Feeding ability evaluation method and evaluation device

Abstract

A food intake ability evaluation method includes: an acquisition step of acquiring muscle potential data of a plurality of muscles of a face when a subject person chews; a calculation step for calculating the ratio of the amount of work of a first muscle, which is one of the plurality of muscles of the face, to the total amount of work of all of the plurality of muscles of the face for each unit time on the basis of the acquired myopotential data; and an evaluation step for evaluating the ingestion ability of the subject person on the basis of the ratio.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method and device for evaluating feeding ability. Background Art

[0002] As the super-aging society is becoming increasingly serious, in order to improve the quality of chewing movements of the elderly and solve problems related to chewing, methods for evaluating chewing movements such as food intake ability are being developed.

[0003] A physiological evaluation method using myoelectric potential measurement was developed to evaluate a series of activities from the moment food is put into the mouth to the time when the food is swallowed.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for evaluating the oral behavior of food using the measurement results of the dynamic changes over time in the surface myoelectric potential of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group.

[0005] Patent document 2 discloses a physiological evaluation device for taste, which obtains muscle activity related to the workload of each muscle from the electromyogram of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group, and calculates the difference in muscle activity caused by food and the difference in chewing period, so as to perform sensory evaluation of complex foods appropriately and objectively.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-148692

[0009] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-139442 Summary of the invention

[0010] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0011] In order to evaluate the ability to eat, it is considered to obtain the electromyogram of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscles, calculate the area of ​​the electromyogram waveform based on the muscle's action potential (μV) and activity time (s), and thus measure the workload of each muscle (μV·s). However, although it is possible to compare foods for the same subject in one measurement, it is difficult to compare the measurement values ​​of the same subject on different days and to compare between subjects.

[0012] In order to compare the measurement values ​​of the same subject on different days and to compare between subjects, it is considered to normalize the measurement values. However, when the electromyogram waveform at maximum load is used to measure the workload at maximum occlusion for the purpose of normalization, there is a problem of difficulty in measuring the workload at maximum occlusion in cases where the subjects have difficulty following instructions, such as the elderly and young children, or subjects with jaw and oral diseases.

[0013] Therefore, when measuring the workload of each muscle in order to evaluate the food intake capacity, it is desired to be able to compare the measured values ​​on different days for the same subject and to compare between subjects.

[0014] Therefore, the present invention provides an eating ability evaluation method and evaluation device that can compare the measurement values ​​of the same subject on different days and between subjects when evaluating eating ability by measuring the workload of each muscle of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group.

[0015] Solutions for solving problems

[0016] In a method for evaluating eating ability, the following steps are included: an acquisition step of acquiring myoelectric potential data of multiple muscles on the face of a subject when chewing; a calculation step of calculating, based on the acquired myoelectric potential data, the ratio of the workload of a first muscle that is one of the multiple muscles on the face to the total workload of all the multiple muscles on the face per unit time; and an evaluation step of evaluating the eating ability of the subject based on the ratio.

[0017] In a method for evaluating feeding ability, the plurality of muscles include a masseter muscle and a suprahyoid muscle group, and the first muscle is the masseter muscle.

[0018] In one method for evaluating food intake ability, the unit time is the time from the start of chewing to the time immediately before swallowing.

[0019] In a method for evaluating eating ability, in the acquisition step, motion analysis data for analyzing the motion of the subject person when the myoelectric potential data is measured is acquired, and in the calculation step, the myoelectric potential data during the period when the subject person is not chewing in the motion analysis data is excluded from the calculation object of the ratio.

[0020] In one method of evaluating eating ability, the motion analysis data is dynamic image data obtained by photographing the subject person when the myoelectric potential data is acquired.

[0021] In one method of evaluating eating ability, the motion analysis data is audio recording data obtained by recording sounds around the subject person when the myoelectric potential data is acquired.

[0022] In a method for evaluating food intake ability, in the evaluation step, the food intake ability is determined to be superior as the range between the maximum value and the minimum value of the ratio within a predetermined time is greater.

[0023] In one method for evaluating feeding ability, in the evaluation step, the feeding ability is determined to be superior as the median value of the ratio within a predetermined time is larger.

[0024] In a method for evaluating feeding ability, in the evaluation step, the feeding ability is evaluated based on a median value of the ratio within a predetermined time and a range between a maximum value and a minimum value of the ratio within a predetermined time.

[0025] In one method for evaluating food intake ability, in the evaluation step, the greater the average value of the ratio within a predetermined time, the greater the food intake ability is.

[0026] In one method for evaluating feeding ability, in the evaluation step, the feeding ability is determined to be superior as the mode of the ratio within a predetermined time is larger.

[0027] In one method for evaluating eating ability, the myoelectric potential data is a measured value when the subject chews a food containing all ingredients of a first hardness, an ingredient of a second hardness harder than the first hardness, and an ingredient of a third hardness harder than the second hardness.

[0028] In a method for evaluating eating ability, the myoelectric potential data is a measured value when the subject chews a food containing food of a first hardness, food of a second hardness harder than the first hardness, and food of a third hardness harder than the second hardness, but not food of the second hardness.

[0029] In a method for evaluating eating ability, the food of the first hardness is food that can be handled with the tongue, the food of the second hardness is soft food, and the food of the third hardness is hard food. The hardness of the food is classified according to the pressure that can crush the food. Food with a pressure less than a first threshold is classified as food of the first hardness, food with a pressure greater than a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold is classified as food of the third hardness, and other food is classified as food of the second hardness.

[0030] In a method for evaluating eating ability, the plurality of muscles include left and right masseter muscles and a suprahyoid muscle group, and the workload of the first muscle is the total value of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles.

[0031] In a method for evaluating feeding ability, the plurality of muscles include a masseter muscle of either left or right masseter muscles and a suprahyoid muscle group, and the first muscle is a masseter muscle of either left or right masseter muscles.

[0032] In a method for evaluating feeding ability, the plurality of muscles include the zygomaticus muscle and the suprahyoid muscle group, and the first muscle is the zygomaticus muscle.

[0033] In a method for evaluating feeding ability, the plurality of muscles include the temporalis muscle and the suprahyoid muscle group, and the first muscle is the temporalis muscle.

[0034] In a method for evaluating eating ability, the multiple muscles are a combination of one or more of the left and right masseter muscles, zygomatic muscles and temporalis muscles in addition to the suprahyoid muscle group, and the workload of the first muscle is the workload of one of the left and right masseter muscles, zygomatic muscles and temporalis muscles, or the total value of the workload of the combination.

[0035] In a method for evaluating eating capacity, the evaluation process is performed using an evaluation model, wherein the evaluation model is a model that performs learning using learning myoelectric potential data and eating capacity data of a measured person whose learning myoelectric potential data has been measured, and generates a threshold value during the learning. In the evaluation process, the evaluation model is input with the ratio, and the eating capacity of the subject person is output by comparing the generated threshold value with the ratio.

[0036] Effects of the Invention

[0037] In one disclosure, when the workload of each muscle of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group is measured to evaluate the feeding ability, comparison between the measured values ​​on different days for the same subject and comparison between subjects can be performed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the evaluation device according to the embodiment.

[0039] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a situation in which the electromyographic measurement unit of the left and right masseter muscles and suprahyoid muscle group of the evaluation device is installed on a subject.

[0040] Figure 3 is Figure 1 The electromyogram of (A) the right masseter muscle, (B) the left masseter muscle, and (C) the suprahyoid muscle group obtained in the first embodiment.

[0041] Figure 4AThis is an example of a graph showing the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of the test subject acquired in the first embodiment.

[0042] Figure 4B This is an example of a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of the test subject acquired in the first embodiment.

[0043] Figure 5A This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of the subject with high food intake ability acquired in the first embodiment.

[0044] Figure 5B : This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of a subject with a medium food intake ability acquired in the first embodiment.

[0045] Figure 5C : This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of a subject with low food intake ability acquired in the first embodiment.

[0046] Fig. 6A This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in one chewing and swallowing action of the test subject with high food intake ability acquired in the first embodiment, for each type of food ingested.

[0047] Figure 6B : This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in one chewing and swallowing action of the test subject with high food intake ability acquired in the first embodiment.

[0048] Figure 6C This is a graph in which the horizontal axis represents the mode or median value of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles, and the vertical axis represents the range.

[0049] Fig. 7A This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of the subjects with high food intake ability acquired in the second embodiment, for each type of food ingested.

[0050] Figure 7B This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of a subject with a medium food intake ability acquired in the second embodiment, according to the type of food ingested.

[0051] Figure 7C This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of a subject with low food intake ability acquired in the second embodiment, according to the type of food ingested.

[0052] Fig.7D This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in one chewing and swallowing action of each subject with high, medium, and low food intake ability acquired in the second embodiment.

[0053] Fig. 7E : is a graph showing the range of the median value of the ratio with respect to the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in the second embodiment.

[0054] Figure 7F : is a graph showing the range of the mode value of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles according to the second embodiment.

[0055] Fig. 8A This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of the subject with high food intake ability acquired in the third embodiment, with respect to the type of food ingested.

[0056] Figure 8B This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of a subject with a medium food intake ability acquired in the third embodiment, according to the type of food ingested.

[0057] Figure 8C This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of a subject with low food intake ability acquired in the third embodiment, according to the type of food ingested.

[0058] Fig.8D This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in one chewing and swallowing action of each subject with high, medium, and low food intake ability acquired in the third example.

[0059] Fig. 8E : is a graph showing the range of the median value of the ratio with respect to the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in the third embodiment.

[0060] Figure 8F : is a graph showing the range of the mode value of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles according to the third embodiment.

[0061] Fig. 9A This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of the subjects with high food intake ability acquired in the fourth embodiment, according to the types of food ingested.

[0062] Fig. 9B This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of a subject with a medium food intake ability acquired in the fourth embodiment, according to the type of food ingested.

[0063] Fig. 9C This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of a subject with low food intake ability acquired in the fourth embodiment, according to the type of food ingested.

[0064] Fig.9D This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in one chewing and swallowing action of each subject with high, medium, and low food intake ability acquired in the fourth example.

[0065] Fig.9E : is a graph showing the range of the median value of the ratio with respect to the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in the fourth example.

[0066] Fig.9F : is a graph showing the range of the mode value of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles according to the fourth embodiment.

[0067] Fig. 10A This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of the subjects with high food intake ability acquired in the fifth embodiment, according to the types of food ingested.

[0068] Fig. 10B This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of a subject with a medium food intake ability obtained in the fifth embodiment, according to the type of food ingested.

[0069] Fig. 10C This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of a subject with low food intake ability acquired in the fifth embodiment, according to the type of food ingested.

[0070] Fig. 10D This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in one chewing and swallowing action of each subject with high, medium, and low food intake ability acquired in the fifth example.

[0071] Fig. 10E : is a graph showing the range of the median value of the ratio with respect to the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in the fifth embodiment.

[0072] Fig.10F : is a graph showing the range of the mode value of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles according to the fifth embodiment.

[0073] Fig.11A : is a graph showing the median value of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles with respect to the scores of the test of the evaluation items related to the eating ability according to the sixth embodiment.

[0074] Fig. 11B This is a graph showing the mode values ​​of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles to the scores of the test of the evaluation items related to the eating ability according to the sixth embodiment.

[0075] Fig. 11C This is a graph showing the range of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles to the scores of the test of the evaluation items related to the eating ability according to the sixth embodiment.

[0076] Fig.11D : is a graph showing the range of the median value of the ratio with respect to the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in the sixth embodiment.

[0077] Fig.11E : is a graph showing the range of the mode value of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles according to the sixth embodiment.

[0078] Fig.12 The figure is a diagram illustrating the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles of the oral muscles and the ratio of the workload of the suprahyoid muscles measured during chewing relative to the workload of the oral muscles required for chewing. Fig.12 (A) shows the case of a subject with high food intake ability, Fig.12 (B) shows the case of a subject with low food intake ability.

[0079] Fig.13 This is a diagram showing examples of ingredients included in the “pork and tofu set meal”.

[0080] Fig.14 This is a diagram showing an example of the ratio of the workload of the masseter muscle in food pattern 1 (including all foods).

[0081] Fig.15 This is a diagram showing an example of the workload ratio of the masseter muscle in food pattern 2 (removal of food that can be processed with the tongue).

[0082] Fig.16 This is a diagram showing an example of the workload ratio of the masseter muscle in food pattern 3 (removal of soft ingredients).

[0083] Fig.17 This is a diagram showing an example of the workload ratio of the masseter muscle in food pattern 4 (removal of hard ingredients).

[0084] Fig.18 This is a diagram showing examples of ingredients included in a “meal set meal”. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0085] The following is a description of an embodiment of the present invention. The embodiments described below are merely examples and can be modified appropriately within the scope known to those skilled in the art.

[0086] <Implementation Method>

[0087] (Structure of the device for evaluating eating ability)

[0088] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the evaluation device of the present embodiment. The evaluation device 1 for feeding ability includes: a first electromyographic measurement unit 11, which is installed on the left and right masseter muscles of the subject; a second electromyographic measurement unit 12, which is installed on the suprahyoid muscle group of the subject; and a signal processing unit 14, which is connected to the first electromyographic measurement unit 11 and the second electromyographic measurement unit 12.

[0089] The first electromyographic measurement unit 11 is installed at the left and right masseter muscles of the subject, and transmits the output obtained by electromyographic measurement of the left and right masseter muscles of the subject to the signal processing unit 14. Since the masseter muscles exist at two locations on the left and right, the first electromyographic measurement unit 11 is installed in a group of two at the right masseter muscle and the left masseter muscle of the subject, respectively. The first electromyographic measurement unit 11 for electromyographic measurement of the left and right masseter muscles of the subject can use a known electromyographic instrument for the left and right masseter muscles.

[0090] The second electromyographic measurement unit 12 is installed at the suprahyoid muscle group of the subject, and transmits the output obtained by electromyographic measurement of the suprahyoid muscle group of the subject to the signal processing unit 14. The second electromyographic measurement unit 12 for performing electromyographic measurement on the suprahyoid muscle group of the subject can use a known electromyographic instrument for the suprahyoid muscle group.

[0091] The feeding capacity evaluation device 1 may also include a swallowing measurement unit 13 installed in the throat of the subject. The swallowing measurement unit 13 is installed in the throat of the subject to measure the time when the food (drinks, solid objects) entering the oral cavity of the subject is swallowed. The swallowing measurement unit 13 can use, for example, a microphone, a surface electromyography, or a Doppler measurement device.

[0092] like Figure 1 As shown, the signal processing unit 14 has an electromyogram acquisition unit 21, a left and right masseter workload acquisition unit 22, a suprahyoid muscle group workload acquisition unit 23, a left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscle group workload ratio acquisition unit 24, a discrimination unit 25, an evaluation unit 26, and a storage unit 35. The signal processing unit 14 can be implemented by hardware, and can also be implemented by the collaboration of hardware and software on a computer equipped with a calculation unit and a control unit. The signal processing unit 14 receives the measurement signals measured by the first electromyography measurement unit 11, the second electromyography measurement unit 12, and the swallowing measurement unit 13, and performs various operations. The signal processing unit 14 can also be connected to other clients or servers through the Internet, LAN, or wireless LAN in a manner that allows information to be sent and received.

[0093] The signal processing unit 14 is not limited to a structure in which all parts constituting the signal processing unit 14 are integrated. For example, the electromyogram acquisition unit 21 may also be configured independently of other parts of the signal processing unit 14. In this case, the first electromyogram measurement unit 11, the second electromyogram measurement unit 12 and the electromyogram acquisition unit 21 may also be configured by a set of electromyogram data acquisition devices. The left and right masseter workload acquisition unit 22, the suprahyoid muscle group workload acquisition unit 23, the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscle group workload ratio acquisition unit 24, the determination unit 25, the evaluation unit 26 and the storage unit 35 may also be implemented on a single computer through the collaboration of hardware and software.

[0094] The electromyogram acquisition unit 21 acquires the electromyogram of the left and right masseter muscles from the signal of the first electromyogram measurement unit 11. In addition, the electromyogram of the suprahyoid muscle group is acquired from the signal of the second electromyogram measurement unit 12. The first electromyogram measurement unit 11 is installed in a group of two at the right masseter muscle site and the left masseter muscle site of the subject, respectively, thereby acquiring the electromyogram of the right masseter muscle and the electromyogram of the left masseter muscle as the electromyogram of the left and right masseter muscles. Here, the electromyogram is a graph showing the activity potential (μV) of the muscle as the output of the first electromyogram measurement unit 11 and the second electromyogram measurement unit 12 relative to the activity time (s), and the workload (μV·s) of each muscle of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group is obtained by calculating the area of ​​the electromyogram waveform.

[0095] The left and right masseter muscle workload acquisition unit 22 calculates the area of ​​the waveform of the electromyogram of the left and right masseter muscles obtained from the signal of the first electromyogram measurement unit 11 to acquire the muscle workload of the left and right masseter muscles. Here, the areas of the waveform of the electromyogram are calculated in the electromyogram of the right masseter muscle and the electromyogram of the left masseter muscle, respectively, and the sum is calculated to obtain the result as the muscle workload of the left and right masseter muscles.

[0096] The suprahyoid muscle group work amount acquisition unit 23 calculates the area of ​​the waveform of the electromyogram of the suprahyoid muscle group obtained from the signal of the second myoelectric measurement unit 12 to acquire the muscle work amount of the suprahyoid muscle group.

[0097] In obtaining the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group, for example, the area of ​​the waveform in one chewing and swallowing action is totaled. One chewing and swallowing action refers to the action of the subject putting the food to be ingested into the mouth and chewing until swallowing. The number of chewings is, for example, multiple times, but it can also be 1 time or 0 times.

[0098] The workload ratio acquisition unit 24 of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group calculates the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles obtained by the left and right masseter muscle workload acquisition unit 22 and the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group obtained by the suprahyoid muscle group workload acquisition unit 23, and acquires the workload ratio of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group. The workload ratio of the left and right masseter muscles is the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles to the workload of the oral muscles, which is the total workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group. The workload ratio of the suprahyoid muscle group is the ratio of the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group to the workload of the oral muscles. The workload ratio of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group refers to the workload ratio of the left and right masseter muscles and the workload ratio of the suprahyoid muscle group. The sum of the workload ratio of the left and right masseter muscles and the workload ratio of the suprahyoid muscle group is 1.

[0099] The determination unit 25 determines which of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group is dominant in chewing based on the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group obtained by the ratio acquisition unit 24 of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group. The determination based on the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the ratio of the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group may be the determination based on either the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles or the ratio of the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group.

[0100] The evaluation unit 26 evaluates the feeding ability based on the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group obtained by the workload ratio acquisition unit 24. The evaluation based on the workload ratio of the left and right masseter muscles and the workload ratio of the suprahyoid muscle group can also be an evaluation based on either the workload ratio of the left and right masseter muscles and the workload ratio of the suprahyoid muscle group. For example, a representative value of the workload ratio of the left and right masseter muscles is obtained, and the feeding ability is evaluated based on the obtained representative value. Here, the representative value is the most frequent value (mode Mo), the median (median Me) and the average value, etc. In the evaluation of the feeding ability, it is important to capture the characteristics of the movement of the oral muscles during feeding, and it is preferred to show the most frequent value detected. In addition, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the workload ratio of the left and right masseter muscles (range R) can also be obtained, and the feeding ability can be evaluated based on the obtained range. In addition, the relationship between the representative value and the range of the workload ratio of the left and right masseter muscles can also be obtained to evaluate the feeding ability. Alternatively, the ability to eat may be evaluated based on a representative value, a range, or a relationship between a representative value and a range of the ratio of the workload of the suprahyoid muscles.

[0101] The evaluation unit 26 evaluates the feeding ability based on the comparison of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscle groups of the evaluation object and the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscle groups of the comparison object. For example, the feeding ability is compared based on the comparison of the mode value of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscle groups of the evaluation object and the mode value of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscle groups of the comparison object. The so-called ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscle groups of the comparison object is, for example, the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscle groups obtained on different days for the same subject, or the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscle groups of other subjects. In addition, it is also possible to evaluate the feeding ability by referring to the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscle groups of the evaluation object and the above-mentioned table, for example, by making a table showing the correlation between the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscle groups and the feeding ability. Tables representing the correlation between the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group and the feeding ability can be made according to each type of food, and in addition, the data of various foods can be summarized to form a table. For example, the feeding ability can be evaluated by being classified into two levels of high and low, or three levels of high, medium and low, or other multiple levels. The above-mentioned evaluation based on the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the ratio of the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group can also be an evaluation based on either of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the ratio of the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group.

[0102] The signal processing unit 14 may also include: a feeding start time measurement unit, which measures the time it takes for food to enter the oral cavity based on the measurement signal received from either the first electromyography measurement unit 11 or the second electromyography measurement unit 12; and a swallowing time calculation unit, which calculates the time required to swallow food based on the measurement signal measured by the swallowing measurement unit 13 and the time measured by the feeding start time measurement unit.

[0103] The signal processing unit 14 can store the signal data of the first electromyography measuring unit 11, the signal data of the second electromyography measuring unit 12, the electromyogram acquired by the electromyogram acquiring unit 21, the workload of the left and right masseters acquired by the left and right masseter workload acquiring unit 22, the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group acquired by the suprahyoid muscle group workload acquiring unit 23, the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseters and the suprahyoid muscle group acquired by the ratio acquiring unit 24, the discrimination result acquired by the discrimination unit 25, and the evaluation result acquired by the evaluation unit 26 in the storage unit 35 as needed. The data stored in the storage unit 35 can be read from the outside of the evaluation device 1, and can also be used in various calculations performed by the signal processing unit 14 as needed.

[0104] Next, an operation example of the device for evaluating the eating ability of the present embodiment is described. At the start of the operation, the first electromyographic measuring unit 11, the second electromyographic measuring unit 12, and the swallowing measuring unit 13 are respectively installed at the measuring parts of the subject. When food is ingested by the subject and the chewing movement of the subject begins, the activities of the left and right masseter muscles and suprahyoid muscle group of the subject become active.

[0105] When the output signal of the first electromyography measuring unit 11 is input to the signal processing unit 14, the electromyogram of the left and right masseter muscles is obtained in the electromyogram obtaining unit 21. The information of the electromyogram of the left and right masseter muscles is transmitted to the left and right masseter muscle workload obtaining unit 22, which calculates the area of ​​the waveform of the electromyogram of the left and right masseter muscles to obtain the muscle workload of the left and right masseter muscles.

[0106] On the other hand, when the output signal of the second electromyography measuring unit 12 is input to the signal processing unit 14, the electromyogram of the suprahyoid muscle group is acquired in the electromyogram acquiring unit 21. The information of the electromyogram of the suprahyoid muscle group is transmitted to the suprahyoid muscle group workload acquiring unit 23, and the area of ​​the waveform of the electromyogram of the suprahyoid muscle group is calculated to acquire the workload of the muscles of the suprahyoid muscle group.

[0107] The workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group are transmitted to the workload ratio acquisition unit 24 of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group, and the workload ratio of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group is acquired. The workload ratio of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group is transmitted to the determination unit 25, thereby determining which of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group is dominant in chewing based on the workload ratio of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group, and outputting the determination result. In addition, the workload ratio of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group is transmitted to the evaluation unit 26, and the feeding ability is evaluated based on the workload ratio of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group, and the evaluation result is output.

[0108] Alternatively, the start of eating may be determined in the eating start time measurement unit based on either or both of the output signal of the first electromyographic measurement unit 11 and the output signal of the second electromyographic measurement unit 12. Alternatively, the time required to swallow food may be calculated in the swallowing time calculation unit based on the measurement signal measured by the swallowing measurement unit 13 and the time measured by the eating start time measurement unit. The eating start time and the time required to swallow can be used in the embodiments described below to clearly classify the types of food being eaten, and can also be used in various physiological analyses other than determining which of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group is dominant in chewing and evaluating the eating ability.

[0109] (Evaluation of the function / effect of the device)

[0110] In the case of conventional electromyographic waveform analysis, it is possible to compare the subjects themselves, but it is difficult to compare the values ​​measured on different days for the same subject and to compare between subjects. However, it was found that by calculating the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group based on the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group, it is possible to compare the values ​​measured on different days for the same subject and to compare between subjects.

[0111] According to the evaluation device of this embodiment, when the workload of each muscle of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group is measured to evaluate the feeding ability, comparison between the measured values ​​on different days for the same subject and comparison between subjects can be performed.

[0112] In addition, chewing is a complex movement that moves the mandible and the suprahyoid muscle group forward, backward, up, down, left, and right, so it is difficult to grasp the chewing movement in detail only by the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscles. In the evaluation device of this embodiment, chewing movements dominated by the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group, which cannot be evaluated by comparing the workload, can be grasped.

[0113] The evaluation device of this embodiment can evaluate chewing movements through non-invasive and simple electromyographic measurement. It is a device that serves as a basis for the physical design of products for the purpose of maintaining and improving chewing ability. It is possible to propose a separate chewing training method using these products or the evaluation device itself, and it is also possible to observe the changes in chewing movements caused by the training. If information related to the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group is used together, it can be more helpful to improve the quality of chewing movements.

[0114] (Method for determining the dominant muscle during feeding)

[0115] Regarding the method for determining the dominant muscle during food intake, first, the electromyographic measurement of the left and right masseter muscles during chewing is performed to obtain the workload of the left and right masseter muscles, and the electromyographic measurement of the suprahyoid muscles is performed to obtain the workload of the suprahyoid muscles. Figure 1 The electromyogram acquisition unit 21 shown acquires the electromyogram of the left and right masseter muscles from the signal of the first electromyogram measurement unit 11, and acquires the muscle workload of the left and right masseter muscles in the left and right masseter muscle workload acquisition unit 22. In addition, the electromyogram acquisition unit 21 acquires the electromyogram of the suprahyoid muscle group from the signal of the second electromyogram measurement unit 12, and acquires the muscle workload of the suprahyoid muscle group in the suprahyoid muscle group workload acquisition unit 23.

[0116] Next, the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group, that is, the ratio of the workload of the muscles, is calculated. For example, in the left and right masseter muscle and suprahyoid muscle group workload ratio acquisition unit 24, the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group is calculated to obtain the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group.

[0117] Next, based on the obtained ratio of the workload of the muscles, it is determined which of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group is dominant in chewing. For example, in the determination unit 25, based on the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group, it is determined which of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group is dominant in chewing.

[0118] (Role / effect of the method for determining the dominant muscle during feeding)

[0119] The method for distinguishing the dominant muscle during food intake according to the present embodiment can be used in the following evaluation method and evaluation device: when measuring the workload of each muscle of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group to evaluate the food intake ability, it is possible to compare the measured values ​​of the same subject on different days and between subjects, and it is possible to evaluate the chewing movement by non-invasive and simple electromyography. In addition, it is possible to grasp the chewing movement dominated by the left and right masseter muscles, dominated by the suprahyoid muscle group, etc., which cannot be evaluated by comparing the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscles.

[0120] (Evaluation method of feeding ability)

[0121] The method for evaluating eating ability is the same as the method for determining the dominant muscles during eating. The workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group during chewing are obtained, and the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group is calculated.

[0122] Next, based on the obtained ratio of the workload of the muscles, it is determined which of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group is dominant in chewing, and the food intake ability is evaluated. For example, in the evaluation unit 26, the food intake ability is evaluated based on the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group obtained by the ratio acquisition unit 24 of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group.

[0123] The evaluation of the feeding ability is performed based on the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group obtained by the workload ratio acquisition unit 24 of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group. It can also be an evaluation based on either the workload ratio of the left and right masseter muscles or the workload ratio of the suprahyoid muscle group. For example, representative values ​​such as the mode, median, and average of the workload ratio of the left and right masseter muscles are calculated, and the feeding ability is evaluated based on the obtained representative values. It is also possible to calculate the range of the workload ratio of the left and right masseter muscles, and evaluate the feeding ability based on the obtained range. In addition, it is also possible to calculate the relationship between the representative value and the range of the workload ratio of the left and right masseter muscles to evaluate the feeding ability.

[0124] In addition, the evaluation of the feeding ability is based on the comparison of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscles of the evaluation object and the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscles of the comparison object. The so-called ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscles of the comparison object is, for example, the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscles obtained on different days for the same subject, or the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscles of other subjects. In addition, it can also be that for the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscles, for example, a table showing the correlation between each type of food and the feeding ability is prepared in advance, and the feeding ability is evaluated with reference to the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscles of the evaluation object and the above-mentioned table.

[0125] For example, when a single food is ingested, electromyographic measurement of the left and right masseters and electromyographic measurement of the suprahyoid muscle group can be performed, and based on the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseters and the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group, it can be determined which of the left and right masseters and the suprahyoid muscle group is dominant in chewing, and the feeding ability is evaluated. In addition, for example, when a plurality of foods of different types are ingested, electromyographic measurement of the left and right masseters and electromyographic measurement of the suprahyoid muscle group can be performed, and based on the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseters and the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group, it can be determined which of the left and right masseters and the suprahyoid muscle group is dominant in chewing, and the feeding ability is evaluated. The same is true when at least one of the representative value and range of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseters and the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group is calculated and the feeding ability is evaluated based on at least one of these.

[0126] (Function / Effect of Method for Eating Ability)

[0127] According to the evaluation method of this embodiment, when the workload of each muscle of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group is measured to evaluate the feeding ability, it is possible to compare the measured values ​​of the same subject on different days and to compare between subjects. In addition, it is possible to grasp the chewing actions such as the left and right masseter muscle-dominated and the suprahyoid muscle group-dominated that cannot be evaluated by comparing the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscles.

[0128] The evaluation method of this embodiment can evaluate the feeding ability by performing electromyographic measurement when a single food or multiple foods of different types are ingested, and can evaluate the difference in chewing movements when the single food or multiple foods of different types are ingested. In addition, in a series of diets, the chewing movement during continuous ingestion can be monitored to evaluate the feeding ability. In addition, the difference in multiple chewing movements that cannot be fully grasped by the amount of work when ingesting one food, and the chewing ability in a series of diets can be reflected to evaluate the feeding ability.

[0129] <First Embodiment>

[0130] use Figure 1 The evaluation device 1 shown in the figure is respectively equipped with the first electromyography measuring unit 11 and the second electromyography measuring unit 12 for 10 subjects to obtain electromyograms by performing electromyography measurement of the left and right masseter muscles and suprahyoid muscles when the subjects ingest the same diet. In this embodiment, the diet is a curry rice set meal (a set meal containing salad of kidney beans and ham, curry rice containing potatoes, assorted pickles, and peaches in dessert).

[0131] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the situation where the electromyographic measurement units of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group of the evaluation device 1 are installed on the subject. A first electromyographic measurement unit 11 is installed in a group of two at the left and right masseter muscles of the subject, and a second electromyographic measurement unit 12 is installed at the suprahyoid muscle group of the subject.

[0132] Figure 3 The examples of the electromyograms of (A) the right masseter, (B) the left masseter, and (C) the suprahyoid muscles obtained in this embodiment are shown. The vertical axis of each electromyogram is the electromyograph output signal (unit: μV), and the horizontal axis is time (unit: s). Each electromyogram is obtained in the electromyogram acquisition unit 21 from the signal of the first electromyography measurement unit 11 or the signal of the second electromyography measurement unit 12. Figure 3 In (A) to (C), the signals of the electromyograms are divided for each type of food consumed, and the signal fa when curry rice is consumed, the signal fb when assorted pickles are consumed, and the signal fc when kidney beans are consumed are shown.

[0133] according to Figure 3 (A) and Figure 3 The area of ​​the EMG waveform of the right and left masseter muscles is calculated by using the EMG data of (B), and the area of ​​the waveform in one chewing and swallowing action is added up to obtain the muscle workload of the left and right masseter muscles in each chewing and swallowing action. Figure 3The electromyogram data of (C) is used to calculate the area of ​​the electromyogram waveform of the suprahyoid muscles and obtain the workload of the suprahyoid muscles in each chewing and swallowing action.

[0134] During the feeding process for obtaining the electromyogram, multiple experts including dentists simultaneously conducted tests on evaluation items related to feeding ability based on the feeding situations of 10 subjects. Based on the total score of each item, the feeding ability of the 10 subjects was classified into three levels: high, medium, and low for determination. The contents of the evaluation items, the scores of each subject, and the determination of feeding ability are summarized and shown in Table 1.

[0135] [Table 1]

[0136]

[0137] Evaluation items related to the ability to eat are items such as "difficult to eat hard objects (meat chunks)", "difficult to eat hard objects (meat slices)", etc. as shown in Table 1. The evaluation items are not limited to these, and there may be items other than the items shown in Table 1. For each evaluation item, 2 points are assigned when it meets the requirements, 1 point is assigned when it is slightly met, and 0 points are assigned when it does not meet the requirements. When the scores of each BR> are added up, the subjects (subject numbers 6, 1, and 9) with a total of 0 to 3 points are classified into the group with high eating ability, the subjects (subject numbers 7, 11, 8, and 2) with a total of 4 to 7 points are classified into the group with medium eating ability, and the subjects (subject numbers 10, 4, and 5) with a total of 8 to 11 points are classified into the group with low eating ability.

[0138] Figure 4A This is an example of a graph showing the workload (μV·s) of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group during a single chewing and swallowing action of a subject. The graph shows the workload separately for each type of food consumed, in a manner corresponding to the signal fa when curry rice is consumed, the signal fb when assorted pickles are consumed, and the signal fc when kidney beans are consumed.

[0139] Figure 4B This is an example of a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of the subject. Figure 4A The data on the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the workload of the suprahyoid muscles group are used to obtain the workload ratio of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscles group.

[0140] Figure 5AThis is a graph showing the ratio (%) of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of the subjects who were classified as the group with high appetite in the results of the test of the evaluation items related to appetite. The graph shows the ratio of each workload separately for each type of food consumed in a manner corresponding to the signal fa when the curry and rice set meal was consumed, the signal fb when assorted pickles were consumed, and the signal fc when kidney beans were consumed.

[0141] For the subjects who were classified into the moderate eating ability group and the low eating ability group in the test results of the evaluation items related to eating ability, the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and suprahyoid muscles when eating the curry and rice set meal was also obtained.

[0142] Figure 5B : This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of a subject with a medium food intake ability obtained in this example. Figure 5C This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of a subject with low food intake ability obtained in this embodiment. The graph shows the ratio of each workload separately for each type of food consumed in a manner corresponding to the signal fa when curry rice is consumed, the signal fb when assorted pickles are consumed, and the signal fc when kidney beans are consumed.

[0143] according to Figure 5A to Figure 5C By comparison, it can be confirmed that: when eating curry rice set meals, the subjects whose left and right masseter muscle workload ratio is as high as 70% to 80% have a high eating ability, the subjects whose left and right masseter muscle workload ratio is as low as 40% to 60% have a low eating ability, and the subjects whose left and right masseter muscle workload ratio is medium have a medium eating ability.

[0144] Fig. 6A This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in one chewing and swallowing action of the subjects with high food intake ability obtained in this embodiment for the type of food consumed. It shows the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action for the food shown on the horizontal axis. When the horizontal axis does not represent food but represents an action, it shows the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group during the action.

[0145] Figure 6B is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in a single chewing and swallowing action of a subject with high food intake ability obtained in the second embodiment. Figure 6B The eating ability was evaluated based on the mode Mo, median Me, and range R of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles shown.

[0146] Figure 6C The horizontal axis represents the mode or median of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles, and the vertical axis represents the range. The mode Mo or median Me of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles obtained above and the range R are plotted on Figure 6C The graph obtained by looking at the graph shown in FIG. 1 can be determined in association with the evaluation of the feeding ability as follows. For example, when the mode Mo or median Me of the ratio of the left and right masseter muscles is high and the range R is large ( Figure 6C In the first quadrant of the left and right masseter muscles, it can be determined that the left and right masseter muscles are dominant and the movement changes are large. When the mode Mo or median Me of the ratio of the left and right masseter muscles is low and the range R is large ( Figure 6C In the second quadrant of the right and left masseter muscles, it can be determined that the suprahyoid muscle group is dominant and has many movement changes. When the mode Mo or median Me of the ratio of the left and right masseter muscles is low and the range R is small ( Figure 6C In the third quadrant of the right and left masseter muscles, it can be determined that the suprahyoid muscle group is dominant and the movement changes are small. When the mode Mo or median Me of the ratio of the left and right masseter muscles is high and the range R is small ( Figure 6C The fourth quadrant of the test) can be determined as the left and right masseter muscles are dominant and there is little movement change.

[0147] <Second Embodiment>

[0148] use Figure 1 The evaluation device 1 shown performs the following feeding test: electromyograms are obtained when subjects with high, medium, and low feeding abilities eat a curry and rice meal, and the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscles is obtained for each type of food eaten.

[0149] Fig. 7A This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in a single chewing and swallowing action of a subject with high food intake ability obtained in this embodiment for the type of food consumed. In addition, Figure 7B is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of a subject with a medium food intake ability obtained in this embodiment, according to the type of food ingested. Figure 7C The present invention is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of a subject with low food intake ability obtained in this embodiment for the type of food consumed. Each graph shows the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action for the food shown on the horizontal axis. When the horizontal axis represents an action instead of a food, it shows the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group during the action.

[0150] When Figure 7A to Figure 7CWhen comparing these three, although the types of food consumed and the actions taken are different, if the subject has a high ability to consume food, then regardless of the type of food or the action, the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles is generally higher than the ratio of the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group (the left and right masseter muscles are dominant), whereas if the subject has a low ability to consume food, then the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles is the same as the ratio of the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group (the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group are the same). In addition, if the subject has a medium ability to consume food, then the result is an intermediate result between the above results.

[0151] Fig.7D This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in a single chewing and swallowing action of each subject with high, medium, and low feeding ability obtained in this embodiment. The mode Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles of the subject with high feeding ability is 66%, the median Me is 64%, and the range R is 39.55. The mode Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles of the subject with medium feeding ability is 56%, the median Me is 57%, and the range R is 36.36. The mode Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles of the subject with low feeding ability is 56%, the median Me is 52%, and the range R is 19.37.

[0152] Fig. 7E This is a graph showing the range of the median value of the ratio with respect to the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in this example. Figure 7F : is a graph showing the range of the mode value of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in this embodiment. It is generally shown that the higher the feeding ability is, the larger the median value Me, the mode value Mo and the range R of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles are, the higher the dominance of the left and right masseter muscles is, and the more the movement changes are. The result is as follows: the lower the feeding ability is, the smaller the median value Me, the mode value Mo and the range R of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles are, the lower the dominance of the left and right masseter muscles is, and the less the movement changes are.

[0153] As described above, by obtaining the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group and comparing them, it is possible to compare subjects when evaluating their feeding ability. It is also possible to compare the measured values ​​of the same subject on different days. In addition, it is possible to grasp chewing actions such as left and right masseter muscle dominance and suprahyoid muscle group dominance, which cannot be evaluated by comparing the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle.

[0154] In the evaluation of the above-mentioned feeding ability, for example, a table showing the correlation between the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group and the feeding ability can be prepared in advance according to each type of food, and the feeding ability can be evaluated with reference to the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group obtained by the measurement of the subject and the above-mentioned table. For example, the above-mentioned table is a table showing the following correlation: in the feeding of the curry and rice set meal, if the subject has a high feeding ability, then regardless of the type of food and the action, the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles is roughly higher than the ratio of the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group (the left and right masseter muscles are dominant), and on the contrary, if the subject has a low feeding ability, the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles is the same as the ratio of the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group (the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group are the same). After the table is prepared, as long as the type of food is the same, the feeding ability can be evaluated based on the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle with reference to the table.

[0155] <Third Embodiment>

[0156] Similar to the second embodiment, the following feeding test was conducted: the electromyograms of the subjects with high, medium and low feeding capacity when they ate the noodle set meal were obtained, and the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group was obtained for each type of food eaten. The noodle set meal was a set meal containing noodles with chicken breast, cold vegetable salad, fried radish, and pineapple in the dessert.

[0157] Fig. 8A This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in a single chewing and swallowing action of a subject with high food intake ability obtained in this embodiment for the type of food consumed. In addition, Figure 8B is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of a subject with a medium food intake ability obtained in this embodiment, according to the type of food ingested. Figure 8C The present invention is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of a subject with low food intake ability obtained in this embodiment for the type of food consumed. Each graph shows the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action for the food shown on the horizontal axis. When the horizontal axis represents an action instead of a food, it shows the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group during the action.

[0158] When Figure 8A to Figure 8CWhen comparing these three, although the types of food consumed and the actions taken are different, if the subject has a high ability to consume food, then regardless of the type of food or the action, the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles is generally higher than the ratio of the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group (the left and right masseter muscles are dominant), whereas if the subject has a low ability to consume food, the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles is the same as the ratio of the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group (the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group are the same). In addition, if the subject has a medium ability to consume food, then the result is an intermediate result between the above results.

[0159] Fig.8D This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in a chewing and swallowing action of each subject with high, medium, and low feeding ability obtained in this embodiment. The mode Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles of the subject with high feeding ability is 60%, the median Me is 60%, and the range R is 33.19. The mode Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles of the subject with medium feeding ability is 60%, the median Me is 52%, and the range R is 34.15. The mode Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles of the subject with low feeding ability is 50%, the median Me is 50%, and the range R is 15.41.

[0160] Fig. 8E This is a graph showing the range of the median value of the ratio with respect to the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in this example. Figure 8F : is a graph showing the range of the mode value of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in this embodiment. It is generally shown that the higher the feeding ability is, the larger the median value Me, the mode value Mo and the range R of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles are, the higher the dominance of the left and right masseter muscles is, and the more the movement changes are. The result is as follows: the lower the feeding ability is, the smaller the median value Me, the mode value Mo and the range R of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles are, the lower the dominance of the left and right masseter muscles is, and the less the movement changes are.

[0161] As described above, by obtaining the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group and comparing them, it is possible to compare subjects when evaluating their feeding ability. It is also possible to compare the measured values ​​of the same subject on different days. In addition, it is possible to grasp chewing actions such as left and right masseter muscle dominance and suprahyoid muscle group dominance, which cannot be evaluated by comparing the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle.

[0162] <Fourth Embodiment>

[0163] Similar to the second embodiment, the following food intake test was conducted: electromyograms were obtained for each subject with high, medium, and low food intake ability when they ate a pork stir-fried and broccoli salad meal, and the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle groups was obtained for each type of food consumed. The pork stir-fried and broccoli salad meal was a meal consisting of stir-fried pork containing green peas, onions, and pork, rice, broccoli salad, pickles, miso soup, and a navel orange as a dessert.

[0164] Fig. 9A This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in a single chewing and swallowing action of a subject with high food intake ability obtained in this embodiment for the type of food consumed. In addition, Fig. 9B is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of a subject with a medium food intake ability obtained in this embodiment, according to the type of food ingested. Fig. 9C The present invention is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscles in a single chewing and swallowing action of a subject with a low food intake ability obtained in this embodiment, with respect to the type of food consumed. Each graph shows the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscles in a single chewing and swallowing action for the food shown on the horizontal axis. When the horizontal axis represents an action instead of a food, it shows the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscles during the action. Fig. 9B The subjects with a moderate appetite were shown to have replaced rice with porridge.

[0165] When Figures 9A to 9C When comparing these three, although the types of food consumed and the actions taken are different, if the subject has a high ability to consume food, then regardless of the type of food or the action, the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles is generally higher than the ratio of the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group (the left and right masseter muscles are dominant), whereas if the subject has a low ability to consume food, then the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles is the same as the ratio of the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group (the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group are the same). In addition, if the subject has a medium ability to consume food, then the result is an intermediate result between the above results.

[0166] Fig.9DThis is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in a chewing and swallowing action of each subject with high, medium, and low feeding ability obtained in this embodiment. The mode Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles of the subject with high feeding ability is 78%, the median Me is 69%, and the range R is 51.73. The mode Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles of the subject with medium feeding ability is 50%, the median Me is 54%, and the range R is 35.82. The mode Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles of the subject with low feeding ability is 44%, the median Me is 47%, and the range R is 43.51.

[0167] Fig.9E This is a graph showing the range of the median value of the ratio with respect to the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in this example. Fig.9F : is a graph showing the range of the mode value of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in this embodiment. It is roughly shown that if the subject has a high appetite, the median value Me, the mode value Mo, and the range R of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles are large, the dominance of the left and right masseter muscles is relatively high, and there are many changes in movement. Since the subject with medium appetite replaced rice with porridge, there is a part where the order is reversed, but if the subject has a low or medium appetite, the result is as follows: the median value Me, the mode value Mo, and the range R of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles are small, the dominance of the left and right masseter muscles is relatively low, and there are few changes in movement.

[0168] As described above, by obtaining the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group and comparing them, it is possible to compare subjects when evaluating their feeding ability. It is also possible to compare the measured values ​​of the same subject on different days. In addition, it is possible to grasp chewing actions such as left and right masseter muscle dominance and suprahyoid muscle group dominance, which cannot be evaluated by comparing the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle.

[0169] <Fifth Embodiment>

[0170] Similar to the second embodiment, the following food intake test was conducted: the electromyograms of subjects with high, medium, and low food intake capacity when they ate a pork stir-fry and cold tofu meal were obtained, and the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle groups was obtained for each type of food consumed. The pork stir-fry and cold tofu meal was a meal consisting of stir-fried pork containing cabbage, carrots, eggplant, green pepper, and meat, cold tofu (tofu), and a light sauce soup (shellfish).

[0171] Fig. 10A This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in a single chewing and swallowing action of a subject with high food intake ability obtained in this embodiment for the type of food consumed. In addition, Fig. 10Bis a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group in one chewing and swallowing action of a subject with a medium food intake ability obtained in this embodiment, according to the type of food ingested. Fig. 10C The present invention is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscles in a single chewing and swallowing action of a subject with a low food intake ability obtained in this embodiment, with respect to the type of food consumed. Each graph shows the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscles in a single chewing and swallowing action for the food shown on the horizontal axis. When the horizontal axis represents an action instead of a food, it shows the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter and suprahyoid muscles during the action. Fig. 10B The subjects with a moderate appetite were shown to have replaced rice with porridge.

[0172] When Figures 10A to 10C When comparing these three, although the types of food consumed and the actions taken are different, if the subject has a high ability to consume food, then regardless of the type of food or the action, the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles is generally higher than the ratio of the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group (the left and right masseter muscles are dominant), whereas if the subject has a low ability to consume food, then the ratio of the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group is higher than the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles (the suprahyoid muscle group is dominant). In addition, if the subject has a medium ability to consume food, then the result is an intermediate result between the above results.

[0173] Fig. 10D This is a graph showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in a single chewing and swallowing action of each subject with high, medium, and low feeding ability obtained in this embodiment. The mode Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles of the subject with high feeding ability is 52%, the median Me is 55%, and the range R is 57.02. The mode Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles of the subject with medium feeding ability is 53%, the median Me is 44%, and the range R is 28.33. The mode Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles of the subject with low feeding ability is 38%, the median Me is 35%, and the range R is 24.93.

[0174] Fig. 10E This is a graph showing the range of the median value of the ratio with respect to the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in this example. Fig.10F : is a graph showing the range of the mode value of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in this embodiment. It is roughly shown that if the subject has a high food intake ability, the median value Me, the mode value Mo, and the range R of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles are large, the dominance of the left and right masseter muscles is relatively high, and there are many changes in movement. The result is as follows: if the subject has a low or medium food intake ability, the median value Me, the mode value Mo, and the range R of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles are small, the dominance of the left and right masseter muscles is relatively low, and there are few changes in movement.

[0175] As described above, by obtaining the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group and comparing them, it is possible to compare subjects when evaluating their feeding ability. It is also possible to compare the measured values ​​of the same subject on different days. In addition, it is possible to grasp chewing actions such as left and right masseter muscle dominance and suprahyoid muscle group dominance, which cannot be evaluated by comparing the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle.

[0176] <Sixth Embodiment>

[0177] Fig.11A This is a graph showing the median value Me of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles to the scores of the test of the evaluation items related to the eating ability in this example. Fig.11A The data of the median value Me of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in the graph shown include the data of the second to fifth embodiments described above, data measured in a total of 5 feeding tests of subjects with high feeding ability, data measured in a total of 5 feeding tests of subjects with medium feeding ability, and data measured in a total of 5 feeding tests of subjects with low feeding ability. It is shown that the larger the score of the evaluation item related to feeding ability, the smaller the median value Me of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles. The straight line y=-1.4407x+62.428 obtained by the least squares method is shown in the figure. Among them, x is the score of the evaluation item related to feeding ability, and y is the median value Me of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles. When the total score of the test items related to the feeding ability is 3 points or less, it is set as the group with high feeding ability, 8 points or more, it is set as the group with low feeding ability, and the area in between is set as the group with medium feeding ability, when the median Me of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles is 58.1% or more, it can be classified into the group with high feeding ability, when the median Me of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles is 50.9% or less, it can be classified into the group with low feeding ability, and when the median Me of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles exceeds 50.9% and is less than 58.1%, it can be classified into the group with medium feeding ability. Fig.11A By using the data, a table showing the correlation between the median value Me of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group and the feeding ability can be prepared in advance. When the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group of the evaluation object is obtained, the feeding ability can be evaluated by referring to the above table.

[0178] Fig. 11B : This is a graph showing the mode Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles to the scores of the test of the evaluation items related to the eating ability in this embodiment. Fig. 11B The data of the mode Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in the graph shown is Fig.11AThe data shown are the data measured in the same way. It shows that the larger the score of the evaluation item related to the eating ability, the smaller the mode Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles. The figure shows the straight line y = -1.6547x + 65.369 obtained by the least squares method. Among them, x is the score of the evaluation item related to the eating ability, and y is the mode Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles. When the total score of the test of the evaluation item related to the eating ability is 3 points or less, it is set as the group with high eating ability, the case of 8 points or more is set as the group with low eating ability, and the area in between is set as the group with medium eating ability, when the mode Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles is 60.4% or more, it can be classified into the group with high eating ability, when the mode Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles is 52.1% or less, it can be classified into the group with low eating ability, and when the mode Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles exceeds 52.1% and is less than 60.4%, it can be classified into the group with medium eating ability. According to Fig. 11B By using the data, a table showing the correlation between the mode value Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group and the feeding ability can be prepared in advance. When the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group of the evaluation object is obtained, the feeding ability can be evaluated by referring to the above table.

[0179] Fig. 11C : This is a graph showing the range R of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles to the scores of the test of the evaluation items related to the eating ability in this embodiment. Fig. 11C The data of the range R of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles shown in the graph are Fig.11A The data shown are the data measured in the same way. It shows that the larger the score of the evaluation item related to the eating ability, the smaller the range R of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles. The figure shows the straight line y = -1.9781x + 47.659 obtained by the least squares method. Among them, x is the score of the evaluation item related to the eating ability, and y is the range R of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles. When the total score of the test of the evaluation item related to the eating ability is 3 points or less and is set as the group with high eating ability, the case of 8 points or more is set as the group with low eating ability, and the area in between is set as the group with medium eating ability, when the range R of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles is 41.7 or more, it can be classified into the group with high eating ability, when the range R of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles is 31.8 or less, it can be classified into the group with low eating ability, and when the range R of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles exceeds 31.8 and is less than 41.7, it can be classified into the group with medium eating ability. According to Fig. 11CBy using the data, a table showing the correlation between the range R of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group and the feeding ability can be prepared in advance. When the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group of the evaluation object is obtained, the feeding ability can be evaluated by referring to the above table.

[0180] Fig.11D : This is a graph showing the range R of the median value Me of the ratio with respect to the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in this embodiment. Fig.11D The data of the median value Me and range R of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in the graph shown are Fig.11A and Fig. 11C The data shown is the same as the data in Fig.11D In the distinction Fig.11A The thick lines are shown at the places where the median values ​​Me of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles are 58.1% and 50.9% at the boundary of the high, medium and low feeding capacity. Fig. 11C The thick line is shown where the range R of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles is 41.7 and 31.8, which is the boundary between the high, medium and low food intake abilities.

[0181] Fig.11E : This is a graph showing the range R of the mode value Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in this embodiment. Fig.11E The data of the mode Mo and range R of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles in the graph shown are as follows: Fig. 11B and Fig. 11C The data shown is the same as the data in Fig.11E In the distinction Fig. 11B The bold lines are shown at the places where the most frequent values ​​Mo of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles are 60.4% and 52.1% at the boundary of the high, medium and low feeding capacity. Fig. 11C The thick line is shown where the range R of the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles is 41.7 and 31.8, which is the boundary between the high, medium and low food intake abilities.

[0182] like Fig.11D and Fig.11E As shown in the figure, it is generally confirmed that: the higher the feeding capacity, the larger the median value Me, the mode value Mo, and the range R of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles, the higher the dominance of the left and right masseter muscles, and the more movement changes. In addition, it can be confirmed that: the lower the feeding capacity, the smaller the median value Me, the mode value Mo, and the range R of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles, the lower the dominance of the left and right masseter muscles, and the less movement changes. It is believed that this corresponds to the following situation: the higher the feeding capacity, the lower the dominance of the left and right masseter muscles, and the lower the dominance of the left and right masseter muscles, and the less movement changes. Figure 6C The higher the mode Mo or median Me of the ratio of the left and right masseter muscles, the larger the range R, so that the data is closer to the first quadrant, the left and right masseter muscles dominate, and the more movement changes there are, and in contrast, the lower the feeding ability is, the lower the range R is. Figure 6C The lower the mode Mo or median Me of the ratio of the left and right masseter muscles, the smaller the range R, so that the closer the data is to the third quadrant, the smaller the dominance of the left and right masseter muscles becomes, and the less the movement changes.

[0183] Fig.12 The figure is a diagram showing the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the workload of the suprahyoid muscles measured during chewing relative to the workload of the oral muscles (left and right masseter muscles and suprahyoid muscles) required for chewing. Fig.12 (A) shows the case of a subject with high food intake ability, Fig.12 (B) shows the case of a subject with low food intake ability. Fig.12 (A) and Fig.12 The horizontal axis of (B) represents the workload of the oral muscles required for chewing, and the vertical axis represents the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscles measured during chewing. Fig.12 As shown in (A), a subject with high food intake ability can chew to a prescribed maximum chewing ability. For example, when a food A for chewing ability evaluation of a prescribed hardness is consumed, the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group are represented by the length of the portion cut by the dotted line A. When a food B for chewing ability evaluation that is harder than the food A for chewing ability evaluation is consumed, the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group are represented by the length of the portion cut by the dotted line B at a position different from that of the dotted line A.

[0184] like Fig.12 As shown in (B), the maximum chewing ability of the subjects with low food intake ability is smaller than that of the subjects with high food intake ability. In addition, when the chewing ability of food A is evaluated, the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the workload of the suprahyoid muscles represented by the length of the section cut by the dotted line A are compared with Fig.12 In (A), the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles is small, and the ratio of the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group is large. In the case of the chewing ability evaluation food B with different hardness, the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group represented by the length of the portion cut by the dotted line B are also compared with Fig.12 (A) shows that the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles is small, and the ratio of the workload of the suprahyoid muscles is large. It is believed that as the feeding ability decreases, the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles decreases, and the ratio of the workload of the suprahyoid muscles increases, regardless of the hardness of the food.

[0185] When the evaluation method of the feeding ability of the present embodiment is used, the feeding movement from the beginning to the end of the diet can be grasped. In the case of a curry rice meal containing curry rice, assorted pickles, kidney bean salad and canned peaches, there is a curry paste with high viscosity, hard potatoes contained therein, chewy assorted pickles, fibrous kidney beans, peaches that are bitten off with front teeth, etc. to adjust the amount of a mouthful, and various sizes and physical properties. In the case of a person with high feeding ability eating this curry rice meal, it is possible to adjust the amount of one mouthful without being affected by the difference in physical properties, and eat at one's own pace while enjoying various tastes. In other words, the masseter is preferentially used for chewing, and the ratio of the workload of the masseter and suprahyoid muscle group is stable. On the other hand, in the case of a person with low chewing ability, it is impossible to cope with the difference in the physical properties of each ingredient and, for example, eat rice and curry paste separately, leave assorted pickles, cut potatoes into smaller pieces and eat them separately from curry paste and rice, chew kidney beans many times and swallow them with water, etc., and the eating time becomes longer or fatigued and more food remains. That is, the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscles is not stable, and the ratio of the workload of the masseter muscles is low for foods that are difficult to chew with the left and right masseter muscles. As an exception, for noodles that are sucked, cold tofu that is crushed with the tongue, soups, etc., the ratio of the workload of the masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscles is not easily affected by the chewing ability.

[0186] As described above, the above-mentioned method of evaluating eating ability that compares the chewing actions when ingesting multiple foods and can monitor the chewing actions when ingesting continuously can reflect the chewing ability in a series of meals that cannot be fully grasped by the amount of work when ingesting one food.

[0187] In the above-described embodiment and modified examples, various changes can be made as follows within the scope of the present invention.

[0188] In the above-mentioned embodiment, based on the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles and the workload of the suprahyoid muscle group, it is determined which of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group is dominant in chewing, and the evaluation of the feeding ability is performed, but the evaluation device is not limited to the above. For example, it is also possible to only determine which of the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group is dominant in chewing and evaluate the feeding ability. In addition, it is also possible to have a device that does not perform these two aspects, in which case, it is a device that only outputs the ratio of the workload of the muscles. For example, the level of feeding ability can also be classified into multiple levels other than two levels of high and low or three levels.

[0189] <Seventh Embodiment>

[0190] The seventh embodiment is described. The seventh embodiment is an embodiment related to food materials constituting food consumed by a subject.

[0191] In other embodiments, the evaluation device 1 measures the myoelectric potential data of the subject when chewing a certain food, and evaluates the subject's feeding ability based on the measured myoelectric potential data. In the seventh embodiment, in the evaluation of feeding ability, it is studied what kind of ingredients are preferably composed of the food to be ingested. In addition, the following research is conducted by the experimenter.

[0192] The experimenter conducted the experiment by setting the food as "pork and tofu meal", for example. Food includes single dishes or meal sets. For example, "pork and tofu meal" is a meal set that includes "porridge" as a staple food and "tofu" as a side dish in addition to the ingredients of the main dish ("stir-fried pork"), that is, it is a meal set that includes pork and tofu. In addition, regarding the "pork and tofu meal", even if some of the ingredients are removed in the following experiments and it does not include "pork" or "tofu", it is still called the "pork and tofu meal" with the same name.

[0193] Fig.13 This is a diagram showing examples of ingredients included in the “pork and tofu set meal”. Fig.13 The left column shows the names of the ingredients, and the right column uses the unit of pressure (N / cm 2 : Newton / Pa / square centimeter) represents the hardness of the food. The pressure is, for example, the pressure that can crush the food (or the food begins to be crushed). In addition, Fig.13 The hardness in the table is, for example, a value obtained by measuring the selected food after cooking.

[0194] In the following experiments, the ingredients are classified into three levels according to their hardness. The first level is the softest ingredients, which are less than 1N / cm 2 The second level is ingredients that are soft enough to be chewed, and the 1N / cm 2 Above and less than 30N / cm 2 The third level is the hardest food, which is 30N / cm 2 The above ingredients are called "hard ingredients".

[0195] <1. Experimental Procedure>

[0196] Next, the experimental process is described. The experiment was performed, for example, in the following steps.

[0197] <1.1 Food preparation process>

[0198] The food preparation process is a process of preparing (preparing) the food "pork tofu." The tester prepared four patterns of "pork tofu" for each ingredient included in the food.

[0199] Food Mode 1: Contains all ingredients

[0200] Food Pattern 2: Does not contain "ingredients that can be processed with the tongue"

[0201] Food Model 3: Does not include "soft ingredients"

[0202] Food Model 4: Does not contain "hard ingredients"

[0203] The tester first prepared "pork tofu" of food pattern 1. Then, by removing the "pork tofu" from food pattern 1, Fig.13 Prepare "Pork Tofu" of food patterns 2 to 4 using the ingredients of each level shown.

[0204] <1.2 Myoelectric potential measurement process>

[0205] The myoelectric potential measurement process is a process for measuring the myoelectric potential of the subject when chewing. The measurement site is, for example, the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group as in the first embodiment. The experimenter prepares, for example, one or more subjects with high feeding ability, one or more subjects with medium feeding ability, and one or more subjects with low feeding ability. In addition, regarding feeding ability, for example, it is set to be the same as in the above embodiment.

[0206] The experimenter caused each subject to ingest "pork tofu" of food patterns 1 to 4, and measured the myoelectric potential of each subject during chewing. The myoelectric potential measurement was performed, for example, by the evaluation device 1. The experimenter obtained myoelectric potential data of the measurement target muscle for each combination of the subject with each ingestion ability and the food pattern.

[0207] In addition, the experimenter takes a dynamic image of the subject while the subject is eating, synchronously with the measurement of the myoelectric potential. By analyzing the captured dynamic image data, the experimenter can identify when the subject is performing actions other than eating, and can remove noise data from the myoelectric potential data. In addition, as for the data used for analysis (data for action analysis), as long as the action of the subject's chewing can be identified, for example, it can also be sound data obtained by recording the sound around the subject (for example, around the mouth).

[0208] In addition, the myoelectric potential measurement process may also be performed by a tester or device different from the tester or evaluation device that performs the myoelectric potential data analysis process shown below. For example, the tester may also obtain myoelectric potential data measured at different locations and devices, and use the obtained myoelectric potential data in the analysis. In addition, the tester may also obtain myoelectric potential data by, for example, receiving data measured in Japan, foreign countries, etc., through communication via the Internet.

[0209] <1.3 Myoelectric potential data analysis process>

[0210] The myoelectric potential data analysis process is a process for calculating the characteristic value of the myoelectric potential data according to the feeding capacity of each subject and each food pattern. The experimenter divides the measured myoelectric potential data into each unit time and calculates the ratio of the muscle workload. The unit time includes, for example, a predetermined time, the time for a series of chewing actions (for example, the time for a mouthful of chewing actions, the time for the action from the beginning of eating to the completion of all (a specified amount) of food, etc.). The workload is a numerical value indicating how much a certain muscle has moved, such as a myoelectric potential (measured value). The workload ratio is the ratio of the workload of a certain muscle (the first muscle) to the total value of the workload of all measured muscles, for example, expressed as a percentage (%). In addition, the workload may also be the workload in other embodiments.

[0211] The experimenter determines whether the object (in this case, "pork tofu") is being eaten based on the captured dynamic images, and determines the subject's actions from the time the food is put into the mouth and starts chewing (for example, based on the characteristic myoelectric potential of the masseter muscle) to the time when the subject is about to swallow (for example, based on the characteristic myoelectric potential of the suprahyoid muscle group) as a series of chewing actions, and extracts the myoelectric potential data for analysis.

[0212] The experimenters also excluded the following myoelectric potential data as noise data by analyzing the captured dynamic images.

[0213] When eating multiple foods at the same time (e.g. rice and pork)

[0214] ·When eating something while drinking it (e.g. rice and tea)

[0215] ·When not chewing any food (because myoelectric potential is measured even though chewing is not taking place)

[0216] When having a conversation while eating (since myoelectric potential is measured even though chewing is not taking place. Conversation while chewing is also excluded).

[0217] Other actions such as wiping the area around the mouth (because myoelectric potential is measured even though chewing is not taking place).

[0218] The experimenter classifies the extracted myoelectric potential data according to each combination of chewing ability and food pattern, and calculates the characteristic quantity to be analyzed. The characteristic quantity to be analyzed is, for example, the range and the median. In addition, when there are multiple subjects with different chewing abilities, the experimenter can use the myoelectric potential data of one subject for each feeding ability in the calculation of the characteristic quantity, or can use the myoelectric potential data of the same number of subjects.

[0219] <2. Experimental Results>

[0220] The results of the experiment are described below. The results of the experiment are described for each food pattern. In addition, in the experiment, the workload ratio is the ratio of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles to the total workload. In addition, in the experiment, it is assumed that there is only one subject with each chewing ability.

[0221] <2.1 Food Model 1>

[0222] Fig.14 : is a diagram showing an example of the ratio of the workload of the masseter muscle in food pattern 1 (including all ingredients). Fig.14 In the graph, the vertical axis represents the workload ratio, and the horizontal axis represents the food intake capacity of each subject. Fig.14 In FIG. 1 , “Me” represents the median value of the ratio of the workload, and “R” represents the range of the ratio of the workload. The same is true for the graphs and tables in the subsequent drawings.

[0223] according to Fig.14 The range of subjects with high food intake capacity was 57.0, and the median was 55.1%. The range of subjects with medium food intake capacity was 28.3, and the median was 43.8%. The range of subjects with low food intake capacity was 25.0, and the median was 25.4%.

[0224] In the myoelectric potential measurement using the food pattern 1, the range becomes wider as the food intake capacity increases. This phenomenon is presumably because the person with a higher food intake capacity is more able to change the way of chewing according to the hardness of the food (ingredients).

[0225] In the myoelectric potential measurement using food pattern 1, the higher the food intake capacity, the higher the median value. This phenomenon is presumably because the higher the food intake capacity, the higher the frequency of masseter muscle use (more chewing action).

[0226] <2.2 Food Model 2>

[0227] Fig.15 This is a diagram showing an example of the workload ratio of the masseter muscle in food pattern 2 (excluding food that can be processed with the tongue).

[0228] according to Fig.15 The range for subjects with high food intake capacity was 55.0, with a median of 55.4%. The range for subjects with medium food intake capacity was 24.9, with a median of 45.9%. The range for subjects with low food intake capacity was 25.0, with a median of 37.7%.

[0229] In the myoelectric potential measurement using food mode 2, the higher the feeding capacity, the higher the median value.

[0230] However, in the myoelectric potential measurement performed using food mode 2, the range of the subjects with high feeding capacity was the widest, and the range of the subjects with medium feeding capacity was lower than the range of the subjects with low feeding capacity. That is, sometimes it is not necessarily true that the higher the feeding capacity, the wider the range.

[0231] <2.3 Food Model 3>

[0232] Fig.16 This is a diagram showing an example of the workload ratio of the masseter muscle in food pattern 3 (removal of soft ingredients).

[0233] according to Fig.16 The range for subjects with high food intake capacity was 54.2, with a median of 66.7%. The range for subjects with medium food intake capacity was 28.3, with a median of 44.0%. The range for subjects with low food intake capacity was 25.0, with a median of 33.1%.

[0234] In the myoelectric potential measurement using food mode 3, the higher the feeding capacity, the wider the range.

[0235] In addition, in the myoelectric potential measurement using the food pattern 3, the higher the feeding ability, the higher the median value.

[0236] <2.4 Food Mode 4>

[0237] Fig.17 This is a diagram showing an example of the workload ratio of the masseter muscle in food pattern 4 (removal of hard ingredients).

[0238] according to Fig.17 The range for subjects with high food intake capacity was 57.0, with a median of 52.4%. The range for subjects with medium food intake capacity was 23.7, with a median of 40.4%. The range for subjects with low food intake capacity was 24.5, with a median of 35.8%.

[0239] In the myoelectric potential measurement using food mode 4, the higher the feeding capacity, the higher the median value.

[0240] However, in the myoelectric potential measurement using food mode 2, the range of the subjects with high feeding capacity was the widest, and the range of the subjects with medium feeding capacity was lower than that of the subjects with low feeding capacity. In other words, the relationship that the higher the feeding capacity, the wider the range may not be the case.

[0241] <2.5 Comparison of Food Patterns>

[0242] When using food pattern 2 and food pattern 4, the higher the feeding capacity, the higher the median. However, regarding the range, sometimes the relationship that the higher the feeding capacity, the wider the range is is not the case. When using food pattern 2 and food pattern 4, the median can be used for evaluation, but the evaluation using the range is sometimes inaccurate.

[0243] On the other hand, when using food pattern 1 and food pattern 3, the higher the feeding capacity, the higher the median value, and the higher the feeding capacity, the wider the range. That is, when using food pattern 2 and food pattern 4, the evaluation can be performed using the two indicators of the median value and the range, so it can be assumed that the evaluation can be performed more accurately than when using food pattern 2 and food pattern 4.

[0244] Comparison and study of food pattern 1 and food pattern 3. Next, comparison and study of the differences between the values ​​of the subjects with high food intake capacity and the values ​​of the subjects with medium food intake capacity, and the differences between the values ​​of the subjects with medium food intake capacity and the values ​​of the subjects with low food intake capacity.

[0245] In food pattern 1, the difference between the range of the experimenter with high feeding capacity and the range of the experimenter with medium feeding capacity is 28.7 (57.0-28.3), and the difference between the range of the experimenter with medium feeding capacity and the range of the experimenter with low feeding capacity is 3.3 (28.3-25.0). On the other hand, in food pattern 3, the difference between the range of the experimenter with high feeding capacity and the range of the experimenter with medium feeding capacity is 25.9 (54.2-28.3), and the difference between the range of the experimenter with medium feeding capacity and the range of the experimenter with low feeding capacity is 3.3 (28.3-25.0). Both food patterns show the numerical value that the difference of range is close. That is, when using food pattern 1 and food pattern 3, there is almost no difference in the evaluation performed using the range, and it is conceivable that equal evaluation can be implemented.

[0246] In addition, in food pattern 1, the difference between the median of the subjects with high feeding ability and the median of the subjects with medium feeding ability is 11.3 (55.1-43.8), and the difference between the median of the subjects with medium feeding ability and the median of the subjects with low feeding ability is 8.4 (43.8-35.4). On the other hand, in food pattern 3, the difference between the median of the subjects with high feeding ability and the median of the subjects with medium feeding ability is 22.7 (66.7-44.0), and the difference between the median of the subjects with medium feeding ability and the median of the subjects with low feeding ability is 10.9 (44.0-33.1). Especially between the subjects with high feeding ability and the subjects with medium feeding ability, when using food pattern 3, the difference in median is slightly obvious. That is, it can be imagined that in the evaluation using the median, food pattern 3 can be evaluated equally or more accurately than food pattern 1.

[0247] Summarizing the comparative study results, Food Pattern 1 and Food Pattern 3 were able to be evaluated using the median and range, and therefore were superior to Food Pattern 2 and Food Pattern 4. On the other hand, Food Pattern 3 was equivalent to Food Pattern 1, or the difference in the median was more significant, and therefore was superior.

[0248] <Eighth Embodiment>

[0249] The eighth embodiment is described below. Regarding the eighth embodiment, the muscle for measuring the myoelectric potential is changed in another embodiment.

[0250] In other embodiments, the left and right masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group are set as the measurement objects. The measurement objects may also be the zygomatic muscles (one or both of the zygomaticus major and the zygomaticus minor) and the suprahyoid muscle group. In addition, the measurement objects may also be the temporalis muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group. Furthermore, the measurement objects may also be the masseter muscles and the suprahyoid muscle group of either the left or right masseter muscles. The zygomatic muscles and the temporalis muscles are muscles involved in chewing, and their myoelectric potential data show the same characteristics as the masseter muscles. In addition, since there are few left and right differences in the masseter muscles (showing the same tendency), sometimes it is sufficient to measure one of them.

[0251] In addition, the measurement object may be a combination of the left and right masseter muscles, the zygomatic muscles, and the temporalis muscles in addition to the suprahyoid muscle group. The zygomatic muscles and the temporalis muscles show the same characteristics as the masseter muscles, but they are not completely the same, so by combining multiple muscles involved in chewing, the accuracy of the evaluation is improved.

[0252] <Ninth Embodiment>

[0253] For example, in the seventh embodiment, for one or both of the range and the median, a first threshold value for distinguishing a subject with high feeding capacity from a subject with medium feeding capacity and a second value for distinguishing a subject with medium feeding capacity from a subject with low feeding capacity are set to evaluate the feeding capacity of the subject. The first threshold value and the second threshold value are set, for example, by obtaining a large amount of experimental data and based on the obtained data. The setting and evaluation of the threshold value can also be performed, for example, by AI (Artificial Intelligence) (hereinafter referred to as evaluation model) for evaluation.

[0254] The evaluation model is learned using teacher data including, for example, feature values ​​of myoelectric potential data (e.g., median, range. Alternatively, it may include average value, mode, etc.) and the feeding capacity of the subject (e.g., high, medium, or low. Alternatively, it may be a value obtained by scoring). In addition, the feature values ​​of myoelectric potential data may be replaced by the myoelectric potential data itself. In this case, the feature values ​​of the myoelectric potential data are calculated in the internal processing of the threshold generation model.

[0255] When the learned threshold generation model is input with judgment object data including myoelectric potential data or feature values ​​of myoelectric potential data, for example, a first threshold and a second threshold are generated in internal processing, and the feeding capacity (high, medium or low, or a score) of the subject is output as the judgment object data.

[0256] The evaluation model can be learned by using, for example, evaluation results in actual use. Thus, as the evaluation model is used more, the teacher data increases, and the evaluation accuracy of the evaluation model improves.

[0257] Furthermore, by using the evaluation model, the increase or decrease of the types of feature quantities, the calculation of feature quantities, and the calculation of threshold values ​​become simple, and thus the workload of the tester can be reduced.

[0258] Furthermore, the above-mentioned myoelectric potential data are data obtained when chewing a "pork and tofu meal", but for example, the myoelectric potential data may be obtained using a variety of foods or food meals. Fig.18 is a diagram showing examples of ingredients included in a certain meal set. Fig.18 , examples of ingredients included in the “pork and tofu set meal”, “curry set meal”, “noodle set meal”, and “pork and broccoli set meal” are shown.

[0259] For example, the subjects can eat a "pork and tofu meal" on the first day, a "curry meal" on the second day, a "noodle meal" on the third day, and a "pork and broccoli meal" on the fourth day. The meal meal used in the experiment can also be composed of a single food or a combination of food meals. It is not necessary to include ingredients of different hardness in a single food or food meal, and it can be taken in multiple times. Fig.18 Dietary packages shown.

[0260] Description of Reference Numerals

[0261] 1: Evaluation device; 11: First electromyography measuring unit; 12: Second electromyography measuring unit; 13: Swallowing measurement unit; 14: Signal processing unit; 21: Electromyography acquisition unit; 22: Left and right masseter muscle workload acquisition unit; 23: Suprahyoid muscle group workload acquisition unit; 24: Workload ratio acquisition unit of left and right masseter muscles and suprahyoid muscle group; 25: Determination unit; 26: Evaluation unit; 35: Storage unit.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating feeding ability, comprising the following steps: an acquisition step of acquiring myoelectric potential data of a plurality of muscles of the face of the subject person when chewing; a calculation step of calculating, based on the acquired myoelectric potential data, a ratio of a workload of a first muscle, which is one of the plurality of muscles of the face, to a total workload of all the plurality of muscles of the face per unit time; as well as The evaluation step evaluates the food intake ability of the subject person based on the ratio.

2. The method for evaluating feeding ability according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of muscles include the masseter and suprahyoid muscles, The first muscle is the masseter muscle.

3. The method for evaluating feeding ability according to claim 1, wherein: The unit time is the time from the start of chewing to the time immediately before swallowing.

4. The method for evaluating food intake ability according to claim 1, wherein: In the acquisition step, motion analysis data for analyzing the motion of the subject person when the myoelectric potential data is measured is acquired. In the calculation step, the myoelectric potential data during a period in which the subject person is not chewing, among the motion analysis data, is excluded from calculation targets of the ratio.

5. The method for evaluating feeding ability according to claim 4, wherein: The motion analysis data is dynamic image data obtained by photographing the target person when the myoelectric potential data is acquired.

6. The method for evaluating food intake ability according to claim 4, wherein: The motion analysis data is audio data obtained by recording sounds around the target person when the myoelectric potential data is acquired.

7. The method for evaluating food intake ability according to claim 1, wherein: In the evaluation step, the larger the range between the maximum value and the minimum value of the ratio within a predetermined time is, the better the food intake ability is determined to be.

8. The method for evaluating feeding ability according to claim 1, wherein: In the evaluation step, the larger the median value of the ratio within a predetermined time is, the higher the food intake ability is determined to be.

9. The method for evaluating food intake ability according to claim 1, wherein: In the evaluation step, the food intake ability is evaluated based on a median value of the ratio within a predetermined time and a range between a maximum value and a minimum value of the ratio within a predetermined time.

10. The method for evaluating food intake ability according to claim 1, wherein: In the evaluation step, the larger the average value of the ratio within a predetermined time is, the greater the food intake ability is determined to be.

11. The method for evaluating food intake ability according to claim 1, wherein: In the evaluation step, the larger the mode of the ratio within a predetermined time is, the greater the food intake ability is determined to be.

12. The method for evaluating food intake ability according to claim 1, wherein: The myoelectric potential data are measured values ​​when the subject person chews a food containing all ingredients of a first hardness, an ingredient of a second hardness harder than the first hardness, and an ingredient of a third hardness harder than the second hardness.

13. The method for evaluating food intake ability according to claim 1, wherein: The myoelectric potential data is a measured value when the subject chews a food containing food of a first hardness, food of a second hardness harder than the first hardness, and food of a third hardness harder than the second hardness, but not containing food of the second hardness.

14. The method for evaluating food intake ability according to claim 13, wherein: The food of the first hardness is food that can be processed by the tongue. The second hardness food is a soft food. The food material of the third hardness is a hard food material, The hardness of food is classified according to the pressure that can crush the food. Food with a pressure lower than a first threshold is classified as food with a first hardness, food with a pressure higher than a second threshold that is larger than the first threshold is classified as food with a third hardness, and other food is classified as food with a second hardness.

15. The method for evaluating food intake ability according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of muscles include left and right masseter muscles and suprahyoid muscles, The workload of the first muscle is the total value of the workload of the left and right masseter muscles.

16. The method for evaluating food intake ability according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of muscles include the masseter muscle of either the left or right masseter muscle and the suprahyoid muscle group, The first muscle is the masseter muscle of either the left or right masseter muscles.

17. The method for evaluating food intake ability according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of muscles include the zygomaticus and suprahyoid muscles, The first muscle is the zygomaticus muscle.

18. The method for evaluating food intake ability according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of muscles include the temporalis muscle and the suprahyoid muscle group, The first muscle is the temporalis muscle.

19. The method for evaluating food intake ability according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of muscles is a combination of one or more of the left and right masseter muscles, the zygomatic muscles and the temporalis muscles in addition to the suprahyoid muscle group. The workload of the first muscle is the workload of one of the left and right masseter muscles, the zygomatic muscle, and the temporalis muscle, or the total value of the workload of the combination.

20. The method for evaluating food intake ability according to claim 1, wherein: The evaluation process is performed using an evaluation model. The evaluation model is a model that performs learning using learning myoelectric potential data and the feeding ability data of a person who has measured the learning myoelectric potential data, and generates a threshold value during the learning. In the evaluation step, the evaluation model receives the ratio as an input, and outputs the food intake capacity of the subject person by comparing the generated threshold value with the ratio.

21. A feeding capacity evaluation device, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires myoelectric potential data of a plurality of muscles of the face of the target person when chewing; a calculation unit that calculates, based on the acquired myoelectric potential data, a ratio of a workload of a first muscle that is one of the plurality of muscles of the face to a total workload of all the plurality of muscles of the face per unit time; and An evaluation unit evaluates the food intake ability of the subject person based on the ratio.

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