Case Study: Measuring Stress and Sleep as Part of a Therapy

In recent years, using biometric data in therapy has become more common, especially for autistic individuals. This blog explains how Philia Labs’ wearable technology can help therapists and caregivers understand if therapies are working by measuring things like stress levels and sleep. Specifically, we’ll look at how a therapy called the Anxiety Reframe Technique (A.R.T.) affects the body and sleep patterns.

Background

Autistic people communicate, think, and process information in ways that are different from non-autistic people. Many autistic people have strong skills, like great memory and paying attention to details. But they may also have challenges with managing emotions, which can cause high stress, trouble sleeping, and anxiety.

Therapies can have a hard time helping with these issues because they don’t have real-time, clear data about how the body reacts to stress. This is where wearable biometric devices, like those from Philia Labs, can help. These devices track changes in stress levels and sleep patterns, giving caregivers and therapists useful information to see how well therapies are working.

How the A.R.T. Therapy Works

The Anxiety Reframe Technique (A.R.T.) was developed by Ms Holly Bridges. It focuses on physical exercises that stimulate the vagus nerve, which helps regulate stress. Over five weeks, participants in the study took part in eight sessions of this therapy. These sessions involved exercises designed to reduce stress and improve emotional stability.

Who Participated in the Study?

The study involved seven autistic participants, 6 children and 1 adult. For 15 weeks, these participants attended online therapy sessions using the A.R.T. method. Their progress was tracked using both traditional assessments and PhiliaHealth wearable devices.

Measuring Stress and Sleep

The participants wore Philia Labs’ devices, which tracked their stress levels (through autonomic arousal) and sleep quality. Key measures included how long they slept and how efficiently they slept. These biometric readings helped therapists understand how the participants’ bodies were responding to the therapy.

To avoid influencing the results, the data was only shared with therapists after the sessions were completed.

What Were the Results?

The data showed a range of positive responses to the therapy. Many participants experienced improved sleep and reduced stress, which is a sign that their bodies were responding well to the therapy. The therapy appeared to increase “vagal tone,” meaning that it helped participants manage stress more effectively. As of October 2024, 2 participants continue to use PhiliaHealth with the therapist.

A full report on how PhiliaHealth was used is available here.

What Did Therapists and Caregivers Think?

Therapists found the biometric data very helpful. It gave them clear, objective information to show whether the therapy was working. For autistic people who may not easily notice or express changes in how their body feels, the data offered a way to see progress.

Caregivers also appreciated the data because it helped them have better conversations with therapists and advocate for more support when needed. Real-time data made it easier to spot signs of stress early, reducing tension within the family. Some caregivers, however, had concerns about sharing the data and the comfort of the wearable devices. Philia Labs is working on these issues by offering more comfortable straps and ensuring data sharing is done with consent.

Conclusion

This blog post highlights how biometric data can make autism therapies more effective. By providing real-time insights into stress levels and sleep, PhiliaHealth helps therapists and caregivers make better decisions about care. As Philia Labs continues to develop its technology, we aim to offer hope for more personalised therapies and improved well-being for autistic individuals.

As an aside, I'd highly recommend checking Holly's page out. In my opinion, somatic therapies are a bit like yoga: they are an internal massage that helps restore restful balance in the body so that it is not in a constant state of stress!

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