Harnessing data from wearable sensors, BfB Labs biofeedback games motivates players to stay calm under pressure, by linking their performance and progress to the variability of their heart rate. Through regular play, this fosters habits of self-control through diaphragmatic regulated breathing and builds emotional resilience, improving wellbeing and helping prevent mental health problems.

The business has a dedicated team and growing group of impact investors working together to generate social and financial returns in the long-term.

The need

“We need healthy, creative and resilient children who know how to maintain wellbeing and can manage stress, judge risks and embrace failure as part of the learning process. It’s essential that we find ways of engaging young people with their technologies in order to do this.”

Charlotte Berry, Deputy Head Teacher, The Billericay School

Half of common mental health disorders in the UK start by the age of 14 and ultimately affect 1 in 4 people at some point in their lives. By teaching young people the skills to regulate their emotions, you can increase their well-being which protects against the development of mental health problems.

Proven methods for managing emotional responses do exist, using simple behaviours such as regulated breathing. However, there are almost no effective, widely available, non-stigmatised interventions to help young people learn these habits.

Progress

“A game like this would be benefitting you. If you’re losing and you get angry then you might smash something, but if it measures your heart rate then at least you know you’ve got to cool down.”

Student, 14

We undertook a year of research and consultation in 2013/14, drawing on a range of experts in fields as diverse as psychology, youth work and video game design.In the same year, we worked with a strong set of research and development partners to create a simple proof of concept that helps us see the HRV game mechanic in action and test its effect on wellbeing, through a pilot at Billericay School in Essex in autumn 2014 with 60 12-13 year olds. Evaluation of this initial trial showed that it:

“Games tap into the most fundamental ways we learn and feel. They are an incredible way of reaching out to young people regardless of nationality and background – and, in as urgent and universal a field as mental health, I’m proud to be involved in something that promises to equip countless players with a proven tool for transforming their own health and resilience.”

Tom Chatfield, Technology Theorist

• Drove compliance with the correct breathing technique
• Encouraged repeated practice of these techniques
• Taught players emotional regulation techniques that they transferred out of the game context
• Was a fun and enjoyable experience for players.

Using these findings and with further support from the Nominet Trust and Google.org, the BfB Labs team is developing a market ready game and planning a clinical trial in early 2016. The game and an accompanying wearable sensor will be launched in spring 2016 through a crowdfunding campaign.