JP5452309B2 - Respiratory guidance system, respiratory guidance program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a breathing guidance system for guiding breathing of a user and a breathing guidance program used for the breathing guidance system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed an apparatus that guides a user to a relaxed state or a refreshed state by guiding the user to adjust their breathing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the user's breathing is induced by controlling the user's light environment and sound environment, and the relaxation is induced by controlling the breathing. Patent Document 1 describes that in order to enable breathing induction, a range of breathing period and expiration time is defined, and a sensory stimulation device for inducing breathing within the range is operated. .

JP 2002-336357 A

  By the way, it is thought that it is effective to breathe over time for this kind of purpose, and it is necessary to induce it so that it can breathe slowly. On the other hand, if the user has mastered abdominal breathing, or if he has mastered Tanda's breathing technique, such as zazen or yoga breathing, he can consciously adjust the breathing. However, users who are not familiar with this type of breathing technique have difficulty adjusting the length of breathing.

  Therefore, when using this type of device, determine whether the user is accustomed to the breathing method, and induce respiration according to the degree of familiarity of the user (the proficiency level of the breathing method). Is considered desirable. However, Patent Document 1 does not describe a technique for determining the proficiency level of the breathing method, and does not consider inducing respiration according to the proficiency level of the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned reasons, and its purpose is to provide a respiratory induction system capable of determining the proficiency level of a user's respiratory technique and a respiratory induction program used for the respiratory induction system There is to do.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a stimulating means for stimulating perception of a user, a respiration sensor for detecting respiration of the user, and inducing respiration of the user based on the output of the respiration sensor. And a control means for controlling the stimulation means, a skill level determination unit for determining the level of heat level in the breathing of the user, and an output means for outputting the skill level determined by the skill level determination unit. The unit stores a history of expiration time detected by the respiration sensor, obtains an evaluation value of the degree of variation of the stored expiration time for a predetermined number of times, and there is a state in which the variation in expiration time is small and the evaluation value is equal to or less than a specified value. depending on the frequency occur, characterized in that determine the constant proficiency which correlated with the frequency.

Another configuration of the present invention includes a stimulation unit that stimulates a user's perception, a respiration sensor that detects respiration of the user, and a stimulation unit that induces respiration of the user based on an output of the respiration sensor. A control means for controlling, a fever degree determination unit for determining a level of fever level in breathing of the user, and an output means for outputting the proficiency level determined by the proficiency level determination unit. A history of expiratory time detected by the sensor is stored, and an evaluation value of the degree of variation of the stored exhalation time is obtained, and the number of times of expiratory time in which the expiratory time variation is small and the evaluation value is equal to or less than a specified value or According to the duration, the number of continuations or the proficiency associated with the duration is determined .

  Further, the proficiency level determination unit stores a history of expiration time detected by the respiration sensor, obtains an evaluation value of the degree of variation of the stored expiration time, and the evaluation value is a predetermined value with a large variation in expiration time It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the proficiency level is determined to be less than a predetermined level when exceeding.

  Alternatively, the proficiency level determination unit stores a history of expiration time detected by the respiratory sensor, obtains an evaluation value of the degree of variation in expiration time for a predetermined number of times stored from the start of use, and greatly evaluates the variation in expiration time A configuration can be adopted in which the proficiency is determined to be less than a predetermined level when the value exceeds a specified value.

The respiratory induction program of the present invention induces a user's respiration based on the output of the respiration sensor, using a stimulating means for stimulating the user's perception and a computer used with the respiration sensor for detecting the respiration of the user. A program that functions as a control unit having a function of controlling the stimulation unit, and that outputs a proficiency level determined by the proficiency level determination unit that determines the level of the heat level of the user's breathing and the proficiency level determined by the proficiency level determination unit The proficiency level determination unit stores a history of expiration time detected by the respiration sensor, obtains an evaluation value of the degree of variation in the stored expiration time, and evaluates the variation in expiration time to be small. A proficiency level associated with the frequency is determined according to the frequency of occurrence of a state in which the value is equal to or less than a specified value .
Another respiratory induction program according to the present invention induces a user's respiration based on an output of the respiration sensor, using a stimulating means for stimulating the user's perception and a computer used with the respiration sensor for detecting the respiration of the user. A program for functioning as a control means having a function of controlling the stimulation means, and a proficiency level determination unit for determining the level of the proficiency level of the user's breathing and the proficiency level determined by the proficiency level determination unit The proficiency level determination unit stores a history of expiration time detected by the breathing sensor, obtains an evaluation value of the degree of variation of the stored predetermined expiration time, and the expiration time variation is The proficiency associated with the duration or duration is determined according to the duration or duration of expiratory time whose evaluation value is less than the specified value. The features.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, the user's breathing is detected by the breathing sensor, the user's proficiency level of the breathing method is determined based on the detected breathing, and as a result, the respiration rate corresponding to the user's proficiency level is determined. There is an advantage of enabling guidance.

It is a block diagram which shows embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the apparatus used for the same as the above. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing same as the above. It is a figure which shows the operation example same as the above. It is a figure which shows the other operation example same as the above. It is a figure which shows the example of a measurement of expiration time and inhalation time. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the determination operation | movement of the skill level same as the above. It is a figure which shows the change of an electroencephalogram when using the same as the above. It is a figure which shows the effect at the time of using the same as the above.

  The respiratory guidance system described below can be used in any of the standing position, the sitting position, and the lying position. In the following embodiment, a chair-type device used in the sitting position will be described. However, it is also possible to adopt a configuration such as a wall-type or support-type device used in a standing position, or a bedding-type device used in a lying position.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the chair-type massage machine 20 includes a seat portion 21 and a backrest portion 22. The backrest part 22 is provided with a massage mechanism part 2 that performs various massages such as pressing, wrinkling, tapping, light rubbing, and vibration on the back part of the user seated on the massage machine 20. The massage mechanism unit 2 can also adopt a configuration in which a massage is applied to a desired position from the user's waist to the neck by moving the backrest unit 22 up and down. However, the massage mechanism unit 2 used in the present embodiment only needs to be capable of at least pressing.

  As the massage mechanism unit 2 that performs the pressing, a kneading ball formed in a ball shape, a kneading wheel formed in a ring shape, an airbag that can be inflated and contracted, and the like can be used. When the kneading balls or the kneading rings are used, the kneading balls or the kneading rings can be moved back and forth with respect to the backrest portion 22 by rotating the kneading balls or the kneading wheels eccentrically around the left and right axis. The massage mechanism unit 2 functions as a means for guiding the user's breathing. That is, the massage mechanism unit 2 induces respiration by contacting at least a part of the user's torso and adjusting the pressing force to the contact part.

  The massage machine 20 is provided with a respiration sensor 1 that detects a user's respiration. As the respiration sensor 1, a belt provided around the user's abdomen and detecting expansion and contraction of the abdomen with an acceleration sensor or a pressure sensor is used. However, the respiration sensor 1 is not limited to this configuration, and the expiration period of the user (hereinafter referred to as “expiration time”) and the inspiration period (hereinafter referred to as “inspiration time”) can be separated. Any configuration may be used as long as the output can be obtained. For example, a configuration using a belt wound around the chest of the user, a configuration in which a sensor for detecting airflow is provided on a cup-shaped appliance covering the user's mouth and nose may be used. Alternatively, infrared moire fringes are projected onto the user's abdomen, and the moire fringes are imaged with a TV camera, and the user's breathing is detected by detecting the abdominal expansion and contraction from the change pattern of the moire fringes. It is also possible to use a respiration sensor that detects without contact.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the output of the respiration sensor 1 is input to a sensor processing unit 11 provided in the control means 10. The sensor processing unit 11 uses the output of the respiration sensor 1 to determine whether it is an expiration time or an inspiration time. When the output of the acceleration sensor is used as the output of the respiration sensor 1, the expiration time and the inhalation time are determined by the periods of the contraction direction (for example, positive) and the expansion direction (for example, negative), respectively. Correlate with expiration time and inspiration time.

  However, since the output of the acceleration sensor includes noise due to body movement or the like, it is necessary to remove the noise. Therefore, a positive / negative two-stage threshold is set, the expiration time is a period until the output of the acceleration sensor exceeds the positive threshold and falls below the negative threshold, and the inspiration time is the output of the acceleration sensor Is a period until the value falls below the negative threshold and exceeds the positive threshold.

  Since the threshold value is set, there is a time difference between the detected expiration time and inspiration time and the actual expiration time and inspiration time. Therefore, the detected expiration time and inspiration time need to be corrected. . Since the time difference may be considered to be substantially constant, the detected expiration time and inspiration time are corrected by shifting the detected expiration time and inspiration time by a certain time corresponding to this time difference.

  In order to determine the expiration time and the inspiration time, the sensor processing unit 11 samples the output of the respiration sensor 1 at a predetermined time interval (for example, 0.1 s), and determines the degree of inflation of the abdomen based on the sampling value. It may be estimated. That is, a moving average of numerical values representing the degree of abdominal inflation detected at the above time interval may be obtained, and a period when the moving average is positive may be an expiration time and a period when the moving average is negative may be an inspiration time.

  For the moving average, for example, (x1 + x2 + x3) / 3, (x2 + x3 + x4) / 3 are used for the time series data x1, x2, x3,. That is, instead of using all the data to be averaged as new data, an average obtained by shifting data one by one is used. However, how many data averages are used is appropriately selected.

  The control means 10 is provided with a guidance control unit 12 that controls the massage mechanism unit 2 at a timing based on the expiration time and the inspiration time obtained by the sensor processing unit 11. The guidance control unit 12 has a function of instructing the massage mechanism unit 2 of a pressing force that acts on the user from the massage mechanism unit 2. The guidance control unit 12 basically instructs the massage mechanism unit 2 to increase the pressing force during the expiration time, and instructs the massage mechanism unit 2 to decrease the pressing force during the inspiration time.

  That is, the guidance control unit 12 includes an expiration control unit 12a that controls the massage mechanism unit 2 so as to increase the pressing force on the user during the expiration time, and a massage mechanism unit that reduces the pressing force applied to the user during the inspiration time. And an intake air control unit 12b for controlling 2. Below, the timing which raises pressing force is called 1st timing, and the timing which weakens pressing force is called 2nd timing. The massage mechanism unit 2 is allowed to be stopped, and the pressing force before the stop is maintained in the stopped state.

  The purpose of increasing the pressing force during the expiration time is to continue the expiration time by pressing the user's torso. That is, exhalation is promoted by pressing or compressing the user's torso with the massage mechanism unit 2 and the exhalation time is extended.

  If the expiration time is extended as described above, the central nerve can be activated in a state in which the parasympathetic nerve is dominant without giving the user a sense of tension. In other words, it is considered that the central nervous system can be activated by inducing respiration not by inducing respiration for both exhalation time and inspiration time but focusing only on the duration when exhaling. ing. Such cases are known as breathing techniques such as yoga and zazen. A specific relationship between the expiration time and the inhalation time and the change in the pressing force by the massage mechanism unit 2 will be described later.

  The target expiration time is determined by the target timing set in the target setting unit 13 provided in the control means 10. The target timing is a timing after the expiration time to the inspiration time, and is defined as the time from the start of the expiration time. In short, after the start of the expiration time is detected by the respiration sensor 1, the target timing is set as a timing for shifting from the expiration time to the inspiration time. The target timing is set using the input means 3 provided separately. That is, the input means 3 is a device that sets a target timing by a user operation, and is configured using a keyboard, a numeric keypad, or a touch panel.

  By the way, the exhalation control unit 12a sets the first timing for increasing the pressing force by the massage mechanism unit 2 from the time when the sensor processing unit 11 detects the start of the exhalation time to the time when the start of the inspiration time is detected. ing. As a reference for determining the first timing, there are a case where the target timing is used and a case where the expiration time start point is used.

  When the target timing is used, a time point that is a predetermined time backward from the target timing is set as the first timing. The time going back from the target timing needs to be set shorter than the expiration time. That is, the first timing is a time point that is a predetermined time before the expiration time from the target timing.

  In this case, the expiration control unit 12a increases the pressing force at the first timing after the expiration time starts, and stops the massage mechanism unit 2 after the pressing force reaches the maximum. That is, with respect to the expiration time and inhalation time of FIG. 3A, as shown in FIG. 3B, the pressing force by the massage mechanism unit 2 is applied at the first timing t1 set in the middle of the expiration time. It begins to rise and encourages exhalation.

  In the illustrated example, when the pressing force reaches the maximum, when the expiration time shifts to the inspiration time, the pressing force is decreased with the start time of the inspiration time as the second timing t2. It is not essential to set the second timing t2 as the start time of the inhalation time, and it is sufficient if it is after the time when the start of the inhalation time is detected and before the start of the expiration time is detected.

  By the way, the target timing does not necessarily coincide with the start timing of the intake time. In addition, the time from when the pressing force by the massage mechanism unit 2 is minimized to when it is maximized does not necessarily coincide with the time from the first timing t1 to the start timing of the intake time. Therefore, the expiration control unit 12a stops the massage mechanism unit 2 when the pressing force reaches the maximum before the inspiratory time starts after the massage mechanism unit 2 starts to increase the pressing force to the user. It is desirable to let them. In addition, when the intake time is started while the pressing force is increasing, either the operation of stopping the massage mechanism unit 2 at the start of the intake time or the operation of starting the decrease of the pressing force is employed.

  The operation shown in FIG. 3 is effective when the user has experienced abdominal breathing (or breathing that is conscious of Tanda) and can keep the expiration time relatively long. Can be used for extension training. In addition, until the first timing t1 is reached from the start of the expiration time, the massage mechanism unit 2 is stopped in order to minimize the pressing force by the massage mechanism unit 2. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the timing t <b> 3 for stopping the massage mechanism unit 2 coincides with the start time of the expiration time, but when the pressing force of the massage mechanism unit 2 is minimized during the inspiration time, Is a stop timing t3.

  FIG. 5 shows the effect of extending the expiration time when the operation shown in FIG. 3 is performed. The vertical axis represents the length of expiration time and inspiration time. 5 (a) and 5 (c) show the length of exhalation time and inspiration time before using the device, respectively, and (b) and (d) show the exhalation time and inspiration time after using the device for 5 minutes, respectively. Indicates the length. Moreover, the straight line shown at the front-end | tip of each bar graph has shown the dispersion | variation (dispersion) of the length of a period. As can be seen, when the abdominal breathing experience person used the device, a significant effect of extending the expiration time was recognized.

  On the other hand, when the first timing is set to the start time of the expiration time, the expiration control unit 12a increases the pressing force from the time when the expiration time starts, and after the pressing force reaches the maximum, the massage mechanism unit 2 is stopped. That is, as shown in FIG. 4B, with respect to the expiration time and the inhalation time in FIG. 4A, the pressing force by the massage mechanism unit 2 at the first timing t1 set as the start time of the expiration time. Is starting to raise and expiring.

  In this case, since the pressing force becomes maximum at timing t3 in the middle of the expiration time, the state where the pressing force becomes maximum is maintained from the middle of the expiration time. Thereafter, the pressing force is lowered with the start time of the intake time as the second timing t2. The second timing is set in the same manner as when the first timing is set with reference to the target timing.

  The operation shown in FIG. 4 is effective when the user has little experience of performing abdominal breathing, and can be used for training to acquire abdominal breathing.

  In the configuration described above, the control means 10 and the input means 3 are realized using a personal computer. That is, the sensor processing unit 11, the guidance control unit 12 (the expiration control unit 12a, the inspiration control unit 12b), and the target setting unit 13 are provided with hardware necessary for connecting the respiratory sensor 1 and the massage mechanism unit 2 to the personal computer. In addition, it is realized by executing a program that realizes the functions described above.

  In addition, as a stimulating means for stimulating the perception of the user so as to induce respiration, it is only necessary to be able to promote exhalation. Therefore, in addition to the massage mechanism unit 2 that presses the user's back, the user's torso It is also possible to adopt a configuration that contacts the chest or abdomen, which is a part, and that presses the abdomen or torso.

  Alternatively, it is possible to use a stimulating means for giving a visual stimulus or an auditory stimulus to a user by using sound or light instead of using a stimulating means for giving a tactile stimulus as a stimulating means for giving a stimulus to a user's perception . For example, if a sound resembling a breathing sound is included in the auditory stimulus, the user can be given an impression as if his / her breathing sound is being fed back, so that an effect of relaxing the user can be obtained. Moreover, if a figure in which a large number of point clouds move slowly is displayed as a visual stimulus, it is possible to give the user a sense of looking at the starry sky and relax the user. When this type of figure is used, the point cloud may be scattered and scattered according to respiration.

  When this type of stimulation means is employed, a private room environment where a user enters may be formed. When this kind of private room is formed, a chair on which a user sits, a video presentation device that presents an image at least in front of the chair, and an acoustic presentation device that provides a sound environment to the user seated on the chair are arranged To do. Furthermore, a lighting device is also provided in order to create an indoor light environment. The video presentation device, the acoustic presentation device, and the lighting device are controlled so as to form an environment for inducing the user's breathing.

  The acoustic presentation device arranges a plurality of speakers around the user so that a sound image can be formed at any position in front, rear, left, right, up and down. The sound presented by the acoustic presentation device is a sound resembling a breathing sound as described above, and is controlled so that the sound image moves back and forth in accordance with the breathing detected by the breathing sensor. Therefore, the sound presenting means can be used as a stimulating means for inducing respiration by controlling the volume and sound image.

  In addition, the lighting device has an overall light for indoor illumination, a spot light for illuminating only the periphery of the chair, and a light output over time so as to guide the breathing cycle of the user placed on the side of the chair. A rhythm lamp that is changed in accordance with this is provided. By using such a rhythm lamp, a lighting device can be used as a stimulation means for inducing respiration. For example, by changing the light color of the rhythm lamp at an appropriate timing, it can be used in the same manner as the stimulation means for giving a tactile stimulus.

  Furthermore, in the video presentation means, a large screen is arranged in front of the user, and an image reminiscent of the natural world and the universe is displayed as a background image. Overlay and display. The point cloud is irregularly distributed on the screen at the start of the expiration time, and is moved to converge to a predetermined shape as the expiration time progresses. Therefore, it can be used as a stimulation means for extending the expiration time by adjusting the time until convergence to a predetermined shape.

  The above description is an example in the case where an auditory stimulus or a visual stimulus is given as a stimulus means, and it is not essential to give a stimulus as described above. Moreover, the auditory stimulus or the visual stimulus can be used in combination with the above-described tactile stimulus.

  By the way, as described above, whether the first timing is set using the target timing as a reference or the start time of the expiration time is used as the first timing is determined by the user according to a specific breathing method (abdominal breathing or Decide based on whether you are used to Tanda breathing or yoga breathing. Therefore, hereinafter, a technique for objectively evaluating whether or not the person is used to the breathing method on a scale of proficiency will be described.

  That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the control means 10 is provided with a proficiency level determination unit 14 that determines the level of proficiency level in respiration based on the output of the respiration sensor 1. Further, according to the level of proficiency determined by the proficiency level determination unit 14, the expiration control unit 12a automatically determines whether the reference of the first timing is the target timing or the start time of the expiration time. Configure to select. Here, the target setting unit 13 can set not only one target timing but also a plurality of target timings.

  Basically, when the proficiency level is less than a predetermined level, an operation for making the first timing coincide with the start time of the expiration time is selected, and in other cases, the first timing based on the target timing is selected. Select the action to use. In addition, it is considered that the higher the proficiency level is, the larger the target timing is set (the longer the time from the start to the end of the exhalation time). The timing is also adjusted according to the level of proficiency.

  Below, the technique which determines a proficiency level is demonstrated. The proficiency level determination unit 14 acquires the length of the expiration time detected by the respiration sensor 1 from the sensor processing unit 11, and determines the level of proficiency level based on the length of the expiration time. In general, if the proficiency level is low, it is considered that the expiration time is shortened. Therefore, the length of the expiration time can be used as a measure of the proficiency level. As an example, a technique can be adopted in which the length of the expiration time is compared with a prescribed time, and the proficiency is judged to be less than a predetermined level when the expiration time is less than the prescribed time. This determination is preferably used to determine whether or not the proficiency level has reached the lowest level (predetermined level).

  However, since there may be a difference in expiration time depending on physical ability, when determining the proficiency level based on the length of expiration time, it is desirable to use information such as age and sex. Such information may be input using the input means 3.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 6, an experimental result has been obtained that the expiration time (1) and the inspiration time (2) show different patterns depending on the proficiency level. 6 (a) and 6 (b) are results obtained from a subject with low proficiency, and FIG. 6 (c) is a result obtained from a subject with high proficiency. When the subject having low proficiency breathed consciously, the result was that the expiration time gradually increased in about 10 minutes as shown in FIG. 6 (a). In addition, in the case of not breathing consciously, a test subject with low proficiency obtained a result that the length of the expiration time varied in an unstable manner as shown in FIG. 6B. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6 (c), subjects with a high level of proficiency did not noticeably change the length of expiration time, and the variation in length of expiration time was relatively small.

  From these results, it can be seen that the variation in the length of expiration time during a predetermined number of breaths can be used as a measure of proficiency. Therefore, the proficiency level determination unit 14 can employ a configuration in which a history of expiration time is stored and an evaluation value of the degree of variation in length of expiration time in a predetermined expiration time is obtained.

  In other words, the proficiency level determination unit 14 determines that the level of proficiency level is low when the variation in length of expiration time is large and the evaluation value exceeds the specified value. As described above, the case where the breathing time is less than the prescribed time is set to be less than the predetermined level which is the minimum level, and the case where the evaluation value exceeds the prescribed value is the second predetermined level (> predetermined level) in the next stage. It may be less than. In other words, if the state in which the evaluation value is equal to or less than the specified value is not obtained once, the proficiency level is determined to be less than the second predetermined level.

  On the other hand, when the state in which the expiration time length is small and the evaluation value is below the specified value continues to occur, the frequency at which the evaluation value is below the specified value is obtained, and the level of proficiency associated with the frequency It determines with it being above. When the frequency is low, it is determined that the proficiency level is low, and when the frequency is high, it is determined that the proficiency level is also high.

  For the evaluation value of the degree of variation in the length of expiration time, the variance of the length of expiration time in a plurality of expiration times is used. That is, the variance of the expiration time length is obtained for a predetermined expiration time stored as a history. Furthermore, for the reason described later, the variance is not used as it is, but is normalized by dividing by the average value of the expiration time for which the variance is obtained.

  In the above example, the expiration time of a predetermined number of times stored as a history is evaluated, and the timing for storing the history is arbitrary, but when it is determined that the proficiency is less than the second predetermined level, An evaluation value at a predetermined expiration time from the start of use may be used. That is, when the evaluation value (normalized variance) of the degree of variation obtained in a predetermined expiration time from the start of use of the device exceeds a specified value, the proficiency level is determined to be less than the second predetermined level.

  FIG. 7 briefly summarizes the operation of the proficiency level determination unit 14. First, the expiration time is measured in the sensor processing unit 11 using the output of the respiration sensor 1 (S1). Here, when the expiration time is shorter than the specified time (a second: for example, 11 seconds) (S2: No), the proficiency level is determined to be less than the minimum level.

  When the expiration time is longer than the prescribed time (S2: Yes), the average value and the variation (variance) are obtained for the length of the expiration time stored as history (b times: 10 times, for example) ( S3). A value obtained by dividing the variance by the average value of expiration time is used as an evaluation value of variation, and the evaluation value is compared with a specified value (c: for example 0.3) (S4). If the evaluation value is equal to or less than the specified value (S4: No), the proficiency level is determined to be less than the second predetermined level (> predetermined level).

  On the other hand, when the evaluation value is equal to or less than the threshold value (S4: Yes), for the specified number of times (d times: for example 19 times), the average value of the expiration time for each of the predetermined times (b times: for example 10 times) and Variation is obtained (S5).

  Next, an evaluation value obtained by dividing the variation by the average value is obtained, and the number of evaluation values that are equal to or less than a prescribed value (c: 0.3, for example) is obtained from the prescribed number of times (in short, the evaluation value is less than the prescribed value). To find out how often it will be). A proficiency level is associated with this number (that is, frequency), and if it is less than the prescribed number (e: for example, 5), the proficiency level is set to a third predetermined level (> second predetermined level). If it is less than the prescribed number, the proficiency level is determined to be greater than or equal to the third predetermined level (S6). In FIG. 7, in step S6, it is divided into two types, but it is also possible to divide into three or more types. For example, in the above-mentioned number, it is determined that less than 5 is less than the third predetermined level, 5 to 9 are less than the fourth predetermined level (> third predetermined level), and 9 or more are determined to be the fourth predetermined level or more. Is also possible.

  In the above configuration example, in order to determine the level of proficiency, the frequency at which the evaluation value is equal to or less than the specified value is used. However, the number of expiration times in which the variation in expiration time is small and the evaluation value is equal to or less than the specified value Alternatively, the duration may be obtained, and the proficiency level may be determined in association with the number of continuations or duration. For example, it is also possible to obtain an evaluation value for 10 expiration times and to determine the level of proficiency as the fourth predetermined level when the evaluation value is continuously less than or equal to the prescribed value 5 times.

  FIG. 8 shows changes in the electroencephalogram when the above-described apparatus is used. The upper characteristic in FIG. 8 indicates the incidence rate of β2 wave (13 to 20 Hz) component, and the lower characteristic indicates the incidence rate of α2 wave (10 to 13 Hz) component. According to the result shown in the figure, the result that the β2 wave component is reduced and the α2 wave is expressed by using the apparatus for 5 to 7 minutes was obtained. That is, it has been found that the quality of breathing is improved and a relaxing effect can be obtained.

  FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the average value of expiratory time and the variation (dispersion) of expiratory time. Regions (1) and (2) are regions to which subjects whose proficiency level is less than a predetermined level belong, region (3) is at or above a predetermined level and less than a second predetermined level, and region (4) is a second predetermined level That's it. In the group G1 of subjects belonging to the region (1), the quality of breathing was low, and many subjects felt that they were “not clean”. Further, in the group G2 of subjects belonging to the region (4), the quality of breathing was high, and many subjects felt that they were “clean”. From the result of FIG. 9, it was proved that the proficiency can be evaluated by setting a normalized evaluation value using the average value and variation of the expiration time.

  In the above configuration example, in order to obtain an output that reflects the proficiency level determined by the proficiency level determination unit 14 in the operation of the massage mechanism unit 2 that is a stimulation unit, the expiration control unit 12a is used as an output unit. However, the proficiency level determined by the proficiency level determination unit 14 does not necessarily have to be reflected in the operation of the stimulating means, and the output means for displaying the proficiency level on a display device (not shown) and the proficiency level are presented by sound. It is possible to use an output means or the like.

1 Respiration sensor 2 Massage mechanism (stimulation means)
3 Input means 10 Control means 11 Sensor processing part 12 Guidance control part 12a Exhalation control part (output means)
12b Intake control unit 13 Target setting unit 14 Proficiency determination unit

Claims (6)

Stimulation means for stimulating the user's perception, respiration sensor for detecting respiration of the user, control means for controlling the stimulation means to induce respiration of the user based on the output of the respiration sensor, A learning level determination unit that determines a level of learning level in breathing of the user, and an output unit that outputs the level of learning determined by the learning level determination unit, wherein the learning level determination unit is detected by the breath sensor. A history of expiratory time is stored, and an evaluation value of the degree of variation in the stored exhalation time is obtained, and the expiratory time variation is small and the evaluation value is equal to or lower than a specified value, breathing guidance system characterized by determine constant proficiency associating the frequency. Stimulation means for stimulating the user's perception, respiration sensor for detecting respiration of the user, control means for controlling the stimulation means to induce respiration of the user based on the output of the respiration sensor, A learning level determination unit that determines a level of learning level in breathing of the user, and an output unit that outputs the level of learning determined by the learning level determination unit , wherein the learning level determination unit is detected by the breath sensor. A history of expiratory time is stored, and an evaluation value of the degree of variation of the stored exhalation time is obtained, and the number of expiratory times or the duration of the expiratory time in which the expiratory time variation is small and the evaluation value is equal to or less than a specified value in response, breathing guidance system characterized in that the proficiency which correlated with the number of times of continuation or the duration to determine a constant. The proficiency level determination unit stores a history of expiration time detected by the respiration sensor, obtains an evaluation value of the degree of variation of the stored expiration time, and the evaluation value is a predetermined value with a large variation in expiration time breathing guidance system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the learning level characterized by the determine constant below a predetermined level when exceeding. The proficiency level determination unit stores a history of expiration time detected by the respiration sensor, obtains an evaluation value of a degree of variation in expiration time of a predetermined number of times stored from the start of use, and an evaluation value having a large variation in expiration time The respiratory guidance system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the proficiency level is determined to be less than a predetermined level when the value exceeds a specified value. A function of controlling the stimulating means to induce the user's breathing based on the output of the breathing sensor, the stimulating means for stimulating the user's perception and the computer used with the breathing sensor for detecting the breathing of the user A program for functioning as a control means comprising: a learning level determination unit for determining a level of learning level in breathing of a user; and an output unit for outputting the learning level determined by the learning level determination unit The proficiency level determination unit stores a history of expiration time detected by the respiration sensor, obtains an evaluation value of the degree of variation of the stored exhalation time in a predetermined time, and defines an evaluation value with small variation in expiration time depending on the frequency with which the value is less than or equal condition occurs, the breathing guidance program proficiency which correlated with the frequency characterized in that determine constant. A function of controlling the stimulating means to induce the user's breathing based on the output of the breathing sensor, the stimulating means for stimulating the user's perception and the computer used with the breathing sensor for detecting the breathing of the user A program for functioning as a control means comprising: a learning level determination unit for determining a level of learning level in breathing of a user; and an output unit for outputting the learning level determined by the learning level determination unit the proficiency level determination unit is configured to store the expiration time history detected by the breathing sensor, it obtains the evaluation value of the degree of variation in remembers predetermined time expiration time, and is small evaluation value variation in expiratory time depending on the number of times of continuation or duration of the breath is below the specified value time, characterized in that the proficiency which correlated with the number of times of continuation or the duration to determine a constant Intake induction program.

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