Shisa kanko, a simple Japanese technique, may help focus for people with ADHD.

Shisa kanko, or "pointing and calling," is a Japanese rail safety practice that a 1994 Railway Technical Research Institute study reported reduced human error by almost 85%. Therapists told HuffPost that the method’s use of sight, movement and speech may help some people with ADHD stay more conscious of everyday tasks.

Shisa kanko is a practice developed in Japan for railway safety that involves pointing at an object and verbally naming it. It was created to help operators stay attentive and reduce mistakes. A 1994 study by Japan’s Railway Technical Research Institute reported a large drop in human error linked to the practice. Experts interviewed for the article described how the method engages multiple senses and suggested it can be applied to ordinary tasks. Key points: - Shisa kanko literally means "pointing and calling" and is used to improve attentiveness and accuracy in rail operations. - A 1994 report by Japan’s Railway Technical Research Institute found the practice was associated with an almost 85% reduction in incidents of human error. - Therapists quoted in the piece said the method engages eyes, hands, voice and hearing, and that some studies cited increases in frontal-lobe blood flow when multiple senses are used. - Coaches and therapists noted the approach can be adapted to everyday tasks (for example, pointing and naming an object, snapping, tapping, or vocalizing a short phrase). - Several experts said the multisensory approach may help people with ADHD by increasing conscious attention, and some mentioned dopamine as a possible supporting factor while noting more research is needed. Summary: The article presents shisa kanko as a multimodal attention practice with roots in railway safety and cites a 1994 study reporting a large reduction in human error. Experts told HuffPost the method’s combination of visual, motor and vocal checks may help some people with ADHD remain more aware of routine actions; further research was noted as undetermined at this time.