# data[].attributes.body
Jung, S.  (2018, June 29).  A brief look at Foci:  The wearable that helps you stay calm and focused [review].  Retrieved from https://www.medgadget.com/2018/06/a-brief-look-at-foci-the-wearable-that-helps-you-stay-calm-and-focused.html

Kickstarter.  (n.d.)  Foci:  Wearable that boosts your focus.  Retrieved from https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/661527809/foci-wearable-that-boosts-your-focus

National Institute of Mental Health [NHI].  (2017, November).  Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).  Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd.shtml

# data[].attributes.headline
Worn close to the body, the tiny, non-invasive devise detects physiological changes when a person's mind wanders and will deliver a vibration to the user which stimulates awareness and prompts refocus.  Tinylogic, the creators of FOCI, market it as "cognitive biometrics" combined with artificial intelligence or "AI" (Kickstarter, n.d.).

# data[].attributes.subject
Worn close to the body, the tiny, non-invasive devise detects physiological changes when a person's mind wanders and will deliver a vibration to the user which stimulates awareness and prompts refocus.  Tinylogic, the creators of FOCI, market it as "cognitive biometrics" combined with artificial intelligence or "AI" (Kickstarter, n.d.).

# data[].attributes.body
According to the National Institute for Mental Health (2017), 4.4% of adults suffer from Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), with a lifetime prevalence of 8.1% for American citizens.  For people that suffer from ADHD or others who get distracted while spending hours on the computer at work or studying, the FOCI claims it can get them back on track. Considering the societal cost of distraction--which includes stress and anxiety for the individual, expenses for medications and therapies, and productivity losses for employers--it would be prudent to explore the potential benefits of the FOCI in the outpatient clinic as a non-invasive, cost-effective option for patients complaining of lack of focus.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Positivity - enthusiastic and energetic

2. Developer - invested in others

3. Futuristic - visionary and inspiring

4. Empathy - in tune with the needs of others

5. Individualization - appreciates the uniqueness of others

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
At the ITF Conference in Belgium in May, imec director Chris Van Hoof shared with us how mental health is an area of medicine that is underserved and ripe for innovation with medical technology. While they might be more for general wellness, we're slowly starting to see a new wave of technologies in the form of apps and smartwatch features that offer breathing exercises to help reduce stress. But how can one quantify stress?

UK-based Tinylogics thinks that their upcoming platform called FOCI, a wireless, wearable sensor combined with machine learning, is the answer. The FOCI wearable is a lightweight, tiny device about the size of a wireless hands-free that clips onto your waist and contains sensors that track your breathing patterns from the movement of your diaphragm. The device is based on research that has suggested that different cognitive states each have unique breathing patterns. It's a similar concept to the Spire wearable we reviewed several years ago, however the machine learning component allows FOCI to learn your breathing patterns to filter out noise and more accurately assess your cognitive state. The wearable itself can give you a gentle vibration when it detects that you need to refocus, and the mobile app can visualize this with different colored orbs.

We had the opportunity to wear a demo of FOCI for the past couple weeks. We found the device to be comfortable to wear, almost to the point of losing it when it became unclipped from our waist a couple of times. After a learning period of a few days, the app was fairly accurate in detecting our cognitive states, although we're a little puzzled as the app seems to be most useful if it is left on. This meant that our phone had to be kept on our desk with the screen turned on as much as possible, which is enough a distraction already. Moreover, the act of checking our phone would often cause us to break our "focus streak", and we'd see our yellow "in focus" orb or teal "feeling calm" orb quickly turn a sad gray for "not in focus". Digital stress coaching without utilizing digital distractions just doesn't seem to be quite there yet. If you're not concerned about the colored orbs, FOCI thankfully appears to work just fine running in the background and showed us our cognitive states when our phone was in our pocket. You'll also want to know that FOCI only works while sitting down; if your stressful job involves being on your feet all day, you'll unfortunately have to look elsewhere to calm down.

While tools like FOCI theoretically could be useful for managing stress, there is very little evidence on how effective they actually are. The testimonies on the FOCI website are limited to a handful of anecdotes from Cambridge University students. If research continues to suggest that breathing patterns can be a useful metric for tracking cognitive states, then it would be interesting if FOCI could partner with mental health researchers and clinicians to develop a novel device that goes beyond wellness into the realm of mental health.

FOCI is available now to preorder for £48 (~$65 USD) on Kickstarter.
(Standard disclaimer regarding crowdsourced products: Please keep in mind that this is a Kickstarter product that has not yet shipped to backers. Neither Kickstarter nor Medgadget guarantee projects or investigate a creator's ability to complete their project.)
Kickstarter Page: FOCI | Wearable that Boosts your Focus...

More info: Foci Website...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A Brief Look at FOCI: The Wearable That Helps You Stay Calm and Focused |

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
At the ITF Conference in Belgium in May, imec director Chris Van Hoof shared with us how mental health is an area of medicine that is underserved and ripe for innovation with medical technology.

# data[].attributes.body
Cost: $109 (If ordered on KickStarter website now, save 33% ). Affordable, especially compared to cost of medication to promote focus.

Time:  Quick implementation; no special training or classes necessary.

Size:  Less than 2 x 1 x 0.5 inches and weighs under half of an ounce.

Use:  Noninvasive

# data[].attributes.body
Efficacy:  Only works when sitting down.  Also, it functions according to breathing patterns, so device may become confused in patients with pulmonary issues.

Research: Only one limited study has been done involving college students.

Availability: Ships October 2018

# data[].attributes.body
Patient Selection
Leader:  Ivy
By using relationship building skills, this team will identify the individuals with traits most likely to benefit from this treatment.

Patient Resource
Leader:  Daisy
Developer skills will be used for patient guidance, education, and encouragement with using this technology as a mental health treatment modality.

Troubleshooting
Leader:  Rachel
Restorative qualities will assist in effectively identifying problems and weaknesses in FOCI therapy, as well as faults in functionality and programming.

Data Analysis
Leader:  Izzie
Harnessing input skills, this team will analyze use and response data to strategically interpret program results.

Program Development
Leader:  Isaac
Ideation capabilities will be utilized to identify traits in successful outcomes in order to make connections that may improve future implementation and advancement.