Device for supporting relaxation, method for supporting relaxation, and program

Abstract

The present invention provides a relaxation assistance device comprising: an electrical stimulation control unit that, on the basis of the muscle activity of a muscle to be relaxed, controls electrical stimulation on a muscle different from the muscle to be relaxed; and an electrical stimulation presentation unit that presents electrical stimulation to the muscle different from the muscle to be relaxed.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to techniques for muscle relaxation. [Background technology]

[0002] When practicing musical instruments, tactile feedback using Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) can be used to assist users in learning to play musical instruments.

[0003] For example, in Non-Patent Document 1, EMS is used to communicate to the player which fingers to move in order to learn fingering when playing the koto. In Non-Patent Document 2, EMS is used to communicate the rhythm to be played to the player in order to learn rhythmic sense when playing drums. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Emi Tamaki, Takashi Miyaki, and Jun Rekimoto. 2011. PossessedHand: techniques for controlling human hands using electrical muscles stimuli. In Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '11). 543-552. [Non-Patent Document 2] Ayaka Ebisu, Satoshi Hashizume, Kenta Suzuki, Akira Ishii, Mose Sakashita, and Yoichi Ochiai. 2017. Stimulated percussions: method to control human for learning music by using electrical muscle stimulation. In Proceedings of the 8th Augmented Human International Conference (AH '17). 1-5. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When playing an instrument, it is important not only to have good fingering and a good sense of rhythm, but also to play without putting too much force into your fingers. For example, when playing piano tremolo, which requires pressing keys quickly in succession, if you put too much force into your fingers, you will get tired easily and may develop injuries such as tendonitis.

[0006] When trying to use EMS to help performers play without exerting force, there is a problem in that even if EMS is applied in the conventional way to the muscles that move the fingers (extensor pollicis longus, flexor pollicis longus, extensor digitorum communis, flexor digitorum superficialis, etc.), the muscles contract and it is not possible to relax them.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and has an object to provide a technique that makes it possible to relax specific muscles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to the disclosed technology, an electrical stimulation control unit controls electrical stimulation to a muscle other than the muscle to be relaxed based on the muscle activity of the muscle to be relaxed; an electrical stimulation presentation unit that presents electrical stimulation to muscles other than the muscles to be relaxed; 、 Equipped with The part of the muscle to be relaxed is different from the part of the muscle to be stimulated by the electrical stimulation. A weakness assistance device is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The disclosed technology provides a technology that allows specific muscles to be relaxed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a relaxation assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 13 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the relaxation assistance device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a relaxation assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an electrical stimulation control device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a force relaxation assistance device. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a force relaxation assistance device. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of the apparatus. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the relaxation assistance device. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 shows the average %MVC during playing before and after EMS presentation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (the present embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is merely an example, and the embodiment to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0012] In the example described below, the muscles to be relaxed are the muscles that move the fingers, and the muscles to which electrical stimulation is applied are the muscles that move the wrist, but this is an example assuming an exercise such as playing tremolo. The present invention is not limited to this example, and can be applied to assist in relaxing muscles involved in various exercises.

[0013] (Outline of the embodiment) In this embodiment, electrical stimulation is applied to muscles in a different area from the muscles to be relaxed, and the muscles are moved to reduce the tension in the muscles to be relaxed. For example, in playing tremolo, electrical stimulation is applied to the muscles (supinator, supinator, etc.) that rotate the wrist, which are muscles in a different area from the muscles that move the fingers, so that the wrist can be rotated to play the tremolo without putting tension on the fingers, thereby reducing the tension in the muscles that move the fingers.

[0014] (Device configuration, operation) An example of the configuration of a weakness assistance device 100 according to the present embodiment is shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the weakness assistance device 100 has an electrical stimulation control unit 110 that controls parameters for electrical stimulation presentation, and an electrical stimulation presentation unit 120 that presents electrical stimulation to a specific part.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the weakness assistance device 100. As shown in Fig. 2, in S101, the electrical stimulation control unit 110 sets the current value, pulse width, frequency, presentation time, presentation part, and the like as parameters of the electrical stimulation.

[0016] In S102, the electrical stimulation presentation section 120 presents electrical stimulation to the muscle through electrodes affixed to the skin surface, based on parameters set by the electrical stimulation control section 110.

[0017] (Example) A more specific example, an embodiment, will be described below.

[0018] <Device configuration> Fig. 3 is a configuration diagram of a force relaxation support device 200 that presents electrical stimulation in response to finger tension. As shown in Fig. 3, force relaxation support device 200 has an electromyogram sensor 210, an electrical stimulation control device 220, and an electrical stimulation device 230. Force relaxation support device 200 may be called a force relaxation support system.

[0019] The myoelectric sensor 210 is a myoelectric sensor that is attached to the skin surface where the muscle that moves the finger to be relaxed is located. The electrical stimulation control device 220 is connected to the myoelectric sensor 210, and determines whether or not the muscle that moves the finger is tense based on the value of the measurement result from the myoelectric sensor 210. The electrical stimulation device 230 is, for example, an electrode attached to the skin surface where the muscles that move the wrist (e.g., pronator and supinator muscles) are located, which are located in a different area from the muscles that move the fingers, and is connected to the electrical stimulation control device 220, and presents electrical stimulation to the muscles based on the electrical signal from the electrical stimulation control device 220.

[0020] It should be noted that "electromyogram sensor 210+electromyogram control device 220" corresponds to electromyogram control unit 110 shown in Fig. 1. It is also possible to configure the device without including electromyogram sensor 210, in which case electromyogram control device 220 corresponds to electromyogram control unit 110 shown in Fig. 1. It should be noted that electromyogram device 230 corresponds to electromyogram presentation unit 120 shown in Fig. 1.

[0021] The electromyography sensor 210, the electrical stimulation control device 220, and the electrical stimulation device 230 may be referred to as a muscle activity measurement section, an electrical stimulation control section, and an electrical stimulation presentation section, respectively.

[0022] Fig. 4 is a functional configuration diagram of the electrical stimulation control device 220. As shown in Fig. 4, the electrical stimulation control device 220 has a sensor input section 221, a feature amount calculation section 222, a determination section 223, and an electrical signal transmission processing section 224.

[0023] The sensor input unit 221 receives the measurement result value from the myoelectric sensor 210 and passes the value to the feature amount calculation unit 222 .

[0024] The feature calculation unit 222 calculates a feature from the value of the electromyography sensor 210, and passes the calculated feature to the determination unit 223. The determination unit 223 compares the feature with a threshold value to determine whether or not there is tension in the muscle moving the finger, and passes the determination result to the electric signal transmission processing unit 224.

[0025] When the electrical signal transmission processing unit 224 receives a determination result indicating the presence of strain, it sets the current value, pulse width, frequency, presentation time, presentation part, etc., and transmits an electrical signal to the electrical stimulation device 230 based on the set values, thereby causing the electrical stimulation device 230 to present an electrical stimulation.

[0026] In this embodiment, the method of selecting the part to which the electrical stimulation is to be applied may be based on existing knowledge of ergonomics. Alternatively, the myoelectric potential of a plurality of muscles may be measured in advance, and one of the muscles linked to a certain movement (for example, the extensor digitorum communis, supinator, and biceps brachii in playing tremolo) may be selected.

[0027] Regarding the above muscle selection (selection of the presentation area), the selected muscle (specifically, the electrodes that provide electrical stimulation to the selected muscle) may be set in advance in the electrical signal transmission processing unit 224, or the electrical signal transmission processing unit 224 may determine the type of movement from fluctuations in the value of the muscle force sensor 221, etc., and select the muscle (i.e., the electrode) appropriate for that movement.

[0028] Also, for the current value, pulse width, frequency, and presentation time, appropriate values ​​may be determined in advance by, for example, experiments, and the values ​​may be set in the electric signal transmission processing unit 224, which may then use the set values. Also, a plurality of sets of "current value, pulse width, frequency, and presentation time" corresponding to movements may be set in the electric signal transmission processing unit 224, which may then determine the type of movement from the fluctuation in the value of the muscle force sensor 221, and select the "current value, pulse width, frequency, and presentation time" appropriate for that movement.

[0029] The electrodes constituting electrical stimulation device 230 for providing electrical stimulation may be disposable electrodes, cloth electrodes, or other electrodes.

[0030] Furthermore, the weakness support device 200 may be an elbow support type device with two sets of cloth electrodes arranged diagonally. Fig. 5 shows an example of the weakness support device 200 with cloth electrodes 232, 233, 235, 234 arranged diagonally on the inside of the elbow support. Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view as seen from the hand side. The electrical stimulation controller 231 corresponds to the electrical stimulation control device 220. The electrical stimulation controller 231 may be equipped with an electromyogram sensor.

[0031] By making the relaxation assistance device 200 an elbow support type device with two sets of cloth electrodes arranged diagonally, it is easy to put on and take off, and it is possible to present electrical stimulation to the supinator and pronator muscles. As shown in the experimental results described later, by presenting electrical stimulation to the pronator and supinator muscles, it is possible to reduce the muscle activity of the muscles that move the fingers (e.g., extensor pollicis longus and extensor digitorum communis), and it is possible to support playing by reducing finger tension.

[0032] <Hardware configuration example> The electrical stimulation control device 220 may be realized by causing a computer (eg, a PC) to execute a program, or may be realized by dedicated hardware such as an integrated circuit (IC).

[0033] When the electrical stimulation control device 220 is realized by causing a computer to execute a program, the program can be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium (such as a portable memory) and stored or distributed. The program can also be provided via a network such as the Internet or e-mail.

[0034] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the computer. The computer in Fig. 7 has a drive device 1000, an auxiliary storage device 1002, a memory device 1003, a CPU 1004, an interface device 1005, a display device 1006, an input device 1007, an output device 1008, etc., which are all connected to each other via a bus B.

[0035] The program for realizing the processing on the computer is provided by a recording medium 1001 such as a CD-ROM or a memory card. When the recording medium 1001 storing the program is set in the drive device 1000, the program is installed from the recording medium 1001 to the auxiliary storage device 1002 via the drive device 1000. However, the program does not necessarily have to be installed from the recording medium 1001, but may be downloaded from another computer via a network. The auxiliary storage device 1002 stores the installed program as well as necessary files, data, etc.

[0036] The memory device 1003 reads out and stores the program from the auxiliary storage device 1002 when an instruction to start the program is received. The CPU 1004 realizes functions related to the electrical stimulation control device 220 according to the program stored in the memory device 1003. The interface device 1005 is used as an interface for connecting an external device. For example, the electromyogram sensor 210 and the electrical stimulation device 230 may be connected via the interface device 1005. The display device 1006 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like according to a program. The input device 1007 is composed of a keyboard and mouse, buttons, a touch panel, or the like, and is used to input various operation instructions. The output device 1008 outputs the calculation results.

[0037] <Example of operation> Next, an operation example of strength relaxation assistance device 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 8. In S201, electrical stimulation control device 220 receives the value of the measurement result from electromyography sensor 210, and calculates a feature amount for determining the tension of the muscle that moves the finger.

[0038] The feature amount to be calculated is not limited to a specific one, but for example, the value of the root mean square every 200 ms is calculated as the feature amount.

[0039] In S202, electrical stimulation control device 220 compares the calculated feature amount with a preset threshold value, and if the calculated feature amount is higher than the preset threshold value, determines that there is tension in the muscle moving the finger, and proceeds to S203.

[0040] In S203, electrical stimulation control device 220 sets a current value, a pulse width, a frequency, a presentation time, a presentation site, and the like, and in S204 transmits an electrical signal based on the set values ​​to electrical stimulation device 230. Electrical stimulation device 230 has electrodes attached to the skin surface where the muscles that move the wrist are located, and presents electrical stimulation to the muscles through the electrodes.

[0041] <Experimental Results> An experiment was conducted to verify whether the muscle relaxation assistance device according to the present invention can be used to relax the finger muscles when playing tremolo on the piano. The results of the experiment will now be described.

[0042] The experiment was conducted on eight subjects who were beginners at playing the piano. They performed a tremolo performance task, playing the note C one octave apart with their thumb and little finger at a constant tempo, for a set period of time. During the task, EMS was presented alternately to the pronator and supinator muscles, causing the wrist to rotate. After that, the subjects performed the tremolo again in the same way without stimulation. It was verified whether there was a difference in muscle activity before and after the EMS was presented. Two types of myoelectric potential were measured: the extensor pollicis longus and the extensor digitorum communis, and muscle activity during performance was estimated using the %MVC (Maximal Voluntary Contraction) index. %MVC is an index that indicates the degree of muscle activity.

[0043] Figure 9 shows the average %MVC during playing before and after EMS was applied. The experimental results show that the %MVC value significantly decreased after EMS was applied. Therefore, it can be said that teaching wrist rotation using EMS was able to reduce the muscle activity of the muscles that move the fingers, which means that it was possible to support playing with less finger tension.

[0044] (Effects of the embodiment) According to the relaxation support device of this embodiment, electrical stimulation is provided to muscles other than the finger muscles that are to be relaxed, allowing the player to play without exerting force on the fingers, which reduces fatigue and helps prevent injury.

[0045] (Summary of the embodiment) This specification discloses at least the following relaxation assistance devices, relaxation assistance methods, and programs. (Section 1) an electrical stimulation control unit that controls electrical stimulation to a muscle other than the muscle to be relaxed based on the muscle activity of the muscle to be relaxed; an electrical stimulation presentation unit that presents electrical stimulation to muscles other than the muscles to be relaxed; A relaxation assistance device comprising: (Section 2) The electrical stimulation presentation unit presents electrical stimulation to a muscle that is linked to a muscle that is to be relaxed during a certain exercise. 2. The relaxation assistance device according to claim 1. (Section 3) Further comprising a muscle activity measuring unit for measuring the muscle activity of the muscle to be relaxed, The electrical stimulation control unit controls the electrical stimulation in accordance with the magnitude of the muscle activity measured by the muscle activity measurement unit, The electrical stimulation presentation unit presents electrical stimulation to a site different from a site measured by the muscle activity measurement unit. 3. The relaxation support device according to claim 1 or 2. (Section 4) This is an elbow support with two sets of electrodes arranged diagonally. A relaxation support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. (Section 5) A method for supporting a person with weakness performed by a weakness support device, comprising: an electrical stimulation control step of controlling electrical stimulation to a muscle other than the muscle to be relaxed based on the muscle activity of the muscle to be relaxed; an electrical stimulation presentation step of presenting electrical stimulation to a muscle other than the muscle to be relaxed; A method for assisting relaxation. (Section 6) A program for causing a computer to function as the electrical stimulation control unit in the relaxation support device described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

[0046] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such a specific embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 100, 200 Weakness Support Device 110 Electrical stimulation control unit 120 Electrical stimulation presentation unit 210 EMG Sensor 220 Electrical Stimulation Control Device 230 Electrical Stimulation Device 221 Sensor input section 222 Feature Calculation Unit 223 Judgment section 224 Electrical signal transmission processing section 232, 233, 235, 234 electrode 231 Electrical Stimulation Controller 1000 Drive Device 1001 Recording media 1002 Auxiliary storage device 1003 Memory device 1004 CPU 1005 Interface device 1006 Display device 1007 Input Device

Claims

1. an electrical stimulation control unit that controls electrical stimulation to a muscle other than the muscle to be relaxed based on the muscle activity of the muscle to be relaxed; and an electrical stimulation presentation unit that presents electrical stimulation to a muscle other than the muscle to be relaxed. The part of the muscle to be relaxed is different from the part of the muscle to be stimulated by the electrical stimulation. Weakness support device.

2. The electrical stimulation presentation unit presents electrical stimulation to a muscle that is linked to a muscle that is to be relaxed during a certain exercise. The device for assisting relaxation according to claim 1 .

3. Further comprising a muscle activity measuring unit for measuring the muscle activity of the muscle to be relaxed, The electrical stimulation control unit controls the electrical stimulation in accordance with the magnitude of the muscle activity measured by the muscle activity measurement unit, The electrical stimulation presentation unit presents electrical stimulation to a site different from a site measured by the muscle activity measurement unit. The device for assisting relaxation according to claim 1 or 2.

4. This elbow support has two sets of electrodes arranged diagonally. The device for assisting relaxation according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A method for supporting a person with weakness performed by a weakness support device, comprising: an electrical stimulation control step of controlling electrical stimulation to a muscle other than the muscle to be relaxed based on the muscle activity of the muscle to be relaxed; and an electrical stimulation presentation step of presenting electrical stimulation to a muscle other than the muscle to be relaxed, The part of the muscle to be relaxed is different from the part of the muscle to be stimulated by the electrical stimulation. How to help with relaxation.

6. A program for causing a computer to function as the electrical stimulation control unit in the relaxation support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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