The Pulse Index
A real-time composite measure of relationship health. The first population-level vital sign for how love is actually doing. Not based on surveys. Based on behavior.
What is the Pulse Index?
The Pulse Index is a composite score derived from five behavioral dimensions that, together, describe the current state of a relationship. It's calculated from continuous behavioral data, not periodic self-reports.
Think of it like a relationship vital sign. Just as blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature together paint a picture of physical health, the Pulse Index combines drift rate, repair velocity, presence ratio, rhythm consistency, and desire signal to paint a picture of relational health.
The Index is computed at the population level from anonymized, aggregated data across our research participants. Individual couples never see their "score." Instead, the Pulse Index helps researchers, therapists, and organizations understand relationship health trends at scale.
Why this matters
Until now, relationship research has relied on small samples, one-time assessments, and self-reported data. The Pulse Index changes three things.
Continuous, not periodic
Traditional assessments capture a snapshot. The Pulse Index tracks trajectories. It shows whether a population is drifting toward connection or disconnection over weeks and months.
Behavioral, not self-reported
People are bad at reporting their own relationship behavior. The Pulse Index is derived from what people actually do, not what they say they do.
Population-level, not individual
Like the Consumer Confidence Index or unemployment rate, the Pulse Index describes a population. It reveals trends that no single couple's data could show.
Five dimensions of relationship health
Each dimension is independently measurable and contributes to the composite Pulse Index score. Together, they capture the full picture of relational dynamics.
Drift Score
Range: 0-100Measures the rate of emotional distancing between partners. Calculated from engagement frequency decay, conversation depth trends, and mutual attention markers over rolling 30-day windows.
Input Signals
- Check-in response latency
- Shared activity decline rate
- Parallel device usage increase
- Conversation topic narrowing
Repair Velocity
Range: HoursHow quickly a couple returns to baseline connection after conflict or rupture. Faster repair velocity is the single strongest predictor of long-term relationship stability in our data.
Input Signals
- Time from rupture to first positive interaction
- Initiative symmetry (who reaches out first)
- Escalation vs. de-escalation patterns
- Post-conflict engagement quality
Presence Ratio
Range: 0-1.0The proportion of shared time that involves genuine mutual attention versus parallel coexistence. A ratio of 0.3 means 30% of together-time involves real connection.
Input Signals
- Device-free interaction windows
- Active listening markers
- Eye contact and physical proximity data
- Conversation reciprocity balance
Rhythm Consistency
Range: 0-100How reliably a couple maintains their connective rituals over time. Couples with high rhythm consistency show 3.2x lower drift scores than those with irregular patterns.
Input Signals
- Daily ritual adherence
- Weekly check-in consistency
- Seasonal pattern stability
- Recovery after disruption (travel, stress, illness)
Desire Signal
Range: 0-100Tracks the active pull between partners. Not just physical attraction but the broader desire to be chosen, to be known, to be prioritized by a specific person.
Input Signals
- Initiation frequency and reciprocity
- Anticipation behaviors
- Vulnerability frequency
- Curiosity about partner's inner life
Who uses the Pulse Index
Researchers
Access anonymized, aggregated data to study relationship patterns at a scale previously impossible. No more 20-couple lab samples.
Therapists
Benchmark individual couples against population baselines. Understand whether a pattern is unusual or universal.
Organizations
Employer wellness programs, insurance partners, and public health organizations use relationship health trends to inform program design.