Surgery – Sleep or relaxation inducing therapy
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-04
2003-04-29
Gilbert, Samuel G. (Department: 3736)
Surgery
Sleep or relaxation inducing therapy
Reexamination Certificate
active
06554763
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a relaxation guidance device which provides suitable guidance to a user performing relaxation training, and to a biofeedback guidance device which provides suitable guidance to the user when this training is being performed using biofeedback.
BACKGROUND ART
It has been the practice in the past to prescribe tranquilizers, drugs for modulating the autonomic nervous system, vitamins (B1, B12) or the like to patients when providing a pharmacological treatment for autonomic imbalances. In recent years, however, so-called autogenic training methods have come into practice in the treatment of a variety of diseases, including autonomic imbalances (see Practical Autogenic Training, written by Yuji Sasaki, Sogen Publications, or Lecture on Psychotherapy, 3 Practical Autogenic Training, edited by Yuji Sasaki, Nippon-Bunka-Kagaku-Sya Publications).
Developed in Germany prior to 1930, autogenic training methods are closely related to relaxation (psychosomatic relaxation) and hypnosis. In addition to being employed in the treatment of the various illnesses described above, these techniques have been broadly employed to improve concentration in school, as part of employee training in industry, and the like. In terms of clinical efficacy, autogenic training methods have also proved beneficial in the treatment of psychosomatic and anxiety neurosis that effect various organs, these including cardiac neurosis, autonomic imbalances, irritable colon syndrome, and hyperventilation, among others.
Autogenic training consists of six aspects: perception of heaviness in the hands and feet, temperature sensation in the hands and feet, cardiac regulation, respiration, abdominal temperature sensation, and the sensation of coolness over the forehead. By performing this training in a progressive manner, the subject is able to shift into a state of relaxation and low arousal. In the case of training with respect to temperature sensation in the feet and hands, for example, the subject silently repeats to himself “my hands and feet are warm”.
This training is not only efficacious in the treatment of the various diseases described above, but also may provide effects such as recovery from accumulated fatigue, reduced hostile behavior through improved self-control, improved efficiency during study or work, relief from physical or psychological pain, an improved sense of self-worth due to greater introspection as a result of the training, and greater psychological concentration. In addition, these techniques can also be applied in so-called “self-suggestion” and other stress-management techniques, to prevent autonomic nervous activity from rising too much. These techniques can be carried out by the user on an occasional basis, for a short period of time such as a minute or two, and may be performed in any location at any time. Moreover, temperature sensation training has an anti-stress effect, so that symptoms due to stress can be reduced.
Other treatment methods including biofeedback, which employs physiological phenomena, have also been used conventionally (see Biofeedback Principles and Practice for Clinicians, edited by John V. Basmajian). In this type of treatment method, the subject (user) is made aware of various physical information such as muscular tension, skin temperature, pulse and the like which are not ordinarily noticed on a conscious level, so that the subject can learn to control these reactions in the body. For example, in a treatment employing muscular tension, muscular activity is detected using an electromyogram, and converted into an audio signal which is played for the user.
Biofeedback provides the following effects which are not obtained from the autogenic training described above. Namely, the subject or a third person who is directing the training is able to ascertain the current condition of the subject's body, i.e., is able to see the increase/decrease in the activity of the subject's electromyogram, in real time. Further, because physiological indicators are measured, it is easy to evaluate the efficacy of training. Further, by notifying the user when an effect beyond that anticipated is obtained, this is expected to serve as encouragement to the user. Moreover, because the target is easily understood, the user is able to experience this training without excessive effort (referred to as passive concentration).
A method employing biofeedback is disclosed in Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. 4-200440, for example. In the technique disclosed in this publication, a target value is set for physiological information, the user's physiological data is measured and compared to this target value, notification is provided of the results of this comparison, and the transition in the results of this comparison is displayed. In the technique disclosed in this publication, the maximum value of the physiological information currently measured can be set as the target value for the next time measurements are made.
In addition, another device which employs biofeedback is disclosed in Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. 59-232380. This device controls training for a plurality of users, and makes it possible to ascertain the progress of the entire group. Namely, the pulse waves of first and second specific frequency components are extracted from a plurality of users, the users are notified in common with respect to the first specific frequency component according to the direction of a trainer (director), and then each user is notified independently with respect to the second specific frequency component.
However, the autogenic training methods described above are problematic in that they do not permit the user to readily understand the body's current status. As a result, where carrying out hands and feet temperature sensation training, for example, it is not possible to determine whether the training is having an actual effect, such that the fingers have actually become warmer. In other words, it is not possible in the least for the user to understand on a quantifiable basis his body's current condition.
Accordingly, even if training is more efficacious than the user anticipated, the user is not informed to this effect, so that such benefits as an increased desire to continue training or a reduced inclination to quit cannot be anticipated in the above-described autogenic training methods. In addition, it is difficult to communicate the concept of passive concentration to a user who is always highly tense. Thus, in the case where training must be carried out over a long period of time, in a step-wise manner, it is possible that the user may not learn muscular relaxation well in the initial stages.
Further, biofeedback also has disadvantages. Namely, the patient or user may too readily become dependent on the device, or it may be difficult for the user to grasp the specific actions which must be carried out in order to achieve a state of relaxation. In the case of a patient who is extremely anxious, muscular relaxation may not produce any effects on the autonomic activity which is the anxiety reaction.
In the technique disclosed in Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. 4-200440, the subject is informed of the results of a comparison between the current physiological information and set target values, as well as the transition in the results of this comparison. However, the results of the comparison depend on the target value settings. Namely, target values differ entirely depending on the person. However, since multiple targets are not provided when setting these values, the significance of the compared results appears dubious. For example, if the target value is set low, then the user may be notified that training is having an effect. Conversely, if the target value is set high, then the user may be informed that training is not producing any effects. Thus, even if the maximum value for the physiological information currently being measured is selected and set as the target value for
Amano Kazuhiko
Ishiyama Hitoshi
Uebaba Kazuo
Gilbert Samuel G.
Seiko Epson Corporation
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