Let’s Explore Neat Prototypes That Propose Objects to Increase Self-Efficacy: 5-in-5, Part 3

Want to stimulate your vagus nerve during a panic attack? I’ve got a belt prototype for you.

For this prototype, I am exploring a belt that can help regulate your vagus nerve. Depression and anxiety can be debilitating, keeping individuals from accomplishing tasks or attaining goals. Stimulating your vagus nerve has proven to be beneficial for lessening the severity of these attacks and exposure to cold is one of the methods for stimulation.

I have prototyped a belt that contains EKG sensors, as well as a cooling mechanism to help wearers stimulate the vagus nerve while experiencing a panic attack, thus lessening the severity. The EKG sensors are connected to a central board that activates the cooling device when the wearer’s heart rate increases. Because a belt is worn around the mid-section, it will target the core of the body and be effective in delivering this therapy. The belt can also be activated by touch.

The underside of the belt contains the mechanism for detection and cooling.

I created a very rudimentary prototype, using a found belt, tea lights to represent EKG sensors, a coiled wire for the cooling device, and an electrical board in the center.

Similar to my glasses prototype, I am taking the concepts of customization for personal reflection; a belt can be customized to fit the wearer’s fashion aesthetic and reflect their personality. The technology that helps is hidden in order to avoid unnecessary attention to the wearer’s condition. The wearer will develop a connection to this object as something that not only helps them regulate their anxiety but also is an extension of their style and self.

This cooling mechanism can be adapted to different belt styles, thus reflecting the personality of the wearer. (note: I limited myself to items found in my house; I rarely wear anything other than black, so these options may seem limited due to this constraint.)

On a personal note, I suffer from sciatic nerve pain. This idea came to me while I DIY-ed a heating pad out of a sock and rice and then became annoyed that I had to hold it in place or lie down on top of it. I thought about whether I could sew it onto a belt so that I could continue doing my chores, but you can’t put a belt in a microwave. What if it was just one intrinsic device that would automatically activate based on measuring bodily metrics? So, thank you, injured nerve. The bane of my existence yet a source of inspiration.