DK178588B1 - A training cabin - Google Patents

Abstract

A training cabin combining light therapy and active training, in order to enhance the effect of physical training. Said system containing a height adjustable shelf holding a light therapy lamp and a computer screen, wherein the height of the shelf can be adjusted to be at eye level with the user, whether the user performs lying, sitting or standing exercises, in a manner that keeps the lamp and computer screen in place during height adjustment of the shelf. Further, a method of motivating, energising and training people with disease, frailty or disability effectively through use of a training cabin combining light therapy and active training.

Description

A training cabin Description

Field of the invention

The invention encloses a training cabin combining light therapy and physical training, in order to enhance the effect of physical training.

Background of the invention

When meeting disease, frailty and disability, active training is key for rehabilitation and long-term health-related quality of life. Unfortunately, people in above circumstances often lack the energy and motivation to train in an active manner.

The enclosed invention primarily addresses ways to increase energy and motivation to train despite disease, frailty or disability. However, the invention may also be relevant for people without these circumstances, as described below.

The invention is a training cabin enabling easy and safe computer based training simultaneously with local light therapy, which surprisingly has been found to enhance the effect of training.

When being frail, fear of falling is one example of a training barrier. Older people in risk of falling are often recommended to conduct effective home training programs, such as combinations of balance training, muscle training and endurance training. If you are at risk of falling, you may very likely have a fear of falling, decreasing your motivation to do effective exercises. Instead, many people do “comfortable” exercises, which in many situations not really are bringing the effect they want.

Another example of a common training barrier is when older people with back problems or osteoporosis are recommended effective core training programs including exercises lying on the floor. Fear of not getting up again, when lying on the floor alone in the apartment hinders training, before it even started.

Another training barrier for training at home relates to the training environment. If you join a training class in a training centre, the training equipment is easily available. Also the social context of training with peers may increase your motivation. At home, you have to do something extraordinary to prepare your training, and usually training needs to be conducted in the living room, to ensure adequate space. If you are frail, you may not want or overcome to fit your living room to effective training, which may be a barrier for training in a situation, when you mostly need it.

If following a video or a computer based training program such as a virtual rehabilitation program, it is an advantage that you are able to see the screen no matter which body posture you turn to. If the screen is large enough, this is only a theoretical problem, but the costs of large screens may be a barrier for practical use. Further, large screens take space, which may be a barrier for people in e.g. smaller housings.

With the widespread use of tablet PC’s and streaming of training programs from YouTube, etc. it is now possible to follow professional training programs at relative low costs. Yet it is very demotivating if you have to pause training programs to move the screen each time you change position, as you otherwise are too distant from the screen to see details in the exercises. This is especially annoying if you are frail and lack energy and motivation to train.

A negative mood will make training even less likely, why a sedative lifestyle is a consequence for most people with physical and mental challenges.

Inactivity may start a negative spiral, as disease promotes inactivity and a negative mood, inactivity and a negative mood decrease energy, which again hinders physical activity, which delays recovery, which makes the mood even more negative, etc. Instead of realising a person’s rehabilitation or recovery potential, the result may be accelerated aging, i.e. increasing body age faster than actual age.

A negative mood may relate to a person’s current health situation, a fear of worsened symptoms in the future, a feeling of helplessness, limited social relations, loss of peers, etc. For example, it is quite normal to show clinical signs of depression, when patients are returning to their homes after hospitalisations.

Limited sun exposure during the Northern and Southern hemispheres’ winter half year has a negative impact on many people’s mood and energy, also people not facing physical distress. Sun exposure is even more limited if frailty or disease keep you indoor, also in seasons with more sunshine hours.

In 1984, N. Rosenthal described bright light therapy as treatment of winter depression, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Since then, several clinical studies of bright light targeting depression, Parkinson’s disease, ADHD, etc. have been conducted. It has been shown that it is not necessary to be exposed to bright light for many hours, simulating the long northern summer days. Instead, it is adequate with a light pulse down to 30 minutes, to mimic sunrise to the nervous system.

As opposed to a solarium where sun tanning is the purpose, light therapy lamps filter light to remove UV radiation, enabling daily use without damaging eyes or skin.

In 2005, the American Psychiatric Association Work Group made consensus that light therapy can serve as a first choice intervention treating seasonal AND non-seasonal depression. In many countries, light therapy is recommended as a concomitant treatment to other forms of therapy.

The mechanism of action is not fully understood. At least two processes are impacting the effect: 1. Light exposure affects the nervous system in similar pathways as psychotropic drugs. Serotonergic, dopaminergic and noradrenergic potentiation have been demonstrated.

2. Biological clock: Light exposure affects the photoreceptor melanopsin located in the basal ganglia of the retina. This resynchronises the circadian rhythm system with the sleep-wake cycle. A dose-response effect on remission rates is related to timing of the light exposure, varying with number of hours following the persons evening melatonin onset, which can differ as much as 6 hours or even more.

Also people not having a clinical depression may find it positive and energizing to be exposed to light therapy.

Besides bright light therapy, low intensity blue-enriched light therapy has also shown a positive effect on SAD patients, and enables shorter treatment cycles and lower light intensities.

In general, the risk/benefit-ratio of light therapy is very beneficial, showing only sparse safety concerns, why some companies now offer light therapy lamps in their office environments. Further, very few dropouts have been observed in clinical studies related directly to the light therapy. People having eye diseases are recommended to consult a physician before starting light therapy.

Light therapy is usually conducted in a static body posture, with eyes “at eye level” with the lamp. Eyes can be open or closed during the treatment. Treatment is measured in lux, where 10,000 lux is considered a relevant daily dose. The dose depends on the distance between the eyes and the light source, why closer distance enables shorter treatment duration.

If combining dynamic exercising with light therapy, it is a challenge that the distance between the eyes and the lamp will vary, dependent on your body posture. Using a long light therapy lamp or several bright light lamps in the ceiling are examples on how to solve this challenge. However, it is believed that a circular lamp brings stronger and positive associations to sun/summertime, and nudges you to follow the movements of the lamp, as a element of complying to the training program.

Thus, there is a need for an energising training concept targeting people with disease, frailty, disability or low in energy integrating the positive effects on mood from light therapy directed to the eyes and combined with a flexible training context, motivating them to conduct effective, safe and comfortable training, where they follow computer based training programs at home. Further, there is a need for motivating people to do these exercises in lying, sitting or standing positions without pausing the programs due to a need of moving the equipment, enabling the right distance between the equipment and the eyes, meaning that lamp and computer screen must be adjusted remotely to heights between 10 and 200 cm during training. Further, there is a need for a training system, where you can train alone without fear of fall injuries or inability to get back to a standing position. Finally, there is a need for this training concept to be easily moved, and only to take up limited space, when not in use. Such a training system is achieved by the present invention.

No patents or other texts have been found describing concepts meeting above needs.

Prior art:

In United States Patent no. 5,257,701 is disclosed an adjustable portable exercise desk, which describes a collapsible desk with height adjustment features allowing the user to change positions frequently and exercise while they work. The desk is suited for use with notebook, laptop and other lightweight computers. Flowever, this invention does not solve the challenges described above (e.g. how to overcome lack of energy to train, how to overcome fear of falling and fear on safe standing after floor exercises) and does not mention the use of light therapy to enhance the effect of training. Further, this invention does not consider other features described in our invention making dynamic training convenient and safer, such as the handles supporting safe standing after floor exercises, height adjustment of shelf programmed with computer based training program, remote control of shelf height, relocation of training cabin aided by wheels, etc.

It is well known to design height adjustable tables and shelves, e.g. used for desks that can be operated in sitting and standing positions. A typical height adjustable table can be operated in heights between 65 and 120 cm (approximately 2 x). Flowever, none of the described solutions overcome the barrier of defining a solution, where the shelf can be adjusted to heights between 10 and 200 cm, allowing eyes to be in level with the shelf when conducting respectively lying, sitting and standing exercises, and most height adjustable table principles will not be usable for said invention. The technical solution to adjust shelf height from e.g. 20 to 160 cm (= 8 x) challenges the design of the system in a different way, why a solution including a “mini-lift”, similar to what is used for lifting goods in production areas, just smaller, as it should only lift up to 10 kg of goods, hydraulic systems used for elevators in micro scale, or multi-layered telescope solutions are more applicable for said invention. Further, none of the existing solutions enclose an energising and motivating training environment, where inclusion of a shelf with light therapy and computer screen can be operated remotely during dynamic training. Also, none of the described solutions include foldable doors that cannot topple, when using grip handles on the folding doors to stand up safely from a lying position.

It is well known to design light and foldable monitor stands for easy portability and storage. As above, the known solutions do not include remotely controlled height adjustable systems from 20-160 cm, enabling use of a combination of light therapy and computer based training programs in lying, sitting or standing position.

In German Patent no. 102005003567 is disclosed a closed system combining active training with a solarium system including mirrors for whole body treatment and includes heat treatment, ventilation and training modalities such as electro swing and vibration plates, addressing mechanical muscle stimulation. Flowever, this invention does not solve any the challenges described above, being a heavy, large, closed training cabin for radiation therapy of the whole body.

It is common knowledge to perform light therapy simultaneously with other activities such as reading, writing or eating. The effect of bright light and exercise on depressive symptoms has also been investigated in a setup where participants trained in a gym with 30 extra light lamps fixtures with cool white (Leppamaki S, Haukka J, Ldnnqvist J, Partonen T: Drop-out and mood improvement: a randomised controlled trial with light exposure and physical exercise. BMC Psychiatry 2004, 4:22). In this and similar studies, the focus has been on the effects from light therapy on relieving depressive symptoms. However, this study does not include a training cabin designed for delivery of close distance light therapy together with computer based training programs, where the sun shaped and warming light bulb is supposed to “nudge” the user up and down simultaneously with the demonstrated exercises. Nor is this study describing any enhancing effect of the training based on light therapy.

Brief description of the drawings

To understand the present invention, some of the details are illustrated in the figures.

Figure 1: How to use the training cabin for a dynamic training program including sitting, lying and standing exercises.

Figure la is a frontal view of a training cabin. In this example, the height adjustable shelf is controlled with a “minilift” system, where the shelf is sliding in a column secured to the back wall of the training cabin. The motor is at the bottom of the lift, behind the column.

Figure 1b is a frontal view of a user doing sitting exercises, where the shelf with a light therapy lamp and a tablet PC is set at the height 100 cm. The user uses the foldable chair, being hinged to one of the folding doors. She could also use another chair, or a wheelchair, if she preferred this solution from the integrated chair.

Figure 1c is a frontal view of a user doing exercises lying on the floor. The user is close to the support grips/handles, increasing her self-confidence as how to stand up again after the floor exercises. The shelf with a light therapy lamp and a tablet PC is set at the height 20 cm.

Figure 1 d is a frontal view of a user doing standing exercises. The shelf is set at the height 150 cm.

Figure 2: Examples of methods making the shelf height adjustable.

Figure 2a shows a construction, where the shelf is height adjusted with a “minilift” system. A similar construction can be seen at minilift.dk (Newton 50).

Figure 2b shows a construction, where the shelf is height adjusted with a telescope solution, here 8 layers, each prolonging the shelf 20 cm.

Figure 2c shows a construction, where the shelf is height adjusted with metal wires in the two sites of the cabin, similar to the construction seen in many elevators. This system may be hydraulic.

Figure 3: Examples of ways to ensure that the light therapy lamp and the computer screen stays in place, when height adjusting the shelf (solutions only shown for lamp).

Figure 3a shows a system, where the lamp is integrated in the shelf.

Figure 3b shows a system, where the lamp is fixed detachable to the shelf with straps/hinges.

Figure 3c shows a system, where the lamp adheres to the shelf due to the surface properties of the shelf having a good “tack”. Alternatively, the shelf in this example may be magnetic.

Figure 3d shows a system, where the lamp stays in place due to strings, making a discrete grid in front of the devices.

Figure 4: How to change the angles of the folding doors, adapting to individual needs during exercises.

Figure 4α is a top plan view showing a user in a wheel chair, having the two folding doors in the angle 110 degrees.

Figure 4b is a top plan view showing a user doing exercises lying on a mat. This user prefers to make the exercises along the training cabin, why the angles of both folding doors are 180 degrees.

Figure 4c is a top plan view showing a user doing standing exercises. In this example, the user uses the security grips/handles for stretches. One of the folding doors is in the angle 90 degrees, the other folding door is positioned at 180 degrees.

Figure 5 shows how the training cabin easily can be closed and moved to a discrete location, when not in use.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention discloses an approach for combining an integrated training environment motivating people with e.g. disease, frailty or disability to train safe and effectively, with concomitant access to light therapy. This target group has limited energy and motivation to conduct burdensome or annoying tasks in relation to training programs, especially during training in unsupervised situations. The light therapy is to be delivered together with training instructions from e.g. a computer screen, preferably on a daily basis, and preferably in the morning, where the potential energising effect of light therapy is at its maximum. Said system contains a flexible, easy movable training cabin integrating a height adjustable shelf. The height adjustable shelf can be adjusted to enable lying, sitting and standing exercises with eyes in close proximity to the shelf. The shelf is designed for placement of a light therapy lamp and a computer screen next to the lamp in a manner that keeps the devices in place during height adjustment of the shelf.

Further, the invention relates to a method for promoting the energy and motivation to train as well as promoting the effect of training.

In one embodiment of the invention, the training system consists of an easy to move light cabinet with foldable door(s). The foldable door(s) can be more or less angles during use, enabling different training situations.

In one embodiment of the invention, the training cabin is easy to move due to wheels with brakes under the cabinet.

In another embodiment of the invention, the training cabin has wheels with brakes under the cabinet as well as under folding door(s) hinged to the front of the cabinet.

In another embodiment of the invention, the training cabin has a stabilizing system integrated in the folding door(s).

In one embodiment of the invention, at least one folding door includes grips/handles than can be used for getting up from lying to standing position safely, without the cabin toddles or moves.

In one embodiment of the invention, one folding door contains a foldable chair/seat, that when opened can be used safely for exercises in front of the shelf.

In one embodiment of the invention, the height adjustable shelf can be freely adjusted between the shelf heights 20 and 160 cm compared to ground level.

In another embodiment of the invention, the height adjustable shelf can be freely adjusted between the shelf heights 10 and 200 cm compared to ground level.

In one embodiment of the invention, the height adjustable shelf is programmable, and can be programmed to change between different heights, which may be synchronized with a training program.

In another embodiment of the invention, the height adjustable shelf is controlled remotely.

In one embodiment of the invention, the light therapy lamp is an integrated part of the height adjustable shelf.

In another embodiment of the invention, the shelf allows secure attachment of the lamp through use of a locking mechanism, such as straps or hinges.

In another embodiment of the invention, the shelf is having tacky or magnetic surface properties making a detachable fixation of e.g. a light therapy lamp possible.

In another embodiment of the invention, the shelf contains a string towards the front preventing tipping of the devices during height adjustment.

In one embodiment of the invention the light therapy lamp emits bright light.

In another embodiment of the invention the light therapy lamp emits low intensity blue-enriched light.

In one embodiment of the invention, the visual identity of the training cabin is “midsummer”, with wall-covering posters picturing nature at midsummer, e.g. a birch forest bathed in morning sunlight.

It is widely held, that it is difficult to motivate people with disease, frailty or disability to start up and conduct effective training at home. It is further believed, that people in above circumstances lack the energy to train effectively without supervision.

It is further believed that light therapy is to be provided to people being relatively inactive during treatment to control the light exposure, being proportional dependent on the distance between the light source and the eyes of the receiver.

It has surprisingly been found that by combining light therapy with a mobile, flexible training cabin making it easy and positive to train effectively and dynamically after a computer based program, an improved training compliance and training outcome has been achieved. It has been found that the easy height adjustment of the shelf has nudged users to change positions during training.

Further, it has surprisingly been found that through training in front of this cabin, the motivation to strengthen and maintain the habit to train on a daily basis has been increased, despite disease, frailty or disability, simply because training is rewarded by positive energy from “sun exposure” and the midsummer environment where training is conducted.

As the system can be used with different training modalities, it has surprisingly been found that users will continue using the training cabin for active training, as it will bring them immediate pleasure and a positive experience with training, also if their health status is improved - or worsened.

It is therefore expected that users of the disclosed invention will become more active and positive, thereby promoting their overall health, which will contribute to a more independent life.

The training concept of the present invention is primarily targeting people with disease, frailty or disability, with a concomitant negative mood.

People with clinical symptoms of SAD and non-seasonal depression in mild, medium or severe grade are therefore in the target group.

Also, people with diagnosis such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia and ADHD, and where light therapy has shown positive results are relevant as users of the enclosed invention.

Further, the training cabin is relevant for people who will benefit from the light and flexible training atmosphere, also people not having any of the diagnosis mentioned above.

Examples

Below is shown three examples of practical use of the invention.

Example 1: Remotely controlled height adjustment of shelf containing a bright light therapy lamp and a tablet PC presenting a guided training program.

Example 2: Programmed height adjustment of shelf containing a bright light therapy lamp and a computer screen presenting virtual rehabilitation.

Similar to in example 1, a training program, where the user changes between different body postures (sitting, standing, lying down). Here, the training cabin is programmed to synchronise shelf heights with the program, meaning that the shelf automatically change position when the program switches from e.g. sitting to standing exercises. In this example of virtual rehabilitation, the user gets feedback on exercise performance from a virtual physiotherapist.

Example 3: Use of a training cabin as presented in the invention (case story, fiction).

An 84-year-old woman (XX in the following) has a history of fall injuries, why she has become inactive, and mostly stays in her apartment. She has a significant fear of falling, and she is having symptoms of a mild depression. Her general practitioner suggests that XX participates in a public group training program for people like her, who will benefit from a better balance, improved muscle strength and higher endurance. XX dislikes group training, why she as an alternative is being recommended to follow the same training program at home, as the program is made available at YouTube from the physiotherapist supervising the public group training. The training centre delivers a training cabin to XX, which she can use for free for 4 weeks, after which it will be returned to the training centre. A physiotherapist introduces the exercises at a kick off meeting, where she also demonstrates how to adjust and use the training cabin. The physiotherapist tests XX’s physical performance with some validated standard tests (Timed Up and Go, Chair Stand, etc.).

XX follows a daily training program each morning. The program starts with 10 minutes of mindfulness, where XX sits with closed eyes and enjoy the light from the bright light therapy-lamp. She also enjoys the blackbird singing and the guided meditation provided by the training program, she sees on her private iPad, standing next to the lamp in the training cabin. The program now continues with 10 minutes of floor exercises, and XX easily moves the shelf downwards with the remote control she has in her pocket. When the floor exercises are finalised, XX uses the grip on the folding door to stand up safely again without fear of falling. The program continues with 10 minutes of standing and sitting exercises, after which the program finish off with 5 minutes of mindfulness again. Energised and activated, XX closes the lamp and her iPad, folds the training cabin and move it to a discrete location behind a door in her living room. After 4 weeks of training, XX’s physical performance has improved. Further, XX’s mood is better, and she is now ready to walk more outside again.

Claims (15)

1. A training cabin containing a height-adjustable shelf holding a light therapy lamp and a computer screen where the height of the shelf can be adjusted to the eye level with the user, whether the user is performing exercises lying down, sitting or standing, and in a manner where the lamp and computer screen are held in place during height adjustment of the shelf. A training cabin according to claim 1, characterized in that the height-adjustable shelf can be freely adjusted between the heights 20 and 160 cm above the ground. A training cabin according to claim 1, characterized in that the height-adjustable shelf can be freely adjusted between the heights 10 and 200 cm above the ground. A training cabin according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the height-adjustable shelf is programmable and wherein the programming can adjust the shelf height, which can be synchronized with a training program. An exercise cabin according to any one of claims 1 -3, characterized in that the height-adjustable shelf can be controlled remotely, for example by means of a remote control. A training cabin according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the light therapy lamp is an integral part of the height-adjustable shelf. A training cabin according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the shelf enables the lamp to be securely mounted through the use of a locking mechanism such as straps or hinges. An exercise cabin according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the shelf has adhesive or magnetic surface properties which allow a temporary fixation of, for example, a light therapy lamp. 9. A training cabin according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the shelf has a grid of nylon threads at the front, which prevents equipment from falling down during height adjustment. A training cabin according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the light therapy lamp emits light in the daylight spectrum. An exercise cabin according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the light therapy lamp emits light enriched with blue color. A training cab according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized by containing one or two hinged, foldable doors which may have wheels with brakes, as a method of stabilizing the system at any angle between 90 and 180 degrees. during training. A training cabin according to claim 12, characterized by having a support handle / handle on the inside of at least one of the doors. A training cabin according to claim 12, characterized by having a foldable seat / chair hinged to the inside of one of the doors. A training cab according to any one of claims 1-14, characterized by having wheels with brakes under the training cab.