My Zone and Unwind: Dedicated support for children and teens participating in clinical trials

Families told us that when anxiety rises in hospitals and clinics, they don’t want to search through a full app, they want a clearly signposted place to go. My Zone and Unwind provide that place to go within the study apps deployed by our Trial Flow platform. They support young people before, during, and after visits by helping them manage worries, stay calm, and feel mentally prepared. The use case is the same across ages; the experience is simply tailored for children (My Zone) and teenagers (Unwind).

My Zone and Unwind were developed through months of research, design, and testing with over 40 families, young people, and healthcare professionals. Previously, our support primarily focused on preparing families ahead of site visits and procedures. However, we identified that many families also need support during a visit and often feel unsure where to go to find the most appropriate resources for their child.

This insight shaped a simple goal: ensure families can access the right support, at the right time, in a way that feels right for a child or a teenager.

My Zone: the child experience

My Zone is the child-tailored version of this support space. It creates a dedicated, child-first area where young patients can interact, explore, and choose activities matched to how they’re feeling. It provides a more personal experience for children, while also acting as a practical, easy-to-navigate hub for healthcare staff supporting patients on the day of their visit.

My Zone can, of course, still be used at home before or after a visit as well.

How it works

When entering My Zone, children are first asked what they want to do today - whether that’s help to feel prepared, something to pass the time whilst waiting, or tools to feel calmer. Based on their selection, they are guided toward recommended activities that best match their needs.

 “You could have a screen at the start to support families coming into My Zone for the first time.” – Caregiver during co-design 

This gentle guidance concept was created during on-site hospital workshops. Many children and families told us they’re often unsure what they need in the moment, and appreciated the support in finding the right activity without having to search extensively.

At the same time, we realised that some children prefer to explore independently. That’s why My Zone also includes a complete activity library, organised into clear, relevant categories. This allows families to browse freely while still benefiting from a structured, easy-to-navigate experience.

What’s included?

Some of the activities sitting in My Zone include:

• Relaxation tools – such as guided meditation and calming visuals
• Distraction activities – to help pass the time during visits and procedures
• Preparation resources – to help children understand procedures and who they might meet

My Zone will continue to grow, with new activities being introduced to ensure children can always access content that feels valuable, engaging, and supportive.

Unwind: the teen experience

For teenagers, this same kind of support is delivered through Unwind - a dedicated relaxation space designed specifically for teens.

Unwind was developed by our clinical team to provide age-appropriate tools that support anxiety management before, during, and after visits. Unlike the character-based animations designed for younger children, Unwind removes these elements to create a calmer, more mature experience that feels appropriate for teens.

What’s included?

The types of activities in Unwind include:

• Breathing and meditation exercises – activities to help soothe teenagers during anxious moments

• Calming water – an activity also available in MyZone and retained in Unwind following positive feedback from teenagers who found it equally engaging and helpful  

  

“I think this can be used for people with ADHD, anxiety... those kinds of conditions. I can see myself using it.” – Teenager during co-design

Same support, delivered in two age-appropriate ways

With My Zone and Unwind, children and teens have a clear place to go when they need support before, during, and after their visits.

A huge thank you to the patients, families, and healthcare staff who shared their insights and feedback throughout the development process. These features were built with you and we greatly appreciate it!

How this supports clinical trials

In clinical trials, patient experience and operational delivery are closely linked. Providing the right support in the moments that matter can help young people feel more ready to engage with care. This supports smoother visits, with better protocol adherence and retention rates.

My Zone and Unwind sit alongside other modules within the Trial Flow platform to support teams in delivering better trial experience and outcomes, including:

If you’re designing or running a paediatric study, we’d be happy to share how My Zone, Unwind, and the wider Trial Flow platform can support patient experience, reducing burden on sites, and support you in hitting trial timelines.