EP0748640A1 - Means and method for physical exercising with musical feedback - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves acquiring measurements of the relevant physical parameters of the subject (1) via sensors (2,3), and amplifying and converting them in a preparation stage (4). The measurement values are evaluated in an evaluation stage (5,6) by comparing them with defined criteria. They are interpreted into music in a conversion stage (7) according to the demands of the evaluation stage. The interpretation enables the subjects to detect their measurement value situation from the music, which is outputted from a music memory (8), in MIDI format, to a sound source (9). The interpretation involves varying the music in the form of extended or shortened notes or pauses, selection of the instrument tuning, varying the timbre and varying the amplitude of the playback.

Description

The invention relates to a method for acoustizing the body's own physical values according to the preamble of claim 1 and to an apparatus for performing the method.

Repeated practice of everyday movements, such as getting up from a sitting position and walking, is an essential element of rehabilitation for patients with neurological or orthopedic deficits.

The success of practicing neurological deficits, such as stroke, is based on the ability of the brain hemispheres to shift responsible control areas so that the influence of irreversible cell damage is reduced (cortical plasticity). The motivating and corrective physiotherapeutic support during the exercises is considered inevitable, but it places high demands on the nursing staff.

Methods are already known with which physically disabled people can produce music in an unconventional way, e.g. Sound generation through movements of the head. The implementation in music takes place in MIDI format (Musical Instruments Digital Interface) (Zeitschrift Med.Eng.Phys. 1994, Vol.16, May, p.253 ff .: R.Kirk at al .: "Computer music in the service of music therapy: the MIDIGRID and MIDICREATOR systems ").

The conversion of psychological states of the user into music is used for self-awareness in music therapy. There is no direct self-control of the user with regard to his states, for example his movements. A direct link between measured values and music for self-monitoring of the user is not intended.

A rehabilitation aid is also known, in which the pressure is measured under the foot of the user and an alarm signal is triggered when a set maximum value is exceeded. The pitch of the alarm signal varies depending on the strength of the overload. The level of the overload is made audible to the user by the pitch of the alarm signal (brochure from INFOTRONIC, 7650AA Tubbergen / NL, "Fußdruckbegrenzer"). It is not possible for the user to exert direct influence on the alarm signal design and therefore only a low level of motivation can be achieved.

It is already known to carry out the pressure distribution measurement in the shoe by means of a sensor film in the form of an insole (magazine "Med.Orth.Tech. 1/94, p.6 ff.). The sensor films are connected to a personal computer by transmission units attached to the lower leg. The measurement results can be followed on a screen during the measurement, stored in the computer and also output via a printer. The measurement method is not used for training purposes or for therapy support, but for gait analysis.

Another known measuring system ("P-Gait Analysis measuring system", conference report by Doubt, H.-J. Et al., Pages 260 ff., Conference for Gait Analysis, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, 1992, p. 260 ff.) Print sizes with a measuring sole per Feet, whereby the pressure signal acquisition is carried out with pressure sensors and subsequent electronic multiplexing and a gain / impedance conversion. The signal is transmitted to a computer in which the signal processing is carried out using suitable software. No further processing of the signals for acoustic self-monitoring of the user is provided. The signals are used for gait analysis.

So far, however, no methods or devices are known with which support, for example, the tasks of physiotherapists, therapists or exercisers with an increase in the effectiveness of the exercises, an increase in the motivation of the user for the exercises and the possibility of autonomously optimizing movement sequences during exercises can be guaranteed.

The invention is therefore based on the object of developing a method and a device for acoustizing the body's own physical values, with which acoustic self-control and motivation by music of users during training and / or therapy measures are ensured.

To achieve this object, the invention provides the features of claims 1 and 4.

By combining known measuring methods for obtaining physical measured values from people with the well-known music in MIDI format and through the feedback of the measured value situation to the user (bio-feedback) a substantial increase in the motivation of users for eg physiotherapy exercises or for training purposes is achieved. The possibility is created for the autonomous optimization of movement sequences, for example during rehabilitation exercises. Any instrumental piece of music that the exercising person particularly likes and that is available in MIDI format on a data carrier can be used for the acoustic representation of the body's own physical values. The application can take place both in clinics or the like or at home regardless of the local conditions and also without the support of therapists. Controlled practice between treatments at the therapist is possible.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the subclaims.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment of a device for the acousticization of the body's own physical values for acoustic self-monitoring in gait therapy for the rehabilitation of patients with walking disorders. The single figure shows a block diagram of the device for performing the method.

With the help of music, a patient 1 with walking disorders should have acoustic information about his Gait parameters regarding step frequency, symmetry and rolling behavior of the foot are provided.

The human foot is the essential mechanical prerequisite for all postures and movements. The function of the foot can e.g. be disturbed in neuromuscular control and neuropathy disorders.

When walking and standing, people have to transmit a force through the contact with the foot, the vertical component of which corresponds approximately to their weight. This force acts on the contact surface of the foot with the surface and creates pressure. The pressure is generally unevenly distributed over the contact area and changes over time.

The soil reaction forces are measured according to the known measuring methods. At least two force sensors 2, 3 are attached to the feet or in the shoes of patient 1 in the heel area and in the area of the forefoot for measuring the ground reaction force and for measuring the sequence of the occurrence. The signals from the sensors 2, 3 are passed to the inputs of an evaluation unit 4. The evaluation unit 4 for the measured values essentially consists of an amplifier and an A / D converter. The signals processed in the evaluation unit 4 are fed to an evaluation stage 6 for the measured values, in which the measured values are brought together with specifications from an evaluation specification memory 5. The evaluations determined in this way for the movements of patient 1 are under Use of the given music in MIDI format from a memory 8 in a conversion stage 7 and result in the modified music. The evaluation level 6, the memory 5 for the evaluation specifications and the implementation level 7 can be implemented by a microcomputer with program and data memory and a connected sound module with loudspeaker connection. The commercially available floppy disks or chip cards are suitable as memory 8 for music in MIDI format.

The signals from the sensors 2, 3 trigger sound events on the basis of specific algorithms (software) in the patient, which in their chronological order combine to form characteristic pieces of music. The pieces of music can be songs consisting of a melody and rhythm, or the sounds of clearly recognizable musical instruments. The music generation described takes place at the moment of movement execution, ie in "real time" _, and is accessible to patient 1 via headphones 9 or loudspeakers at the same time.

The software to be used is able to produce pieces of music which have a motivating, action-triggering and "descriptive" or "controlling" effect.

The specific algorithm produces signals for sound generation / influencing that correspond to the MIDI format and the electronic musical instruments use that understand such signals (using standard tone generators). The ground reaction forces can be related, for example, to the pitch and / or the volume and the rhythm of the gait to the musical beat. All or some parameters can be influenced or changed via the software to be used.

The creation of pieces of music can be organized in different ways.

Patient 1 selects a song, musical instrument or piece of music that they like to hear. Each time the ground reaction forces of the right or left leg are exceeded, a sound sequence is triggered via an adjustable threshold value, which corresponds to the notes of the following bar played by a selected musical instrument, the speed of the song or the duration of a bar being permanently adjustable and thus determines the step frequency of patient 1. The difference between the maximum forces of the left and right leg of successive steps detunes the instrument being played, i.e. changes the basic tone by a certain amount, adapted to the walking abilities of patient 1.

A variant consists in that if the ground reaction forces of the right or left leg are exceeded via an adjustable threshold value, a signal is triggered which is a selected one Musical instrument Causes a note to be played again and again or a note matching the melody of the song in accordance with the theory of harmony with the duration of the threshold being exceeded. The time at which a bar or a fraction of a bar of the selected song is heard together with the sound of a specific musical instrument is calculated from the time interval between two successive threshold violations, the speed of the song depending on the step frequency of the patient 1 . The selected song is intoned by a larger number of instruments, but the particular musical instrument is clearly heard.

The sensors 2, 3 used to measure the ground reaction forces during walking have a construction which is adapted to the task in terms of accuracy, resolution and service life.

Force sensors 2, 3 which consist of air or liquid-filled pressure chambers are particularly advantageous. Part of the restoring force can be achieved by means of a foam rubber or foam body located therein.

REFERENCE SIGN LIST

1

Subject

2nd

sensor

3rd

sensor

4th

Evaluation unit / preparation level

5

Evaluation specification memory / evaluation level

6

Assessment level

7

Implementation level

8th

Storage

9

headphone

Claims (8)

Method for the acoustics of the body's own physical values for training and / or therapy measures, the relevant physical measured values of the subject (1) being recorded via sensors (2, 3) and amplified and converted in a preparation stage (4),
characterized,
that in a rating stage (5,6) by comparison with predetermined criteria the measured values are evaluated and in an implementation stage (7) according to the specifications from the rating stage (5,6) are interpreted in such a way that the subject (1) knows about the interpreted and music output from a music memory (8) in MIdI format to a sound source (9), its measured value situation is signaled. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the interpretation of the measured values by changes in the form of extended or shortened notes or pauses, a selection of instrumental voices, changed tone color or reverberation, changed volume of the played instrumental music from the memory (8) in the MIdI format is made. Method according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the recording of the measured values and the output of the music take place in "real time". Device for carrying out the method according to claim 1, characterized in that - With at least one sensor (2, 3) for detecting physical measured values from the body of the subject (1) - An evaluation unit for the measured values (4) is connected, - which in turn is coupled to an evaluation level (6) for the measured values, - Which continues on the input side with an evaluation specification memory (5) and - Which is connected on the output side to an implementation stage (7), wherein - The implementation stage (7) on the input side with a memory (8) for music in MIDI format and - The output side is connected to a sound source (9). Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that a force measuring sole for ground reaction forces is used as the sensor (2,3), which is inserted in conventional shoes and which contains at least one force sensor each under the heel and under the forefoot. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the force sensors are formed from strain gauges. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the force sensors consist of air or liquid-filled pressure chambers, to which pressure sensors for force measurement are attached directly or via hose connections. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that a part of the restoring force in the pressure chamber is realized by means of a foam rubber or foam body located therein, wherein the pressure chamber walls can be firmly connected to the foam rubber or foam body.

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