Difference between revisions of "Go Flow Pro"

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(Public & Media Impact and Presentation)
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== Public & Media Impact and Presentation ==
 
== Public & Media Impact and Presentation ==
 
[[File:Focus-tdcs-sports-edition-l.jpg|thumb|Athletes wearing Go Flow Sport]]
 
[[File:Focus-tdcs-sports-edition-l.jpg|thumb|Athletes wearing Go Flow Sport]]
−
Go Flow is in general appreciated among users. Brent Williams, who owns a blog ''Speak Wisdom'', claims:''"The foc.us Go Flow is a great tDCS device – providing great capability at a very low price."''<ref>WILLIAMS, Brent. How to Pick the Right Stuff for the Go Flow tDCS Device. Speak Wisdom [online]. 2016, Mar 20. Available online at: https://speakwisdom.wordpress.com/2016/03/20/how-to-pick-the-right-stuff-for-the-go-flow-tdcs-device/ (Retrieved 18th November, 2016).</ref> The user 'Nigel' at 'Caputron tDCS Devices and tDCS Accessories' clams:''"If you are looking for a portable and powerful tDCS device look no further. This can easily fit anywhere and provides excellent features such as a timer and ramp up/down."''<ref> Nigel. Focus Go Flow Pro tDCS Device Starter Kit. Caputron tDCS Devices and tDCS Accessories [online]. Available online at: http://www.caputron.com/transcranial-electrical-stimulation/49-focus-go-flow-pro-tdcs-starter-kit.html#idTab5 (Retrieved 18th November, 2016). </ref> In addition, among the manufactures producing tDCS devices Foc.us provides a certain amount of information which is also approved by users<ref>Curiositry. Neurotech Hardware Roundup 2016. The Autodidacts [online]. 2016, Feb 21. Available online at: http://www.autodidacts.io/neurotech-hardware-roundup-eeg-bci-tdcs-neurofeedback/ (Retrieved 18th November, 2016). </ref>, even though, some of them claim that information provided by Foc.us are not sufficient.
+
Go Flow is in general appreciated among users. Brent Williams, who owns a blog ''Speak Wisdom'', claims:''"The foc.us Go Flow is a great tDCS device – providing great capability at a very low price."''<ref>WILLIAMS, Brent. How to Pick the Right Stuff for the Go Flow tDCS Device. Speak Wisdom [online]. 2016, Mar 20. Available online at: https://speakwisdom.wordpress.com/2016/03/20/how-to-pick-the-right-stuff-for-the-go-flow-tdcs-device/ (Retrieved 18th November, 2016).</ref> The user 'Nigel' at 'Caputron tDCS Devices and tDCS Accessories' clams:''"If you are looking for a portable and powerful tDCS device look no further. This can easily fit anywhere and provides excellent features such as a timer and ramp up/down."''<ref> Nigel. Focus Go Flow Pro tDCS Device Starter Kit. Caputron tDCS Devices and tDCS Accessories [online]. Available online at: http://www.caputron.com/transcranial-electrical-stimulation/49-focus-go-flow-pro-tdcs-starter-kit.html#idTab5 (Retrieved 18th November, 2016). </ref> In addition, among the manufactures producing tDCS devices Foc.us provides a certain amount of information which is also approved by users<ref>Curiositry. Neurotech Hardware Roundup 2016. The Autodidacts [online]. 2016, Feb 21. Available online at: http://www.autodidacts.io/neurotech-hardware-roundup-eeg-bci-tdcs-neurofeedback/ (Retrieved 18th November, 2016). </ref>, even though, some of them claim that information provided by Foc.us are not sufficient.<ref>HIPERHIPER. first time trying go foc.us go flow pro - which wire is cathode / anode?. Reddit [online]. Available online at: https://www.reddit.com/r/tDCS/comments/50rngp/first_time_trying_go_focus_go_flow_pro_which_wire/ (Retrieved 18th November, 2016). </ref>
  
 
The FDA stuff.
 
The FDA stuff.

Revision as of 12:41, 18 November 2016

Go Flow
Go Flow 1.jpg
Category Transcranial direct-current stimulation
Developer Transcranial Ltd
Announced November 2015 [1]
Released Developers:
Consumers: January 2016 [1]
Price 99 USD / 129 USD Go Flow Sports (November 2016) [2]
Max output 2.2 mA2.2 T
0.0022 A
[3]
Session duration 2100 s35 minute
[3]
Scalp location T3, C3, C1, C2, C4, T4. F3, F4. Fp1, Fp2 [4]
Weight 10 g [4]
Controls

button [4]

Data available
Risk factor
Medical prescription No
http://eu.foc.us/

GoFlow is a small head mounted device which provides a certain form of brain stimulation, namely transcranial direct-current stimulation. The device was developed by London based company Transcranial Ltd, even though, the similar title GoFlow was used also by one of the first tDCS devices, which produced by students at the University of Michigan and was never shipped.[5] The device consists of two electrodes, Go Flow tDCS stimulator, two cables, 9V battery, and band or cap which holds the electrodes on user's head. Go Flow Sports also includes armband.[4]

There are two types of devices sell under the name "Go Flow Pro" and "Go Flow Sports". The former device was intended to be low cost and reliable DIY (do-it-yourself) tDCS.[1] The latter type of the device is a device which should enhance physical performance.[4]

Main characteristics

Go Flow is standalone and fully enclosed head mounted tDCS device. The set includes the brain stimulator, two sponge electrodes, a band respectively a cap with armband, two cables and 9 V battery.[4] The device is intended as DIY tDCS device, thus components could be bought separately.[6] In addition, sticky electrodes with hydrogel could be used with the device.[7]

The Go Flow brain stimulator is small plastic box of size 26 mm x 28 mm x 16 mm. It contains one button which controls the setup of each session. There are also located orange and green LED lights, which indicates the output of the device and the duration of the session. The output can vary from 0.5 mA to 2 mA and the session duration from 5 minutes to 35 minutes.[4]

Go Flow tDCS stimulator with battery

The device consists of two electrodes X and Y. "X" is a title for an anode and "Y" for a cathode. Each electrode has also its cable. The original package contains sponge electrodes which have to be wet by water or saline before the start of the session.[4] The users can used also hydrogel pads.[7] In that case, the skin under the electrodes have to be clean, in order to avoid injuries.[8]

Go Flow Sports includes also the sport cap and armband, which holds electrodes on the head or arm of users. The cap contains holes in the certain regions of scalp which ensure more precise placement of electrodes. The various placements of electrodes with regard to expected outcome of the session is described in Go Flow Sports booklet.[4]

The session begins with the watering of electrodes. Then the electrodes are fastened to the head by the cap or the bend. In the case that the user intends to put cathode on his or her arm and he or she owns Go Flow Sports, he or she can fasten it by armband. The cables are adjusted by magnets to the electrodes. Finally, cables are connected to the brain stimulator and the setting of the session is designed by the button. The booklet of Go Flow Sports suggests four possible settings of the session: training longer, training harder, learning new skills and getting into the zone. There should be 48 hours gap between each session.[4]

The title GoFlow was originally used for the device which was developed by two students at the University of Michigan Matt Sornson and Nick Woodhams as a prototype in 2012.[5] Later on, they supported the device which was developed by Foc.us.[9] In 2016, Transcranial Ltd have been developing a device which would be reliable and considerably cheap. They entitled it "Go Flow" as the allusion of the previously mentioned project.[1]

Purpose

The main purpose is to enhance skills of its users by affordable and reliable tDCS device. The specific ability which is enhanced depends on the placement of electrodes. Go Flow Sports focuses on the enhancement of motor skills.

Company & People

Go Flow is shipped by Transcranial Ltd, which is based in London, UK. It also sometimes referred as"Foc.us". This company was founded by two engineers. They claim, however, that they cooperate with neuroscientist.[10]

  • Michael Oxley - the co-founder and CEO of Foc.us
  • Martin Skinner - the co-founder of Foc.us[10]

Important Dates

  • November 2015 - Transcranial Ltd decided to built an accurate, reliable and affordable tDCS device
  • January 2016 - Focus Go Flow device was unveiled[1]
  • September 2016 - Transcranial Ltd introduced Go Flow Sports[11]
  • October 2016 - Go Flow Sports began shipping[12]

Enhancement/Therapy/Treatment

There is not indicated precise purpose of Go Flow Pro, but the claim that Foc.us provides on their websites about DIY tCDS devices might hold. Namely, they argue that tDCS could enhance endurance, focus and working memory. The enhancement is based on neuroplasticity.[13]

Go Flow Sport Cap

Go Flow Sport is intended as a device which enhance physical skills. The booklet describe several placement of electrodes which could enhance certain abilities.[4] The enhancement is described in a more detail in Foc.us blog posts.[14][15][16] Firstly, there is a treatment which should enhance implicit motor learning. The electrodes are placed on F3 (cathode) and Fp2 (anode). The placement could be used by right-handers as well as left-handers. The session takes 15 minutes and the recommended current is 1.5 mA.[14] The design of the session and the output was suggested by a research conducted by researchers form the University of Hong Kong. The different tDCS device was used in the research.[17]

Secondly, the session could be also focused on the lengthening of training. In this case the electrodes are placed on T3 (anode) and contralateral shoulder (cathode). The session should take 20 minutes and the current should be 2 mA.[16] The design of the session is also based on a study.[18] Thirdly, they claim that tDCS could help athletes to train harder. This session takes 20 minutes with 2 mA output and electrodes are placed on F3 (anode) and contralateral shoulder (cathode). This setting is also inspired by research which were conducted previously.[19]

Although there are several studies, which claim that tDCS improves mental or motor skills of its users, there are also studies which question the efficiency of tDCS.[20]

Go Flow is not a medical device and the developers are quite cautious not to put any misleading claim on Go Flow's webpage. They argue:

tDCS can help increase your focus, working memory and endurance. These are the only benefits we recommend using tDCS for. If you have a medical condition you are hoping to treat you should not consider foc.us. If you have any medical questions we cannot help you, sorry.[13]

Consequently, the device is not regulated by FDA. There is, however, Foc.us' motto "take charge" which could be considered as a kind of medical claim.[5]

Ethical & Health Issues

There are several ethical and health issues which are linked with tDCS in general, with DIY tDCS, or directly with Go Flow.

In general, there are identified various problematic features of tDCS. Firstly, there are still several issues linked with tDCS, which remain uknown, as the long-term effects of tDCS. Secondly, the tDCS session is influenced by many factors as gender, hormones or handeness.[21] Thirdly, the enhancement of a certain skill could be accompanied by the impairment of other skills.[22]

Beside these, there are also issues linked with DIY tDCS devices. The placement of electrodes is crucial for the output of the session but the instructions which accompany tDCS devices tend to be insufficient.[21] There are several health and placement's information in Go Flow's booklet but they are by no means all-encompassing.[4] Further information are contained on Foc.us blog, however it claimed there that these information are based on the studies of third party.[14][16] Several people, who are involved in DIY tDCS, are acquainted with the research, but it is not always the case.[5] However, among other DIY tDCS' developers, Foc.us still provides a certain amount of information about the use of their device.

Similarly as Halo Sport, Go Flow Sport could be considered as doping. However, tDCS devices have been regulated neither by WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency) nor by International Olympic Committee yet. The involved organisations collect information about the technology at the moment. [23]

Another controversial aspect could be that authors use for the support of their claims also papers which were published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.[19] While the practise of the publisher house is in Beall's list of publishers.[24]

Regarding radiation, Go Flow follows part 15 of the FCC rules. These rules focus on radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment.[4]

The manufacturers identify in the booklet several conditions which should prevent the use of their device. Go Flow should not be used by the people under the age 18 years old. The people with epilepsy, seizures, brain lesions, bipolar depression, or severe heart disease should also avoid the use of the device. The skin under the electrodes should not be damaged.[4]

The use of tDCS devices could be accompanied by certain side effects. The users could suffer by skin burns, dizziness or headaches.[13] There were reported injuries caused by sticky electrodes which were used in a certain types of Go Flow devices:

Recently, we've seen an increased interest in using tDCS devices with sticky electrodes (primarily because this is one of the default configurations of the foc.us GoFlow device which launched recently). Coincident with this, we've seen an increase in reports of injuries from sticky electrodes.[8]

The skin could be also burned if the sponge electrodes are not wet enough.[4]

Public & Media Impact and Presentation

Athletes wearing Go Flow Sport

Go Flow is in general appreciated among users. Brent Williams, who owns a blog Speak Wisdom, claims:"The foc.us Go Flow is a great tDCS device – providing great capability at a very low price."[25] The user 'Nigel' at 'Caputron tDCS Devices and tDCS Accessories' clams:"If you are looking for a portable and powerful tDCS device look no further. This can easily fit anywhere and provides excellent features such as a timer and ramp up/down."[26] In addition, among the manufactures producing tDCS devices Foc.us provides a certain amount of information which is also approved by users[27], even though, some of them claim that information provided by Foc.us are not sufficient.[28]

The FDA stuff.

There were several complains concerning customer service of Foc.us. The user entitled 'johnsown' on Reddit claim:

Foc.us. is the worst company I have ever had anything to do with. My foc.us. bricked after about three months. Contacted customer service. Got no reply at all. Contacted Michael's? email. No response. Out 200 dollars. You might notice that I have had positive things to say about them previously, because I liked the product, but it's not much use as a paperweight. Absolutely no customer service as another poster said.[29]

The user 'raiden3600' have similar experience, even though, in his case the e-mail to Foc.us CEO was successfull:

When I emailed through their normal customer service address, I only got an automated response. I ended up emailing the more urgent email mike@foc.us and got a response back within 2 days. He was asking me what went wrong and to show him the results of what happened. I would try emailing that address and see how things go.[30]

Public Policy

The device is not regulated by FDA. The manufactures claim that it is not a medical device.[13]

Go Flow complies with FCC rules concerning radiation.[4]

Related Technologies, Projects or Scientific Research

The development of Go Flow was based on the research concerning tDCS. However, the manufactures are engineers and not neuroscientists.[10] They have not reported any independent research yet.

Since the Go Flow was shipped recently, it has not been widely discussed in ethical papers yet. Noneteless, the issues mentioned in previously published papers still apply on it.[5][21]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 OXLEY, Michael. The Story of Focus Go Flow. Foc.us Blog [online]. 2016, Jan 5. Available online at: https://www.foc.us/blog/the-story-of-focus-go-flow.html (Retrieved 14th November, 2016).
  2. ↑ Foc.us. Hardware. Foc.us [online]. Available online at: http://eu.foc.us/all-products?SID=8ra4r8d2os79ll9iclduh9dmj7?SID=8ra4r8d2os79ll9iclduh9dmj7 (Retrieved 11th November, 2016).
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Foc.us. Go Flow Pro - Stimulator, Cable, Sponge holders, Sponges & Headband. Foc.us [online]. Available online at: http://eu.foc.us/go-flow-pro-brain-stimulator (Retrieved 11th November, 2016).
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 Foc.us. Focus Go Flow Manual & Instruction Booklet. Foc.us [online]. Available online at: http://help.foc.us//article/38-focus-go-flow-manual-instruction-booklet
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 WEXLER, Anna. A pragmatic analysis of the regulation of consumer transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) devices in the United States. Journal of Law and the Biosciences [online]. 2015, Oct 12. Available online at: http://jlb.oxfordjournals.org/content/2/3/669.full.pdf+html (Retrieved 1st November, 2016).
  6. ↑ Foc.us. Hardware. Foc.us [online]. Available online at: http://eu.foc.us/all-products?SID=s0b48plhgmpu759m4s164fbgr1 (Retrieved 15th November, 2016).
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Foc.us. Go Flow Try tDCS - Stimulator, Cable & Pads. Foc.us [online]. Available online at: http://eu.foc.us/go-flow-try-me (Retrieved 15th November, 2016).
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 OHSNAPITSNATHAN. PSA: Sticky electrodes and skin burns. Reddit [online]. 2016, Jul 2. Available online at: https://www.reddit.com/r/tDCS/comments/4qx8ic/psa_sticky_electrodes_and_skin_burns/ (Retrieved 14th November, 2016).
  9. ↑ JOHN. News from GoFlow! Good and Bad. DIY tDCS [online] 2013, Jun 7. Available online at: http://www.diytdcs.com/2013/06/news-from-goflow-good-and-bad/ (Retrieved 1st November, 2016).
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 GEUSS, Megan. The gaming headset that (literally) shocks your brain to attention. Ars Technica [online]. 2013, May 19. Available online at: http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/05/the-gaming-headset-that-literally-shocks-your-brain-to-attention/ (Retrieved 15th November, 2016).
  11. ↑ OXLEY, Michael. Foc.us Launches tDCS Performance Enhancement for Pro and Amateur Athletes. Foc.us Blog [online]. 2016, Sep 21. Available online at: https://www.foc.us/blog/focus-launches-tdcs-performance-enhancement-for-pro-and-amateur-athletes.html (Retrieved 15th November, 2016).
  12. ↑ OXLEY, Michael. 1st October Update. Foc.us Blog [online]. 2016, Oct 1. Available online at: https://www.foc.us/blog/1st-october-update.html (Retrieved 16th November, 2016).
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 FOC.US. DIY tDCS. Foc.us [online]. Available online at: http://www.foc.us/diy-tdcs (Retrieved 16th November, 2016).
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 RAJESH. Last longer and train harder: Foc.us on endurance. Foc.us Blog [online]. 2016, Oct 10. Available online at: https://www.foc.us/blog/last-longer-and-train-harder-focus-on-endurance.html (Retrieved 16th November, 2016).
  15. ↑ OXLEY, Michael. tDCS Placements 10/20 Guide. Foc.us Blog [online]. 2016, Sep 1. Available online at: https://www.foc.us/blog/tdcs-placements-10-20-guide.html (Retrieved 16th November, 2016).
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 RAJESH. Achieve Sporting Prowess with Foc.us Brain Stimulation. Foc.us Blog [online]. 2016, Jul 25. Available online at: https://www.foc.us/blog/achieve-sporting-prowess-with-focus-brain-stimulation.html (Retrieved 16th November, 2016).
  17. ↑ ZHU, Frank P. et al. Cathodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Over Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Area Promotes Implicit Motor Learning in a Golf Putting Task. Brain Stimulation [online]. 2015, Mar 14. Available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2015.02.005 (Retrieved 16th November, 2016).
  18. ↑ OKANO, Alexandre Hideki et al. Brain stimulation modulates the autonomic nervous system, rating of perceived exertion and performance during maximal exercise. British Journal of Sports Medicine [online]. 2013, Feb 27. Doi:10.1136/bjsports-2012-091658 Available online at: http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/49/18/1213 (Retrieved 16th November, 2016).
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 AYACHE, Samar S. et al. Prefrontal tDCS Decreases Pain in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Frontiers in Neuroscience [online]. 2016, Apr 08. Doi:10.3389/fnins.2016.00147 Available online at: http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnins.2016.00147/full (Retrieved 16th November, 2016).
  20. ↑ HORVATH, Jared Cooney et al. Quantitative Review Finds No Evidence of Cognitive Effects in Healthy Populations From Single-session Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). Brain Stimulation [online]. 2015, Jan 16. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2015.01.400. Available online at: http://www.brainstimjrnl.com/article/S1935-861X(15)00857-8/abstract (Retrieved 10th November, 2016).
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 WURZMAN, Rachel et al. An open letter concerning do-it-yourself users of transcranial direct current stimulation. Annals of Neurology [online]. 2016, Jul 7. Doi: 10.1002/ana.24689 Available online at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ana.24689/abstract (Retrieved 16th November, 2016).
  22. ↑ IUCULANO, Theresa; COHEN KADOSH, Roi. The Mental Cost of Cognitive Enhancement. J Neurosci 10 [online]. 2013, Mar 6. Available online at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3672974/ (Retrieved 1st November, 2016).
  23. ↑ BENNETTS, Julian. I got an electrical charge put straight into my brain to explore the bizarre new frontier of doping in sport. The Telegraph [online]. 2016, Aug 19. Available online at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/olympics/2016/08/19/i-got-an-electrical-charge-put-straight-into-my-brain-to-explore/ (Retrieved 12th September, 2016).
  24. ↑ BEALL, Jeffrey. List Of Publishers: Potential, possible, or probable predatory scholarly open-access publishers. Scholarly Open Access [online]. Available online at: https://scholarlyoa.com/publishers/ (Retrieved 18th November, 2016).
  25. ↑ WILLIAMS, Brent. How to Pick the Right Stuff for the Go Flow tDCS Device. Speak Wisdom [online]. 2016, Mar 20. Available online at: https://speakwisdom.wordpress.com/2016/03/20/how-to-pick-the-right-stuff-for-the-go-flow-tdcs-device/ (Retrieved 18th November, 2016).
  26. ↑ Nigel. Focus Go Flow Pro tDCS Device Starter Kit. Caputron tDCS Devices and tDCS Accessories [online]. Available online at: http://www.caputron.com/transcranial-electrical-stimulation/49-focus-go-flow-pro-tdcs-starter-kit.html#idTab5 (Retrieved 18th November, 2016).
  27. ↑ Curiositry. Neurotech Hardware Roundup 2016. The Autodidacts [online]. 2016, Feb 21. Available online at: http://www.autodidacts.io/neurotech-hardware-roundup-eeg-bci-tdcs-neurofeedback/ (Retrieved 18th November, 2016).
  28. ↑ HIPERHIPER. first time trying go foc.us go flow pro - which wire is cathode / anode?. Reddit [online]. Available online at: https://www.reddit.com/r/tDCS/comments/50rngp/first_time_trying_go_focus_go_flow_pro_which_wire/ (Retrieved 18th November, 2016).
  29. ↑ JOHNSOWN. foc.us Go Flow questions. Reddit [online]. Available online at: https://www.reddit.com/r/tDCS/comments/4ntfmn/focus_go_flow_questions/ (Retrieved 18th November, 2016).
  30. ↑ RAIDEN3600. Foc.us Go Flow; anyone else having issues with it?. Reddit [online]. Available online at: https://www.reddit.com/r/tDCS/comments/4aqjdx/focus_go_flow_anyone_else_having_issues_with_it/ (Retrieved 18th November, 2016).
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