Healthcare system and method thereof

Abstract

To provide a healthcare system and a method thereof.SOLUTION: A healthcare system comprises: a device which acquires vital data of a user; a storage device which stores a control program and a provision program for self-care / maintenance / improvement / treatment of mental health; and a control unit which controls the operation of the system with the control program. The system derives a stress level of the user from the vital data from the device, and modifies the method of outputting the provision program from an output device or the provision program according to the stress level.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a healthcare system and method thereof, and in particular to a healthcare system and method thereof that includes estimating a stress level using vital data. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the increase in the number of people with mental health problems has become a social issue, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, with technological innovations such as smartphones and tablet terminals, therapeutic apps for treating stress-related diseases using these portable devices have been developed (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Furthermore, a technique is known for calculating and visualizing a stress level from biometric data relating to a subject's living body acquired by a biosensor in such a portable device (Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Public Relations, Patent Publication No. 2022-137258 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2023-65808 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the invention of Patent Document 1, when the stress level of a subject is high, the method and content of the information provided, such as the output of a smartphone or the like (e.g., high screen brightness) or the content of a program (e.g., a lot of text), may make the user feel uncomfortable. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 merely discloses a technology for visualizing the stress state, and does not take into consideration changing the method and content of the information provided depending on the stress state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (Claim 1) A device for acquiring vital data of a user; a storage device for storing a control program and a program for providing mental health self-care / maintenance / improvement / treatment; a control unit that controls the operation of the system by a control program; 1. A health care system comprising: Deriving a stress level of the user from vital data from the device; A healthcare system, characterized in that an output method of the provided program from an output device or a change to the provided program is performed according to the stress level. (Claim 2) 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the level of the user's condition is a stress level, which is calculated from measurements of vital data. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the device is a passive, always-on measurement means. (Claim 3) The system of claim 2, wherein the device is any one of vital data of heart rate, pulse rate, walking speed, activity level, and respiratory sounds. (Claim 4) 4. The system of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the device is a constantly operating passive measuring means. (Claim 5) A device for acquiring vital data of a user; a storage device for storing a control program and a program for providing mental health self-care / maintenance / improvement / treatment; a control unit that controls the operation of the system by a control program; In the health care system, including The control program comprises: acquiring vital data from the device; deriving a stress level of the user from the vital data; and changing an output method of the provided program from an output device or changing the provided program according to the stress level. How to control the health care system. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the healthcare system of the present invention, it is possible to modify the method and content of healthcare work and programs depending on the stress level of the subject, allowing users to continue using them without feeling uncomfortable. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a system of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 11 is a table showing the correspondence between stress levels and whether or not content can be performed according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 13 is a table showing the correspondence between stress levels and whether or not content can be performed according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The present invention discloses a technology for modifying the work (content) of a healthcare application used by a user in response to temporary changes in the user's physical condition (e.g., stress level) on a daily basis or over time. (Configuration of the Healthcare System of the Present Invention) As an embodiment of the present invention, a program installed on a user's information processing terminal such as a PC, a notebook computer, or typically a smartphone or tablet is given. The information processing terminal 110 includes a control device 101 for controlling the health care program, a storage device 102, a display device 103 such as a liquid crystal monitor, an input device 104 such as a touch panel or a keyboard, a communication device 105 for communication with an external network, a measuring device 106 for measuring vital data, and the like. In addition, a measuring device 116, which is a wearable terminal such as a wristwatch type, an earphone type, a band type, or a body-attached type, a blood glucose measuring device installed in a toilet, or a stationary measuring device such as an imaging device installed in a smart mirror, may be used instead of the measuring device 106 built into the information processing terminal via a net 120, which is a network such as the Internet, wireless connection, or preferential connection, between the information processing terminal 110 and the Internet. In addition, in this embodiment, a system in which programs and necessary data, etc. are stored in the information processing terminal 110 and the terminal operates as a stand-alone system is given as an example, but it is also possible to connect to a server 120 via a network 120 and distribute the programs and data to both the server 120 and the information processing terminal 110, or to consolidate the programs and data in the server 120 and use the information processing terminal simply as an input / output device.

[0010] As an example of the measuring device 106, a device capable of measuring vital data can be used. Examples of vital data include, but are not limited to, measurements of walking speed, heart rate, and phone calls. Needless to say, the present invention can use various vital data such as rise in body temperature, changes in electrical resistance of the skin, changes in blood pressure, changes in blood flow, sleep time, weight, number of steps, amount of activity, and other vital data known to those skilled in the art. In addition, it is particularly convenient for the measuring device 106 to measure vital data that can be measured without the subject being aware of it, such as walking speed, analysis of conversation, blood sugar level measurement when using the toilet, and heart rate measurement using an image sensor built into a smart mirror in the bathroom. It is also convenient if the device can be driven continuously and measure in an unconscious state.

[0011] (Walking speed measuring device) The subject's information processing terminal 110 is provided with a GPS positioning function or the like (not shown), and information indicating the position of the information processing terminal 110 obtained by the positioning function is treated as the subject's position information. The position information is, for example, information indicating latitude and longitude. The information processing terminal 110 also has a function for measuring acceleration, such as an acceleration sensor. The information processing terminal 110 performs the positioning and acceleration measurement periodically (for example, every few seconds or minutes) and stores the results in the storage device 102. Next, the control device 101 uses a walking speed measurement / judgment software program to judge whether the subject is walking from the positioning data and acceleration data, and obtains information indicating the moving speed of the subject at the time when it is judged that the subject is walking as the walking speed (for detailed means of judging the walking speed and stress state, the method described in Patent Document 1 can be used). The walking speed calculated from these is compared with an average value for a certain period (for example, one day, one week, or one month), and if the walking speed is slower than the previous measurement or slower than a predetermined threshold, it is judged to be a stress state.

[0012] (Heart rate measuring device) There are known heart rate measuring devices that use a camera (measuring device 106) provided on an information processing terminal 110 such as a smartphone. For example, a pulse wave signal is extracted from a camera image of the skin surface of a face or the like, or a camera image of the skin surface of a fingertip or the like, and the heart rate is estimated. To measure the heart rate, a technology called "video pulse wave extraction" is used, focusing on the property of hemoglobin in blood to absorb green light, and extracting a pulse wave signal by image analysis of the light reflected from the skin surface accompanying the contraction and expansion of blood vessels. Next, the control device 101 calculates a stress index from these pulse wave signals according to a stress index calculation and judgment software program provided in the system 100. The stress index can be obtained as time series data of heart rate fluctuation based on the pulse wave interval. An example of a stress index based on heart rate fluctuation is LF / HF, which indicates the overall balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. LF (low frequency) represents a low frequency of 0.004 to 0.15 Hz in the time series data of heart rate fluctuation, and is a fluctuation wave whose signal source is a blood pressure change with a period of about 10 seconds called a Mayer wave. HF (high frequency) represents a high frequency of 0.15 to 0.4 Hz, and is a fluctuation wave whose signal source is breathing with a period of about 3 to 4 seconds. When this LF / HF is high, the sympathetic nerve is dominant and the stress is high. On the other hand, when the stress index LF / HF is low, the parasympathetic nerve is dominant and the patient is in a relaxed state. For example, the average value of this LF / HF is measured for each subject at regular intervals, and if the value changes over time and exceeds a threshold value set for each person, it is judged that the subject is in a stressed state. However, even with this measurement method, there is a problem in that it is not possible to determine whether the stress state is due to a cause such as a psychosomatic disease, or whether it is a temporary mental stress state associated with an event, for example. The stress index is not limited to LF / HF, and SDNN, RMSSD, CVSD, or other indexes may be used.

[0013] (Interactive stress estimation device) The microphone input during a call on the subject's smartphone or a web conference is monitored and recorded, the input data is separated into a voice input state and a non-voice input state, and the average frequency and average amplitude during the voice input state are measured. The stress state can be estimated from these changes. The method described in JP 2010-259691 A and the like can be used to estimate the stress state. However, even with this method, there is a problem in that the factors that cause the stress state are not clear.

[0014] (Mental Health Care App 1) Next, an example of a mental health care application will be described with reference to the flow of FIG. 2(a). This mental health care application is a provision program in which a plurality of works for self-care / maintenance / improvement / treatment of mental health are programmed and provided, and is stored in the storage device 102. This provision program is provided by a control program stored in the storage device 102. The provision program includes psychological education (201) consisting of video content, relaxation (202) works such as progressive muscle relaxation, abdominal breathing, and visual imagery consisting of chatbots, video content, and audio content, stress management (203) works such as behavioral activation, cognitive restructuring (204), and mindfulness (205) works such as mindfulness meditation. These psychological education and works are provided to the user via the display device 103 and audio output device after performing the necessary exchanges for each work in a predetermined order (for example, in the order of 201, 202, 203, 204, 205) over several days. Users can take care of their mental health by carrying out these education and activities.

[0015] (Mental Health Care App 2) Next, another example of a mental health care application will be described with reference to FIG. 2(b). This mental health care application is a provision program that provides a list of multiple works for self-care / maintenance / improvement / treatment of mental health, and is stored in the storage device 102. This provision program is provided under the control of a control program stored in the storage device 102. The provision program includes psychological education consisting of video content, relaxation works such as progressive muscle relaxation, abdominal breathing, and visual imagery consisting of chatbots, video content, and audio content, stress management works such as behavioral activation, cognitive restructuring, and mindfulness works such as mindfulness meditation. These psychological education and works are displayed in the form of icons on the display device 103 of an information processing terminal 110 such as a smartphone, and are provided to the user by being selected by an input device such as a touch panel. The user can take care of his / her mental health by carrying out these educations and works.

[0016] (Example) Next, an embodiment of the mental health care system of the present invention will be illustrated below. The mental health care application (software) (control program) used in this embodiment is stored in the storage device 102 of the information processing terminal 110, and the program read from the storage device 102 is controlled by the control device 101 and executed in cooperation with the display device 103, the input device 104, the measurement devices 106, 116, etc. (In this embodiment, the mental health care application that provides the above-mentioned provision program is taken as an example). In this embodiment, a smartphone is used as the information processing terminal 110 of the subject, and heart rate is used as vital data. When the program of the mental health care application is started, first, a stress level is measured. In order to measure the stress level, heart rate data sequentially acquired from the measurement device 106 is stored in the storage device 102. Next, in a heart rate variability parameter calculation block included in the program, when a predetermined period of biological data is stored in the storage device 102, heart rate variability parameters (SDNN, RMSSD and CVSD, LF and HF) are calculated using an electrocardiogram included in the biological data for the predetermined period. Next, SDNN / RMSSD and LF / HF are calculated. Usually, noise may occur when measuring an electrocardiogram. Therefore, in order to remove noise from the acquired electrocardiogram, the heart rate variability parameter calculation block may calculate a weighted average of the electrocardiogram before calculating the heart rate variability parameters. Then, the calculated SDNN, RMSSD, and CVSD values ​​are transferred to the stress estimation block for processing. Next, the calculated SDNN, RMSSD, and CVSD values ​​are compared with the SDNN, RMSSD, and CVSD values ​​for each stress level registered in a stress estimation table (not shown) stored in a storage device. For example, the stress estimation block included in the control program compares the calculated SDNN value with the SDNN value at each stress level. For example, the stress estimation block compares the calculated RMSSD value with the RMSSD value at each stress level. For example, the stress estimation block compares the calculated CVSD value with the CVSD value at each stress level. The stress estimation block acquires the stress levels determined to be similar based on the comparison results of the SDNN, RMSSD, and CVSD values.Here, the criteria for determining whether the values ​​are similar are set in advance. For example, the stress estimation block may determine that the values ​​are similar when the difference between the calculated value and the value registered in the stress estimation table is less than a threshold value. In addition, when there are multiple values ​​determined to be similar for one index, the stress estimation block may select the value with the smallest difference. For example, the stress level is evaluated as A (normal), B (low stress), C (medium stress), and D (high stress), and can be displayed on the display device 103 of the user's information processing terminal 110 to allow the user to recognize it. The stress estimation table may be modified based on the average value of the user under normal circumstances. In addition, in this embodiment, the stress level is estimated using the above numerical values, but the stress level may be calculated using a table (not shown) that stores the correspondence between SDNN / RMSSD or LF / HF and the stress level. In addition, in this embodiment, vital data of the heartbeat sequentially acquired from the wearable device is used, but it goes without saying that a stress level calculated from other vital data using a calculation method of the stress level known to those skilled in the art may be used.

[0017] Following the above-mentioned stress level measurement, the next process is performed by the control program, which is a mental health care application. In this embodiment, several days have passed since the user started using this application, the psychological education work has ended, and the user has progressed to relaxation. The relationship between the stress level and the work to be performed will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows a table showing the relationship between the stress level and whether or not the content included in the relaxation work is performed, which is stored in the storage device 102 and is called when the control program performs the work, and is referred to in order to determine whether or not the work can be performed by the control program. This is one example, and can be modified as appropriate. A similar table is also prepared to determine whether or not other works can be performed, but its description will be omitted. The relaxation work is composed of the contents of (1) progressive muscle relaxation (video content), (2) abdominal breathing (text content), and (3) visual imagery (audio content), and each content is performed in the order of (1), (2), and (3) over several days. First, in the case of stress level A (normal), there is no particular problem, and the control program provides each content to the user via the information processing terminal 110 of the user based on the normal flow. Next, if the user who was scheduled to perform the abdominal breathing method (2) is at stress level B, the content of the abdominal breathing method based on the alternative audio content stored in the storage device 102 is provided to the user instead of the content of the normal abdominal breathing method, and when the user performs this content, the flow proceeds to the next content. Next, if the user who was scheduled to perform the progressive muscle relaxation method (1) is at stress level C, the visual imagery method (3) is performed first, and when the user performs this content, the contents (2) and (1) are provided in that order. Finally, if the user who was scheduled to perform the visual imagery method (3) is at stress level D, music content that regulates the autonomic nerves is provided instead of performing the content (3).In this case, since this content has not been implemented, the memory of the provision status of the program provided by the control program, which is saved in storage device 102, stores the fact that content (3) has not been implemented. For example, when the control program performs processing for the next day, it reads out from this memory that (3) is the next process, and again checks whether content (3) can be implemented according to the stress level. If (3) has been implemented, it is possible to move on to the next process (here, the intention is that the relaxation work will be completed and, for example, the processing will move on to stress management work on the next day, that is, moving from 202 to 203 in Figure 2(a)).

[0018] The control program, which is a stress care application, provides appropriate work (content) to the user and provides health care, while judging whether or not each work (content) can be performed according to the stress level as described above, according to the flow shown in Figure 2(a). In this way, by modifying the content providing program according to the user's temporary condition, such as changing the means of providing the content by changing the medium from text content to audio content, changing the order of providing the content, and changing the content content to content for improving the condition, such as music, the burden on the user can be reduced and the decrease in motivation to continue can be suppressed.

[0019] (Second embodiment) The second embodiment is an embodiment using the mental health care app 2. This app includes a format in which the user selects and executes the work (content) that he or she wants to perform from a list, or a format in which the mental health care app 1 provides several works (contents) as a provision program, and the user selects and executes one of them, but it is also possible to apply this technology to other implementation formats. The process from starting the control program for the mental health care application to measuring the stress level is the same as in the previous embodiment.

[0020] The control program of the stress care application 2 provides the user with psychological education, content, and other work in accordance with a predetermined routine. Examples of these are shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. First, in the case of stress level A, the control program refers to a table (Fig. 3) stored in the storage device 102 that indicates the relationship between the stress level and whether or not content can be implemented, and provides the user with content selection in a list format as content icons (see Fig. 2(b)) displayed on the display device, with all content being executable, and the user selects one of the icons using the touch panel 104, which is an input means, to select content. Next, the control program provides the selected content to the user via the information processing terminal. Next, in the case of stress level C, the screen displays Stress Level C, and the control program refers to the table, and instead of (1) psychological education, which is deemed not to be implemented (x), an icon for providing (1) psychological education, which has been replaced with audio content instead of video content, is displayed, and for (2) muscle relaxation therapy, which is also deemed not to be implemented, an icon is changed to an icon requesting the provision of music content, and further, for (4) behavioral activation, which is deemed not to be implemented, a grayed-out display indicating that selection is not possible, and for (5) cognitive restructuring, which is also deemed not to be implemented, the icons are deleted and provided to the user as a list via the display device. Finally, in the case of stress level D, for (1) psychological education, an icon is changed to an icon requesting the provision of audio content instead of video content, and for (2) muscle relaxation therapy, an icon is changed to an icon requesting the provision of music content, and the other contents are deleted, and for the two contents that can be implemented, the icons are displayed large so that the user can easily select them, and the list is provided. For stress level B, the display and provision are corrected by the control program based on a comparison with the table, as with other stress levels. When the user selects an icon displayed on the display device 103, the specified content is implemented, and the user's mental care, self-care, treatment, and improvement are performed.

[0021] As described above, by modifying the content provision program in accordance with the temporary state of the user, such as changing the means of providing the content by changing the medium from text content to audio content, changing the order in which the content is provided, changing the content content to content to improve the state of the content, for example music, deleting content, restricting its use, and modifying icons, the burden on the user can be reduced and a decrease in motivation to continue using the content can be suppressed.

[0022] (Third embodiment) In this embodiment, the stress level is measured in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments, and the control program provides the provided program (work, content) and provides the work (content) as a list. This embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in that the provided program, work, and content are not modified or changed, but rather the means of providing them is changed. Therefore, only this point will be explained below. When the stress level is high, a high brightness on the display device can cause the user to feel stressed. This embodiment is intended to relieve this stress. Generally, when the display device 103 such as a smartphone has a high luminance compared to the amount of external light, the visibility of the displayed image is increased, so the display device 103 is automatically maintained in such a state by the control device 101. Here, when the stress level is determined by the control program, the control device 101 according to this embodiment controls the display of the provided program or the work (content) in the list display at normal luminance for stress level A, controls the display to have the luminance reduced by 3% for stress level B, controls the display to have the luminance reduced by another 3% for stress level C, and controls the display to have the luminance reduced by another 3% for stress level D. This range of the light amount to be changed is only an example and is adjusted as appropriate, but if it is lowered below the luminance of the external light, it becomes difficult for the user to recognize the screen, resulting in increased stress, so it is convenient to set the lower limit of the changed luminance to be the same as or close to the luminance of the external light.

[0023] In this embodiment, the brightness is explained as an example, but it is not limited to this, and the color tone can be made softer (for example, the color can be made whitish), the dot pitch can be changed to reduce the amount of information, and not only the display device can be controlled as an output means, but also the playback speed of video and audio and the frequency of the audio can be changed. Also, as mentioned above, it is possible to combine the modification of the content and the modification of this output method.

[0024] In the above-described embodiment, the stress level is used as an example of the user's condition, but other physical conditions, such as dizziness or headache, may also be used, and not only the measurement results from the device but also input of the user's subjective condition may be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] 100 Healthcare System 101 Control device 102 Storage device 103 Display device 104 Input Devices 105 Communication equipment 106 Measuring Equipment 110 User's information processing terminal 116 Measuring Equipment 120 Network

Claims

1. A means for obtaining a user's status; A storage device for storing a control program and a program for providing mental health self-care / maintenance / improvement / treatment; a control unit that controls the operation of the system by a control program; 1. A health care system comprising: deriving a level of the user's condition from data indicating the user's condition from said means; A healthcare system characterized in that a method for outputting the provision program from an output device or a change to the provision program is performed according to the level.

2. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the level of the user's condition is a stress level, which is calculated from measurements of vital data.

3. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the vital data is any one of heart rate, pulse rate, walking speed, amount of activity, and respiratory sounds.

4. A device for acquiring vital data of a user; A storage device for storing a control program and a program for providing mental health self-care / maintenance / improvement / treatment; a control unit that controls the operation of the system by a control program; In the health care system, including The control program comprises: acquiring vital data from the device; deriving a stress level of the user from the vital data; and changing an output method of the provided program from an output device or changing the provided program according to the stress level. How to control the health care system.

Images