Development of Digital Therapeutics for Postpartum Depression using health data collected by the MOTHER Bracelet®.
MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq CM: MRM), a holistic healthcare Company based in Japan (the “Company”), signed today a comprehensive business agreement with Social Service Inc. (“Social Service”) to develop Digital Therapeutics (DTx) for Postpartum Depression (PPD).
Developed by the Company, “The MOTHER Bracelet ®”, a wearable health-tracking bracelet that self-charges, will be implemented in a collaborative program with Social Service.
Postpartum depression, which is often unrecognized and can go on for months untreated, will be evaluated based on biometrics measured by the MOTHER Bracelet. Combined with a personalized score (developed by the Company’s checklist), this project intends to establish a supplementary diagnostic system for the early detection of PPD. Through this system, the Company aims to alleviate social isolation and create a more parenting friendly society where postpartum depression-related incidents, which were previously noticed only after serious accidents, will be effectively prevented.
Development of DTx by Social Service for postpartum depression is a two-step process.
In the initial step, health data (steps, quality of sleep, calories burned, heart rate, body temperature) collected by the MOTHER Bracelet, will be transferred to Social Service with the user’s consent (Social Service are charged the SDK usage per account).
Social Service defines depression state based on received health data. Additionally, taking into account that physical and mental stress are not interchangeable, as well as personality differences affect stress response, the Company will classify and distinguish personality features using qualitative score to analyze data comprehensively and provide more advanced and accurate postpartum depression diagnosis.
In the second step, a therapeutic intervention program for postpartum depression will be provided*.
*Reference to the FDA-approved digital therapeutic for postpartum depression by Woebot Health in the US
1. 24/7 recharge-free health data collection with the MOTHER Bracelet
With being almost unnoticeably lightweight and self-charging, the MOTHER Bracelet’s biggest advantage is continuous and uninterrupted 24/7 health monitoring.
2. Postpartum Depression: Current Status
Depression diagnosis and screening are usually done by a physician based on physical examination. However, it is difficult for many new mothers to visit a health clinic. With the estimated number of births reaching 810,000 in 2021, a significant number of depression conditions are likely to be underdiagnosed and undertreated.
※Citation: Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/saikin/hw/jinkou/geppo/nengai21/dl/gaikyouR3.pdf
3. Early diagnosis of postpartum depression to solve social issues
Increased evidence suggests that postpartum depression can be alleviated or prevented from progression through the supportive relationships and social connections. Depression awareness should not be limited to a patient only, but shared with relatives, e.g. husband or father with a patient’s consent. While the care routines for infants and toddlers, including constantly meeting the child’s immediate needs, are both mentaly and physically stressful, they can be effectively changed into a positive experience by preventing isolation and burnout with appropriate social support. We are aiming to develop new digital health therapeutics that will promote a better and mutually-supportive society.
Postpartum Depression: Service Overview
The MOTHER Bracelet®
The MOTHER Bracelet® is the first* in the world self-powered Activity Tracker that does not require recharging. Powered by cutting-edge technology developed in collaboration with a tech business in the United States, Silicon Valley, it generates electricity from the temperature difference between the body and ambient air. Being recharge free, it eliminates the data loss which happens unavoidably while a device is being taken off. Five basic types of health data (steps, quality of sleep, calories burned, heart rate, and body temperature) can be recorded with this single device.
*Intellectual property rights given to the Activity Tracker that utilizes the Seebeck effect and does not require recharge; identified by WPO, PATENTSCOPE, JST, J-GLOBAL, J-PlatPat (July 3, 2021, ESP Research Institute).
**Refer to “Survey on Medical Expenses for Lifestyle-Related Diseases in 2019”, Federation of Health Insurance Associations.
About MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc.
The MOTHER Bracelet® is the first* in the world self-powered Activity Tracker that does not require recharging. Powered by cutting-edge technology developed in collaboration with a tech business in the United States, Silicon Valley, it generates electricity from the temperature difference between the body and ambient air. Being recharge free, it eliminates the data loss which happens unavoidably while a device is being taken off. Five basic types of health data (steps, quality of sleep, calories burned, heart rate, and body temperature) can be recorded with this single device.
*Intellectual property rights given to the Activity Tracker that utilizes the Seebeck effect and does not require recharge; identified by WPO, PATENTSCOPE, JST, J-GLOBAL, J-PlatPat (July 3, 2021, ESP Research Institute).
**Refer to “Survey on Medical Expenses for Lifestyle-Related Diseases in 2019”, Federation of Health Insurance Associations.
About MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc.
MEDIROM, a holistic healthcare company with its leading brand Re.Ra.Ku®, operates 312 therapeutic massage studios nationwide (as of October 31, 2022). In 2015, MEDIROM entered the health tech business, and launched new healthcare programs using on-demand training app called “Lav®”. In 2020, MEDIROM released the MOTHER Bracelet®, world-first in the tech industry activity tracker that does not require recharging. The tracker popularity raised a record-breaking 56.1 million yen support on the crowdfunding platform “Makuake”. MEDIROM hopes that its diverse health related services and products offering will help it collect and manage healthcare data from users and customers and enable it to become a leader in big data in the healthcare industry.
For more information, visit https://medirom.co.jp/en
MEDIROM’s Overview
Company Name: MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc.
Listed Market: NASDAQ
Ticker symbol: MRM
Head office: Tradepia Odaiba, 2-3-1 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo
CEO/Founder: Kouji Eguchi
Establishment: July 2000
Capital: 2,559.27 million yen (Japanese GAAP)
Business Area: Therapeutic Massage Salon Management, Related Franchise Business, Digital Health Business, Device Business
About Social Service Inc.
With the motto “Creating Media that Changes Lives”, Social Service publishes contents targeting middle-aged and senior adults, pregnant women and new mothers, and elementary school students. Social Service provided editorial services for “With You” and “With You Plus”, the official information magazines of the Nichi-Mom Ogya Donation Foundation, and participated in community support activities, such as visits to Special Child Care Centers for media services and awareness raising regarding the issues on caregiving for children with disabilities.
For more information, visit https://sc-sv.com/companysummary
Social Service’s Overview
Company Name: Social Service Inc.
Head office: Kasumigaseki 3-chome building, 3-6-5 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
CEO: Chizue Shirakata
Establishment: February 2007
Capital: 48.79 million yen
Business Area: Magazine Publishing, Advertising and Communication, School Education Support Programs, Senior Audience Target Marketing, Medical Media Business
“With You” is a magazine supervised by healthcare professionals targeting pregnant women and new mothers, distributed nationwide in medical hospitals with a focus on information regarding prenatal and postnatal care, infant and toddler primary care.
Official information magazine of the Ogya Donation Foundation, “With You”
Editing and Supervision: Nichi-Mo Ogya Donation Foundation
Special Support: Japan Post Insurance Co.
“You and Plus” is a magazine for new parents which, under the slogan “Looking After a New Life Together”, provides useful information on perinatal care, including mental health care specific to the perinatal period, solutions to childcare problems, quality caregiving, and building a supportive growing environment.
Official information magazine of the Ogya Donation Foundation, ” You and Plus”
Editing and Supervision: Nichi-Mo Ogya Donation Foundation
Special Support: Japan Post Insurance Co.
※About Ogya Donation Foundation
Ogya Donation Foundation provides financial and social support services for medical facilities, research institutions and projects contributing to the wellbeing and rehabilitation of children with mental and physical disabilities.
