user over time and according to his unique profile and related to the state of stress he is in, supporting and cultivating correct usage habits that help put the user in the desired state, exposing the user to the progress of reducing stress throughout the entire period of using the device and connecting with the world of the therapists, parents and professionals.

The Sleeve device - Tactile interaction (hug and touch)

Tactile interaction refers to the sense of touch and its role in human communication and interaction. It is based on a deep biological sense that is connected to the user's emotional feelings. Tactile stimulation has been shown to activate the release of various neurotransmitters, including oxytocin and dopamine, which are associated with social bonding, trust, and pleasure. This makes tactile interaction an important component of human interaction and communication, and it has applications in various fields like healthcare. By incorporating tactile feedback in devices and technologies, it is possible to enhance the user's emotional connection and engagement, leading to a more immersive and satisfying experience.

How does it work?

Relaxelf is a lightweight and portable biofeedback device designed for children to use in any place and situation as needed. The device resembles a sleeve that has a pleasant texture and provides a comforting sensation of being hugged. To use the device, the child places their hands into the sleeve and holds onto two balloons that expand and contract.

The breathing sensors detect the child's breathing rate and transmit the information to smart software, which then monitors the rate and guides the inflation of the balloons accordingly. The child synchronizes his breathing with the movement of the balloons. The balloon is a type of pressure ball for relaxation recommended by professionals. These pressure balls are known to help alleviate stress and promote relaxation.The child can use the device until they feel calm and relaxed.

When the child reaches a sense of relaxation, they press the "I feel good" button, at which point the device preserves the desired breathing rate that the user has reached, in a process called “auto biofeedback”.

The child performs three actions simultaneously:

• Follows operation of the balloon (inflating / deflating).
• Actively performs an action (pressing the balloon while exhaling /releasing the balloon while inhaling).
• Breathes according to the balloons (inflation – inhalation of air /contraction – exhalation of air).

These integrated actions promote concentration by not allowing thoughts to wander and "escape", and lead to long-term relaxation.

Relaxelf is pleasant to use, user-friendly, intuitive, and induces relaxation quickly. The device can be incorporated for use by many therapists and doctors (pediatricians, pain doctors, surgeons, orthopedists, etc.) prior to performing invasive procedures. The system offers a pleasant and effective alternative that can be used in hospitals, community centers, therapeutic clinics, chiropractic treatment, and more.

Relaxelf's technology actually teaches the brain how to deal with both internal issues (cravings, worries, desires) and external ones and serves as a guide for practicing mindfulness breathing that directs and helps the child, with the aim of developing better focus, attention and concentration skills, and to practice controlling behavior and stress levels.

Many studies show that the practice of mindful breathing leads to: a significant reduction in stress levels; alleviation of symptoms of depression and anxiety; relief of disturbing thoughts; improved sleep quality; better coping with chronic pain; change of harmful habits and patterns; strengthened immune system; reduction of psychosomatic symptoms; improved sense of well-being, attention, and concentration; and a decrease in impulsiveness and violent behavior.

The device is easier and more accessible for use by children, who usually find it difficult to concentrate on traditional meditation; and the way it is physically operated, while viewing the action of the balloons, allows users to focus on breathing itself.

Proof of Concept (POC)

A successful pilot (POC) was conducted by the company among 20 children living nearby Gaza, who suffer from stress due to the situation in the region and live in a state of continuous, chronic anxiety. The pilot results showed that 90% of these children experienced a decrease in their stress levels (as measured by electrical conductivity of sweat and via questionnaires), within about 3-5 minutes. Among all participants, the intensity of tension was lowered and stress levels decreased quickly and significantly.

Today, the company is working to bring its finished product to the market and make it accessible as soon as possible for families and children everywhere.