Respiration training machine enabling grasp of result

Abstract

A breathing exerciser includes: a guide unit for guiding an exercise pattern of breathing to a user; a breathing sensor for detecting breathing of the user; a breathing index calculating unit for calculating, based on a signal from the breathing sensor, a breathing index at least one of before and after an exercise period during which the exercise pattern is guided, the breathing index representing a characteristic of a breathing state of the user; and an outcome index calculating unit for calculating an outcome index based on at least two breathing indices, the outcome index representing an outcome of breathing exercise; and an informing unit for informing the outcome index to the user.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a breathing exerciser and more particularly to a breathing exerciser that guides an exercise pattern of breathing.BACKGROUND ART[0002]It has been verified that slow deep breathing leads to suppression of autonomic nerves, providing an effect of decreasing blood pressure. For example, the document “Slow Breathing Improves Arterial Baroreflex Sensitivity and Decreases Blood Pressure in Essential Hypertension” (hereinafter, referred to as the “Non-Patent Document 1”) by Chacko N. Joseph, et al., in “Hypertension, October 2005”, Volume 46, pp. 714-718, published by the American Heart Association, can be a reference document. Therefore, conventionally, as autonomic nervous system exercise methods and biofeedback, studies have been conducted. Also, a number of breathing exercisers for that have been proposed.[0003]Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-277976 (hereinafter, referred to as the “Patent Document 1”) has disclosed an ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0024]According to the present invention, the user can easily grasp an in-situ outcome brought about by breathing exercise. By this, it becomes possible to improve motivation to continue breathing exercise.

Problems solved by technology

It has become clear that respiratory standstill during sleep due to airway obstruction or autonomic nervous system abnormalities, which is a so-called “Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS)”, not only simply reduces sleep quality, causing drowsiness during daytime active hours but also promotes hypertension and thereby induces harmful blood pressure fluctuations, which becomes a cause of many serious diseases such as heart diseases and brain diseases.

However, any of the approaches is a great burden for patients and the current state is that low-burden approaches to the prevention of the SAS have not been proposed.

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