Method of evaluating impression given to subject by composition

Abstract

To provide a method of evaluating an impression given to a subject by a composition.SOLUTION: The method of evaluating an impression given to a subject by a composition comprises an evaluation process of evaluating an impression given to the subject by the composition by using at least one or more indexes based on at least one type of parameter selected from the group consisting of brain waves, a brain blood flow, and a heart rate of the subject measured during and / or just after an application behavior of the composition. The composition is a composition for external use or a composition for internal use.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for evaluating the impression a composition gives to a subject. [Background technology]

[0002] Evaluating the effects of compositions, such as topical and oral compositions, on subjects is useful in developing and evaluating topical agents, foods, and the like. One method for evaluating the effects of a composition on a subject is to observe changes in biochemical parameters (biomarkers) in subjects to whom the composition has been applied. Measurement of such biomarkers has the advantage of providing information that is not dependent on the subject's subjective opinion. However, the actual impressions (comfortable, uncomfortable, like, dislike, etc.) felt by a subject after application of a composition often arise from a complex interplay of changes in multiple biomarkers, and are often not manifested as direct changes in biomarkers. Therefore, measurement of biomarkers in subjects to whom a composition has been applied may not adequately evaluate the impressions felt by the subject.

[0003] When trying to evaluate the impression that a composition gives to a subject, a sensory evaluation is often used. In a sensory evaluation, for example, a questionnaire is administered to subjects who have applied the composition, and the subjects are asked to write down the impressions they actually felt when applying the composition as scores for multiple items. In this way, the impressions that the composition gives to the subjects are quantified in the form of a score.

[0004] Regarding the evaluation of the psychological impression that a composition gives to a subject, for example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses that, based on the results obtained by measuring cerebral blood flow, it is believed that the four factors of "softness," "penetration," "plumpness," and "firmness" strongly influence the feeling of "satisfaction" when touching the skin after skin care. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] Ayako Morise and Hinayo Asai, "Skin texture that brings satisfaction in skin care," Journal of Emotional Psychology, Vol. 28, Supplement, ps10 (2020) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] When conducting a questionnaire survey on satisfaction with a composition during the development of a topical or oral composition, the nature of the survey may result in positive results regardless of the subject's true intentions. Therefore, it may be difficult to accurately evaluate the subject's true intentions, subtle differences, and individual differences in perception.

[0007] Furthermore, questionnaire evaluations are often written not immediately after application of the composition, but rather while recalling the experience some time after use. This allows for relatively consistent evaluation of "usage feel," but "satisfaction" tends to be judged based on the sensation after application rather than the sensation during application. Therefore, even if a subject is deemed to be highly satisfied based on their questionnaire responses, detailed interviews may reveal that their satisfaction is not necessarily high, and they may not actually continue to use the composition. As such, it can be difficult to accurately determine satisfaction with a composition based solely on sensory evaluation.

[0008] The present disclosure aims to provide a method for evaluating the impression a composition gives to a subject. For example, the present disclosure aims to provide a method for evaluating the impression a composition gives to a subject without relying on the subject's subjectivity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The inventors have discovered that by using an index based on parameters selected from the group consisting of the subject's electroencephalogram, cerebral blood flow and heart rate measured during and / or immediately after application of the composition, it is possible to evaluate the impression that a composition gives to a subject, without relying on sensory evaluation, which is an evaluation that relies on the subject's subjective opinion.

[0010] The present disclosure relates, for example, to the following: [1] A method for evaluating the impression a composition gives to a subject, comprising: an evaluation step of evaluating the impression that the composition gives to the subject using at least one index based on at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of electroencephalogram, cerebral blood flow, and heart rate of the subject, measured during and / or immediately after application of the composition; The evaluation method, wherein the composition is an external composition or an internal composition. [2] Before the evaluation step, a measuring step of measuring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of electroencephalogram, cerebral blood flow, and heart rate of the subject during and / or immediately after the application of the composition; The evaluation method according to [1], comprising: [3] The at least one index includes a change amount of the at least one parameter, The evaluation method described in [1] or [2], wherein the amount of change is the magnitude of change in the measurement value and / or ratio of the at least one parameter measured during and / or immediately after application of the composition relative to the measurement value and / or ratio of the at least one parameter measured before or at the start of application of the composition. [4] The evaluation method according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the at least one index includes the potential of beta waves relative to the potential of alpha waves (β / α) and / or the potential of beta waves relative to the potential of theta waves (β / θ). [5] The method according to [4], wherein the composition is a lotion. [6] The evaluation method according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the at least one index includes a β wave potential. [7] The method according to [6], wherein the composition is a lip balm. [8] The evaluation method according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the at least one index includes an index based on an electroencephalogram measured in the frontal lobe of the subject. [9] The evaluation method according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the at least one index includes an index based on electroencephalograms measured in the frontal lobe of the left brain of the subject.

[10] The evaluation method according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the at least one index includes the power of the HF component (HF).

[11] The evaluation method according to any one of [1] to

[10] , wherein the topical composition is applied to the face.

[12] The evaluation method according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein the topical composition is applied to the skin of the face or the lips.

[13] The evaluation method according to any one of [1] to

[12] , wherein the topical composition is applied to facial skin.

[14] The evaluation method according to any one of [1] to

[12] , wherein the topical composition is applied to the lips.

[15] The evaluation method according to any one of [1] to

[14] , wherein the at least one parameter of the subject is measured during application of the composition.

[16] The composition is a topical composition, The evaluation method according to any one of [1] to

[15] , wherein the at least one parameter of the subject is measured during application of the topical composition to the face.

[17] The evaluation method according to any one of [1] to

[16] , wherein the at least one index includes an index based on an electroencephalogram and an index based on a heart rate.

[18] The evaluation method according to any one of [1] to

[17] , wherein the at least one index includes an index based on an electroencephalogram and / or an index based on a heart rate, and an index based on cerebral blood flow.

[19] The evaluation method according to any one of [1] to

[18] , wherein the impression is a favorable impression toward the composition.

[20] The evaluation method according to any one of [1] to

[19] , wherein the mental image is an image that belongs to the pleasant and calming quadrants in Russell's circumplex model. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, a method is provided that can evaluate the impression that a composition gives to a subject without relying on sensory evaluation, which is an evaluation method that relies on the subject's subjectivity. According to the present disclosure, an evaluation method is provided that can evaluate the impression that a composition gives to a subject more objectively and accurately than sensory evaluation, which is an evaluation method that relies on the subject's subjectivity. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows the results of measuring the activity of beta waves as brain waves for 900 seconds before, during, and after application of lotion to the face in Test Example 1. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the results of measuring gamma wave activity as electroencephalograms for 540 seconds before, during, and after the task in Test Example 2, when subjects were asked to perform the task of eating potato chips. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 shows the schedule of each measurement test (control test or application test) in Test Example 3. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a graph showing the results of α waves, β waves, and θ waves in the Positive group and the Not-Positive group in Test Example 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 shows the results of β / α in the positive group and the not-positive group in Test Example 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a graph showing the results of β / α in the left brain in the Positive group and the Not-Positive group in Test Example 3. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a graph showing the results of cerebral blood flow (hemoglobin amount) in the Positive group and the Not-Positive group in Test Example 3. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 shows the results of HF in the positive group and the not-positive group in Test Example 3. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the test method in Test Example 4. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a detailed flow of measurements and questionnaire responses on Day 4 in Test Example 4. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 shows the results of a multiple choice questionnaire (multiple choices allowed) regarding feelings during application in Test Example 4. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 shows the results of a correspondence analysis using KH Corder of written responses to a questionnaire regarding feelings during application in Test Example 4. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the average scores of responses to a questionnaire about the feeling of use in Test Example 4, which were answered on a 5-point scale for each item. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the measurement results of the amount of change in β waves in Test Example 4. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the results of HF measurement in Test Example 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described, but the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0014] One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for evaluating the impression a composition gives to a subject.

[0015] The composition according to the present disclosure is a composition to be applied to a subject. The composition according to this embodiment is a composition for external use or a composition for internal use. A composition according to a preferred aspect of this embodiment may be a composition for external use.

[0016] The topical composition is a composition to be applied to the body surface of a subject. The body surface may be, for example, the skin or mucous membrane. The topical composition may be, for example, a cosmetic, pharmaceutical, quasi-drug, scalp cleanser, face cleanser, body cleanser, whole body cleanser, or hand cleanser, or may be a cosmetic. For example, the topical composition may be applied to the face, scalp, limbs, or trunk. In the present disclosure, "face" includes "lips." In a preferred embodiment, the topical composition may be applied to the face, or to the skin or lips of the face. For example, the topical composition may be in the form of a liquid, cream, lotion, gel, ointment, patch, or powder, or may be a liquid, cream, lotion, gel, or ointment, or may be a liquid. The topical composition may be a moisturizer, or may be a moisturizer for application to the face. The topical composition may be a lotion, emulsion, or lip balm, or may be a lotion or lip balm, and in these cases, the lotion may be a lotion for application to the face.

[0017] An internal composition is a composition to be orally ingested by a subject as a medicine or food. In the present disclosure, application of an internal composition to a subject means that the subject orally ingests the internal composition. The internal composition is not particularly limited as long as it is a composition that can be orally ingested by humans. For example, the internal composition may be a solid, a liquid, or a mixture of a solid substance and a liquid substance. The internal composition may be, for example, a composition for food or beverage or a medicine. The internal composition may be a composition consisting of one or more substances that can be orally ingested by humans, and may be a part, whole, or excrement of a plant or animal, or a processed product thereof, or a mixture thereof.

[0018] The subject according to this embodiment is a human. The subject according to this embodiment may be appropriately selected by a person skilled in the art depending on the composition. For example, the subject according to this embodiment may be a human who is a user of the composition or a candidate for such a user.

[0019] In the present disclosure, the impression that a composition gives to a subject means the impression that the subject who applies the composition has in their mind. In one embodiment, the impression may be a favorable impression toward the composition. In one embodiment, the impression that a composition gives to a subject may be whether or not the subject who applies the composition has a favorable impression toward the composition.

[0020] In one embodiment, the mental impression may be at least one selected from the group consisting of a sense of relaxation, interest, comfort level, and intention to continue using the composition. In one embodiment, the mental impression may be at least one selected from the group consisting of a sense of relaxation, interest, and comfort level. In one embodiment, the mental impression may be a sense of relaxation or comfort level. In one embodiment, the mental impression may be an intention to continue using the composition. Note that the intention to continue using the composition may be expressed, for example, by words such as "addictive" and / or "addictive," based on the subjective opinion of the subject. In one embodiment, the mental impression may be a feeling of addiction to the composition and / or a feeling that applying the composition is addictive.

[0021] In one aspect, the mental image may be one that belongs to the pleasant and calming quadrant in Russell's circumplex model. Russell's circumplex model is one of emotion models developed by Russell (J. Russell et al., "A circumplex model of affect.", Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 39, 1161-1178 (1980)). In Russell's circumplex model, emotions are arranged in a two-dimensional, planar ring represented by "pleasant-unpleasant" and "arousal-calm." The mental image according to one aspect of the present embodiment may be one that belongs to the pleasant and calming quadrant of Russell's circumplex model, which is divided into four quadrants by a dual axis. In one aspect, the mental image may be one that belongs to the pleasant and calming quadrant in direct circular scaling of Russell's circumplex model. In one embodiment, the mental imagery may be at least one selected from the group consisting of pleased, glad, serenity, content, at ease, satisfied, relaxed, calm, and sleepy. In one embodiment, the mental imagery may be at least one selected from the group consisting of pleased, glad, serenity, content, at ease, satisfied, relaxed, and calm.

[0022] The evaluation method according to this embodiment includes a step (evaluation step) of evaluating the impression that the composition gives to the subject using at least one index based on at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of electroencephalogram, cerebral blood flow, and heart rate of the subject, measured during and / or immediately after application of the composition. The parameter according to one aspect of this embodiment may be measured during application of the composition.

[0023] The parameter measured during the application of the composition means a parameter measured while the application (e.g., spreading) of the composition is being performed. The parameter measured during the application of the composition may be measured over the entire period during which the application is being performed, or may be measured for a portion of the period during which the application is being performed.

[0024] The parameter measured immediately after applying the composition refers to a parameter measured immediately after applying (e.g., coating) the composition. "Immediately after applying the composition" may be, for example, from 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, or 30 seconds after application to 600, 360, 240, 180, 120, 90, 75, 60, 50, 45, 40, 30, 20, 15, 10, 7, or 5 seconds after application, for example, 0 to 180, 1 to 120, 2 to 60, 3 to 30, or 5 to 15 seconds after application. The parameter measured immediately after applying the composition may be measured over the entire period immediately after application, or over a portion of that period.

[0025] In the evaluation step, an index based on at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of electroencephalogram, cerebral blood flow, and heart rate of the subject measured during and / or immediately after application of the composition is used. The index based on the parameter is not particularly limited as long as it can be obtained by a person skilled in the art based on the measured value of the parameter. For example, the index based on the parameter may be the measured value of the parameter, a calculated value calculated from the measured value, or a change therein.

[0026] The measured value of a parameter related to an index may be a real value obtained by measuring the parameter, or may be a value obtained by correcting the real value (corrected value). The corrected value is not particularly limited as long as it can be interpreted as useful by a person skilled in the art for use in evaluating a composition. The corrected value may be one that is commonly used by a person skilled in the art. For example, the corrected value may be a real value obtained by subtracting the real value obtained when the application action is not performed from the real value. For example, the corrected value may be a real value obtained by subtracting the real value obtained when the body movement occurring when applying the composition (imitating the application action) is performed without applying the composition from the real value. Furthermore, the measured value of a parameter related to an index may be a time average of the real values ​​or corrected values, for example, a time average of the real values ​​or corrected values ​​over a continuous period of 0.1 to 600 seconds, 1 to 100 seconds, 3 to 30 seconds, or 5 to 15 seconds.

[0027] The calculated value of the index is not particularly limited as long as it is a numerical value that can be calculated from the measured values ​​of the parameters and can be interpreted by a person skilled in the art as being useful for evaluating a composition. For example, the calculated value may be the ratio or sum of the measured values ​​of two parameters, or may be the ratio of the sum of the measured values ​​of the second and third parameters to the measured value of the first parameter. In one aspect, the calculated value may be the ratio of the measured values ​​of the two parameters. The ratio of the index of this embodiment may be, for example, the value obtained by dividing the measured value of the first parameter by the measured value of the second parameter.

[0028] The change amount associated with an index is the change amount over time in the measured value of a parameter or in a calculated value calculated therefrom. In other words, the change amount associated with an index can also be referred to as the change amount over time. For example, the change amount associated with an index may be at least one selected from the group consisting of the magnitude (difference) of change over time in the measured value of a parameter or in a calculated value calculated therefrom, the speed (slope) of change, the acceleration (rate of change), and the variance thereof (e.g., standard deviation or standard error). For example, the change amount associated with an index may be the magnitude (difference) of change over time in the measured value of a parameter or in a calculated value calculated therefrom. For example, the change amount associated with an index may be the magnitude (difference) of change between the measured value of a parameter measured before or at the start of application of the composition or the calculated value calculated therefrom and the measured value of a parameter measured during and / or immediately after application of the composition or the calculated value calculated therefrom.

[0029] For example, the at least one indicator according to one aspect of this embodiment includes a change in at least one parameter, and the change may be the magnitude of change in the measurement value and / or ratio of the at least one parameter measured during and / or immediately after application of the composition relative to the measurement value and / or ratio of the at least one parameter measured before or at the start of application of the composition.

[0030] The parameters according to this embodiment are selected from the group consisting of the electroencephalogram, cerebral blood flow, and heart rate of the subject.

[0031] The brain waves as parameters according to this embodiment may be at least one selected from the group consisting of α waves (alpha waves), β waves (beta waves), θ waves (theta waves), γ waves (gamma waves), and δ waves (delta waves), or may be at least one selected from the group consisting of α waves, β waves, and θ waves, or may be at least one selected from the group consisting of α waves and β waves. Alpha waves are brain waves with a frequency range of 8 to 13 Hz. Alpha waves are brain waves observed in a relaxed state with eyes closed or in a relaxed, awake state. Beta waves are brain waves with a frequency range of 13 to 30 Hz. Beta waves are brain waves observed in a awake, focused state, or when thinking or talking. Theta waves are brain waves with a frequency range of 4 to 8 Hz. Theta waves are brain waves observed in light sleep, meditation, a relaxed, awake state, etc. Gamma waves are brain waves with a frequency range of 30 Hz or higher. Gamma waves are brain waves that are associated with higher cognitive activity, sensory processing, learning, and integration of consciousness. Delta waves are brain waves with a frequency range of 0.5 to 4 Hz. Delta waves are primarily observed during deep sleep.

[0032] The measured values ​​(and real values) of the brain waves as parameters according to this embodiment are obtained as potentials (μV). The brain wave potentials are obtained by measuring the potentials at frequencies corresponding to the respective brain waves (α waves, β waves, θ waves, γ waves, and δ waves) using an electroencephalograph (EEG).

[0033] The EEG parameter according to the present embodiment may be measured at at least one site selected from the group consisting of the left brain, the right brain, and the center of both brains (Z region, zero region), and may be measured at the left or right brain, or may be measured at the left brain. The EEG parameter according to the present embodiment may be measured at at least one site selected from the group consisting of the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe, and may be measured at the frontal lobe. The EEG parameter according to the present embodiment may be measured at the frontal lobe of the left brain. When the EEG parameter according to the present embodiment is measured at two or more sites of the brain, the at least one index in the evaluation step may be separate indexes based on the potentials measured at each site, or a single index may be the sum, average, or median of the indexes based on the potentials measured at each site, or a single index may be the sum of the indexes based on the potentials measured at each site. An index according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an index based on EEG measured at the frontal lobe of the subject's left brain. An index according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an index based on EEG measured at the frontal lobe of the subject's left brain.

[0034] The potentials of alpha waves, theta waves, and the like fluctuate depending on the subject's state of serenity. Furthermore, the potential of beta waves fluctuates depending on the subject's state of alertness. Therefore, when the indices according to this embodiment include indices based on electroencephalograms, it is possible to appropriately evaluate the state between alertness and serenity of the subject, and for example, to appropriately evaluate the state of relaxation.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment of this embodiment, the index may include the potential of beta waves relative to the potential of alpha waves (β / α) and / or the potential of beta waves relative to the potential of theta waves (β / θ). The inventors have found that the potential of beta waves relative to the potential of alpha waves (β / α) can be suitably used as an index in a method for evaluating the mental impression a composition gives to a subject. As described above, both alpha waves and theta waves are brain waves that show similar trends relative to the subject's psychological state (e.g., a relaxed state). Therefore, based on the findings of the inventors, it has been substantially discovered that the potential of beta waves relative to the potential of theta waves (β / θ) can also be suitably used as an index in a method for evaluating the mental impression a composition gives to a subject. For example, using β / α as an index in a method for evaluating the mental impression a composition gives to a subject allows for a more multifaceted evaluation of the mental impression than using alpha waves, beta waves, or theta waves as an index, making the evaluation of the mental impression easier. The smaller the values ​​of β / α and β / θ, the more relaxed the subject is. That is, a decrease in β / α or β / θ upon application of the composition may mean, for example, that the subject is relaxed, has a favorable impression, and is satisfied with the composition.

[0036] Furthermore, in another preferred aspect of this embodiment, the index may include the potential of beta waves. Because the potential of beta waves fluctuates depending on the arousal state of the subject, if the index includes the potential of beta waves, the arousal state of the subject can be suitably evaluated, for example, the relaxed state of the subject. For example, the lower the potential of beta waves, the more relaxed the subject can be evaluated to be.

[0037] The cerebral blood flow parameter according to this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is measurable with respect to cerebral blood flow, and may be, for example, the amount of hemoglobin in cerebral blood flow, oxygen saturation, or cerebral blood flow volume. The amount of hemoglobin and oxygen saturation in cerebral blood flow may be values ​​measured by methods commonly used by those skilled in the art, such as cerebral blood flow measured by near-infrared light transmittance. The cerebral blood flow volume may be values ​​measured by methods commonly used by those skilled in the art, such as cerebral blood flow measured by an imaging method such as SPECT. The cerebral blood flow parameter according to this embodiment may be measured in at least one region selected from the group consisting of the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe, or may be measured in the frontal lobe.

[0038] The cerebral blood flow parameter according to a preferred embodiment of this invention may be the amount of hemoglobin in the cerebral blood flow. For example, when the amount of hemoglobin in the cerebral blood flow is evaluated using the transmittance of near-infrared light as an index, the unit may be the concentration per unit optical path length. When the index according to this embodiment includes an index based on the amount of hemoglobin in the cerebral blood flow, information regarding the degree of brain activity can be obtained, thereby enabling evaluation of whether brain activity is increased upon application of the composition. The higher the value of the amount of hemoglobin in the cerebral blood flow, the higher the concentration of the subject upon application of the composition. In other words, an increase in the value of the amount of hemoglobin in the cerebral blood flow upon application of the composition may indicate, for example, that the subject is interested in and favors the composition.

[0039] The heart rate as a parameter in this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is information that a person skilled in the art can obtain as information about the heart rate, but may be, for example, at least one type selected from the group consisting of power, electrocardiogram, and heart rate.

[0040] The power of the heart rate is the area of ​​the heart rate power spectrum. The heart rate power spectrum is a graph of the heart rate at a certain point in time, with the horizontal axis representing the fluctuation frequency (Hz) and the vertical axis representing the heart rate power spectral density (msec 2The heartbeat contains LF components (low frequency components) that fluctuate at frequencies between 0.04 and 0.15 Hz (typically about 0.1 Hz) and HF components (high frequency components) that fluctuate at frequencies between 0.15 and 0.4 Hz (typically about 0.25 Hz), and these can be distinguished as their respective peaks in the heartbeat power spectrum created based on the time variation of the electrocardiogram. The area (msec ) of the peaks distinguished as HF or LF components on the heartbeat power spectrum is 2 ) is the power of the HF component or the power of the LF component, which are defined for each time. In this disclosure, the power of the HF component or the power of the LF component may be referred to as HF or LF, respectively.

[0041] An index according to one aspect of this embodiment may include at least one selected from the group consisting of the power of the HF component (HF) and the power of the LF component (LF), and their ratio. An index according to a preferred aspect of this embodiment may include the power of the HF component (HF). The power of the HF component (HF) is an index of parasympathetic nerve activation. A higher HF value indicates that the subject is more relaxed. In other words, an increase in HF upon application of a composition may indicate, for example, that the subject is relaxed, favorably disposed, and satisfied with the composition.

[0042] An electrocardiogram can be measured, for example, by a device commonly used to measure an electrocardiogram (for example, an electrocardiograph or a wearable device with an electrocardiogram measurement function). Heart rate is the number of times the heart beats per unit time, and can be measured, for example, by a device commonly used to measure a pulse (for example, a blood pressure monitor or a wearable device with a pulse measurement function).

[0043] When the index according to one aspect of the present embodiment includes an index based on heart rate, it is possible to evaluate the activation state of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves of the autonomic nervous system of the subject. Therefore, when the index according to one aspect of the present embodiment includes an index based on heart rate, it is possible to appropriately evaluate the state between comfort and discomfort of the subject, and for example, to appropriately evaluate a relaxed state.

[0044] An index according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an index based on electroencephalograms and an index based on heart rate. As described above, when an index according to an embodiment includes an index based on electroencephalograms, it is possible to preferably evaluate a state between wakefulness and calmness in Russell's circumplex model. Furthermore, when an index according to an embodiment includes an index based on heart rate, it is possible to preferably evaluate a state between pleasure and discomfort in Russell's circumplex model. Therefore, when an index according to an embodiment includes an index based on electroencephalograms and an index based on heart rate, it is possible to evaluate the subject's mental state along two axes in Russell's circumplex model, thereby more preferably evaluating, for example, a relaxed state.

[0045] The index according to one embodiment may include an index based on electroencephalograms and / or an index based on heart rate, and an index based on cerebral blood flow. As described above, when the index according to one embodiment includes an index based on cerebral blood flow, brain activation can be evaluated. Therefore, when the index according to one embodiment includes an index based on electroencephalograms and / or an index based on heart rate, and an index based on cerebral blood flow, it is possible to evaluate a relaxed state and brain activation in combination, thereby more appropriately evaluating the subject's preference for an external composition such as a lotion. The index according to one embodiment may include an index based on electroencephalograms, an index based on heart rate, and an index based on cerebral blood flow. The index according to one embodiment may include β / α, the amount of hemoglobin in cerebral blood flow, and HF.

[0046] In the evaluation step, the impression that the composition gives to the subject is evaluated based on the change in the index. For example, if the index increases or decreases when the composition is applied compared to when the composition is not applied, the composition may be evaluated as giving the subject favorable impressions. The increase or decrease in the index may be determined, for example, by the time course of the index in successive evaluation steps, or may be determined based on a statistically significant difference (e.g., a p-value of less than 0.05 or less than 0.01) between the average values ​​of the index in three or more independent trials.

[0047] The evaluation method according to one embodiment may include a step (measurement step) of measuring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of electroencephalogram, cerebral blood flow, and heart rate of the subject before the evaluation step (at rest), during application of the composition, and / or immediately thereafter. The parameters and the measurement techniques that can be used to measure each parameter are as described above in the evaluation step.

[0048] The measurement time for the parameters in the measurement step may be, for example, 0.1 to 18000 seconds, 1 to 10800 seconds, 3 to 7200 seconds, 5 to 3600 seconds, 10 to 1800 seconds, or 30 to 1200 seconds.

[0049] The evaluation method according to the present embodiment can be used, for example, to evaluate the impression a composition gives to an individual subject. The information obtained by such an evaluation can be used to evaluate the impression a composition gives to a subject, taking into consideration not only the subject's subjective impression but also impressions based on objective information, and can assist the subject in making a decision about whether to continue administering the composition.

[0050] The evaluation method according to this embodiment can be used, for example, to assist in the evaluation or screening of compositions. According to the evaluation method according to this embodiment, information about the impression a composition gives to a subject can be obtained. Therefore, for example, by obtaining such information from multiple subjects and comparing it through statistical processing, compositions can be indirectly evaluated or screened. For example, such composition evaluations can indirectly evaluate the degree of favorability a composition gives to a subject, which can serve as an index for composition evaluation. For example, such composition screening can indirectly select compositions that give favorable impressions to a subject, which can serve as an index for composition selection. For example, when a subject applies two or more compositions, it is possible to evaluate which composition gave the subject a favorable impression based on the impression each composition gave the subject. For example, when considering a product renewal, it is possible to evaluate whether the subject had a positive impression of the renewal by evaluating the impressions that subjects had upon applying the compositions before and after the renewal. For example, by assessing the impressions that subjects, divided into categories such as skin concerns, skin type, and age group, had after applying a certain composition, it is possible to obtain information about the attributes of subjects who are likely to have a favorable impression of that composition. [Example]

[0051] The present disclosure will be described in more detail below using examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to the following examples.

[0052] In this example, EEG measurements were performed using a patch-type electroencephalograph HARU-2 (manufactured by PGV Corporation) according to the method described in the instruction manual. The electrode sheet was attached to the center of the forehead. EEG measurements were performed on the left and right hemispheres of the brain, and the frontal lobe between them (the center of the frontal lobe).

[0053] In this example, cerebral blood flow (hemoglobin content) was measured using NIRS hardware and system HT2000 (manufactured by NeU Co., Ltd.) according to the method described in the instruction manual. Cerebral blood flow was measured in the frontal lobes of the left and right brain.

[0054] In this example, heart rate measurements were performed using a wearable heart rate sensor WHS-1 (manufactured by Union Tool Co., Ltd.) according to the method described in the instruction manual.

[0055] <Test Example 1: Changes in beta waves upon application of topical composition> Three subjects wore an electroencephalograph after washing their faces. After acclimatization, they applied lotion to their faces. Beta wave activity was measured as electroencephalogram (EEG) activity for 900 seconds before, during, and after the application. The results are shown in Figure 1. In Figure 1, the horizontal axis represents time (seconds) and the vertical axis represents beta wave potential (μV). In Figure 1, ChZ represents the results for the center of the frontal lobe, ChR represents the results for the right frontal lobe, and ChL represents the results for the left frontal lobe. In Figure 1, the area enclosed by the rounded square represents beta waves observed during the application process. During the time period when the application was not being performed, the subjects were allowed to rest with their eyes open. According to the results in Figure 1, EEG activity was more active during the application process compared to before and after the application of lotion.

[0056] <Test Example 2: Changes in gamma waves when food compositions are applied> One subject was asked to perform a potato chip-eating task, and gamma wave activity was measured as electroencephalogram (EEG) activity for 540 seconds before, during, and after the task. Specifically, three types of potato chips were prepared: Sample A (medium preference), which the subject habitually eats; Sample B (low preference), which is commercially available; and Sample C (high preference), a limited-time upgrade of Sample A (a product with an enhanced flavor that the subject finds favorable). EEG measurements were also conducted in four cases: no task (control); a task in which the subject ate Sample A when desire was low (low desire, medium preference); a task in which the subject ate Sample B when desire was high (high desire, low preference); and a task in which the subject ate Sample C when desire was high (high desire, high preference).

[0057] The results are shown in Figure 2. In Figure 2, the horizontal axis represents time (seconds), and the vertical axis represents gamma wave potential (μV). In Figure 2, ChZ represents the results for the center of the frontal lobe, ChR represents the results for the right frontal lobe, and ChL represents the results for the left frontal lobe. In Figure 2, subjects performed the task during the time range indicated by "TASK," except for the control group. In Figure 2, subjects rested with their eyes open during the time ranges other than "TASK." According to the results in Figure 2, during the potato chip eating task (chewing), no detectable differences in EEG fluctuations were observed between the low desire and medium favorability, high desire and small favorability, and high desire and large favorability groups. However, changes in EEG activity were observed 50 seconds after the task was completed (after swallowing), as indicated by the rounded square in Figure 2. EEG activity was greater in the low desire and large favorability group and the high desire and small favorability group compared to the control group, and even greater in the high desire and large favorability group. These results revealed that when satisfaction with a food composition is high, brain waves become more active in response to application of the food composition, and that such brain wave activity is more pronounced immediately after application of the food composition.

[0058] <Test Example 3: Changes in electroencephalogram, cerebral blood flow, and heart rate by application of topical composition> [Selection of subjects favorable and unfavorable to topical compositions] Forty-four subjects (women in their 20s to 50s) applied a certain lotion (hereinafter referred to as "lotion A") to their faces for four days. Afterwards, the 44 subjects completed a questionnaire survey in which they scored on a scale of 1 to 5 (higher numbers indicate stronger feelings about the item) for each item listed in Table 1, and also completed a free-form response. Based on the results, 12 subjects were selected as favorable to lotion A (positive group), and 12 subjects were selected as unfavorable to lotion A (not-positive group). The average scores for each item for the subjects favorable to lotion A and the subjects unfavorable to lotion A are shown in Table 1.

[0059] [Table 1]

[0060] [Measurement of electroencephalogram, cerebral blood flow, and heart rate during and before and after application of the topical composition] Electroencephalograms (EEG), cerebral blood flow, and heart rate were measured before, during, and after application of lotion A in 12 subjects in the positive group and 12 subjects in the non-positive group. Measurements were conducted over two days, with EEG and heart rate measurements taken in the morning of one day and cerebral blood flow measurements taken in the morning of the other day. EEG measurements were taken in the left and right hemispheres of the brain and the frontal lobes (center of the frontal lobes) between the two. Cerebral blood flow was measured in the left and right frontal lobes of the brain. To eliminate the influence of changes in each parameter caused by the application act itself (body movement) independent of lotion A, the corrected values ​​for EEG and heart rate were calculated by subtracting the values ​​measured when lotion A was applied from the values ​​measured when the subjects only imitated the application act without applying lotion A. Measurements were first conducted in a control test in which only the application act was imitated (a control test), followed by a measurement test in which lotion A was actually applied (an application test). The final number of subjects was 8 in the positive group (like group) and 8 in the negative group (dislike group), excluding those who were absent due to illness, abnormal heart rhythms, and HF outliers.

[0061] The schedule for each measurement test (control test or application test) is shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3, the measurement test was conducted in the following procedure: eyes open and rest, followed by one minute of application or imitation, and then eyes open and rest. As shown in Figure 3, EEG and cerebral blood flow measurements were taken during application, and heart rate measurements were taken immediately after application.

[0062] Based on the measured values ​​of electroencephalogram, cerebral blood flow and heart rate, the following indexes were calculated to evaluate the impression that the composition had on the subject. β / α (electroencephalogram): In both the control and treatment trials, alpha wave potential (μV) and beta wave potential (μV) were measured for each subject. The change in the beta wave potential (β / α) relative to the alpha wave potential was calculated for each subject as the difference between the average β / α from 10 seconds before the start of application or imitation and the average β / α immediately before the start of application or imitation (average β / α from 5 to 15 seconds after the start of application or imitation (126 to 135 seconds on the schedule)). The difference in the β / α value obtained by subtracting the β / α value obtained in the control trial from the β / α value obtained in the treatment trial was used as the index. The β / α results were expressed as the average of the changes in the left and right frontal lobes and the centers of both hemispheres. Cerebral blood flow: For each subject, the difference between the hemoglobin amount (mMmm) measured at the start of application and the hemoglobin amount during application (mMmm, the average of the measured values ​​5 to 15 seconds after application began (126 to 135 seconds on the schedule)) was calculated as the change. HF (heart rate): In the control test and the applied test, the power of the HF component (ms 2 / Hz) was measured. The corrected value of the power of the HF component (HF) was calculated as the difference (however, the square root was taken for the absolute value) between the average value of the HF from 10 seconds before the start of application or imitation to just before the start of application or imitation, and the HF immediately after the end of application or imitation (the average value from 5 to 15 seconds (186 to 195 seconds on the schedule) after the end of application or imitation) as the amount of change. The value obtained by subtracting the HF of the control test from the HF of the application test was used as an index of the HF result.

[0063] The total changes in alpha, beta, and theta waves in the left and right frontal lobes and the centers of both in the Positive and Not-Positive groups are shown in Figure 4. The average β / α results for the changes in the left and right frontal lobes and the centers of both in the Positive and Not-Positive groups are shown in Figure 5. The average β / α results for the changes in the left frontal lobes in the Positive and Not-Positive groups are shown in Figure 6. The average changes in cerebral blood flow in the left and right frontal lobes in the Positive and Not-Positive groups are shown in Figure 7. The changes in HF in the Positive and Not-Positive groups are shown in Figure 8. In Figures 4 to 8, * and ** indicate p values ​​of less than 0.05 and 0.01, respectively, in a paired t-test. 4 to 8, differences were observed between the positive and non-positive groups in α waves, β waves, θ waves, β / α, left brain β / α, cerebral blood flow (hemoglobin content), and HF. Regarding EEG, the difference was large in β / α, and a significant difference was also observed in left brain β / α. These results demonstrate that indices based on the subject's EEG, cerebral blood flow, and heart rate measured during and / or immediately after application of the composition can be used to evaluate the psychological impact of the composition on the subject. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that β / α, cerebral blood flow (hemoglobin content), and HF can be particularly suitably used as indices for evaluating the psychological impact of the composition on the subject.

[0064] <Test Example 4: Changes in brain waves and heart rate due to application of lip balm> [Lip balm] The following two types of lip balm were used to evaluate the subject's impressions of the lip balm and the changes in brain waves and heart rate when applied. Lip balm A: (Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., multi-ingredient formula, stick type) Lip balm B (commercial product, single-ingredient formula, stick type)

[0065] [subject] The subjects were those who had a high level of habitual use of lip balm A and a strong intention to continue using it. To screen the subjects, an online questionnaire was administered to women aged 20 to 49, and 28 subjects were selected based on three criteria: (1) frequency of use, (2) whether they purchased the product themselves, and (3) whether they intended to continue purchasing the product.

[0066] [Test method] An outline of the test method is shown in Figure 9. To help subjects who normally use lip balm A break their habituation to the feel of lip balm A, they were asked to use lip balm B instead of lip balm A for three days from Days 1 to 3. On Day 4, the subjects were asked to use either lip balm A or lip balm B, and their brain waves and heart rates were measured during use. In addition, after using lip balm A or lip balm B on Day 4, the subjects completed a questionnaire.

[0067] Figure 10 shows the detailed flow of measurements and questionnaire responses on Day 4. The subjects were first instructed to rest with their eyes open for two minutes, then to apply lip balm A or lip balm B for one minute in their usual manner, after which they were again instructed to rest with their eyes open for two minutes. Electroencephalograms and heart rate measurements were continuously carried out using equipment during this time. After the measurements, subjects were asked to complete a multiple choice and written questionnaire about their feelings when applying the products and their impressions of use. The feeling items in the questionnaire were based on words extracted from Russell's circumplex model.

[0068] [Analysis method] The changes in electroencephalogram and heart rate measurements were calculated for the last 30 seconds after lip balm application compared to the last minute of the first 2 minutes of resting with eyes open (i.e., immediately before application). This change is thought to represent the effect of experiencing the unique feel of the lip balm. Correspondence analysis was performed on the results of the written questionnaire using KH Corder.

[0069] [result] First, Figure 11 shows the results of a multiple-choice questionnaire (multiple choices allowed) regarding feelings upon application. Figure 12 shows the results of a correspondence analysis using KH Corder on the written responses. In Figure 12, the words near the rectangle A in the lower left corner are unique to the group that used lip balm A. Figures 11 and 12 show that the multiple-choice questionnaire (Figure 11) showed a particularly high tendency for "peace of mind" in group B, while the written questionnaire (Figure 12) showed more distinctive affective words such as "comfortable" and "satisfying" for lip balm A, indicating different results depending on the evaluation method. This suggests that such a questionnaire alone may not be sufficient to evaluate the subject's impressions of lip balm. Note that the results shown in Figure 12 are from a written questionnaire, and therefore are likely to reflect subconscious perceptions more readily than the results of the multiple-choice questionnaire shown in Figure 11.

[0070] Next, the average scores for each item in the questionnaire about usability, which was answered on a 5-point scale, are shown in Figure 13. Figure 13 shows that there was no significant difference between lip creams A and B in the results of the questionnaire about usability, and based on this questionnaire alone, it can be concluded that both products provide a certain level of satisfaction.

[0071] On the other hand, the measurement results of the change in beta waves are shown in Figure 14, and the measurement results of the change in HF are shown in Figure 15. In Figures 14 and 15, the results are shown as mean ± standard deviation, and * indicates a p-value of less than 0.05 in an unpaired t-test. As shown in Figure 14, the beta wave potential decreased in the group using lip balm A compared to the resting state before application, while it increased in the group using lip balm B, and there was a significant difference in the amount of change. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 15, there was no significant difference in the amount of change in HF between the two groups. In this test example, because the variance in the EEG measurements was small, a significant difference in the beta wave potential was observed between the two groups even without standardization by alpha waves.

[0072] In particular, when the results of Figure 14 are interpreted based on Russell's circumplex model, it becomes clear that when the subjects applied lip balm A, which showed a decrease in beta wave potential, they felt emotions such as "satisfaction," while when they applied lip balm B, which showed an increase in beta wave potential, they felt emotions such as "surprise" and "excitement." These results were not particularly apparent in the multiple-choice questionnaire, and were subconscious. Furthermore, the results of lip balm A in this interpretation were similar to the results of the written questionnaire (Figure 12), which is thought to be more likely to reveal subconscious thoughts.

[0073] These results demonstrate that by measuring physiological indicators such as brain waves and heart rate, it is possible to assess the potential mental images held by the subjects, which cannot necessarily be obtained through questionnaires.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating the impression a composition gives to a subject, comprising: an evaluation step of evaluating the impression that the composition gives to the subject using at least one index based on at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of electroencephalogram, cerebral blood flow, and heart rate of the subject, measured during and / or immediately after application of the composition; The evaluation method, wherein the composition is an external composition or an internal composition.

2. Before the evaluation step, a measuring step of measuring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of electroencephalogram, cerebral blood flow, and heart rate of the subject during and / or immediately after the application of the composition; The evaluation method according to claim 1 , comprising:

3. the at least one index includes a change amount of the at least one parameter, The evaluation method according to claim 1, wherein the amount of change is the magnitude of change in the measurement value and / or the ratio of the at least one parameter measured during and / or immediately after application of the composition relative to the measurement value and / or the ratio of the at least one parameter measured before or at the start of application of the composition.

4. The evaluation method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one index includes a ratio of a potential of beta waves to a potential of alpha waves (β / α) and / or a ratio of a potential of beta waves to a potential of theta waves (β / θ).

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the composition is a lotion.

6. The evaluation method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one index includes a potential of a beta wave.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the composition is a lip balm.

8. The evaluation method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one index includes a power of an HF component.

9. The evaluation method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one index includes an index based on an electroencephalogram and an index based on a heart rate.

10. The evaluation method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one index includes an index based on an electroencephalogram and / or an index based on a heart rate, and an index based on cerebral blood flow.

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