The FDA has given NightWare clearance to market a “digital therapeutic” device that uses an Apple Watch to interrupt PTSD-related nightmares.
— Read on www.wired.com/story/how-a-vibrating-smartwatch-could-be-used-to-stop-nightmares/
The younger Skluzacek (inventor) got his idea from the work of service dogs, who lick or nudge veterans with PTSD who are thrashing or moaning in their sleep, to disrupt their nightmares and allow them to sleep more peacefully.
The “digital therapeutic system” uses the sensors on a specially programmed Apple Watch to create a baseline sleep profile of the wearer. The sensors then can detect the rising heart rate and body movement associated with troubled sleep. The watch delivers vibrations in cycles of 10 seconds, increasing in intensity to arouse but not awaken the wearer, until the metrics ease back to normal levels.