JP2012075727A - Apparatus and program for supporting brain condition - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus and program for supporting brain condition to perform support to objectively recognize the kind of the condition of a brain, and to keep the brain condition as it is or to shift the condition to another condition.SOLUTION: The apparatus 1 for supporting brain condition includes: a stimulation giving implement 2; a light detection implement 3; a calculation part 13 for calculating a total hemoglobin variation amount and an oxygen exchange variation amount, based on light information detected by the light detection implement 3; a determination part 14 for determining whether the brain condition of a human body is in a relax mode, a concentration mode, or an intermediate mode, based on the total hemoglobin variation amount and the oxygen exchange variation amount calculated by the calculation part 13 by giving a stimulation with the use of an electric signal with a prescribed frequency to the acupoint of the human body by the stimulation giving implement 2; and a stimulation adjustment part 15 for adjusting the amount of the stimulation to be given to the acupoint of the human body by the stimulation giving implement 2, so as to keep the mode of the brain condition, which is determined by the determination part 14, or to shift the mode into the mode of another brain state.

Description

  The present invention relates to a brain state support apparatus and program for supporting the brain state of a human body, and in particular, maintains the brain state in a relaxed mode and a concentrated mode using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The present invention relates to a brain state support device and a program for supporting the transition to other states.

  Conventionally, in order to change the brain state to a relaxed state or to improve the concentration, for example, massage, elasticity, sleeping, etc. have been performed (hereinafter, this technique is referred to as Conventional Example 1). .

Patent Document 1 discloses, for example, a change in the concentration of oxidized hemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin using a near-infrared spectroscopic method from before the external stimulus to be evaluated is applied to the subject to after the external stimulus is applied. , And then listening to the subjective comfort level when the external stimulus is applied, and evaluating the appropriateness of the external stimulus to the human body from the measured value and the subjective comfort level is disclosed. Has been. Here, near-infrared spectroscopy means that a weak near-infrared ray (for example, 680 to 1300 nanometers) is irradiated from the top of the scalp across the skull to the brain, and blood in the brain surface (cerebral cortex) just inside the skull. This refers to a method of measuring the concentration variation of oxidized hemoglobin (Oxy-Hb; HbO ₂ ) and the concentration variation of reduced hemoglobin (Deoxy-Hb; Hb) (hereinafter, this technique is referred to as Conventional Example 2).
JP 2002-177282 A

  In Conventional Example 1, there is a problem that it is impossible to objectively know what the brain state actually is due to massage, tension, and sleep.

  In addition, after receiving massage or elasticity, there is a problem that if the person becomes nervous or does something else, the effect disappears and cannot be sustained.

  In addition, in the case of healing, since the body is damaged and treated, there may be resistance for beginners.

  In Conventional Example 2, it is possible to objectively know what the brain state actually is, but it is possible to maintain the brain state as it is or to support the transition to another state. There was a problem that it was not possible.

  In addition, since the oxygen exchange index for determining the oxygen consumption of the brain is not used, it is difficult to accurately determine the brain state.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and can objectively know what the brain state is, and can maintain the brain state as it is, It is an object of the present invention to provide a brain state support apparatus and program capable of supporting the transition to a state of the above.

The brain state support device of the present invention comprises:
Stimulation applying means for stimulating acupuncture points of the human body with electrical signals of a predetermined frequency;
A light detecting means comprising a light emitting unit for irradiating light on a predetermined part of the human body, and a light receiving unit for receiving and detecting light emitted from the human body;
An apparatus main body for controlling the stimulus applying means and the light detecting means,
The apparatus main body, based on the optical information detected by the light detection means, the total hemoglobin change amount that is the sum of the change amount of the oxidized hemoglobin and the change amount of the reduced hemoglobin, and the change amount of the oxidized hemoglobin, A calculating means for calculating an oxygen exchange change amount that is a difference in the amount of change in reduced hemoglobin; and the calculation means by applying a stimulus to the acupoint part of the human body with an electrical signal of a predetermined frequency by the stimulus applying means. Determining means for determining whether the brain state of the human body is in at least one of a relax mode, a concentration mode, and an intermediate mode based on the total hemoglobin change amount and the oxygen exchange change amount calculated by: The stimulus applying means maintains the brain state mode determined by the determining means, or shifts to another brain state mode. The site of serial human pot and a stimulus adjusting means for adjusting the amount of stimulation of imparting a stimulus electric signal of a predetermined frequency,
It is characterized by this.

  The acupoint part of the human body stimulated by the stimulus applying means is, for example, a left thumb target part.

  The part detected by the light detection means is, for example, the frontal lobe of the brain.

  When the total hemoglobin change amount is increased and the oxygen exchange change amount is increased by stimulating the acupuncture site of the human body with an electrical signal having a first frequency, When it is determined that the mode is the relax mode and the acupuncture points of the human body are stimulated with an electrical signal of the second frequency, the total hemoglobin change amount is reduced and the oxygen exchange change amount is reduced. It may be determined that the brain state is the concentrated mode, and otherwise, it may be determined that the brain state is the intermediate mode.

  The stimulus adjusting means maintains a brain state in a concentration mode by maintaining a brain state in a relaxation mode or stimulating at a predetermined interval with an electrical signal of a first frequency at a point of the human body when a transition is made. Alternatively, in the case of transition, the body may be stimulated at a predetermined interval by the electrical signal of the second frequency at the point of the acupuncture point.

  The first frequency is 3 Hz, for example, and the second frequency is 10 Hz, for example.

  The stimulation adjustment means may adjust the stimulation amount so that the amount of stimulation increases when the mode is shifted to another mode, rather than when the brain state is maintained in the mode as it is.

  The program according to the present invention is characterized in that the processing of the main body of the brain state support apparatus is executed.

The present invention has the following effects.
(1) The desired brain state can be created easily and in a short time without massage, tension, sleep and the like.

  (2) It is possible to objectively know what the brain state is, and it is possible to maintain the brain state as it is or to shift to another state. For example, when the brain state is set to the concentration mode using the present invention when the patient is tired and there are a lot of miscellaneous things, or when there is a lot of miscellaneous feelings or when he / she cannot concentrate, the brain state in which the concentration increases relatively Can be realized.

  In addition, when it is determined that the user is in the relax mode according to the present invention when work must be performed, the mode can be forcibly shifted to the concentrated mode, and conversely, the mode can be shifted to the relaxed mode.

  Furthermore, it is possible to extend the state where the concentration is increased or to lengthen the relaxed state.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the brain state support apparatus which concerns on the example of embodiment of this invention. (A) is a front view showing a stimulus applying tool, (B) is an explanatory view showing a state where the stimulus applying tool is attached to the thumb, (C) is a front view showing another example of the stimulus applying tool, (D) is It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which attached the other example of the stimulus imparting tool to the thumb. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the brain state support apparatus based on the embodiment of this invention. (A)-(C) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating installation of a photon detection tool. It is a graph which shows the change of the total hemoglobin variation | change_quantity and oxygen exchange variation | change_quantity in a frontal lobe when the electrical stimulation of 3 Hz is given to the palm center side vicinity between the left thumb first joint and the second joint. (A) shows changes in total hemoglobin in the frontal lobe during rest and before electrical stimulation after applying 3 Hz electrical stimulation in the vicinity of the palm center between the first and second thumb joints. The explanatory view which displayed the change of the quantity visually, (B) is the explanatory view which displayed the change of the oxygen exchange change amount visually. It is a graph which shows the change of the total hemoglobin variation | change_quantity and oxygen exchange variation | change_quantity in a frontal lobe when 10-Hz electrical stimulation is provided to center vicinity vicinity of the palm side between the left thumb first joint and the second joint. (A) shows changes in total hemoglobin in the frontal lobe between resting before and after applying 10 Hz electrical stimulation in the vicinity of the center of the palm side between the first and second thumb joints. The explanatory view which displayed the change of the quantity visually, (B) is the explanatory view which displayed the change of the oxygen exchange change amount visually. It is a graph which shows the change of the total hemoglobin variation | change_quantity and oxygen exchange variation | change_quantity in a frontal lobe when an acupuncture stimulus is provided to the palm center side vicinity between the left thumb first joint and the second joint. (A) is the amount of change in total hemoglobin in the frontal lobe during rest, before needle aspiration, and after removal of wrinkles before applying acupuncture stimulation near the palm center between the first and second joints of the left thumb FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram visually showing changes in the amount of oxygen, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram visually showing changes in the amount of oxygen exchange change. It is a graph which shows the change of the total hemoglobin variation | change_quantity and oxygen exchange variation | change_quantity in a frontal lobe when an acupuncture stimulus is provided to the outer periphery of the tip from the right fourth finger first joint. (A) is an explanatory diagram visually showing the change in the total hemoglobin change amount in the frontal lobe at the time of resting before applying acupuncture stimulation near the outer side of the tip from the right fourth finger first joint, (B) is explanatory drawing which displayed the change of oxygen exchange variation | change_quantity visually. It is a block diagram which shows the program which concerns on the example embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a brain state support apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a brain state support device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in a point of a human body (for example, a left thumb target portion) and stimulates the portion with an electrical signal of a predetermined frequency. Stimulation device 2, a light emitting unit 3a (light emitting element) that is installed in a predetermined part of the human body (for example, the frontal lobe of the brain) and emits light to the predetermined part, and a light receiving unit that receives and detects light emitted from the human body The light detection tool 3 provided with 3b (light receiving element) and the apparatus main body 4 are included.

  2A is a front view showing the stimulus applying tool 2, FIG. 2B is an explanatory view showing a state in which the stimulus applying tool 2 is attached to the thumb, and FIG. 2C is a front view showing another example of the stimulus applying tool 2. FIG. 4D is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which another example of the stimulus applying tool 2 is attached to the thumb.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B), the stimulus applicator 2 is brought into contact with the acupuncture points of the human body, and a pair of stimulation units 2a for stimulating the portions with electrical signals of a predetermined frequency; And a band portion 2b that holds the stimulation portion 2a and is detachably attached to a finger or the like.

For example, in the case of a finger, the pair of stimulation units 2a has an interval of about 3 to 10 mm, and is installed so as to sandwich the stimulation target site S as shown in FIG. The interval of the stimulation part 2a is appropriately set according to the point of the human body.
For example, a hook-and-loop fastener 2c (magic tape (registered trademark)) is attached to both ends of the band portion 2b. After the band portion 2b is wound around a finger or the like, the hook-and-loop fastener 2c is bonded to each other to give a stimulus. The tool 2 can be fixed and installed on a finger or the like.
As shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the vertical width of the hand portion 2b may be widened and the pair of stimulating portions 2a may be arranged at an interval in an oblique direction.

  For example, the light detection tool 3 includes a mounting band attached to a predetermined part of the human body, and one or two or more light emitting units 3a and light receiving units 3b are arranged at predetermined intervals on the mounting band.

  The apparatus body 4 controls the operations of the stimulus applying tool 2 and the light detecting tool 3 and inputs / outputs, calculates, and stores various data. The input unit 5, the output unit 6, the communication unit 7, and the like. , Storage unit 8 and control unit 9.

  The input unit 5 inputs various data, and is, for example, a keyboard, a numeric keypad, a mouse, a mark sheet reader, an OCR (optical character reader), or the like.

  The output unit 6 outputs various data, and includes a display unit 10 for displaying various data, a display unit 10 such as a display, a speaker 11 for outputting audio data, and a printing unit 12 such as a printer for printing various data.

  The communication unit 7 performs transmission / reception of various data for connecting to a communication network such as the Internet (a data transfer network based on TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol)) and a LAN (Local Area Network). Modem, terminal adapter, router, DSU (Digital Service Unit), etc.

  The storage unit 8 stores various data and includes a database.

  Based on the optical information detected by the light detector 3, the control unit 9 determines the total hemoglobin change amount, which is the sum of the change amount of the oxidized hemoglobin and the change amount of the reduced hemoglobin, and the change amount of the oxidized hemoglobin. A calculation unit 13 that calculates an oxygen exchange change amount that is a difference in the change amount of reduced hemoglobin, and a calculation unit that applies a stimulus to an acupuncture point of a human body with an electrical signal of a predetermined frequency by the stimulus applying tool 2. A determination unit that determines whether the brain state of the human body is in at least one of a relaxation mode, a concentration mode, and an intermediate mode based on the total hemoglobin variation and the oxygen exchange variation calculated by 13; In order to maintain the mode of the brain state determined by the determination unit 14 or to shift to another brain state mode, the stimulus applying tool 2 may be placed at the point of the acupuncture point of the human body. And a stimulation adjustment unit 15 for adjusting the amount of stimulation that of imparting a stimulus electric signal frequency.

  The determination unit 14 stimulates the acupoint part of the human body with an electrical signal having a first frequency (for example, 3 Hz) to increase the total hemoglobin change amount and increase the oxygen exchange change amount. Is determined to be in the relax mode, and the total hemoglobin change amount decreases and the oxygen exchange change amount decreases by stimulating the acupoint part of the human body with an electric signal of the second frequency (for example, 10 Hz). Determines that the brain state is the concentrated mode, and otherwise determines that it is the intermediate mode.

  When maintaining or shifting the brain state to the relax mode, the stimulus adjustment unit 15 stimulates the region of the acupuncture point of the human body with an electrical signal having a first frequency (for example, 3 Hz) at a predetermined interval to concentrate the brain state in the concentrated mode. In the case of maintaining or shifting to a point, stimulation is performed at a predetermined interval on an acupuncture point of a human body with an electric signal having a second frequency (for example, 10 Hz).

  The stimulus adjustment unit 15 adjusts so that the amount of stimulation is greater when shifting to another mode than when maintaining the brain state in the mode as it is.

  In addition, the numerical value of the frequency of the electrical signal for stimulating is an example, and is not limited to this.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the brain state support apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the stimulus imparting tool 2 is installed at a point of the human body (for example, the left thumb target portion) (step S1).

  Next, the light detector 3 is placed on a predetermined part of the human body (for example, the frontal lobe of the brain) (step S2).

  Next, preparation for determining the brain state is performed (step S3).

In this step S3, 3 Hz stimulation is applied for 5-10 seconds to determine the minimum stimulation intensity at which the skin of the left thumb target portion feels faint, and 3 Hz stimulation is applied for 5-10 seconds to cause the skin of the left thumb target portion to ache. The maximum stimulation intensity to be felt is determined, and an intermediate 50% stimulation intensity of 3 Hz stimulation is calculated by the following formula.
Calculation of intermediate 50% stimulation intensity of 3 Hz stimulation = (minimum stimulation intensity + maximum stimulation intensity) / 2

Also, 10 Hz stimulation is applied for 5-10 seconds to determine the minimum stimulation intensity at which the skin of the left thumb object feels faint. 10 Hz stimulation is applied for 5-10 seconds, and the skin of the left thumb object part feels pain The intensity is determined, and an intermediate 50% stimulation intensity of 10 Hz stimulation is calculated by the following formula.
Calculation of intermediate 50% stimulation intensity of 10 Hz stimulation = (minimum stimulation intensity + maximum stimulation intensity) / 2

  The maximum stimulation intensity is set by setting the voltage and current values of electrical stimulation.

  Next, the determination unit 14 determines the brain state (step S4). Here, a brain reaction obtained by stimulating the port finger with a 3 Hz stimulus is defined as a relax mode (R mode). In this mode, the brain is in a relaxed and calm state. In addition, a brain reaction obtained by stimulation at 10 Hz is defined as a concentration mode (B mode). When in this mode, the brain works to increase concentration and understanding and is suitable for learning and the like.

  In this step S4, the stimulation with the intermediate stimulation intensity of 3 Hz determined in the above-described step S2 is applied to the left thumb target part in a pattern of 30 seconds stimulation—30 seconds rest—30 seconds stimulation—30 seconds rest.

  If there is no response after stimulation for 30 seconds, it is determined that the strong R mode has already been established.

  In the case of R mode reaction, it is determined that the R mode has a low level, B mode, or intermediate mode.

  Further, the stimulation with the intermediate stimulation intensity of 10 Hz determined in the above-described step S2 is applied to the port finger target part in a pattern of 30 seconds stimulation—30 seconds rest—30 seconds stimulation—30 seconds rest.

  If there is no response after 30 seconds of stimulation, it is determined that the B mode is already strong.

  If it is a B mode reaction, it is determined that the B mode is at a low level or the R mode or the intermediate mode.

  The determination result is displayed on the display unit 10 such as a monitor or a display, or is output as sound by the speaker 11. In addition, the determination result can be printed by the printing unit 12 or data can be transmitted by the communication unit 7 via the network.

  Next, the stimulation adjustment unit 15 adjusts the stimulation amount (step S5).

In this step S5, 1) When adjusting to shift to the R mode when the determination unit 14 determines the B mode, 2) When the determination unit 14 determines the R mode, the R mode is maintained. 3) When the determination unit 14 determines the B mode when it is determined to be in the B mode, 4) When the determination unit 14 determines that the R mode is the B mode May be adjusted to shift to.
The selection in any of the above cases can be performed via the input unit 5, and the adjustment in each case is performed as follows, for example.

1) In the case of B → R (transition), a stimulus amount of 50% of the value of the 3 Hz stimulus determined in step S3 is added for 60 seconds, rested for 30 seconds, and a stimulus amount of 75% is added for 60 seconds, followed by 30 seconds. Take a rest. If the mode does not shift to the R mode, a 100% stimulation amount is further applied for 60 seconds.
In this way, the stimulation amount is upgraded and the transition to the R mode is promoted.

2) In the case of R → R (maintenance), the stimulus amount of 25% of the value of the 3 Hz stimulus determined in step S3 is added for 30 seconds, rests for 30 seconds, and further, the stimulus amount of 25% is added for 30 seconds and rests for 30 seconds. Apply 25% stimulation for 30 seconds.
In this way, the same stimulus is intermittently applied to maintain the R mode.

3) B → B (Maintain)
Stimulation amount 25% of the value of 10 Hz stimulation determined in step S3 is added for 30 seconds, resting for 30 seconds, further, 25% stimulation amount is added for 30 seconds, resting for 30 seconds, and 25% stimulation amount is added for 30 seconds. .
In this way, the same stimulus is intermittently applied to maintain the B mode.

4) R → B (Transition)
A stimulus amount of 50% of the value of the 10 Hz stimulus determined in step S3 is added for 60 seconds and rested for 30 seconds, and further, a stimulus amount of 75% is added for 60 seconds and rested for 30 seconds. If the mode does not shift to the B mode, a stimulus amount of 100% is further applied for 60 seconds.

  In this way, the stimulus is upgraded to promote the transition to the B mode.

  In addition, adjustment of said stimulation amount is an example, and is not limited to this.

  Next, in order to prove that the brain state support apparatus 1 according to the present invention is useful, an experiment conducted by the present inventors will be described.

  In this experiment, the detection and recording of Hb concentration in the cerebral cortex was performed using a near-infrared spectrometer (Shimadzu Corporation: FOIRE 3000).

  Hemoglobin sampling was 70 ms.

  The recorded hemoglobins were oxidized hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) and deoxidized (reduced) hemoglobin (deoxy-Hb).

From this amount of change, the total hemoglobin concentration change amount (total-Hb: total of oxy and deoxy) and oxygen concentration change amount (ScO ₂ ) were calculated using the following formulas and used as an index of the brain COE reaction. .
Total hemoglobin (concentration) change [Total hemoglobin]
= [Oxyhemoglobin] + [Deoxyhemoglobin]
Change in oxygen exchange (concentration) (brain function index discovered by Kato, one of the inventors) [ScO ₂ ]
= [Oxyhemoglobin]-[Deoxyhemoglobin]
A particularly important function index is ScO ₂ reduction = oxygen consumption, and the hypoxic site is particularly important.

  The amount of change in total hemoglobin represents the variation in the number of red blood cells in the voxel in the optical measurement region sandwiched between the irradiation and the detection probe, and indicates that if it increases, the number of red blood cells increases, and if it decreases, the number of red blood cells decreases.

  The oxygen exchange change amount indicates a change in oxygen concentration in the capillary blood vessel. If the oxygen exchange change amount is increased, oxygen is increased in the blood vessel, and if it is decreased, oxygen in the blood vessel is decreased. The meaning that oxygen increases in the blood vessel indicates that red blood cells containing oxygen are supplied from the artery. The meaning of hypoxia in blood vessels indicates that oxygen in the capillaries has been consumed because nerve cells have consumed oxygen.

  Two types of experimental results are used: waveform display and mapping display. The waveform display shows a time-series change, and the mapping display is a plot of integrated values of task times.

  4A to 4C are explanatory diagrams for explaining the installation of the light detector 3. The light detectors 3 are arranged in a high-density probe array, and are arranged so as to cover the Broadmans area No. 10 (frontal lobe) shown in FIG.

  The light emitting unit 3a and the light receiving unit 3b of the light detector 3 are arranged at intervals as shown in FIG. 4B, and as shown in FIG. 4C, the three light emitting units 3a and the three light receiving units 3b are separated from the right brain. It arrange | positioned along the left brain and the change of the total hemoglobin variation | change_quantity and oxygen exchange variation | change_quantity in the measurement point of a total of five places of 24ch-28ch was measured.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing changes in total hemoglobin variation and oxygen exchange variation in the frontal lobe when 3 Hz electrical stimulation is applied near the palm center between the first and second thumb joints. . Here, the horizontal axis represents time (s), the vertical axis represents the amount of change (mol / l), and the stimulation time is 30 seconds.

  Fig. 6 (A) shows the total in the frontal lobe when resting before applying electrical stimulation of 3Hz near the center of the palm side between the first and second joints of the left thumb and when applying electrical stimulation after applying it. FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram visually showing changes in the amount of change in hemoglobin, and FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram visually showing changes in the amount of change in oxygen exchange.

  As can be seen from FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, in 3 Hz electrical stimulation, a dynamic change of an increase in the total hemoglobin change amount and an increase in the oxygen exchange change amount was observed in a wide range. This change was particularly noticeable in the frontal lobe.

  FIG. 7 is a graph showing changes in total hemoglobin variation and oxygen exchange variation in the frontal lobe when electrical stimulation of 10 Hz is applied near the palm center between the first and second thumb joints. . Here, the horizontal axis represents time (s), the vertical axis represents the amount of change (mol / l), and the stimulation time is 30 seconds.

  FIG. 8 (A) shows the total in the frontal lobe when resting before applying electrical stimulation of 10 Hz near the center of the palm side between the first and second joints of the left thumb and after applying electrical stimulation. FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram visually showing changes in the amount of change in hemoglobin, and FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram visually showing changes in the amount of change in oxygen exchange.

  As can be seen from FIGS. 7 and 8, with 10 Hz electrical stimulation, a dynamic change of a decrease in total hemoglobin change and a decrease in oxygen exchange change was observed over a wide range.

  Thus, when electrical signals of 3 Hz and 10 Hz are respectively applied to the left thumb target, oxygen metabolism in the frontal lobe is the opposite result, hypoxia occurs at 10 Hz, and blood flow increases and hyperoxygen occurs at 3 Hz. It was.

  In addition, the frontal lobe changes sensitively depending on the frequency of electrical stimulation, suggesting that it affects cognitive function.

Next, an experiment when acupuncture stimulation is performed will be described as a reference for comparison with the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a graph showing changes in the total hemoglobin change amount and oxygen exchange change amount in the frontal lobe when acupuncture stimulation is applied in the vicinity of the palm center between the first thumb first joint and the second joint.
Here, the horizontal axis represents time (s), the vertical axis represents the amount of change (mol / l), and the stimulation time is 180 seconds.

  FIG. 10 (A) shows total hemoglobin in the frontal lobe at rest before applying acupuncture stimulation to the vicinity of the center of the palm side between the first thumb joint and the second joint, at the time of needle aspiration stimulation, and after removal of the hemorrhoid The explanatory view which displayed the change of change amount visually, (B) is the explanatory view which displayed the change of oxygen exchange change amount visually.

  As can be seen from FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, in the acupuncture stimulation, the total hemoglobin change amount and the oxygen exchange change amount both increased for 30 to 45 seconds after starting the rotation, but thereafter decreased continuously. This is considered to be the main effect of cocoon.

  In addition, reproducibility was observed with respect to the fact that 10 Hz was closer to acupuncture than 3 Hz.

  FIG. 11 is a graph showing changes in the total hemoglobin change amount and the oxygen exchange change amount in the frontal lobe when acupuncture stimulation is applied from the right fourth finger first joint to the vicinity of the distal end. Here, the horizontal axis represents time (s), the vertical axis represents the amount of change (mol / l), and the stimulation time is 180 seconds.

  FIG. 12 (A) is a visual representation of changes in the total hemoglobin change amount in the frontal lobe during rest and before needle aspiration stimulation from the right fourth finger first joint to the vicinity of the outer tip. FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram visually showing changes in the amount of change in oxygen exchange.

  As can be seen from FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, when the pain became stronger due to the rotational stimulation of the heel, it turned to hyperoxygenation and decreased blood flow in a part of the frontal lobe, but it was clearly different from the brain reaction due to stimulation of the left thumb It was a thing.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a program according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the program 16 according to the embodiment of the present invention controls the device body 4 of the brain state support device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and the processing performed by the device body 4 described above. Is executed by a computer.

  The program 16 may be recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a CD-ROM, or a semiconductor memory, or may be downloaded via a communication network.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical matters described in the claims. For example, a personal computer or an information terminal device may be used as the device body 4 instead of a dedicated device.

  The brain state support apparatus 1 and the program 16 of the present invention use near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to support the brain state so that it can be maintained in a relaxed mode, a concentrated mode, or can be shifted to another state. Used.

1: Brain state support device 2: Stimulation device 2a: Stimulation unit 2b: Band unit 2c: Surface fastener 3: Photodetector 3a: Light emitting unit 3b: Light receiving unit 4: Device main body 5: Input unit 6: Output unit 7: Communication unit 8: Storage unit 9: Control unit 10: Display unit 11: Speaker 12: Printing unit 13: Calculation unit 14: Determination unit 15: Stimulation adjustment unit 16: Program

Claims (8)

Stimulation applying means for stimulating acupuncture points of the human body with electrical signals of a predetermined frequency;
A light detecting means comprising a light emitting unit for irradiating light on a predetermined part of the human body, and a light receiving unit for receiving and detecting light emitted from the human body;
An apparatus main body for controlling the stimulus applying means and the light detecting means,
The apparatus main body, based on the optical information detected by the light detection means, the total hemoglobin change amount that is the sum of the change amount of the oxidized hemoglobin and the change amount of the reduced hemoglobin, and the change amount of the oxidized hemoglobin, A calculating means for calculating an oxygen exchange change amount that is a difference in the amount of change in reduced hemoglobin; and the calculation means by applying a stimulus to the acupoint part of the human body with an electrical signal of a predetermined frequency by the stimulus applying means. Determining means for determining whether the brain state of the human body is in at least one of a relax mode, a concentration mode, and an intermediate mode based on the total hemoglobin change amount and the oxygen exchange change amount calculated by: The stimulus applying means maintains the brain state mode determined by the determining means, or shifts to another brain state mode. The site of serial human pot and a stimulus adjusting means for adjusting the amount of stimulation of imparting a stimulus electric signal of a predetermined frequency,
The brain state support apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.   The brain state support device according to claim 1, wherein the acupoint part of the human body stimulated by the stimulus applying unit is a left thumb target part.   The brain state support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the part detected by the light detection means is a frontal lobe of the brain.   When the total hemoglobin change amount is increased and the oxygen exchange change amount is increased by stimulating the acupuncture site of the human body with an electrical signal having a first frequency, When it is determined that the mode is the relax mode and the acupuncture points of the human body are stimulated with an electrical signal of the second frequency, the total hemoglobin change amount is reduced and the oxygen exchange change amount is reduced. The brain state support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the brain state is determined to be a concentrated mode, and otherwise, it is determined to be an intermediate mode.   The stimulus adjusting means maintains a brain state in a concentration mode by maintaining a brain state in a relaxation mode or stimulating at a predetermined interval with an electrical signal of a first frequency at a point of the human body when a transition is made. The brain state support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the transition is made, stimulation is performed at a predetermined interval with an electrical signal having a second frequency on the acupuncture point of the human body. .   The brain state support device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first frequency is 3 Hz, and the second frequency is 10 Hz.   7. The adjustment according to claim 1, wherein the stimulation adjustment unit adjusts the amount of stimulation to be greater when shifting to another mode than when maintaining the brain state in the mode as it is. The brain state support apparatus according to any one of the items.   A program for executing processing of the main body of the brain state support device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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