VINNIE

Mental and primarily psychosomatic disorders have increased significantly among children and adolescents. Those affected suffer from symptoms such as pain, nausea, or psychologically induced paralysis and are often unable to attend school regularly. Project VINNIE is developing and researching an innovative cuddly toy. Coping strategies selected online in advance can be transferred to the toy. The cuddly toy can then suggest coping strategies in stressful situations at the touch of a button. The cuddly toy is also linked to a fitness wristband that can detect changes in heart rate variability. Based on these values, the cuddly toy can give the child biofeedback to indicate when strategies have been successfully implemented. This combined therapy approach is particularly valuable for children who are waiting for inpatient psychosomatic treatment. After the project ends, the team will test the effectiveness of the technology in clinical trials. It also plans to bring the online offering and therapy toy to market. The approach could be expanded in the future to treat anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders.