RelaxElf™ – A Multisensory Biofeedback Device for Emotional Regulation

RelaxElf™ is an inclusive, non-screen, multisensory biofeedback solution designed to support emotional regulation, calming, and orientation for people with disabilities, particularly in high-stress, sensory-overloading, or unfamiliar environments. The solution consists of a physical, tactile device that provides gentle, rhythmic guidance for slow breathing through controlled inflation and deflation, combined with soft sensory feedback. This design supports physiological calming and grounding, enabling users to regain a sense of safety, focus, and self-regulation. RelaxElf is intentionally designed to be accessible, intuitive, and non-verbal, requiring no reading, no spoken language, and no prior training. Its core functionality is language-independent, making it suitable for individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, sensory processing differences, anxiety, and communication challenges, as well as older adults. The solution can be used independently by the individual or facilitated by caregivers, educators, or support staff. It provides a practical tool for de-escalation and emotional support, helping reduce distress and prevent escalation in situations of confusion, anxiety, or emotional overload. In public-facing, service, or emergency-related contexts, RelaxElf supports communication and orientation by stabilizing the user’s emotional and sensory state. This enables individuals to better understand instructions, remain present, and engage more effectively with staff and their surroundings. RelaxElf does not rely on screens, apps, or complex interfaces and is therefore appropriate for environments where digital solutions may be inaccessible or overwhelming. Any accompanying materials (e.g., instructions or training guides) are provided separately and can be adapted to multiple languages and cultural contexts. The solution is non-medical and does not provide diagnosis or clinical treatment. It functions as a supportive accessibility tool aligned with universal design principles, enhancing inclusion, safety, and dignity for people with disabilities. RelaxElf is suitable for implementation in educational institutions, care facilities, community organizations, and public service settings, and can be deployed across different countries with minimal adaptation.

To provide an accessible, non-verbal calming and emotional regulation tool that supports people with disabilities in high-stress or sensory-overloading situations, enabling improved orientation, communication, and de-escalation.

The solution supports people with disabilities and older adults during emergencies by guiding slow, regulated breathing through tactile biofeedback. This activates the parasympathetic nervous system and leads to rapid stress reduction within 3–5 minutes. The effect was tested and observed during pilot use with children in Sderot, Israel, during the war that began on October 7, confirming immediate calming responses in