Evaluation method

Abstract

To provide an evaluation system and an evaluation method with which it is possible to mitigate the burdens of patients and the personnel in charge.SOLUTION: A storage unit 12 stores a plurality of problems differing in difficulty as the problems answerable by patients. A first problem presentation processing unit 111 selects from the plurality of problems stored in the storage unit 12 and presents a plurality of problems for screening to a patient. A second problem presentation processing unit 112 selects from the plurality of problems stored in the storage unit 12 and presents a plurality of problems for overall evaluation, including at least problems other than the problems for screening, to the patient. An input reception processing unit 113 receives input regarding the answers of the patient to the problems for screening and the problems for overall evaluation. The second problem presentation processing unit 112 presents problems of the difficulty corresponding to the input contents received for the problems for screening by the input reception processing unit 113, as the problems for overall evaluation, to the patient.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an evaluation system and an evaluation program for evaluating a patient's higher brain function or language function.

Background Art

[0002] When comprehensively evaluating the degree of impairment in a patient with a higher brain function or language function disorder, it may be necessary to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the degree of the disorder. By comprehensively evaluating the degree of the patient's disorder, it becomes possible to provide training suitable for that patient, which also contributes to the patient's early recovery.

[0003] Although different from higher brain function or language function disorders, it may also be effective to evaluate the degree of dementia in dementia patients (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). In the system disclosed in this Patent Document 1, in a configuration where a game is played by selecting a measurement mode or a training mode, games corresponding to the level of awareness are executed in each mode.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When comprehensively evaluating the degree of a higher brain function or language function disorder, it is conceivable to present a plurality of tasks to the patient and perform an evaluation based on the patient's responses to those tasks. In this case, the more tasks are presented to the patient, the more detailed the evaluation can be. However, if the number of tasks is large, the evaluation takes a long time, resulting in a large physical burden on the patient and the person in charge (such as medical staff).

[0006] In addition, since there are variations in the level of the patient's disability (severe, moderate, mild, etc.), presenting tasks that do not match the level of disability to the patient may impose a mental burden on the patient. For example, when presenting a difficult task to a severely disabled patient, it may dampen the patient's motivation. On the other hand, when presenting an easy task to a mildly disabled patient, it may hurt the patient's self-esteem. In particular, unlike the case of patients with dementia, for mildly disabled patients without cognitive function problems, care must be taken not to hurt their self-esteem.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an evaluation system and an evaluation program capable of reducing the burden on patients and caregivers.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] (1) The evaluation system according to the present invention is an evaluation system for evaluating a patient's higher brain function or language function, and includes a memory unit, a first task presentation processing unit, a second task presentation processing unit, an input reception processing unit, and an evaluation processing unit. The memory unit stores a plurality of tasks with different levels of difficulty as tasks that the patient can answer. The first task presentation processing unit selects a plurality of screening tasks from among the plurality of tasks stored in the memory unit and presents them to the patient. The second task presentation processing unit selects a plurality of comprehensive evaluation tasks including at least tasks other than the screening tasks from among the plurality of tasks stored in the memory unit and presents them to the patient. The input reception processing unit receives an input regarding the patient's answers to the screening tasks and the comprehensive evaluation tasks. The evaluation processing unit evaluates the patient's higher brain function or language function based on the input content received by the input reception processing unit. The second task presentation processing unit presents a task with a difficulty level corresponding to the input content received by the input reception processing unit for the screening tasks as the comprehensive evaluation tasks to the patient.

[0009] According to such a configuration, based on the patient's response to the screening task, the level of the patient's disorder can be grasped, and a comprehensive evaluation task suitable for that level can be presented to the patient. As a result, compared with the case of presenting the same task uniformly to patients at all levels, the number of tasks can be reduced, so the physical burden on the patient and the person in charge can be reduced. In addition, since a comprehensive evaluation task suitable for the patient's level is presented, the mental burden on the patient can also be reduced.

[0010] (2) The input reception processing unit may be able to receive an input of an auxiliary instruction for instructing assistance for the patient's response to the screening task or the comprehensive evaluation task. In this case, the evaluation system may further include an auxiliary presentation processing unit that presents auxiliary content for assisting the patient's response to the patient when the input of the auxiliary instruction is received by the input reception processing unit.

[0011] According to such a configuration, by inputting an auxiliary instruction as needed, the auxiliary content can be presented to the patient, so the patient can answer the task while receiving assistance from the presented auxiliary content. Therefore, the burden on the patient can be further reduced.

[0012] (3) The input reception processing unit may be able to receive an input of a recording instruction for instructing recording of the patient's response to the screening task or the comprehensive evaluation task. In this case, the evaluation system may further include a recording processing unit that records the patient's response when the input of the recording instruction is received by the input reception processing unit.

[0013] According to such a configuration, by inputting a recording instruction as needed, the patient's response can be recorded. The recorded data can be used to confirm the training effect by playing it back at a later date or to perform analysis based on the voice.

[0014] (4) The evaluation system may further include an input operation unit and a display control unit. The input operation unit has a plurality of keys that can be pressed, and a plurality of liquid crystal display units provided in association with the plurality of keys respectively. The display control unit controls the display on the plurality of liquid crystal display units. In this case, the input reception processing unit may receive an input based on a press operation on the key corresponding to the problem among the plurality of keys. Also, the display control unit may display images corresponding to the problems on the liquid crystal display units corresponding to the keys corresponding to the problems respectively.

[0015] According to such a configuration, by pressing a plurality of keys, it is possible to easily answer the problems. In addition, by displaying images corresponding to the problems on the liquid crystal display units corresponding to the keys corresponding to the problems, the keys to be pressed can be narrowed down to only the keys necessary for answering each problem, and those keys can be displayed clearly.

[0016] (5) The evaluation program according to the present invention is an evaluation program for evaluating a patient's higher brain function or language function, and causes a computer to function as a first problem presentation processing unit, a second problem presentation processing unit, an input reception processing unit, and an evaluation processing unit. The first problem presentation processing unit selects a plurality of screening problems from among a plurality of problems with different difficulties stored in the storage unit as problems that the patient can answer, and presents them to the patient. The second problem presentation processing unit selects a plurality of comprehensive evaluation problems including at least problems other than the screening problems from among the plurality of problems stored in the storage unit, and presents them to the patient. The input reception processing unit receives an input regarding the patient's answers to the screening problems and the comprehensive evaluation problems. The evaluation processing unit evaluates the patient's higher brain function or language function based on the input content received by the input reception processing unit. The second problem presentation processing unit presents, as the comprehensive evaluation problems, problems with a difficulty level corresponding to the input content received by the input reception processing unit for the screening problems to the patient.

[0017] According to such a configuration, based on the patient's response to the screening task, the level of the patient's disorder can be grasped, and a comprehensive evaluation task suitable for that level can be presented to the patient. As a result, compared with the case of presenting the same task uniformly to patients at all levels, the number of tasks can be reduced, so the physical burden on the patient and the person in charge can be reduced. In addition, since a comprehensive evaluation task suitable for the patient's level is presented, the mental burden on the patient can also be reduced.

Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, compared with the case of presenting the same task uniformly to patients at all levels, the number of tasks can be reduced, so the physical burden on the patient and the person in charge can be reduced. In addition, according to the present invention, since a comprehensive evaluation task suitable for the patient's level is presented, the mental burden on the patient can also be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] 1. Configuration of the Evaluation System FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an evaluation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This evaluation system is a system for evaluating a patient's higher brain function or language function, and can be used by a patient and a person in charge (such as a medical staff) who is in charge of the patient to perform the evaluation together. Specifically, a task is presented to the patient using the evaluation system, and the evaluation is performed based on the patient's response result to the task.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1(a), this evaluation system includes a terminal 1 and an input operation unit 2. The terminal 1 and the input operation unit 2 are communicably connected to each other via a wiring such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable. However, the terminal 1 and the input operation unit 2 may be configured to be communicable wirelessly instead of wired.

[0022] The terminal 1 is configured by, for example, a personal computer. The terminal 1 may be configured by a portable terminal such as a notebook personal computer or a tablet terminal. The presentation of the task to the patient is performed by the terminal 1. The terminal 1 is provided with a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an output unit 13, a microphone 14, and the like. The control unit 11 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage unit 12 is configured by a hard disk, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The output unit 13 is for outputting information to the patient and the person in charge, and includes a display unit 131 and a speaker 132. The display unit 131 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display. At least one of the storage unit 12, the output unit 13, and the microphone 14 may be externally attached to the terminal 1.

[0023] The input operation unit 2 is operated by an operator based on, for example, the patient's response. That is, the operator determines whether the patient's answer to the task is correct or not, and inputs the determination result using the input operation unit 2. Further, the input operation unit 2 is used not only for input related to the patient's response but also when the operator gives another instruction. The other instructions include, for example, at least one of a task switching instruction for presenting the next task, a repeat instruction for repeating and presenting the task, an assistance instruction for instructing assistance (hints) for the patient's response, and a recording instruction for instructing recording of the patient's response.

[0024] The input operation unit 2 includes a plurality of keys 21 that can be pressed. Further, the input operation unit 2 includes a plurality of liquid crystal display units 22 provided in association with the respective keys 21. As shown in FIG. 1(b), each key 21 is substantially rectangular, and in this example, 15 keys 21 (3 rows × 5 columns) are arranged in a matrix. Also, liquid crystal display units 22 are individually arranged at positions facing the back sides of the respective keys 21. Each key 21 is formed of a transparent or translucent material. Therefore, the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 22 on the back side of each key 21 can be visually recognized through each key 21.

[0025] Each key 21 is operated to give different instructions. In the example of FIG. 1(b), the key 211 is operated to reproduce the task, particularly when reproducing the task by voice. The key 212 is operated during an assistance instruction for instructing assistance for the patient's response. The key 213 is operated when the patient's answer to the task is correct. The key 214 is operated when the patient's answer to the task is incorrect. The key 215 is operated during a task switching instruction for presenting the next task. The key 216 is operated during a repeat instruction for repeating the task. The key 217 is operated during a recording instruction for instructing recording of the patient's response.

[0026] Among the keys 21, there are also keys other than the keys 211 to 217 as described above. For example, when the patient's answer is correct or incorrect, there may be a key for additionally inputting the specific type of the answer. Examples of the specific types of answers include, for example, aphasia, semantic error, phonological error, neologism, jargon, and perseveration.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1(a), the storage unit 12 stores data of a plurality of tasks that the patient can answer. The plurality of tasks include tasks with different difficulties, and tasks corresponding to the level of the patient's disorder are presented. For example, when classifying the level of the patient's disorder into severe, moderate, and mild, there may be tasks presented only to severe patients or tasks presented only to mild patients. In addition, the storage unit 12 includes data of auxiliary content representing the content of the assistance (hint) presented to the patient. The auxiliary content is stored in the storage unit 12 in association with each task.

[0028] The control unit 11 functions as a first task presentation processing unit 111, a second task presentation processing unit 112, an input reception processing unit 113, an auxiliary presentation processing unit 114, an evaluation processing unit 115, a recording processing unit 116, a display processing unit 117, etc. when the processor executes a computer program (evaluation program).

[0029] The first task presentation processing unit 111 performs a process of outputting a plurality of screening tasks selected according to the level of the patient's disorder from among the plurality of tasks stored in the storage unit 12 to the output unit 13. Thereby, the plurality of screening tasks are sequentially presented to the patient via the display on the display unit 131 or the voice output from the speaker 132. Each screening task is sequentially switched and presented to the patient based on the task switching instruction for the key 215.

[0030] The second problem presentation processing unit 112 performs processing to output a plurality of comprehensive evaluation problems selected according to the level of the patient's disability from among the plurality of problems stored in the storage unit 12 to the output unit 13. As a result, a plurality of comprehensive evaluation problems are sequentially presented to the patient via display on the display unit 131 or voice output from the speaker 132. Each comprehensive evaluation problem is sequentially switched and presented to the patient based on a problem switching instruction for the key 215. The screening problem and the comprehensive evaluation problem may have different contents from each other, or may have some common contents, but the plurality of comprehensive evaluation problems include at least problems other than the screening problem.

[0031] The input reception processing unit 113 performs processing to receive an input corresponding to the key 21 in response to an operation of each key 21. Specifically, the input reception processing unit 113 performs processing to receive an input regarding the patient's answer to the screening problem and the comprehensive evaluation problem in response to operations of the keys 213 and 214 of the input operation unit 2. In addition, the input reception processing unit 113 can receive an input of an auxiliary instruction for instructing assistance for the patient's answer to the screening problem or the comprehensive evaluation problem in response to an operation of the key 212 of the input operation unit 2. Furthermore, the input reception processing unit 113 can receive an input of a recording instruction for instructing recording of the patient's answer to the screening problem or the comprehensive evaluation problem in response to an operation of the key 217 of the input operation unit 2.

[0032] The auxiliary presentation processing unit 114 performs processing to output the auxiliary content stored in the storage unit 12 to the output unit 13. As a result, the auxiliary content for assisting the patient's answer is presented to the patient via display on the display unit 131 or voice output from the speaker 132. The auxiliary presentation processing unit 114 presents the auxiliary content to the patient when an input of an auxiliary instruction is received by the input reception processing unit 113 in response to the operator operating the key 212 during the presentation of the screening problem or the comprehensive evaluation problem.

[0033] The evaluation processing unit 115 performs a process of evaluating the patient's higher brain function or language function based on the input content received by the input reception processing unit 113 in response to the operations of the keys 213 and 214 of the input operation unit 2. Specifically, the score assigned to each task is not added if the patient's answer to each task is incorrect, and is added if it is correct. Thus, the integrated value of the scores (converted to a full score of 100 points) is calculated as the evaluation value of the patient's higher brain function or language function. However, the method of evaluating the patient is not limited to the above method. When auxiliary content is presented to the patient, other arbitrary methods can be adopted, such as reducing the added score or multiplying by a predetermined ratio according to the task. The evaluation result by the evaluation processing unit 115 is stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the patient. Also, when specific types of answers are additionally input, that information is also stored in the storage unit 12 for each task in association with the patient.

[0034] The recording processing unit 116 performs a process of recording the patient's voice input from the microphone 14 as the patient's answer. The recording processing unit 116 records the patient's answer when an input of a recording instruction is received by the input reception processing unit 113 in response to the operator's operation of the key 217 during the presentation of a screening task or a comprehensive evaluation task. The recorded patient's voice is stored in the storage unit 12 for each task in association with the patient. The patient's voice stored in the storage unit 12 can be output from the speaker 132 by the operator's operation on the terminal 1 or the input operation unit 2.

[0035] The display processing unit 117 controls the display on each liquid crystal display unit 22 of the input operation unit 2. In the present embodiment, different display contents can be displayed on each liquid crystal display unit 22 according to each of the screening task and the comprehensive evaluation task. Therefore, the display content of each liquid crystal display unit 22 is not limited to the display content as shown in FIG. 1(b), and can be different display contents according to each task. That is, the keys 21 operated according to each task may be different. In that case, among the plurality of keys 21, an input based on a press operation on the key 21 corresponding to the task is received by the input reception processing unit 113. At this time, the display processing unit 117 causes the liquid crystal display unit 22 corresponding to the key 21 corresponding to the task to display images corresponding to the task, respectively.

[0036] 2. Flow of patient evaluation FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow when a patient is evaluated by the evaluation system of FIG. 1. When evaluating the degree of impairment of a patient with a disorder in higher brain function or language function using this evaluation system, after "screening" in which screening tasks are presented to the patient is executed, based on the results of the screening, "comprehensive evaluation" in which comprehensive evaluation tasks are presented to the patient for evaluation is executed.

[0037] Specifically, first, an operation for starting screening is performed, whereby the presentation of screening tasks to the patient is started (step S101). During screening, a plurality of screening tasks are sequentially presented to the patient. If there is an auxiliary instruction during the presentation of each task (Yes in step S102), auxiliary content for assisting the patient's answer is presented to the patient (step S103).

[0038] The patient answers the screening tasks presented sequentially, and an input such as a correct answer or an incorrect answer regarding the answer is input by the person in charge using the input operation unit 2. In this way, a plurality of screening tasks are sequentially presented to the patient, and when the answers to all the screening tasks are completed (Yes in step S104), the level of the patient's disability is classified based on the input content during the screening (step S105).

[0039] The level of the patient's disability is selected from among a plurality of levels. In the present embodiment, the level of the patient's disability is classified from three levels: "severe" with a relatively severe degree of disability, "mild" with a relatively mild degree of disability, and "moderate" which is intermediate between severe and mild. However, the level of the patient's disability is not limited to three, and may be two, or four or more.

[0040] Next, a comprehensive evaluation of the patient is performed. In the comprehensive evaluation, a task with a difficulty level corresponding to the input content received by the input reception processing unit 113 for the screening task is presented to the patient as a comprehensive evaluation task (step S106). That is, depending on whether the patient is classified as severe, moderate, or mild, tasks with different difficulty levels are presented to the patient as comprehensive evaluation tasks. However, in at least two levels, the comprehensive evaluation tasks presented to the patient may be the same. For example, the comprehensive evaluation tasks presented to the patient may be the same for severe and moderate, or for moderate and mild.

[0041] During the comprehensive evaluation, a plurality of comprehensive evaluation tasks are sequentially presented to the patient. If there is an auxiliary instruction during the presentation of each task (Yes in step S107), auxiliary content for assisting the patient's answer is presented to the patient (step S108). The patient answers the sequentially presented comprehensive evaluation tasks, and an input such as a correct answer or an incorrect answer regarding the answer is performed by the person in charge using the input operation unit 2. In this way, a plurality of comprehensive evaluation tasks are sequentially presented to the patient. When the answers to all the comprehensive evaluation tasks are completed (Yes in step S109), an evaluation value is calculated as the final evaluation result of the patient's disability based on the input content during the comprehensive evaluation (step S110).

[0042] The calculated evaluation value is notified to the patient and the person in charge as the evaluation result by display on the display unit 131 (step S111). The evaluation value may be notified as a numerical value or by other methods such as a graph. Also, the result notification may be performed by other methods such as voice output from the speaker 132, not limited to the display on the display unit 131.

[0043] 3. Screening Mode FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the screening mode. In the present embodiment, screening is performed on two items, "understanding" and "speech". FIG. 3(a) shows the screening sequence for "understanding", and FIG. 3(b) shows the screening sequence for "speech".

[0044] 3-1. Screening for "Understanding" In the item "Understanding" shown in Fig. 3(a), an evaluation is made as to whether the patient understands the task. In the present embodiment, among "Understanding", in particular, screening for "auditory understanding" is performed, and an evaluation is made as to whether the patient who has listened to the voice can give an appropriate answer to the voice. Specifically, a voice such as a word, a short sentence, or one kana character is output from the speaker 132. For example, it may be a task in which a voice of a word, a short sentence, or one kana character is output from the speaker 132, and the patient selects an image corresponding to the voice or answers orally. Alternatively, it may be a task in which a short sentence instruction is output from the speaker 132, and the patient performs an appropriate action (operation) in response to the oral instruction.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 3(a), the screening for "Understanding" starts from Task A11, which is a task (task for severe patients) at a level presented to severe patients. If the patient's answer to this Task A11 is a wrong answer, another task for severe patients, Task A12, is presented to the patient. On the other hand, if the patient's answer to Task A11 is a correct answer, another task for severe patients, Task A13, is presented to the patient.

[0046] If the patient's answer to Task A12 is a wrong answer, the result of the screening for "Understanding" is determined as "severe" at that time. If the patient's answer to Task A12 is a correct answer, Task A13 is presented to the patient, and even if the patient's answer to Task A13 is a wrong answer, the screening result for "Understanding" is determined as "severe" at that time. In contrast, if the patient's answer to Task A13 is a correct answer, Task A14, which is a task (task for moderate patients) at a level presented to moderate patients, is presented to the patient.

[0047] If the patient's response to Task A14 is an incorrect answer, another medium-level task, Task A15, is presented to the patient. When Task A15 is presented to the patient, regardless of whether the patient's response to Task A15 is a correct answer or an incorrect answer, the screening result for "understanding" at that time is determined to be "medium". On the other hand, if the patient's response to Task A14 is a correct answer, another medium-level task, Task A16, is presented to the patient, and even if the patient's response to Task A16 is an incorrect answer, Task A15 is presented to the patient.

[0048] In contrast, if the patient's response to Task A16 is a correct answer, Task A17, which is a task at a level presented to mild patients (a mild-level task), is presented to the patient. When Task A17 is presented to the patient, regardless of whether the patient's response to Task A17 is a correct answer or an incorrect answer, the screening result for "understanding" at that time is determined to be "mild".

[0049] 3-2. Screening for "Speech" In the "Speech" item shown in FIG. 3(b), an evaluation is made as to whether the patient can answer the task by speaking. In the present embodiment, among "Speech", screening is particularly performed for "Naming / Explanation" and "Repetition". In the screening for "Naming / Explanation", an evaluation is made as to whether the patient who has seen an image or video can verbally name or explain the content of the image or video. In the screening for "Repetition", an evaluation is made as to whether the patient who has heard the voice output from the speaker 132 can repeat the content of the voice.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3(b), the screening for "speech" starts from Task A21, which is a severe-usage task. Regardless of whether the patient's answer to Task A21 is correct or incorrect, next, Task A22, another severe-usage task, is presented to the patient. If the patient's answer to Task A22 is incorrect, Task A23, another severe-usage task, is presented to the patient. If the patient's answer to Task A23 is also incorrect, Task A24, yet another severe-usage task, is presented to the patient. When Task A24 is presented, regardless of whether the patient's answer to Task A24 is correct or incorrect, the screening result for "speech" is determined to be "severe" at that point.

[0051] On the other hand, if the patient's answer to Task A22 is correct, Task A25, a moderate-usage task, is presented to the patient. If the patient's answer to Task A25 is incorrect, Task A26, another moderate-usage task, is presented to the patient. When Task A26 is presented, regardless of whether the patient's answer to Task A26 is correct or incorrect, the screening result for "speech" is determined to be "moderate" at that point.

[0052] If the patient's answer to Task A25 is correct, or if the patient's answer to Task A23 is correct, Task A27, a mild-usage task, is presented to the patient. When Task A27 is presented to the patient, regardless of whether the patient's answer to Task A27 is correct or incorrect, the screening result for "speech" is determined to be "mild" at that point.

[0053] 4. Aspects of Comprehensive Evaluation FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the mode of comprehensive evaluation. In this embodiment, a more refined comprehensive evaluation is performed on two items, "understanding" and "speech". For example, regarding "understanding", in addition to the above-mentioned "auditory comprehension", a comprehensive evaluation of "reading comprehension" is also performed. Regarding "speech", in addition to the above-mentioned "naming / description" and "repetition", a comprehensive evaluation of "oral reading" is also performed. FIG. 4(a) shows the sequence of comprehensive evaluation for "auditory comprehension", FIG. 4(b) shows the sequence of comprehensive evaluation for "reading comprehension", FIG. 4(c) shows the sequence of comprehensive evaluation for "naming / description", FIG. 4(d) shows the sequence of comprehensive evaluation for "repetition", and FIG. 4(e) shows the sequence of comprehensive evaluation for "oral reading".

[0054] 4-1. Comprehensive Evaluation of "Auditory Comprehension" In the item of "auditory comprehension" shown in FIG. 4(a), voices such as words, short texts, or long texts are output from the speaker 132, and an evaluation is made as to whether the user can select an image corresponding to the voice, give an oral answer, or take an appropriate action (operation) in response to an oral command. Specifically, for each of a plurality of tasks B11 to B18, one or more questions are presented, and an evaluation is made according to the correct answer rate of the patient to these questions.

[0055] For patients determined to be severe in the screening, first, the word task B11 is presented. If the patient's answer to task B11 is all correct, another word task B12 is presented. If the patient's answer to task B12 is also all correct, yet another word task B13 is presented. If the patient's answer is not all correct in any of tasks B11 to B13, it is determined as "severe" at that time and the comprehensive evaluation of auditory comprehension ends.

[0056] If the patient's answer to task B13 is all correct, the short text task B14 is presented. If the patient's answer to task B14 is all correct, another short text task B15 is presented. If the patient's answer to task B15 is also all correct, yet another short text task B16 is presented. If the patient's answer to task B16 is all correct, a short text (oral command) task B17 of a different type is presented. If the patient's answer to task B17 is all correct, the long text task B18 is presented.

[0057] If the patient's answers to any of Tasks B14 to B17 are not all correct, then at that point, it is determined as "moderate" and the comprehensive evaluation of listening comprehension ends. In Task B18, if the patient's answer to any one question is correct, it is determined as "mild", and if all answers are incorrect, it is determined as "moderate" and the comprehensive evaluation of listening comprehension ends.

[0058] For patients determined as moderate or mild through screening, first, Task B13 is presented. If the patient's answers to Task B13 are all correct, then Task B14 is presented. If the patient's answers to Task B14 are also all correct, then Task B15 is presented. If the patient's answers to Task B15 are also all correct, then Task B16 is presented. If the patient's answers to Task B16 are also all correct, then Task B17 is presented. If the patient's answers to Task B17 are also all correct, then Task B18 is presented.

[0059] If the patient's answers to Task B13 are not all correct, then Task B12 is presented. If the patient's answers to Task B12 are not all correct, then at that point, it is determined as "severe" and the comprehensive evaluation of listening comprehension ends. On the other hand, if the patient's answers to Task B12 are all correct, or if the patient's answers to any of Tasks B14 to B17 are not all correct, then at that point, it is determined as "moderate" and the comprehensive evaluation of listening comprehension ends. In Task B18, if the patient's answer to any one question is correct, it is determined as "mild", and if all answers are incorrect, it is determined as "moderate" and the comprehensive evaluation of listening comprehension ends.

[0060] 4-2. Comprehensive Evaluation of "Reading Comprehension" In the "Reading Comprehension" item shown in Fig. 4(b), the content such as words, short passages, or long passages is displayed on the display unit 131, and an evaluation is made as to whether the patient can select the corresponding image or give an oral answer. Specifically, for each of the multiple Tasks B21 to B27, one or more questions are presented, and an evaluation is made according to the correct answer rate of the patient to those questions.

[0061] For patients determined to be severe through screening, the word task B21 is first presented. If the patient's answers to task B21 are all correct, another word task B22 is presented. If the patient's answers to task B22 are also all correct, yet another word task B23 is presented. If the patient's answers to any of tasks B21 - B23 are not all correct, it is determined as "severe" at that point and the comprehensive reading evaluation ends.

[0062] If the patient's answers to task B23 are all correct, the short passage task B24 is presented. If the patient's answers to task B24 are all correct, another short passage task B25 is presented. If the patient's answers to task B25 are also all correct, yet another short passage task B26 is presented. If the patient's answers to task B26 are all correct, the long passage task B27 is presented.

[0063] If the patient's answers to any of tasks B24 - B26 are not all correct, it is determined as "moderate" at that point and the comprehensive reading evaluation ends. For task B27, if the patient answers even one question correctly, it is determined as "mild"; if all answers are incorrect, it is determined as "moderate" and the comprehensive reading evaluation ends.

[0064] For patients determined to be moderate or mild through screening, task B23 is first presented. If the patient's answers to task B23 are all correct, task B24 is presented. If the patient's answers to task B24 are also all correct, task B25 is presented. If the patient's answers to task B25 are also all correct, task B26 is presented. If the patient's answers to task B26 are also all correct, task B27 is presented.

[0065] If the patient's answer to Task B23 is not correct for all questions, Task B22 is presented. If the patient's answer to Task B22 is not correct for all questions, it is determined as "severe" at that point and the comprehensive reading evaluation ends. On the other hand, if the patient's answer to Task B22 is correct for all questions, or if the patient's answer to any of Tasks B24 to B26 is not correct for all questions, it is determined as "moderate" at that point and the comprehensive reading evaluation ends. In Task B27, if the patient answers correctly even for one question, it is determined as "mild", and if all answers are incorrect, it is determined as "moderate" and the comprehensive reading evaluation ends.

[0066] 4-3. Comprehensive Evaluation of "Title·Explanation" In the items of "Title·Explanation" shown in Fig. 4(c), an evaluation is made as to whether the patient who has seen the image or video can verbally name or explain the content of the image or video. Specifically, for each of a plurality of Tasks B31 to B36, one or more questions are presented, and an evaluation is made according to the correct answer rate of the patient to those questions.

[0067] For patients determined to be severe in the screening, first, Tasks B31 and B32 of naming are sequentially presented. If the correct answer rate exceeds a predetermined value (for example, 50%), another naming task B33 is presented. If the correct answer rate for Tasks B31 and B32 is below the predetermined value, it is determined as "severe" at that point and the comprehensive evaluation of title·explanation ends. Also, after Task B33 is presented, regardless of the correct answer rate for Task B33, it is determined as "severe" and the comprehensive evaluation of title·explanation ends.

[0068] For patients determined to be moderate during screening, the naming task B32 is first presented. If the patient's answers to all questions in task B32 are incorrect, then at that point, it is determined to be "severe" and the comprehensive evaluation of naming and explanation ends. On the other hand, if the patient's answers to task B32 are not all incorrect, another naming task B33 is presented. After task B33 is presented, regardless of the correct answer rate for that task B33, the motion picture task B34 is presented. If the patient's answers to all questions in task B34 are correct, the video task B35 is presented. If the patient's answers to all questions in task B35 are also correct, another video task B36 is presented. If the patient's answers to all questions are not correct in either task B34 or B35, then at that point, it is determined to be "moderate" and the comprehensive evaluation of naming and explanation ends. Even after task B36 is presented, regardless of the correct answer rate for that task B36, it is determined to be "moderate" and the comprehensive evaluation of naming and explanation ends.

[0069] For patients determined to be mild during screening, the naming task B33 is first presented. Regardless of the correct answer rate for that task B33, the video tasks B35 and B36 are presented. After that, regardless of the correct answer rates for tasks B35 and B36, it is determined to be "mild" and the comprehensive evaluation of naming and explanation ends.

[0070] 4-4. Comprehensive Evaluation of "Repetition" In the "Repetition" item shown in Fig. 4(d), an evaluation is made as to whether the patient who has listened to the voice of the word or short passage output from the speaker 132 can repeat the content of that voice. Specifically, for each of a plurality of tasks B41 to B43, one or more questions are presented, and an evaluation is made according to the correct answer rate of the patient to those questions.

[0071] For patients determined to be severe or moderate during screening, the word task B41 is first presented. If the correct answer rate exceeds a predetermined value (for example, 50%), the short passage task B42 is presented. On the other hand, if the correct answer rate for task B41 is below the predetermined value, then at that point, it is determined to be "severe" or "moderate" (at the same level as during screening) and the comprehensive evaluation of repetition ends.

[0072] If the patient's answer to Task B42 is incorrect, then at that point it is determined to be "severe" or "moderate" (the same level as at the time of screening), and the comprehensive evaluation of repetition ends. On the other hand, if the patient's answer to Task B42 is correct, another short text task, Task B43, is presented. When Task B43 is presented, regardless of whether the patient's answer to that Task B43 is correct or incorrect, at that point it is determined to be "severe" or "moderate" (the same level as at the time of screening), and the comprehensive evaluation of repetition ends.

[0073] For patients determined to be mild at the time of screening, first the short text task, Task B42, is presented. If the patient's answer to that Task B42 is incorrect, then at that point it is determined to be "moderate", and the comprehensive evaluation of repetition ends. On the other hand, if the patient's answer to Task B42 is correct, another short text task, Task B43, is presented. When Task B43 is presented, regardless of whether the patient's answer to that Task B43 is correct or incorrect, at that point it is determined to be "mild", and the comprehensive evaluation of repetition ends.

[0074] 4-5. Comprehensive Evaluation of "Reading Aloud" In the item of "Reading Aloud" shown in Fig. 4(e), contents such as words, single kana characters, short texts or long texts are displayed on the display unit 131, and an evaluation is made as to whether the patient can read aloud the contents. Specifically, for each of a plurality of tasks B51 to B55, one or more questions are presented, and an evaluation is made according to the correct answer rate of the patient to those questions.

[0075] For patients determined to be severe at the time of screening, first the word task, Task B51, is presented. Regardless of the correct answer rate to that Task B51, another word task, Task B52, is presented. Then, regardless of the correct answer rate to Task B52, after the single kana character task, Task B53, is presented, regardless of the correct answer rate to that Task B53, it is determined to be "severe", and the comprehensive evaluation of reading aloud ends. [[ID=**********]] [[ID=**********]]

[0076] [[ID=**********]] Even for patients who are determined to be moderate in the screening, the word task B51 is first presented. Regardless of the correct answer rate for task B51, another word task B52 is presented. Then, regardless of the correct answer rate for task B52, after the kana single-character task B53 is presented, regardless of the correct answer rate for task B53, the short passage task B54 is presented. If the patient's answer to this task B54 is incorrect, it is determined as "moderate" at that point and the comprehensive evaluation of reading aloud ends. On the other hand, if the patient's answer to task B54 is correct, the long passage task B55 is presented. When task B55 is presented, regardless of whether the patient's answer to that task B55 is correct or incorrect, it is determined as "moderate" at that point and the comprehensive evaluation of reading aloud ends.

[0077] For patients who are determined to be mild in the screening, the short passage task B54 is first presented. If the patient's answer to this task B54 is incorrect, it is determined as "mild" at that point and the comprehensive evaluation of reading aloud ends. On the other hand, if the patient's answer to task B54 is correct, the long passage task B55 is presented. When task B55 is presented, regardless of whether the patient's answer to that task B55 is correct or incorrect, it is determined as "mild" at that point and the comprehensive evaluation of reading aloud ends.

[0078] 5. Display of Evaluation Results Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining the display mode of the evaluation results. On the screen displayed on the display unit 131 of the terminal 1, when an arbitrary patient is selected and the start key (not shown) is selected, an evaluation menu screen as shown in Fig. 5(a) is displayed. The evaluation menu screen includes a screening evaluation key 31, a comprehensive evaluation key 32, a communication evaluation key 33, a modality-specific key 34, and a history display key 35.

[0079] If the screening evaluation key 31 is selected, screening will start. If the comprehensive evaluation key 32 is selected, comprehensive evaluation will start. When the communication evaluation key 33 is selected, a video of a person speaking to a patient is played, and a communication evaluation is performed to evaluate whether the patient can communicate with respect to the video. When the modality-specific key 34 is selected, each item (listening comprehension, reading comprehension, naming / description, repetition, reading aloud) of the comprehensive evaluation can be performed individually. If the history display key 35 is selected, the history of past evaluations of the selected patient can be viewed.

[0080] In addition, when the modality-specific key 34 is selected, as items other than each item of the comprehensive evaluation, for example, an evaluation of handwriting such as "calligraphy" or "writing down" may be performed. In the evaluation of "calligraphy", an evaluation is made as to whether the patient can write the characters corresponding to the image displayed on the display unit 131. In the evaluation of "writing down", an evaluation is made as to whether the patient can write the characters corresponding to the voice output from the speaker 132.

[0081] If the history display key 35 is selected, a list of past evaluations of the patient is displayed together with the implementation date and time. After selecting an arbitrary evaluation from among them, any one of the screens in FIGS. 5(b) to 5(e) can be selectively displayed. The screens in FIGS. 5(b) to 5(e) include a radar chart tab 41, a map tab 42, a graph tab 43, and a details tab 44. In addition, the screens in FIGS. 5(b) to 5(e) include a score display area 45 that displays the evaluation results of each item of the comprehensive evaluation as scores.

[0082] When the radar chart tab 41 is selected, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the evaluation results are displayed in the radar chart 411. Specifically, the scores of the current (latest) and past (for example, previous) evaluation results are plotted on the radar chart 411 in which the axes of each item of the comprehensive evaluation are displayed radially.

[0083] When the map tab 42 is selected, as shown in Fig. 5(c), the evaluation results are displayed on the map 421. Specifically, a map 421 is displayed in which the titles of the issues in each item of the comprehensive evaluation are arranged, and each title is displayed in a different manner (for example, color-coded) according to whether each issue is a correct answer or an incorrect answer.

[0084] When the graph tab 43 is selected, as shown in Fig. 5(d), the evaluation results are displayed on the graph 431. Specifically, the scores of each item of the comprehensive evaluation are plotted on the graph 431 where the horizontal axis represents the dates of the current and past evaluations and the vertical axis represents the scores of the evaluation results.

[0085] When the detail tab 44 is selected, as shown in Fig. 5(e), the details of the evaluation results are displayed. Specifically, the issues of each item of the comprehensive evaluation are listed, and details such as information on whether each issue is a correct answer or an incorrect answer and the response time for each issue are displayed. In addition, a playback key 441 is displayed in association with each issue, and if recording was performed during the presentation of each issue, it can be played back by selecting the playback key 441.

Explanation of symbols

[0086] 1 Terminal 2 Input operation unit 11 Control unit 12 Storage unit 13 Output unit 14 Microphone 21 Key 22 Liquid crystal display unit 111 Issue presentation processing unit 112 Issue presentation processing unit 113 Input reception processing unit 114 Auxiliary presentation processing unit 115 Evaluation processing unit 116 Recording processing unit 117 Display processing unit 131 Display unit 132 Speaker

Claims

An evaluation method for evaluating a patient's higher brain function or language function using an evaluation system comprising an input operation unit operated by a person in charge of the patient based on the patient's response, a control unit communicable with the input operation unit, and a storage unit storing a plurality of tasks with different levels of difficulty as tasks that the patient can answer, comprising: a first task presentation step in which the control unit selects a plurality of screening tasks including items for evaluating whether the patient understands the tasks from among the plurality of tasks stored in the storage unit and presents them to the patient; a second task presentation step in which the control unit selects a plurality of comprehensive evaluation tasks including at least tasks other than the screening tasks from among the plurality of tasks stored in the storage unit and presents them to the patient; an input reception step in which the control unit receives an input regarding the patient's response to the screening tasks and the comprehensive evaluation tasks in response to the operation of the input operation unit by the person in charge; an evaluation step in which the control unit evaluates the patient's higher brain function or language function based on the input content received in the input reception step, and in the second task presentation step, the control unit presents to the patient, as the comprehensive evaluation task, a task with a level of difficulty corresponding to the input content received in the input reception step for the screening task. An evaluation method.

2. In the input reception step, the control unit can receive an input of an assistance instruction for instructing assistance for the patient's response to the screening task or the comprehensive evaluation task in response to the operation of the input operation unit by the person in charge, and when the input of the assistance instruction is received in the input reception step, the control unit further comprises an assistance presentation step of presenting assistance content for assisting the patient's response to the patient. The evaluation method according to claim 1.

3. In the input reception step, the control unit can receive an input of a recording instruction for instructing recording of the patient's response to the screening task or the comprehensive evaluation task in response to the operation of the input operation unit by the person in charge, and when the input of the recording instruction is received in the input reception step, the control unit further comprises a recording step of recording the patient's response. The evaluation method according to claim 1 or 2.

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