EP2002416A1

EP2002416A1 - Device and method for acting on a person's motor automatism

Info

Publication number: EP2002416A1
Application number: EP07731880A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bernard Gasquet
Original assignee: ACTIVA CONCEPTS
Current assignee: ALLYANE
Priority date: 2006-04-06
Filing date: 2007-04-05
Publication date: 2008-12-17
Also published as: CN101416226B; CN101416226A; CA2648500A1; RU2008139155A; AU2007234667B2; JP2009532155A; US20100248197A1; RU2437685C2; FR2899485B1; WO2007116189A1; AU2007234667A1; FR2899485A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a sound device for acting on a person's motor automatisms comprising: - means for generating gleaned sounds SPi each exhibiting a frequency lying between 200 and 1500 Hz and a duration of between 2 and 20 s, each of these gleaned sounds being separated by a time interval ΔT of between 2 and 60 s, - means for controlling the emission and stoppage of the gleaned sounds, - means for generating associated sounds SA each exhibiting a frequency lying between 2 and 200 Hz and a duration of between 2 and 60 s, - means for triggering the emission of an associated sound, - and control means adapted for interrupting the emission of the gleaned sounds SPi and for ensuring the emission of at least one associated sound SA on receipt of an order to trigger an associated sound.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ACTING ON MOTOR AUTOMATION OF A PERSON

The present invention relates to the technical field of acoustics for acting on the functioning of the brain, and more specifically to a device for acting on the motor automatisms of a person.

For the execution of movements to achieve a specific goal, each individual unconsciously creates motor automatisms to relieve conscious conscious thought.

Indeed, for the realization of a race or a launch for example, the number and the complexity of the mechanisms implemented quickly lead to an overcoming of the capacities of voluntary control of the brain.

It turns out that some of the programmed automatisms do not allow a correct execution of the movement or that the programming of some automatisms is deactivated. The acquisition, correction and / or reactivation of automatic programs can be very problematic, very long, if not impossible.

The state of knowledge in neuroscience makes it possible to know that: - the conscious will (resulting from the cortical zones of the brain) can not control, nor thus modify instantly, during the action, the activity of the brain zones (subcortical) responsible for activating the automatic engine programs. Which means that we can not, by the will alone, change a "bad" gesture into "good" gesture in an instant,

"The acquisition or reacquisition of an automatic gesture is therefore possible only through intentional repetitions of this gesture, desired by the cortical, and that the subcortical must end up programming and restitution. The number of these repetitions can be very high. It determines the acquisition time. This acquisition time is a function of the nature of the gesture, the intrinsic capacity of the individual (his motor control qualities, the power of his body diagram, etc.) of the specific conditions of intentionality, of a certain number of other factors, and relationships between all these factors. Which explains the uncertainty of the vesting period, which is the lot of all training for the acquisition or modification of the technical ability,

- conscious conscious thought can imagine a gesture and its sensory (kinesthetic) content, without realizing it. It has been demonstrated by many neuroscience laboratories applied to the movement, and by medical imaging, that the brain activity sought for proprioceptive gesture imagination was in part identical to that created for the actual execution of this same gesture. The brain works in part (headquarters and nature of the activity) in the same way to make a gesture or imagine the proprioceptive perception of the same gesture,

- The subcortical areas solicited in the programming and control of the execution of automatic gestures include primarily the thalamus and a part of the limbic system. The object of the invention is therefore to solve the problem of access by consciousness to the programming of motor automatisms, in order to eliminate the need for learning repetitions, and therefore to reduce considerably both the time , the hazard and the disadvantages.

The invention proposes a neurophysiological device that makes it possible to act voluntarily, in a very short time, on the sub-cortical (thalamic and limbic) brain regions responsible for programming and activating the motor automation programs, other than by repetition preceded by 'intention.

The device uses both knowledge of a certain mode of operation of the brain, and certain characteristics of certain low frequency sounds for:

To create in the subject the necessary conditions for the desired (re) motor programming, by placing him in a state of hypovigilance, and out of action, a state favorable to the cerebral activity desired for the activation of particular neuronal pathways of access to sub-cortical zones, - activate these neuronal pathways allowing the identification and registration by the sub-cortical areas concerned of the contents of the desired automatic motor programs. The mode of brain functioning implements:

- the results of experiments on the capabilities of low frequency sounds and their effects on memory mechanisms,

- the role of subcortical centers (thalamus, limbic system) in the memorization of sensory messages,

- the role and characteristics of the various channels of transmission of sensory messages,

- the modes of recording of the sensory messages by the centers under cortical. The creation of low frequency sounds is provided by a programmed tone generator, which broadcasts to the subject two types of sound signals corresponding to the two objectives above:

- an automatic sequence of sounds, broadcast continuously and without intervention of the subject for the creation of the state of hypovigilance, - a sound, clearly different from the sounds of the sequence, and whose emission is controlled at will by the subject , for memorization. The overall process of (re-) programming requires that the sonic session be preceded by a technical session whose purpose is:

- have the subject identify the gesture to be the object of the (re) programming. The identification is carried out initially in technical terms, in a second time in biomechanical terms, and in a third time in proprioceptive (kinesthetic) terms corresponding to the personalized internal experience,

- train the subject to recreate mentally this internal proprioceptive content of the gesture, without production of the real gesture.

The sonic session achieves the two objectives mentioned above:

- preliminary objective: to place the subject in a state of relaxation and receptivity, by hearing the continuous sequence of pulsed sounds. Once in this state, he is able to recreate mentally the proprioceptive characteristics of the gesture, out of action and without production of the real gesture, in addition, the hearing of the continuous sequence of sounds drawn from bass frequencies allows access to the reticular pathway that must be used for achieving the main objective,

"Main objective: to associate the proprioceptor message

(corresponding to the desired gesture) with a specific sound emitted by the generator, at the request, by the subject himself when his mental production of the proprioceptor content seems sufficiently consistent with the desired gesture.

The method uses an organized and controlled way of operating the brain. The brain perceives sensory messages in two simultaneous ways, in two different ways: a uni-sensory path, and a multi-sensory path.

"The united sensory path is that of the main sense in which the message is identified (hearing, sight, smell, touch, taste). This path is very selective for efficiency needs. The brain always selects it first. Consciousness is also centered on this path.

For the same reasons of efficiency, it takes a direct path between the sensory organ and the cortex, via the thalamus (the pathway is called "talamocortical"),

when a message is perceived by this united sensory path, all the other senses continue to function, but outside the field of conscious perception. This second way is called multi-sensory. This is the crosslinked (or reticular) pathway. It is more complex, longer and richer. It does not participate directly in the action, but it contributes in particular to the memorization of the elements of the action. It takes a path that implements the limbic system. She is said

"Thalamus-limbo-cortical". The brain does not consciously take this path. To activate it and access it to pass conscious conscious messages, the person must get out of the mode "action", united sensory, while remaining conscious and awake. Low frequency sounds have the ability to place brain activity in hypovigilance mode (out of action). They open the reticular way. This way being open, consciousness can use it to send and perceive several sensory messages.

two distinct sensory messages are sufficient to characterize an activity significantly for the memory system (thalamolimbic). This avoids having to handle messages that are too complex and involve three or four directions. It is then sufficient to address to the sub-cortical areas concerned two sensory messages that pass through the reticular pathway: a proprioceptor message, and a sound message, for example, - acoustic knowledge and a long neurophysiological research work allowed to define the sound frequencies which are the best perceived and best identifiable by the subcortical centers responsible for choosing the messages to memorize. Moreover, these frequencies must be clearly perceptible by the consciousness (thus audible), be easily reproducible (the sounds must be repeated in exactly the same way) and not have, moreover, disturbing side effects,

- the other characteristics of these sounds were determined to make the messages more selective, significant and easy to perceive (durations, successions, intensities).

The method therefore consists in addressing, via the reticular pathway, a complex sensory message to the sub-cortical areas concerned which will be perceived as significant and "recordable" because it consists of two components:

a proprioceptive sensory component (the content of the motor program corresponding to the desired technical gesture),

- a sound sensory component (associated low frequency sound), this multi-sensory message simultaneously reaches the same subcortical areas (thalamus and limbic system).

Thanks to the multi-sensorial path taken, and to the conscious association of two messages on this path, the proprioceptor message is received and recorded as programmed and releasable in case of future voluntary order. This new path activated by the method is the one that will take in the future the motor program when the voluntary command will call an automatic response.

The second signal (sound) is only necessary for the activation of the channel at the program recording stage. It is no longer useful then:

- the "new program" no longer needs stimuli to appear, since it has been recorded as a systematic response. The command alone is enough to trigger it like any other automatism acquired by the usual ways of repetition. When one performs an automatic gesture learned in a traditional way, one does not repeat the operations of learning of this gesture, but one triggers the launching of the gesture by the intentional intention. It is the same when it comes to making an automatic gesture acquired by the process:

"The process is implemented to record an automatism, which will create the real gesture from the intention.

The object of the invention therefore relates to a sound device for acting on the motor automatisms of a person comprising:

Pulsed sound generating means each having a frequency of between 200 and 1500 Hz and a duration T of between 2 and 20 s, each of these pulsed sounds being separated by a time interval of between 2 and 60 s,

means for controlling the emitting and stopping of the pulsed sounds,

means for generating associated sounds, each having a frequency of between 2 and 200 Hz and a duration of between 2 and 60 seconds,

means for triggering the emission of an associated sound,

and control means connected to the means for generating pulsed sounds, to the means for generating an associated sound and to the means for triggering an associated sound, and adapted to interrupt the transmission of pulsed sounds and to ensure the sound transmitting at least one associated sound when receiving an order to trigger an associated sound. According to a preferred embodiment, the pulsed sound generating means ensures the emission of pulsed sounds having a frequency preferably between 200 and 400 Hz and a duration of between 5 and 9 seconds and preferably equal to 7 s. According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the means for generating pulsed sounds ensure the emission of pulsed sounds each separated by a time interval of preferably between 10 and 15 s.

According to an alternative embodiment, the means for generating the pulsed sounds emit sounds pulsed successively with different frequencies. According to another characteristic of the subject of the invention, the means for generating the associated sounds ensure the emission of associated sounds each having a frequency preferably between 50 and 150 Hz.

According to another characteristic of the subject of the invention, the means for generating associated sounds ensure the emission of associated sounds each having a duration of preferably between 5 and 15 s.

Advantageously, the means for generating the associated sounds comprise means for adjusting the frequency and / or duration and / or intensity of the associated sounds.

It should be noted that the means for triggering the emission of an associated sound is of the manual or automatic trigger type.

Another object of the invention is to propose a method making it possible to act on the programming or the reprogramming of the automatisms of a user comprising for at least one work session the following steps:

- the emission of a series of pulsed sounds each having a frequency of between 200 and 1500 Hz and a duration of between 2 and 20 s, being separated from each other by a time interval of between 2 and 60 s ,

"Interrupting the emission of the pulsed sounds, in order to ensure the emission of at least one associated sound having a frequency of between 2 and 200 Hz and a duration of between 2 and 60 s,

- and the emission of pulsed sounds after stopping the emission of the associated sound. According to a feature of the subject of the invention, the method consists in interrupting the emission of the pulsed sounds and emitting an associated sound, when an order coming from the user appears or when a triggering occurs. automatic. Advantageously, the method consists in ensuring the emission of the associated sounds, for a number of occurrences of the associated sounds, of between 2 and 10 and preferably equal to 6.

According to a preferred embodiment, the method consists in emitting pulsed sounds having a frequency of between 200 and 400 Hz and a duration of between 5 and 9 s, each being separated by a time interval of between 10 and 15 s.

Advantageously, the method consists in emitting, successively, pulsed sounds having different frequencies.

Preferably, the method consists of emitting associated sounds preferably each having a frequency of between 50 and 150 Hz with a duration of between 5 and 15 s.

According to an alternative embodiment, the method consists in selecting the duration and / or the frequency and / or the intensity of the associated sounds.

Various other characteristics appear from the description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of non-limiting examples, embodiments of the subject of the invention.

Figure 1 is a view of an embodiment of the front of a sound device according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a sound device according to the invention.

Figure 3 is an example of a timing diagram illustrating certain characteristics of a sound device according to the invention.

As is more specifically apparent from Figures 1 and 2, the object of the invention relates to a device or a sound device 1 adapted to act on the engine automation of a person.

This device 1 comprises generation means 2 of a first series of so-called pulsed sounds SPi. As is more particularly apparent from Figure 3, the generation means 2 are capable of delivering a series of pulsed sounds SP1, SP2, SP3,... SPi, .... each having a frequency between 200 and 1500 Hz and preferably between 200 and 400 Hz. Each sound pulsed SPi has a duration T between 2 and 20 s and advantageously between 5 and 9 seconds and preferably equal to 7 seconds. Two pulsed sounds SPj consecutive are separated by a period of silence whose duration ΔT is between 2 and 60 seconds and advantageously between 10 and 15 seconds.

The means for generating pulsed sounds 2 are made in any appropriate manner. For example, the generation means 2 comprise a loudspeaker or preferably a headset 3 controlled by a control circuit 4 connected to a processing and control unit 5 structured around at least one microprocessor.

The sound device 1 also comprises means 7 for controlling the transmission and the stop of the pulsed sounds SPj. For example, these control means 7 can be made by a switch to start the device which in the operating position can deliver pulsed sounds SPi. These control means 7 are connected by an input-output interface circuit 9 connected to the processing and control unit 5.

The sound device 1 also comprises so-called SA associated sound generation means 10 each having a frequency of between 2 and 200 Hz and preferably a frequency of between 50 and 150 Hz. Each associated sound SA has a duration T1 between 2 and 60 seconds and preferably a duration between 5 and 15 seconds. The means 10 for generating associated sounds are preferably made via the loudspeaker or the headset 3 controlled by the control circuit 4.

The sound device 1 comprises means 11 for triggering the emission of an associated sound SA. Preferably, the means 11 are of the manual trigger type and are constituted for example by means of a push button connected to the processing and control unit 5, via the interface circuit 9. Of course, the means 11 for triggering the emission of an associated sound may be automatic in nature as will be explained in the following description. The sound device 1 also comprises control means adapted to interrupt the transmission of the pulsed sounds SPi and to ensure the transmission of at least one associated sound SA when receiving a trigger command of an associated sound. It should be understood that when a triggering command of an associated sound is delivered by the triggering means 11, the emission of the pulsed sounds SPi is interrupted and at least one associated sound SA is transmitted. After the emission of an associated sound SA, the emission of pulsed sounds SPi is resumed. These control means are advantageously made by the processing and control unit 5. The sound device 1 according to the invention allows a user to implement a method or a method for acting on some of its motor automation. The sound device 1 is thus used by a person, to allow during a work session, modify, program or activate a motor system corresponding to the execution of a gesture or movement.

During a work session, the sound device 1 is turned on by the control means 7 to allow the emission of pulsed sounds SPi. The sound device 1 thus emits a series or a stream of pulsed sounds SPi each having a duration T and separated from each other by periods of silence of duration ΔT. These are pulsed low frequency SPi which are separated by periods of silence of duration ΔT, make it possible to place the person who listens them in a state of hypovigilance.

When the person is in this state of hypovigilance, this person then mentally creates an image of the desired gesture or movement, accompanied by associated kinesthetic sensations. When the person has mentally created the mental image of the gesture or movement and the associated sensations, the person records them by assuring the emission of an associated sound SA. The control of the triggering means 11 by the person leads to the stop of the emission of pulsed sounds SPi and the emission of an associated sound SA. After the cessation of remission of its partner SA, the pulsed sounds SPi are new emitted automatically. Advantageously, the person renews several times the operation of creating mentally an image accompanied by associated sensations. Each time, the emission of the pulsed sounds SPi is stopped so that an associated sound SA is emitted at each command of the triggering means 11. It must therefore be understood that the pulsed sounds SPi are interrupted several times to allow the emission of associated sounds SA. The occurrences of SA associated sounds depend solely on the will of the person who chooses the moments when he created the mental image. Thus, the time between the emission of the associated sounds SA can take very different or substantially identical values of the order of a few seconds or several minutes. Advantageously, the work session is terminated at the end of a given number of emission of SA associated sounds between 2 and 10 and preferably equal to 6. In other words, it is considered that after repeated marking of the gesture preferably equal to 6, the corresponding motor automation could be modified, programmed or activated. The person can then act on the means 7 to control the stop sound pulsed.

It emerges from the subject of the invention that the sound device 1 thus emits pulsed sounds SPi interrupted several times by an associated sound SA. According to a preferred embodiment, the pulsed sounds SPi are emitted successively one after the other with different frequencies. In other words, during a work session, the pulsed sounds SPi emitted have different frequencies.

It should be noted that during a work session, the pulsed sounds SA are transmitted according to the same frequency. However, it should be noted that the sound device 1 includes means for setting or selecting the frequency of the associated sounds SA as well as means for setting or selecting the duration of the associated sounds SA. Preferably, the sound device 1 also comprises a display 14 for the duration chosen for the associated sounds SA.

The sound device 1 also comprises means 15 for adjusting the intensity of the emitted sounds (SPi and SA) and a display 16 of the listening volume. The sound device 1 also comprises means 20 for selecting the operating mode of the sound device, either in manual mode as described above, or in automatic mode. According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, the sound device 1 comprises an automatic operating mode for which the transmission of the associated sounds SA is not triggered by the person but by the sound device 1 which produces the sound. triggering order of an associated sound SA. The characteristics (frequency, duration, intensity) of the pulsed sounds SPi and associated sounds SA are identical to those of the manual mode. In automatic mode, the associated sounds SA are separated by periods of silence whose duration is between 2 and 60 seconds. The sound device 1 advantageously comprises means 20 for adjusting these periods of silence in automatic mode and means 21 for displaying the duration of these periods of silence in automatic mode.

The sound device 1 is a simple device to implement. Of course, this sound device 1 can be realized using various technical means of the software and / or hardware type in the form of a standalone device or a microcomputer.

The method according to the invention can be used by implementing the following protocol broken down into four phases:

1. Motion Analysis: a) Shooting the subject in action. b) Technical analysis by the coach. c) Biomechanical analysis. d) Proprioceptive analysis.

2. Identification by the subject of the proprioceptive sensations corresponding to the analyzed gesture, by slow repetitions, until he is able to memorize them and recreate them mentally (without real production).

3. Neurophysiological modification session of the gesture with use of the Taped Sound Generator: a) The subject is placed out of action, and put in a state of relaxation by listening to pulsed sounds (SP). b) The modification of the gesture is carried out by the juxtaposition of the sound

Associate (SA), controlled by the subject, and mental creation (without real production) proprioceptive sensations analyzed and identified in phases 1 and 2. 4. Shooting the subject in action under the same conditions as in phase 1 and video analysis of the modified gesture acquired.

This protocol can be applied for the modification of any recognized automatic technical sporting gesture and codified. It has been put into practice with success in the following sports: tennis (service, forehand, backhand), golf (various parts of swing and back swing, overswing, change of support, angulation and arming wrists, pivoting of the pelvis, etc.) athletics (response time at start signal, change of center of gravity in race, rotation in shots), football or rugby (range, accuracy of kicks on strong foot and weak foot), volleyball (service, parasitic movement of feet), basketball (basketball movement improving the precision), Basque pelota (development of the amplitude of the shots on the weak side), fencing (wrist fixation), shooting (pivoting of the bust ), etc.

By this general protocol, the method according to the invention can be applied to the restoration or the acquisition of motor automatisms damaged as a result of accidents of various origins having affected the central nervous system, sparing the peripheral organs .

It has been positively tested in cases of hemiplegia (congenital or sequelae of stroke) and associated spasticity, tetraparesis following prolonged traumatic coma, impairment of the secondary musculoskeletal system, and psychomotor inhibition. as a result of injury and surgery.

Claims

1 - Sound device for acting on the engine automation of a person, characterized in that it comprises:

Pulsed sound generation means (SPi) each having a frequency of between 200 and 1500 Hz and a duration T of between 2 and 20 s, each of these pulsed sounds being separated by a time interval (ΔT) ) between 2 and 60 s,

means for controlling the emitting and stopping of the pulsed sounds,

Means (10) for generating associated sounds (SA) each having a frequency of between 2 and 200 Hz and a duration (Ti) of between 2 and 60 s,

means (11) for triggering the emission of an associated sound,

and control means connected to the pulsed sound generating means (2), to the means (10) for generating an associated sound and to the triggering means (11) of an associated sound, and adapted to interrupt the sound emitting pulsed sounds and for transmitting at least one associated sound when receiving an order to trigger an associated sound.

2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the generating means (2) pulsed sounds ensures the emission of pulsed sounds having a frequency preferably between 200 and 400 Hz and a duration (T) between 5 and 9 s and preferably equal to 7 s.

3 - Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the generating means (2) pulsed sounds ensure the emission of pulsed sounds each separated by a time interval (ΔT) preferably between 10 and 15 s.

4 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the generating means (2) pulsed sounds emit sound pulsed successively with different frequencies.

5 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the generating means (10) of the associated sounds ensure the emission of associated sounds (SA) each having a frequency preferably between 50 and 150 Hz. 6 - Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the means (10) generating associated sounds (SA) ensure the emission of associated sounds each having a duration (Ti) preferably between 5 and 15 s.

7 - Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the generating means (10) associated sounds (SA) comprise means for adjusting the frequency and / or duration and / or intensity of sounds associates.

8 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (11) for triggering the emission of an associated sound is manual or automatic trigger type. 9 - A method for acting on the programming or reprogramming of a user's motor automation, characterized in that it comprises, for at least one work session, the following steps:

- the emission of a series of pulsed sounds (SPi) each having a frequency between 200 and 1500 Hz and a duration (T) of between 2 and 20 s, being separated from each other by a time interval (ΔT) between 2 and 60 s,

the interruption of the emission of the pulsed sounds, in order to ensure the emission of at least one associated sound (SA) having a frequency of between 2 and 200 Hz and a duration (Ti) of between 2 and 60 s , - and the emission of pulsed sounds (SPi) after the stopping of the emission of the associated sound (SA).

10 - Process according to claim 9, characterized in that it consists in interrupting the emission of pulsed sounds (SPi) and emitting an associated sound (SA), when an order from the user appears or during an automatic trigger.

11 - Process according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it consists in ensuring the emission of associated sounds (SA), for a number of occurrences of associated sounds (SA) between 2 and 10 and preferably equal to 6.

12 - Process according to claim 9, characterized in that it consists in emitting pulsed sounds (SPi) having a frequency of between 200 and

400 Hz and a duration (T) of between 5 and 9 s, each being separated by a time interval (ΔT) of between 10 and 15 s. 13 - Process according to claim 12, characterized in that it consists in emitting, successively, pulsed sounds (SPi) having different frequencies.

14 - Process according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it consists of emitting associated sounds (SA) preferably each having a frequency between 50 and 150 Hz with a duration (Ti) between 5 and 15 s.

15 - Process according to claim 14, characterized in that it consists in selecting the duration and / or the frequency and / or the intensity of the associated sounds (SA).