Healthtech startup Urgotech has finished the development of its daytime sleep training system Urgonight.
The technology uses neurofeedback therapy which trans the brain to produce the brainwaves clinically associated with sleep.
It aims to provide people who have issues falling and staying asleep with a clinically proven and drug-free way to naturally improve the quality and duration of sleep. Comprised of a wearable Electroencephalogram (EEG)-headband and app, it helps people naturally learn to increase the brainwaves that impact sleep, using technology that has been clinically proven to help people to fall asleep 40% faster and cut night time interruptions by half.
Neurofeedback therapies use real-time displays of brain activity, audio and visual cues and reward strategies to teach people to identify and modify behavior to influence a desired outcome. They are used to treat and manage conditions such as sleep, ADHD, improve critical thinking, athletic capabilities and musical performances.
During the night, our brains emit waves known as “sleep spindles” that control multiple aspects of sleep including how fast we fall asleep, progress through various sleep cycles and how sleep is protected from environmental disturbances such as sounds. The frequency of Sleep Spindles can be increased in the unconscious brain by increasing the frequency of sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) brainwaves we produce during the day. It is these SMR waves Urgonight is able to detect and people can learn to control, leading to better sleep by increasing the speed at which people fall asleep and reducing the number of times they wake up during the night.
Worn and used during the day, rather than at night, the adjustable headband uses sensors to measure brainwave activity. The lightweight Urgonight headband uses two channels and dry electrodes that do not require the application of gel. It is placed above the sensorimotor cortex of the user’s brain to capture readings and is protected against ambient noise and interference to ensure accuracy with the cables on its electronic board shielded to French Office of the Atomic and Alternative Energies standards.
The system is designed to be used 20 minutes a day, three times a week. People place the headband over their head and connect it to the dedicated iOS and Android app. Within the app, users can see their brainwaves in real-time before they start the dedicated 20-minute brain training exercises.
The training programs consist of playful exercises which sees users assigned tasks (that are triggered when SMR waves are produced) and able to see their results, scores and in real-time. There are several themes to choose from with tasks ranging from growing leaves on trees, herding jellyfish and drawing relaxing patterns.
The app also allows users to access stats and achievements and share successes and progresses on social media. A virtual coach in the app guides them throughout their journey, explaining the exercises and providing advice on improving scores. Programs continually adjust to the individual user to ensure their brains are in a constant learning curve and results continue to improve over time.
Guirec Le Lous, founder of Urgotech, said: “Just as you can train your body to run faster, jump higher, swim further or become more flexible, clinical studies have shown neurofeedback therapy can help people learn how to improve the quality of their sleep. The technology has been used in clinical sleep centres around the world for decades and now with Urgonight, we are making it more fun and accessible and conveniently usable in the comfort of the home.”
