Cigna International has announced the launch of the Cigna StressWaves Test, a free online tool that analyses acoustic and semantic voice patterns to evaluate stress levels. The StressWaves Test was developed in partnership with Ellipsis Health, a medical technology developed and leader in AI health and vocal biomarkers. The Test reveals the user’s stress levels, ranging from ‘Extremely Stressed’ to ‘No Stress’. It also provides a portrait that visualises the effect of stress on the user’s body and mind.
According to Cigna 360 Well-Being Survey published in June, 83 percent of respondents reported being stressed, with 13 percent experiencing unmanageable stress. There has been an undeniable growth in the importance of mental health as part of overall heal and well-being. The Cigna StressWaves Test was developed for users of all ages, genders, and education levels. The Text is interoperable with various systems and on any electronic device with a microphone and internet connection.
The tool analyses stress through acoustic and semantic patterns, such as word choices and syntax. Users need to answer open-ended, low-stigma questions for 90 seconds after which they will be provided with a visualisation of their stress.
Dr Peter Mills, Associate Medical Director, Cigna in Europe, said:
“Stress and mental health issues have been pushed up the agenda in recent years. While this increased awareness is a positive change, the pandemic has created many new pressures in our lives. If stress goes unchecked, we may see dramatic consequences and that’s why innovative health tools like the Cigna StressWaves Test are so important. By providing simple solutions at scale that are easy to use and accessible when the people need them most, we can encourage people to learn more about stress and seek professional help as appropriate.”
Dr Michael Aratow, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Ellipsis Health adds, “The best medicine is prevention. We are proud to partner with Cigna to offer the StressWaves Test to the general public for free, so that we can help individuals around the world address their stress as early as possible to prevent it from progressing into more serious mental health issues.”
