Thesma

Thesma: Support for Respiratory Therapy

The Thesma solution supports and visualizes respiratory therapy exercises. It combines hardware and software to help users implement their therapy and improve therapy adherence.

How it works

The Thesma Box acts as an interface between a positive expiratory pressure (PEP) respiratory therapy device and a computer or mobile device. It measures and transmits intrabronchial pressure data. This data is used to visualize breathing and the execution of the therapeutic exercise. This provides users with support during respiratory therapy.

The Thesma Software

The Thesma software places particular emphasis on the therapeutic effect of the applications. Exercise compliance and effectiveness are displayed in a dashboard. Medical history information can be made available to medical professionals as needed to adapt the therapy and game sequence to the user's current needs. This enables support from medical professionals without direct physical contact and can improve the quality of respiratory therapy exercises.

Various Thesma applications are available. They range from simple displays that show the user whether they are within the "target range" during therapy to a range of games. These games can be played on a PC, tablet, smartphone, acoustic devices, or VR headsets. All applications are compatible with the Thesma box and are controlled by breathing. The focus of gamification is on controlling the games through breathing, which can influence user motivation and thus therapeutic outcomes.
Artificial Intelligence

The games are designed so that their content (e.g., underwater worlds) evolves based on user behavior and preferences. This is intended to keep the games interesting for ongoing, long-term use.
Relevance for Cystic Fibrosis

Thesma is relevant for people who require regular respiratory therapy, such as patients with cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic metabolic disorder caused by a mutation in the CFTR gene. This mutation leads to a defective channel in the cell surface, resulting in an imbalance in the cell's salt and water balance. The resulting thick mucus can affect various organs, particularly the lungs.

Respiratory therapy is an important component of treatment for cystic fibrosis. Thesma can provide support by visualizing exercise execution, promoting motivation through playful elements, and enabling remote support from medical professionals.