A method and system for evaluating care efficacy based on near-infrared ultra-scanning

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of brain function testing technology, specifically disclosing a method and system for assessing care efficacy based on near-infrared super-scanning. This method uses a near-infrared brain functional imaging (fNIRS) system to simultaneously acquire light intensity data from the prefrontal, parietal, and occipital cortices of subjects performing cooperative cognitive tasks with caregivers, converting this data into oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations for individual-level analysis. Brain region matching is completed, and interbrain synchronous activity is detected through transfer entropy analysis and combined power spectrum analysis to obtain the magnitude and directionality of interbrain synchronicity. Based on the magnitude and directionality of interbrain synchronicity, the level of care efficacy between patients with cognitive impairment and their caregivers is assessed. This technical solution utilizes super-scanning technology to analyze and obtain the level of care efficacy between patients with cognitive impairment and their caregivers, thereby facilitating focused observation and care for patients with cognitive impairment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of brain function testing technology, and relates to a method and system for evaluating care efficacy based on near-infrared ultrasound scanning. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the serious aging situation has led scholars at home and abroad to focus on the health of the elderly. As people age, their bodies inevitably experience some aging problems, such as cognitive decline. Cognitive function refers to the functions of the higher cortex of the brain, such as memory, language, thinking, calculation, executive function, and visuospatial ability. The decline in cognitive function in the elderly manifests in different stages, from forgetfulness caused by normal aging to dementia in a pathological state.

[0003] Alzheimer's disease (AD), also known as senile dementia, is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system. It has an insidious onset and a chronic, progressive course, and is the most common type of dementia. Its main manifestations include progressive memory impairment, cognitive dysfunction, personality changes, and language disorders, severely affecting social, occupational, and daily life functions.

[0004] In the comprehensive management of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, caregivers play a crucial role in treatment, rehabilitation, and nursing care. The level of care efficacy directly determines the quality of life, functional maintenance, hospitalization rate, and life expectancy of AD patients. Care efficacy refers to the positive and beneficial effects of the care skills provided by caregivers on patients. It differs from care quality in that care quality focuses on the caregiver's skills and primarily assesses the professionalism, practicality, and standardization of those skills.

[0005] However, research has found that even caregivers with high-quality care skills may not necessarily have a positive and effective impact on patients. This is because care efficacy is assessed from the patient's perspective, and its influencing factors include the patient themselves (such as disease severity, impairment of daily living activities, and mental and behavioral symptoms), the caregiver (such as personality and coping skills), and the relationship between the two (such as spouse, children, and caregivers). Currently, assessments of care quality are mainly based on scale ratings, such as Quality Indicators (QIs), and the vast majority of these assessments are subjective or semi-subjective; while there is no established assessment system for care efficacy.

[0006] Brain function research is an important area of ​​neuroscience research. Its purpose is to use brain functional imaging technology to monitor relevant parameters of brain tissue in real time in order to obtain functional information about the brain and understand its working mechanisms. With the development and advancement of brain function detection technology, the excitation level of local neurons related to behavior can be inferred by measuring metabolic changes and the distribution of metabolites caused by the activity of brain neurons.

[0007] In recent years, with the continuous development of brain functional imaging technology, functional near-infrared brain imaging (fNIRS), as a non-invasive functional neuroimaging technique, has gained increasing clinical application in the diagnosis and treatment evaluation of brain functional disorders due to its advantages of portability, wearability, high efficiency, objectivity, and dynamic assessment. fNIRS is a non-invasive brain function detection technique based on optical principles. It utilizes the characteristics of low absorption and high scattering of near-infrared light by biological tissues. Near-infrared light can penetrate tissues to a certain depth. Furthermore, because the main absorbing chromophores in biomass tissues, such as oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxyhemoglobin (HbR), have different absorption spectra to near-infrared light, the appropriate wavelength of near-infrared light is selected, and changes in the concentration of these chromophores are used to reflect brain functional activity. Based on the neurovascular coupling mechanism, when the brain undergoes functional activity, the activated areas experience changes in local oxygen metabolism rate and hemodynamics.

[0008] Hyperscanning is a technique that simultaneously records the hemodynamic characteristics or electrophysiological activity of two or more brains, collecting dynamic information related to interactions. It can analyze the similarity, correlation, coherence, and causal relationships between brain signals. Primarily based on neurofunctional imaging techniques such as functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), it analyzes "cross-brain coupling" mechanisms, also known as interbrain synchronization, to study neuroscience issues covering social cognition, such as interpersonal interaction, social behavior, and emotional empathy. This improves the ecological validity of the research and provides a new perspective for studying the neural mechanisms behind social cognition.

[0009] "Cross-brain coupling" is considered a mechanism for information transfer over long distances and time. In social interactions, individuals must control their own movements, facial expressions, and eye contact with collaborators while simultaneously understanding and predicting the other person's actions to make appropriate responses. Prediction is crucial in this process; the ability to predict others and react accordingly is extremely important in smooth social interactions. This is the core idea of ​​"interaction prediction theory," which posits that participants A and B in a social interaction both possess brain systems that control their own behavior and cognitive systems that predict the other person's behavior. If these systems are co-located in the brain, and the sum of all neural activity in both systems can serve as a common indicator, then similar patterns or couplings will appear between all brain activities of participants A and B, somewhat akin to a "telepathic connection."

[0010] Currently, hyperscanning technology has been used to study the neural mechanisms of social cognitive psychology, such as interactive synchronization, emotional empathy, social assessment, and social learning. Examples include the tacit understanding between pilot partners, the cooperative trust between basketball players, the regulation mechanism of romantic relationships between partners, economic cooperation and competition, and teacher-student teaching relationships. However, there are no research reports on the "cross-brain coupling" effect of hyperscanning technology on the binary relationship between dementia patients and their caregivers. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The purpose of this invention is to provide a care efficacy assessment method and system based on near-infrared ultrasound scanning. By using ultrasound scanning technology, the level of care efficacy between patients with cognitive impairment and their caregivers can be analyzed, thereby facilitating focused observation and care for patients with cognitive impairment.

[0012] To achieve the above objectives, the basic solution of the present invention is: a method for evaluating care efficacy based on near-infrared ultra-scanning, comprising the following steps:

[0013] The light intensity data of the prefrontal, parietal, and occipital cortex of the subjects were simultaneously acquired using the near-infrared brain functional imaging (fNIRS) system while they were performing a collaborative cognitive task with their caregivers.

[0014] The light intensity data is preprocessed, and the transmittance and absorbance of the processed light intensity data are calculated according to the modified Beer-Lambert law. Then, the concentrations of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin are calculated.

[0015] Individual-level analysis of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations was performed using activation delay, half-maximum width, and partial coherence analysis.

[0016] Brain region matching was completed, and interbrain synchronous activity was detected by transfer entropy analysis and joint power spectrum analysis to obtain the magnitude and directionality of interbrain synchrony.

[0017] The level of care efficacy between patients with cognitive impairment and their caregivers is assessed based on the magnitude and directionality of brain synchrony.

[0018] The working principle and beneficial effects of this basic protocol are as follows: This technical protocol is based on a near-infrared functional brain imaging (fNIRS) system, which simultaneously acquires light intensity data from the prefrontal, parietal, and occipital cortices of subjects during collaborative cognitive tasks performed with caregivers. The cerebral oxygenation data undergoes preprocessing, including motion artifact correction, signal-to-noise ratio detection, bandpass filtering, and normalization, and is converted to oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations for subsequent analysis. The level of care efficacy between patients with cognitive impairment and caregivers is assessed based on the magnitude and directionality of interbrain synchrony, facilitating focused observation and care for patients with cognitive impairment.

[0019] Furthermore, the collaborative cognitive task includes:

[0020] Verbal Interaction Tasks:

[0021] Idioms or poems from the fields of literature, life, and science are selected as interactive phrases. Five similar phrases are presented in each trial. After the caregiver reads each phrase, the subject immediately repeats it completely to assess their learning memory, language function, and imitation ability in social interaction.

[0022] Fine motor interaction tasks:

[0023] The finger exercise paradigm was selected, and the fine motor interaction paradigm was designed based on the principles of computerization, interactive paradigm, and fNIRS block design.

[0024] Using forward and reverse finger exercises, caregivers and subjects perform them simultaneously according to screen prompts. Both parties can remind each other during the process, testing their attention, executive function, hand-eye coordination, and interactive social skills.

[0025] Spatial collaboration and interaction tasks:

[0026] Based on the hybrid design of the Rubik's Cube building block paradigm, the real-time interactive paradigm, and fNIRS, a spatial collaborative interaction paradigm was developed. According to the building rules of each part of the target Rubik's Cube displayed on the screen, the caregiver assists the subject in disassembling, assembling, and reassembling the Rubik's Cube, testing their visual-spatial ability, imagination, communication skills, willingness to cooperate, and collaborative ability.

[0027] Set up appropriate collaborative cognitive tasks and utilize the collected data.

[0028] Furthermore, the method for simultaneously acquiring light intensity data of the prefrontal, parietal, and occipital cortices of subjects during collaborative cognitive tasks performed with caregivers is as follows:

[0029] Both subjects and caregivers wore wireless near-infrared imaging devices. Before the test began, both subjects and caregivers received guidance on the test content to familiarize themselves with the test rules, and then the formal test was conducted.

[0030] After the test began, the subjects and caregivers completed the verbal round-robin interaction task, the fine motor interaction task, and the spatial cooperative interaction task in sequence according to the prompts of the cooperative cognitive task.

[0031] It is easy to operate and implement.

[0032] Furthermore, the method for preprocessing light intensity data is as follows:

[0033] Moving average and signal-to-noise ratio detection are used to assess signal quality, eliminate low-quality data segments, and remove motion artifacts.

[0034] Bandpass filtering: Preserves the signal components within the frequency band of interest while removing low-frequency drift and high-frequency noise;

[0035] Normalization process.

[0036] Preprocessing the light intensity data facilitates subsequent processing.

[0037] Furthermore, the specific steps for individual-level analysis of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations using activation delay, half-maximum width at half-maximum, and partial coherence analysis are as follows:

[0038] Calculate the average signal value S during the resting period. baseline The experiment begins by marking the time point t0 at which the stimulus is initiated. Within the time window of interest, the peak time points t0 and t0 for the oxygenation and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration signals are then identified. peak and peak S peak Then activate delay T latency and half peak S half :

[0039] T latency =t peak -t0

[0040]

[0041] Find the signal that reaches half peak value S on both the rising and falling edges. half Two time points t half1 and t half2 Calculate the full width at half maximum (FWHM):

[0042] FWHM = t half2 -t half1

[0043] A multiple regression model incorporating multiple variables was established. Fourier frequency domain transforms were performed on the oxygenation and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration (HbO2) signals. After removing the influence of common variables, the partial coherence C at different frequencies was determined. xy (f):

[0044]

[0045] Among them, C xy (f) represents the coherence at frequency f, S xy (f) is the cross-power spectrum of channel X(t) and channel Y(t) within time interval t, S x (f) and S y (f) are the power spectra of X(t) and Y(t), respectively.

[0046] Activation delay, half-maximum width at half-maximum, and partial coherence analysis were used to perform individual-level analysis of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations and obtain relevant parameters.

[0047] Further, to complete brain region matching, and to detect interbrain synchronous activity through transfer entropy analysis and joint power spectral analysis, the steps to obtain the magnitude and directionality of interbrain synchrony are as follows:

[0048] Based on the brain regions corresponding to each channel, the synchronous oxygenation and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration (HbO2) signals of the binary pairs are matched sequentially, and the entropy increase of HbO2 signal information from one channel signal to another is calculated:

[0049]

[0050] Among them, TE X→Y p(y) represents the transport entropy from channel X to time series Y, characterizing the quantification of the influence of X on the future state of Y, i.e., the direction of interbrain synchronicity; t+1 ,y t ,x t ) represents y t+1 y t and x t The joint probability density of p(y); t+1 |y t ) indicates that given y t Under the condition, y t+1 The probability of occurrence; p(y) t+1 |y t ,x t ) indicates that given y t and x t Under the condition, y t+1 The probability of occurrence.

[0051] Perform a Fourier transform on the synchronous HbO2 signals of the two pairs and calculate the joint power spectrum of the two signals:

[0052] JPSD(f)=|S XY (f)| 2

[0053] Wherein, JPSD(f) represents the joint power spectrum of X and Y at frequency f, used to indicate the magnitude of interbrain synchrony from channel X to channel Y, S XY (f) is the cross-power spectrum.

[0054] Brain region matching was completed, and synchronous activity between brain regions was detected by transfer entropy analysis and joint power spectrum analysis to obtain the magnitude and directionality of brain synchrony, which is convenient for subsequent use.

[0055] Furthermore, the magnitude and directionality of interbrain synchrony are output and displayed. Based on the JPSD(f) results, it is determined whether "interbrain synchrony" exists and the number of connections, using entropy increase TE. X→Y Determining the directionality of these connections allows for an assessment of the level of care efficacy between patients with cognitive impairment and their caregivers. The greater the number of "brain-to-brain synchronization" connections and the more the directionality points from the caregiver to the patient, the higher the care efficacy.

[0056] The assessment is simple and easy to perform.

[0057] The present invention also provides a care efficacy assessment system based on near-infrared superscanning, including a data acquisition module and a processing module. The data acquisition module is used to acquire light intensity data of the prefrontal, parietal and occipital cortex of patients and caregivers during the performance of cooperative cognitive tasks.

[0058] The input terminal of the processing module is connected to the output terminal of the data acquisition module. The processing module executes the method described in this invention to assess the level of care efficacy between patients with cognitive impairment and their caregivers.

[0059] This system analyzes and assesses the level of care efficacy between patients with cognitive impairment and their caregivers by using light intensity data from the prefrontal, parietal, and occipital cortices during collaborative cognitive tasks performed by subjects and caregivers. This facilitates focused observation and care for patients with cognitive impairment.

[0060] Furthermore, the data acquisition module includes a wireless near-infrared imaging device worn on patients with cognitive impairment and their caregivers. The wireless near-infrared imaging device includes 18 transmitters and 16 receivers, forming 38 channels that cover the prefrontal, parietal, and occipital cortices of the subject's brain.

[0061] The sampling frequency of the wireless near-infrared imaging device is 11Hz. The transmitter emits light of two different wavelengths, 760nm and 850nm. The distance between each pair of transmitters and receivers is 3cm. The entire sampling time is 5-10 minutes.

[0062] The data acquisition module has a simple structure and is easy to use. Attached Figure Description

[0063] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the care efficacy evaluation method based on near-infrared ultra-scanning of the present invention.

[0064] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the collaborative cognitive task of the care efficacy assessment method based on near-infrared ultra-scanning according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0065] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0066] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0067] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise specified and limited, it should be noted that the terms "installation", "connection" and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to mechanical or electrical connections, or internal connections between two components. They can be direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms according to the specific circumstances.

[0068] This invention discloses a method for evaluating care efficacy based on near-infrared ultra-scanning, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0069] The light intensity data of the prefrontal, parietal, and occipital cortex of the subjects were simultaneously acquired using the near-infrared brain functional imaging (fNIRS) system while they were performing a collaborative cognitive task with their caregivers.

[0070] The light intensity data is preprocessed (e.g., motion artifact correction, signal-to-noise ratio detection, bandpass filtering, normalization, etc.). Based on the modified Beer-Lambert law, the transmittance and absorbance of the processed light intensity data are calculated, and then the oxygenation and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations are calculated. This is the existing technology and will not be elaborated here.

[0071] Individual-level analysis of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations was performed using activation delay, half-maximum width, and partial coherence analysis.

[0072] Brain region matching was completed, and interbrain synchronous activity was detected by transfer entropy analysis and joint power spectrum analysis to obtain the magnitude and directionality of interbrain synchrony.

[0073] The level of care efficacy between patients with cognitive impairment and their caregivers is assessed based on the magnitude and directionality of brain synchrony.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 2 As shown, collaborative cognitive tasks include:

[0075] Verbal Interaction Tasks:

[0076] Based on the language function of dementia patients, the computerized turn-based interaction paradigm, and the event-related design of fNIRS, idioms or poems from the fields of literature, life, and science were selected as interactive phrases. Five similar phrases were presented in each trial. After the caregiver read each phrase, the subjects immediately repeated it completely to assess their learning memory, language function, and imitation ability in social interaction.

[0077] Fine motor interaction tasks:

[0078] Based on the project team's previous research on fNIRS in dementia patients, the finger exercise paradigm was selected, and the fine motor interaction paradigm was designed according to the principles of computerization, interactive paradigm, and fNIRS block design.

[0079] Using forward and reverse finger exercises, caregivers and subjects perform them simultaneously according to screen prompts. Both parties can remind each other during the process, testing their attention, executive function, hand-eye coordination, and interactive social skills.

[0080] Spatial collaboration and interaction tasks:

[0081] Based on the hybrid design of the Rubik's Cube building block paradigm, the real-time interactive paradigm, and fNIRS, a spatial collaborative interaction paradigm was developed. According to the building rules of each part of the target Rubik's Cube displayed on the screen, the caregiver assists the subject in disassembling, assembling, and reassembling the Rubik's Cube, testing their visual-spatial ability, imagination, communication skills, willingness to cooperate, and collaborative ability.

[0082] The above tasks can be performed in E-prime 3.0 software by editing the paradigm and verifying the labels.

[0083] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method for simultaneously acquiring light intensity data of the prefrontal, parietal, and occipital cortices of the subject during a collaborative cognitive task performed with a caregiver is as follows:

[0084] Both subjects and caregivers wore wireless near-infrared imaging devices. Before the test began, both subjects and caregivers received guidance on the test content to familiarize themselves with the test rules, and then the formal test was conducted.

[0085] After the test began, the subjects and caregivers completed the verbal round-robin interaction task, the fine motor interaction task, and the spatial cooperative interaction task in sequence according to the prompts of the cooperative cognitive task.

[0086] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method for preprocessing light intensity data is as follows:

[0087] Moving average and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) detection are used to assess signal quality, eliminate low-quality data segments, and remove motion artifacts.

[0088] Bandpass filtering: Using a bandpass filter, the signal components within the frequency band of interest (typically between 0.01 and 0.2 Hz) are preserved, while low-frequency drift and high-frequency noise are removed;

[0089] Normalization process.

[0090] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the specific steps for performing individual-level analysis of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations using activation delay, half-maximum width at half-maximum, and partial coherence analysis are as follows:

[0091] Calculate the average signal value S during the resting period. baseline The experiment also marked the time point t0 at which the stimulus began, and within the time window of interest (i.e., a period of time after the stimulus began), the peak time points t0 and t0 of the oxygenation and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration signals were identified. peak and peak S peak Then activate delay T latency and half peak S galf :

[0092] T latency =t peak -t0

[0093]

[0094] Find the signal that reaches half peak value S on both the rising and falling edges. galf Two time points t half1 and t half2 Calculate the full width at half maximum (FWHM):

[0095] FWHM = t half2 -t half1

[0096] A multiple regression model incorporating multiple variables was established. Fourier frequency domain transforms were performed on the oxygenation and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration (HbO2) signals. After removing the influence of common variables, the partial coherence C at different frequencies was determined. xy (f):

[0097]

[0098] Among them, C xy (f) represents the coherence at frequency f, S xy (f) is the cross-power spectrum of channel X(t) and channel Y(t) within time interval t, Sx (f) and S y (f) are the power spectra of X(t) and Y(t), respectively.

[0099] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the steps of performing binary interbrain synchrony analysis, completing brain region matching, and detecting interbrain synchronous activity through transfer entropy analysis and joint power spectrum analysis to obtain the magnitude and directionality of interbrain synchrony are as follows:

[0100] Based on the brain regions corresponding to each channel, the synchronous oxygenation and deoxyhemoglobin concentration (HbO2) signals of the binary pairs are matched sequentially, and the entropy increase of HbO2 signal information from one channel signal (e.g., the patient) to another channel signal (e.g., the caregiver) is calculated:

[0101]

[0102] Among them, TE X→Y p(y) represents the transport entropy from channel X to time series Y, characterizing the quantification of the influence of X on the future state of Y, i.e., the direction of interbrain synchronicity; t+1 ,y t ,x t ) represents y t+1 y t and x t The joint probability density of p(y); t+1 |y t ) indicates that given y t Under the condition, y t+1 The probability of occurrence; p(y) t+1 |y t ,x t ) indicates that given y t and x t Under the condition, y t+1 The probability of occurrence.

[0103] Perform a Fourier transform on the synchronous HbO2 signals of the two pairs and calculate the joint power spectrum of the two signals:

[0104] JPSD(f)=|S XY (f)| 2

[0105] Wherein, JPSD(f) represents the joint power spectrum of X and Y at frequency f, used to indicate the magnitude of interbrain synchrony from channel X to channel Y, S XY (f) is the cross-power spectrum.

[0106] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the magnitude and directionality of interbrain synchrony are output and displayed. The presence of "interbrain synchrony" and its number of connections are determined based on the JPSD(f) result, and entropy increase TE is used to further determine this. X→YDetermining the directionality of these connections allows for an assessment of the level of care efficacy between patients with cognitive impairment and their caregivers. The greater the number of "brain-to-brain synchronization" connections and the more the directionality points from the caregiver to the patient, the higher the care efficacy.

[0107] The present invention also provides a care efficacy assessment system based on near-infrared ultra-scanning, including a data acquisition module and a processing module. The data acquisition module is used to acquire light intensity data of the prefrontal, parietal and occipital cortex of patients and caregivers during the performance of cooperative cognitive tasks.

[0108] The input terminal of the processing module is electrically connected to the output terminal of the data acquisition module. The processing module executes the method described in this invention to assess the level of care efficacy between patients with cognitive impairment and their caregivers.

[0109] This system analyzes and assesses the level of care efficacy between patients with cognitive impairment and their caregivers by using light intensity data from the prefrontal, parietal, and occipital cortices during collaborative cognitive tasks performed by subjects and caregivers. This facilitates focused observation and care for patients with cognitive impairment.

[0110] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the data acquisition module includes a wireless functional near-infrared imaging device worn on patients with cognitive impairment and their caregivers. The wireless functional near-infrared imaging device includes 18 transmitters and 16 receivers, forming 38 channels that cover the prefrontal, parietal, and occipital cortices of the subject's brain.

[0111] The sampling frequency of the wireless near-infrared imaging device is 11Hz. The transmitter emits light of two different wavelengths, 760nm and 850nm. The distance between each pair of transmitters and receivers is 3cm. The entire sampling time is 5-10 minutes.

[0112] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0113] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating care efficacy based on near-infrared ultra-scanning, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: The light intensity data of the prefrontal, parietal, and occipital cortex of the subjects were simultaneously acquired using the near-infrared brain functional imaging (fNIRS) system while they were performing a collaborative cognitive task with their caregivers. The light intensity data is preprocessed, and the transmittance and absorbance of the processed light intensity data are calculated according to the modified Beer-Lambert law. Then, the oxygenation and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations are calculated. Individual-level analysis of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations was performed using activation delay, half-maximum width, and partial coherence analysis. Brain region matching was completed, and interbrain synchronous activity was detected by transfer entropy analysis and joint power spectrum analysis to obtain the magnitude and directionality of interbrain synchrony. The level of care efficacy between patients with cognitive impairment and their caregivers is assessed based on the magnitude and directionality of brain synchrony.

2. The care efficacy evaluation method based on near-infrared ultra-scanning as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The collaborative cognitive tasks include: Verbal Interaction Tasks: Idioms or poems from the fields of literature, life, and science are selected as interactive phrases. Five similar phrases are presented in each trial. After the caregiver reads each phrase, the subject immediately repeats it completely to assess their learning memory, language function, and imitation ability in social interaction. Fine motor interaction tasks: The finger exercise paradigm was selected, and the fine motor interaction paradigm was designed based on the principles of computerization, interactive paradigm, and fNIRS block design. Using forward and reverse finger exercises, caregivers and subjects perform them simultaneously according to screen prompts. Both parties can remind each other during the process, testing their attention, executive function, hand-eye coordination, and interactive social skills. Spatial collaboration and interaction tasks: Based on the hybrid design of the Rubik's Cube building block paradigm, the real-time interactive paradigm, and fNIRS, a spatial collaborative interaction paradigm was developed. According to the building rules of each part of the target Rubik's Cube displayed on the screen, the caregiver assists the subject in disassembling, assembling, and reassembling the Rubik's Cube, testing their visual-spatial ability, imagination, communication skills, willingness to cooperate, and collaborative ability.

3. The care efficacy evaluation method based on near-infrared ultra-scanning as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The method for simultaneously acquiring light intensity data of the prefrontal, parietal, and occipital cortices of subjects during collaborative cognitive tasks performed with caregivers is as follows: Both subjects and caregivers wore wireless near-infrared imaging devices. Before the test began, both subjects and caregivers received guidance on the test content to familiarize themselves with the test rules, and then the formal test was conducted. After the test began, the subjects and caregivers completed the verbal round-robin interaction task, the fine motor interaction task, and the spatial cooperative interaction task in sequence according to the prompts of the cooperative cognitive task.

4. The care efficacy evaluation method based on near-infrared ultra-scanning as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The method for preprocessing light intensity data is as follows: Moving average and signal-to-noise ratio detection are used to assess signal quality, eliminate low-quality data segments, and remove motion artifacts. Bandpass filtering: Preserves the signal components within the frequency band of interest while removing low-frequency drift and high-frequency noise; Normalization process.

5. The care efficacy evaluation method based on near-infrared ultra-scanning as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The specific steps for analyzing oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations at the individual level using activation delay, half-maximum width, and partial coherence analysis are as follows: Calculate the average signal value S during the resting period. baseline The experiment begins by marking the time point t0 at which the stimulus is initiated. Within the time window of interest, the peak time points t0 and t0 for the oxygenation and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration signals are then identified. peak and peak S peak Then activate delay T latency and half peak S half : T latency =t peak -t0 Find the signal that reaches half peak value S on both the rising and falling edges. half Two time points t half1 and t half2 Calculate the full width at half maximum (FWHM): FWHM=t half2 -t half1 A multiple regression model incorporating multiple variables was established. Fourier frequency domain transforms were performed on the oxygenation and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration (HbO2) signals. After removing the influence of common variables, the partial coherence C at different frequencies was determined. xy (f): Among them, C xy (f) represents the coherence at frequency f, S xy (f) is the cross-power spectrum of channel X(t) and channel Y(t) within time interval t, S x (f) and S y (f) are the power spectra of X(t) and Y(t), respectively.

6. The care efficacy evaluation method based on near-infrared ultra-scanning as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The steps to complete brain region matching and detect interbrain synchronous activity through transfer entropy analysis and joint power spectral analysis to obtain the magnitude and direction of interbrain synchrony are as follows: Based on the brain regions corresponding to each channel, the synchronous oxygenation and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration (HbO2) signals of the binary pairs are matched sequentially, and the entropy increase of HbO2 signal information from one channel signal to another is calculated: Among them, TE X→Y p(y) represents the transport entropy from channel X to time series Y, characterizing the quantification of the influence of X on the future state of Y, i.e., the direction of interbrain synchronicity; t+1 ,y t ,x t ) represents y t+1 y t and x t The joint probability density of p(y); t+1 |y t ) indicates that given y t Under the condition, y t+1 The probability of occurrence; p(y) t+1 |y t ,x t ) indicates that given y t and x t Under the condition, y t+1 The probability of occurrence; Perform a Fourier transform on the synchronous HbO2 signals of the two pairs and calculate the joint power spectrum of the two signals: JPSD(f)=|S XY (f)| 2 Wherein, JPSD(f) represents the joint power spectrum of X and Y at frequency f, used to indicate the magnitude of interbrain synchrony from channel X to channel Y, S XY (f) is the cross-power spectrum.

7. The care efficacy evaluation method based on near-infrared ultra-scanning as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The magnitude and directionality of interbrain synchrony are output and displayed. The presence of "interbrain synchrony" and its number of connections are determined based on the JPSD(f) results, using entropy increase TE. X→Y Determining the directionality of these connections allows for an assessment of the level of care efficacy between patients with cognitive impairment and their caregivers. The greater the number of "brain-to-brain synchronization" connections and the more the directionality points from the caregiver to the patient, the higher the care efficacy.

8. A care efficacy evaluation system based on near-infrared ultra-scanning, characterized in that, It includes a data acquisition module and a processing module. The data acquisition module is used to acquire light intensity data of the prefrontal, parietal, and occipital cortex of patients and caregivers during the performance of cooperative cognitive tasks. The input terminal of the processing module is connected to the output terminal of the data acquisition module. The processing module executes the method described in any one of claims 1-7 to assess the level of care efficacy between patients with cognitive impairment and their caregivers.

9. The care efficacy evaluation system based on near-infrared ultra-scanning as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The data acquisition module includes a wireless near-infrared imaging device worn on patients with cognitive impairment and their caregivers. The wireless near-infrared imaging device includes 18 transmitters and 16 receivers, forming 38 channels that cover the prefrontal, parietal, and occipital cortices of the subject's brain. The sampling frequency of the wireless near-infrared imaging device is 11Hz. The transmitter emits light of two different wavelengths, 760nm and 850nm. The distance between each pair of transmitters and receivers is 3cm. The entire sampling time is 5-10 minutes.

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