SOXAI RING's Research Contribution to Sleep Health
The recent initiative by SOXAI Inc., led by CEO Tatsuhiro Watanabe, aims to promote awareness about the critical health issue of Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS) in alignment with the Autumn Sleep Day established by the Sleep Health Promotion Organization on September 3. This undertaking coincides with the release of user data from the SOXAI RING—Japan's first health management smart ring designed to monitor various health metrics.
This data release not only highlights the potential use of SOXAI RING in screening for SAS but also presents cutting-edge research findings from Professor Takeshi Tanikawa of Juntendo University regarding the implications of SAS on health.
Understanding Sleep Apnea Syndrome
SAS is a condition characterized by repeated cessation of breathing during sleep due to upper airway obstruction. A diagnosis of SAS is made when breathing stops for more than ten seconds multiple times throughout the night, with an average of five or more episodes per hour. In Japan, it is estimated that 4 to 5 million individuals suffer from SAS, but only about 600,000 are currently receiving treatment, leaving many untreated. This presents a significant societal problem, as SAS can degrade sleep quality, leading to decreased daytime performance and an increased risk of workplace accidents.
Furthermore, a long-term study spanning 20 years indicates that even mild cases of SAS that are not treatable under health insurance criteria can heighten the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and ischemic heart disease. Professor Tanikawa's research reveals that the Population Attributable Fraction (PAF) related to heart diseases is 26.1%, significantly higher than that of smoking, which stands at 21%. This suggests that managing SAS is as crucial for heart disease prevention as smoking cessation. Early detection and treatment of SAS may prevent not only sleep-related issues but also contribute substantially to disease prevention and accident reduction.
User Data Investigation Using SOXAI RING
In light of the growing concerns surrounding SAS, SOXAI has taken initiative to gather user data regarding sleep conditions. The SOXAI RING measures various personal metrics, including users' blood oxygen saturation levels during sleep, providing insights into breathing patterns that may signal respiratory disturbances.
Data Collection Overview
- - Data Collection Period: January 1, 2025 - February 27, 2025
- - Participants: 11,031 SOXAI RING users
- - Metrics: Evaluated sleep respiratory disruptions by categorizing blood oxygen saturation drop data into four levels: Normal, Acceptable Range, Disturbance Present, and Significant Disturbance. Users' 30-day averages were considered for the analysis.
Summary of Findings
1.
Significant Breathing Disturbance: Over 20% of users aged 30 and above exhibited a significant disturbance in their breathing patterns during sleep, indicating a risk present for this demographic. The risk distribution displayed no substantial variance between users in their 30s through 60s.
2.
Impact of BMI on Breathing Patterns: Analysis demonstrated a correlation between higher Body Mass Index (BMI) and an increased prevalence of significant disturbances in sleep respiratory patterns. Notably, one-third (34.8%) of users classified as obese experienced pronounced disruptions. Conversely, even among individuals classified as having a normal weight, around 15% showed significant disturbances in their sleep breathing.
Commentary from Professor Takeshi Tanikawa
Professor Tanikawa emphasizes the broad implications of SAS beyond mere sleep concerns, highlighting its potential to escalate various health risks. The SOXAI RING user study identified a relatively high rate of respiratory irregularities during sleep, providing valuable insight even though it is essential to acknowledge that SOXAI RING is not a medical device and users should treat these findings as informational rather than diagnostic. It is crucial for individuals to understand their sleep state, especially signs such as heavy snoring or excessive daytime sleepiness.
Autumn Sleep Campaign on September 3
To support individuals recognizing their sleep challenges, SOXAI will conduct a 10% discount campaign on all SOXAI RING products, running from September 3 to September 7, 2025. This discount is available exclusively through the SOXAI official online store.
For more details on the campaign and SOXAI’s mission to enhance quality of life through innovative technology, visit their
website.
Company Overview:
Founded: 2021
Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
CEO: Tatsuhiro Watanabe
For media inquiries, contact:
SOXAI Inc.
Atsuki Mitsuyori, CFO
Phone: 045-264-9397
Email:
[email protected]