What does a change in "FCV Score" mean?

FCV stands for Forced Cough Vocalization – in other words, an intentional cough. This intentional cough is the biomarker that Raisonance technology captures, digitizes, and analyzes using artificial intelligence processed in the Microsoft Azure cloud. 

MyAdvocate measures changes in a person’s FCV and provides a score to the user each time they use the product. This score represents how much change MyAdvocate has detected.

To do this, we first have users create a baseline. This is a collection of many coughs which represents a person’s individual FCV profile. This profile is a multi-dimensional imprint of a person’s respiratory system, and is as unique to each person as their fingerprint. 

Once the baseline is established, MyAdvocate users can cough whenever they’d like to check their FCV status. Each new cough is compared to that person’s baseline, and MyAdvocate generates a score for each new cough. This score is a measurement of how similar – or different – a person’s current cough is compared to their baseline. 

If you are using MyAdvocate to help you quit smoking or vaping, our product is keeping track of the changes in your respiratory system that take place once you quit. If you create your baseline while you’re still smoking or vaping, or soon after you’ve quit, then each time you use MyAdvocate you’ll be able to see how your score changes over time. 

At first, your FCV scores will be very low – or even 0. That means your body hasn’t yet changed very much since you set your baseline. As you continue to refrain from smoking or vaping, your body continues to change due to healing. MyAdvocate will detect these  changes each time you cough. The more your body heals and changes, the higher your FCV score will be. 

If you are using MyAdvocate to help you manage an ongoing respiratory illness, MyAdvocate is tracking changes that correspond to your condition getting better, or sometimes getting worse. 

Everyone’s FCV Scores vary a little bit throughout the day – that is completely normal. Using MyAdvocate will help you see the short and long term trends that reflect your overall respiratory status.  

Studies show that trackable information offers invaluable support during the difficult process of smoking cessation. Below are several scientific papers about this subject. 

• Citation - The Journal Nature on Inflammation/Smoking Cessation
• Citation - CDC
• Citation - NIH

Note: This product does not provide diagnosis or treatment of any kind. Any deviation in trackable conditions can and should be shared with a medical professional in conjunction with your smoking cessation journey.  If you are concerned about your cough vocalization, symptom, you should see your doctor and request a referral to a Specialist.