Method of operation and evaluation system for evaluating core strength

Abstract

To provide a method and a system for evaluating ability of a trunk that can accurately evaluate ability of the trunk of a subject.SOLUTION: A method for evaluating ability of a trunk includes the steps of: measuring an angle of the upper body of a subject; creating a histogram of the angle; and evaluating ability of the trunk of the subject on the basis of the histogram.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and an evaluation system for evaluating trunk ability. System operation

Background Art

[0002] In nursing facilities, it is required to grasp the trunk ability of care recipients in order to create a care plan and avoid risks in daily life. Conventionally, the evaluation of the trunk ability of care recipients has been entrusted to observation by caregivers. However, due to circumstances such as a shortage of skilled caregivers, it may be difficult to fully grasp the situation. In addition, when the caregiver changes, information regarding the trunk ability of the care recipient may not be fully passed on.

[0003] For this reason, technologies for objectively evaluating the trunk ability of care recipients have been proposed. In Patent Document 1, a technology has been proposed in which a subject is made to perform a predetermined movement, the state thereof is photographed, and the movement function of the subject is estimated. However, in this technology, since the care recipient has to perform a special movement, the deviation from daily life becomes a problem. For example, even if the trunk ability is evaluated by a movement not performed in daily life, it may be different from the trunk ability required in daily life. In addition, when the care recipient moves in front of the examiner, the care recipient may become nervous or may consciously make an effort. For this reason, there is a possibility that the trunk ability in daily life cannot be accurately evaluated.

[0004] ​Patent Document 2 proposes a technique for evaluating a subject's whole-body motor skills by measuring the movement of at least three parts of the subject's body—the upper body, the left lower body, and the right lower body—during the subject's daily life. However, care recipients in nursing facilities have few opportunities to perform whole-body movements, making it difficult to obtain sufficient data. Furthermore, observing a subject's whole-body movements requires either attaching multiple accelerometers to the subject or installing a camera that can capture the subject's entire body. However, attaching multiple accelerometers to the subject increases the workload of the caregiver performing the measurements, increases the subject's stress, and also increases costs because multiple accelerometers are required per subject. In addition, the placement of a camera that can capture the subject's entire body within a nursing facility is quite limited. Due to these circumstances, it becomes difficult to obtain sufficient data. Insufficient data makes accurate evaluation difficult. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-096052 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6535778 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to evaluate trunk ability that can accurately assess the trunk ability of a subject. System operation The objective is to provide a method and an evaluation system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Evaluation of trunk ability according to the embodiment of the present invention System operation The method is, This is a method for operating a trunk ability evaluation system, which includes an angle information acquisition device that measures the angle of the upper body of a subject in a seated position, and an information processing device that creates a histogram of the angles and evaluates the subject's trunk ability based on the histogram. The method for operating the system is as follows:The method comprises the steps of measuring the angle of the subject's upper body, creating a histogram of the angle, and evaluating the subject's trunk ability based on the histogram.

[0008] The trunk ability evaluation system according to an embodiment of the present invention is In a seated position The system comprises an angle information acquisition device that measures the angle of the subject's upper body, and an information processing device that creates a histogram of the angles and evaluates the subject's trunk ability based on the histogram. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to embodiments of the present invention, a core strength evaluation method can be used to accurately assess the core strength of a subject. System operation Methods and evaluation systems can be implemented. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a trunk ability evaluation system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a method for using the angle information acquisition device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figures 3(a) to 3(c) show subjects with relatively high core strength. [Figure 4] Figures 4(a) and 4(b) show subjects with relatively low trunk strength. [Figure 5] Figures 5(a) and (b) show subjects with relatively low trunk strength. [Figure 6] Figures 6(a) and (b) are histograms showing a point in time with the angle in the anterior-posterior direction on the horizontal axis and the frequency on the vertical axis, while (c) is a graph showing the change in trunk performance values ​​with time on the horizontal axis and trunk performance values ​​on the vertical axis. [Figure 7] Figure 7(a) shows the case where the subject's trunk axis is tilted in the left-right direction, and (b) and (c) are graphs showing histograms at a certain point in time, with the left-right angle on the horizontal axis and the degree on the vertical axis. [Figure 8] FIG. 8(a) is a graph showing changes in the trunk evaluation value with time on the horizontal axis and the trunk evaluation value on the vertical axis, and (b) is a graph showing changes in the most frequent value with time on the horizontal axis and the most frequent value of the angle on the vertical axis. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a graph showing changes in the daily living ability of a subject with time on the horizontal axis and the trunk ability on the vertical axis. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a method for evaluating the trunk ability according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a method for evaluating the trunk ability according to the third embodiment.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0011] <First Embodiment> (Trunk Ability Evaluation System) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the trunk ability evaluation system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, in the trunk ability evaluation system 1 according to this embodiment, an angle information acquisition device 10, a supplementary information input device 20, an information processing device 30, and a display device 40 are provided.

[0012] The angle information acquisition device 10 measures the angle of the upper body of the subject. In the angle information acquisition device 10, an angle information acquisition unit 11, an angle information storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13 are provided. In this embodiment, the angle information acquisition unit 11 is an acceleration sensor 11a. The acceleration sensor 11a has, for example, a piezoresistive pressure measurement element and detects the direction G of the gravitational acceleration with respect to the angle information acquisition device 10, that is, vertically downward. The angle information storage unit 12 stores the direction G of the gravitational acceleration measured at regular intervals as angle information. The communication unit 13 outputs the angle information stored in the angle information storage unit 12 to the information processing device 30.

[0013] The supplementary information input device 20 is an interface for inputting supplementary information. The content of the supplementary information will be described later. In the supplementary information input device 20, a supplementary information input unit 21 and a communication unit 22 are provided. The measurer operates the supplementary information input unit 21 to input the supplementary information. The communication unit 22 outputs the supplementary information input by the supplementary information input unit 21 to the information processing device 30.

[0014] In the information processing device 30, a communication unit 31, an angular information storage unit 32, a supplementary information storage unit 33, and a processing unit 34 are provided. The communication unit 31 receives the angular information from the communication unit 13 of the angular information acquisition device 10 and outputs it to the angular information storage unit 32, and also receives the supplementary information from the communication unit 22 of the supplementary information input device 20 and outputs it to the supplementary information storage unit 33. Further, the communication unit 31 outputs the histogram, the evaluation result of the trunk ability, and the caution signal created by the processing unit 34 to the display device 40.

[0015] The angular information storage unit 32 stores the angular information. The supplementary information storage unit 33 stores the supplementary information. The processing unit 34 reads the angular information stored in the angular information storage unit 32 and creates a histogram. The horizontal axis of the histogram represents the angle, and the vertical axis represents the frequency. The frequency corresponds to the time when the angle was within a certain range. At this time, the supplementary information stored in the supplementary information storage unit 33 may also be read to classify the angular information. Further, the processing unit 34 evaluates the trunk ability of the subject based on the created histogram. Furthermore, the processing unit 34 compares the histograms created over multiple days and generates a caution signal when a predetermined condition is met.

[0016] The display device 40 is, for example, a display. In the display device 40, a communication unit 41 and a display unit 42 are provided. The communication unit 41 receives the histogram, the evaluation result of the trunk ability, and the caution signal output from the communication unit 31 of the information processing device 30 and outputs them to the display unit 42. The display unit 42 displays this information.

[0017] The supplementary information input device 20, the information processing device 30, and the display device 40 may be comprised of a single device installed in the nursing care facility. In this case, the device may be, for example, a notebook personal computer, a tablet, or a smartphone. The communication method between the communication unit 13 of the angle information acquisition device 10 and the communication unit 31 of the information processing device 30 is preferably wireless.

[0018] Alternatively, the supplementary information input device 20 and the display device 40 may be comprised of a single device installed in the nursing care facility, and the information processing device 30 may be comprised of a server installed outside the nursing care facility, or it may be configured on the cloud. In this case, communication between the communication unit 31 of the information processing device 30 and other devices can be performed via the internet.

[0019] (Methods for evaluating core strength) Next, the operation of the trunk ability evaluation system according to this embodiment, that is, the method for evaluating trunk ability according to this embodiment, will be described.

[0020] Figure 2 shows a method for using the angle information acquisition device according to this embodiment. Figures 3(a) to 3(c) show subjects with relatively high core strength. Figures 4(a) and 4(b) show subjects with relatively low trunk strength. Figures 5(a) and (b) show subjects with relatively low trunk strength.

[0021] The trunk ability evaluation method according to this embodiment is implemented, for example, in a nursing care facility. As shown in Figure 2, the subject 100 to be evaluated is a care recipient in a nursing care facility, and the person performing the evaluation is a caregiver. Furthermore, the trunk ability evaluation is mainly performed during mealtime. During the meal, the subject 100 sits in a chair 201 facing a table 202.

[0022] In this embodiment, the acceleration sensor 11a, which is the angle information acquisition unit 11 of the angle information acquisition device 10, is fixed to the upper body of the subject 100. For example, the acceleration sensor 11a is fixed to a vest (not shown), and the subject 100 wears this vest, thereby fixing the acceleration sensor 11a to the subject 100's chest. During the meal, the acceleration sensor 11a continues to detect for a measurement time set to an arbitrary length. The acceleration sensor 11a detects the direction G of gravitational acceleration. This allows the angle θ that the torso axis 101 of the subject 100's upper body makes with respect to the horizontal plane 200 to be measured. The angle information acquisition device 10 then sequentially outputs the measured angle θ as angle information to the information processing device 30 at regular measurement time intervals. The information processing device 30 sequentially stores the angle information in the angle information storage unit 32. The processing unit 34 reads the angle information (data sequence of angles θ measured within the measurement time) stored in the angle information storage unit 32 and creates a histogram.

[0023] The angle θ includes the angle θy in the anterior-posterior direction and the angle θx in the lateral direction. When the trunk axis 101 of subject 100 is parallel to the direction of gravitational acceleration G, both angles θy and θx are 90 degrees. When subject 100's upper body is leaning forward, angle θy takes a value less than 90 degrees, and when it is leaning backward, angle θy takes a value greater than 90 degrees. When subject 100's upper body is leaning to the left, angle θx takes a value less than 90 degrees, and when it is leaning to the right, angle θx takes a value greater than 90 degrees.

[0024] As shown in Figures 3(a) to (c), subjects with relatively high core strength tend to adopt both forward-leaning and backward-leaning postures while eating. As shown in Figure 3(a), for example, when eating food from a large bowl 203 such as noodles or rice bowls, or when taking food from a large plate, subject 100 adopts the first posture. Let θ1 be the angle θy in the first posture. The first posture is, for example, a forward-leaning posture. That is, θ1 < 90°. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3(b), when eating rice or miso soup from a bowl 204 held in the hand, or when taking a break from chopsticks to talk with people around or watch television, subject 100 adopts the second posture. The second posture is more backward-leaning than the first posture. If θ2 is the angle θy in the second posture, then θ2 is greater than θ1. That is, θ1 < θ2. The second posture is, for example, a backward-leaning posture. In this case, 90° < θ2. Both the first and second postures may be forward-leaning postures. In this case, θ1 < θ2 ≤ 90°.

[0025] As a result, as shown in Figure 3(c), the histogram of the anterior-posterior angle θy is a bimodal graph with two peaks. Note that Figure 3(c) shows an example where the first posture (θy=θ1) is a forward-leaning posture and the second posture (θy=θ2) is a backward-leaning posture, but as mentioned above, it is not limited to this. Furthermore, if subject 100 can assume various postures to accommodate a wider range of situations, the histogram may be a multimodal graph with three or more peaks. In this specification, "multimodal" includes "bimodal".

[0026] In contrast, as shown in Figures 4(a) to 5(b), subjects with relatively low trunk strength tend to maintain a single posture for extended periods during meals. As shown in Figure 4(a), when subject 100 eats while supporting their upper body with their elbows on the table, subject 100 spends a significant amount of time in a forward-leaning posture. In this case, as shown in Figure 4(b), the histogram is a unimodal graph with a single peak in the range where the angle θy is less than 90 degrees.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5(a), when subject 100 eats while leaning back against the backrest of chair 201 to support their upper body, subject 100 maintains a reclined posture for a significant portion of the time. In this case, as shown in Figure 5(b), the histogram becomes a unimodal graph with a single peak in the range where the angle θy is greater than 90 degrees.

[0028] Thus, when subject 100 has high core strength and can freely choose the angle of their upper body, the histogram of angle θy tends to be multimodal. On the other hand, when subject 100 has low core strength and is limited in the postures they can adopt, the histogram of angle θy tends to be unimodal. Therefore, by determining whether the histogram of angle θy is multimodal or unimodal, subject 100's core strength can be evaluated.

[0029] Specifically, the processing unit 34 of the information processing device 30 calculates values ​​such as the maximum, minimum, mode, mean, median, kurtosis, and skewness of the angle θy, and calculates a "trunk evaluation value," which is an appropriate index representing the degree of multimodality in the histogram. As will be described later, the trunk evaluation value representing the degree of multimodality may be, for example, the ratio of the heights of multiple peaks, but is not limited to this. The index to be evaluated is appropriately selected depending on the subject being evaluated and the measurement data being measured, and based on this index, a trunk evaluation value representing the trunk ability of subject 100 is calculated.

[0030] At this time, the measurer may input supplementary information via the supplementary information input device 20. For example, as mentioned above, the posture of subject 100 may change depending on the type of meal, so the type of meal may be input as supplementary information, and a histogram may be created for each type of meal. This will enable a more detailed evaluation. In addition, whether the meal is breakfast, lunch, or dinner may be input as supplementary information. Furthermore, the seating position of subject 100 while eating may be input as supplementary information.

[0031] Furthermore, by repeating the above evaluation over multiple days, for example, several weeks, several months, or several years, it is possible to understand the long-term changes in the trunk capacity of a given group of 100 subjects. Figures 6(a) and (b) are histograms of a certain point in time and another point in time later, with the angle in the anterior-posterior direction on the horizontal axis and the frequency on the vertical axis, while (c) is a graph showing the change in trunk performance values, with time on the horizontal axis (for example, starting from an arbitrary point in time and going for 100 days from there) and trunk performance values ​​on the vertical axis.

[0032] As shown in Figure 6(a), suppose a subject has maintained a bimodal histogram of angle θy for a long period of time. However, as shown in Figure 6(b), suppose that at a later time point t, the histogram of angle θy changes to a unimodal one for a reclined posture. In this case, as shown in Figure 6(c), the trunk evaluation value representing the degree of multimodality in the histogram changes abruptly at time point t. In the example shown in Figure 6(c), the ratio (f2 / f1) is used as the trunk evaluation value representing the degree of multimodality in the histogram, where the maximum value of the peak on the low-angle side (forward-leaning side) is denoted as frequency f1, and the maximum value of the peak on the high-angle side (reclined side) is denoted as frequency f2.

[0033] As shown in Figure 6(c), it is estimated that at time t, some change occurred in the subject's physical condition, resulting in a rapid decline in trunk strength. In such cases, the processing unit 34 of the information processing device 30 generates a warning signal, which is displayed on the display unit 42 of the display device 40. This allows the examiner to notice the change in the subject.

[0034] Based on this, the person taking the measurements (caregiver) can suspect that the subject (care recipient) is unwell. In this case, for example, vital signs such as the care recipient's body temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and blood oxygen saturation can be obtained to understand the care recipient's condition, or a doctor can be consulted. Furthermore, if the change in the care recipient is not temporary, it can be recognized that the risk of falling has increased, and necessary measures can be taken, such as reviewing the care plan, adjusting the content of rehabilitation, or changing the assistive devices (bed, support bar, etc.) used by the care recipient. It may also be considered to place the tableware closer to the care recipient to make it easier for them to eat. Alternatively, if there is a possibility of recovery, it may be considered to deliberately place the tableware far away from the care recipient to encourage them to lean forward.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, trunk ability can also be evaluated using the angle θx in the left-right direction of the trunk axis. Figure 7(a) shows the case where the subject's trunk axis is tilted in the left-right direction, and (b) and (c) are graphs showing histograms at a certain point in time, with the left-right angle on the horizontal axis and the degree on the vertical axis. Figure 8(a) is a graph showing the change in trunk performance evaluation values, with time on the horizontal axis and trunk performance evaluation values ​​on the vertical axis, and (b) is a graph showing the change in the mode of the angle, with time on the horizontal axis and the mode of the angle on the vertical axis.

[0036] As shown in Figure 7(a), when subject 100 tilts their upper body from side to side, the angle θx takes a value far from 90 degrees. As shown in Figure 7(b), suppose that the histogram of subject 100's angle θx has remained in a state with a broad peak where the mode is approximately 90 degrees for a long period of time. However, as shown in Figure 7(c), suppose that at a certain time t, the histogram of angle θx changes to a steep peak where the mode is less than 90 degrees. In this case, as shown in Figure 8(a), the trunk evaluation value representing the width of the peak in the histogram changes abruptly, and as shown in Figure 8(b), the mode also changes abruptly. Note that in the example shown in Figure 8(a), the standard deviation of the angle θx is used as the trunk evaluation value representing the width of the peak.

[0037] In this case as well, the processing unit 34 of the information processing device 30 generates a warning signal, which is displayed on the display unit 42 of the display device 40. This allows the measurer to notice the change in the subject. For example, it is possible that the subject developed paralysis at time t. Alternatively, it is possible that the subject experienced a visual abnormality.

[0038] Conversely, if the peak of angle θ suddenly widens, it can be inferred that subject 100 is unsteady. In this case, it is possible that subject 100's physical condition has deteriorated. In such cases as well, the processing unit 34 of the information processing device 30 generates a warning signal and displays it on the display device 40.

[0039] The analysis shown in Figures 7(a) to 8(b) above is also valid for the anterior-posterior direction. As mentioned above, when a subject has high trunk strength, they can assume various postures in the anterior-posterior direction as needed, so the histogram of angle θy tends to show multimodality and the peak tends to be broad. Also, even for subjects whose histogram of angle θy shows unimodality, if the subject has relatively high trunk strength, the peak tends to be broad. On the other hand, among subjects whose histogram of angle θy shows unimodality, if the subject has relatively low trunk strength, the peak becomes steep.

[0040] Therefore, regarding the histogram of angle θy, if the trunk evaluation value, which indicates the broadness of the peak, suddenly decreases, it is possible that the subject has developed motor function impairments such as paralysis or visual abnormalities. On the other hand, if the trunk evaluation value, which indicates the broadness of the peak, suddenly increases, it is possible that the subject's physical condition has deteriorated, they have developed impaired consciousness, or they are experiencing dizziness due to abnormalities in the semicircular canals. In such cases, the processing unit 34 of the information processing device 30 can generate a warning signal and display it on the display device 40.

[0041] Furthermore, it is possible to evaluate the anterior-posterior angle θy and the lateral angle θx in an integrated manner. This allows for the detection of directions in which the trunk tends to tilt steadily, directions in which swaying is large, and conversely, directions in which the change is unnaturally small, even in diagonal directions. In addition, it is possible to understand these trends over the long term and generate a warning signal if the trend changes.

[0042] In the example above, standard deviation was used as an indicator to evaluate the breadth of the peak, but this is not the only such indicator. For example, the relative frequency of the mode in a normalized histogram may also be used. A normalized histogram is a histogram that has been transformed so that its area is 1. For example, if the relative frequency of the mode decreases, it can be estimated that the breadth has increased.

[0043] In this way, by observing changes in a subject's histogram over a long period, it is possible to quickly detect changes in that subject's physical condition. This allows for necessary measures to be taken and care plans to be updated.

[0044] Furthermore, by collecting angle information from a large number of subjects, the correlation between trunk strength and daily living abilities can be statistically estimated. Using these estimation results, a subject's daily living abilities can be estimated based on their trunk strength. Figure 9 is a graph showing the changes in the subjects' daily living abilities, with time on the horizontal axis and trunk strength on the vertical axis.

[0045] In the example shown in Figure 9, trunk strength is correlated with daily living abilities and divided into four levels. In one example, "Level 4," the highest level of trunk strength, is the level at which the person can walk outside independently. "Level 3," the next highest level of trunk strength, is the level at which the person can walk independently within the care facility. "Level 2," the third highest level of trunk strength, is the level at which mobility with a wheelchair is considerable. "Level 1," the lowest level of trunk strength, is the level at which the person is largely confined to bed. For example, if the trunk strength of a care recipient who was previously at Level 3 and able to walk independently within the care facility declines to Level 2, it can be estimated that the risk of falling has increased, and a decision can be made to switch to wheelchair mobility. Furthermore, caregivers can observe changes in multiple care recipients and change the priority of resource allocation.

[0046] (effect) Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. The evaluation system according to this embodiment can objectively assess the trunk strength of a subject. This allows for a thorough understanding of the care recipient's trunk strength even in situations where there is a shortage of skilled caregivers. Furthermore, it enables continuous evaluation even when caregivers change.

[0047] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, trunk ability can be evaluated by observing the subject's daily life. This allows for accurate evaluation of trunk ability without deviating from the abilities necessary for daily life.

[0048] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, trunk strength can be evaluated by measuring the angle of the subject's upper body. Therefore, only one accelerometer 11a needs to be attached to the subject 100. Consequently, the stress on the subject 100 is reduced, and accurate evaluation becomes possible. In addition, since fewer accelerometers 11a are needed, costs can be reduced.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, trunk strength is evaluated during meals. Since mealtimes occupy a large portion of the day and are performed regularly, a large amount of data can be obtained. In addition, because the posture of the lower body is fixed by the same chair and table over a long period of time, the angle of the upper body can be measured under the same conditions. Therefore, highly accurate evaluation is possible. Moreover, in nursing care facilities, multiple care recipients eat under the same conditions, making it easy to compare them.

[0050] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a histogram is created based on angle information, and the subject's trunk ability is evaluated based on the histogram. For example, as described above, with respect to the anterior-posterior angle θy, if the histogram is multimodal, it can be determined that the trunk ability is higher than if it is unimodal. This makes it possible to accurately evaluate trunk ability.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, angle measurement and histogram creation are repeated over multiple days, for example, several weeks, several months, or several years. This allows for the long-term understanding of changes in the subject's trunk ability. In addition, by outputting a warning signal when the histogram changes, the measurer (caregiver) becomes more likely to notice abnormalities in the subject (care recipient).

[0052] <Second Embodiment> Figure 10 shows the method for evaluating trunk strength according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 10, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it uses a camera 11b as the angle information acquisition unit 11 of the angle information acquisition device 10.

[0053] In a nursing care facility implementing the evaluation method according to this embodiment, at least one camera 11b is required, but multiple cameras may be installed. For example, when measuring the angle θ of the trunk axis 101 of multiple subjects 100 using one camera 11b, the camera 11b should be positioned so that the upper bodies of the multiple subjects 100 are within its field of view. The lower bodies of the subjects 100 do not need to be within the field of view of the camera 11b.

[0054] In this embodiment, the angle information acquisition unit 11 (camera 11b) of the angle information acquisition device 10 shown in Figure 1 acquires images of the subject 100 as angle information at regular time intervals. The angle information storage unit 12 stores the image information. The communication unit 13 outputs the image information. When multiple subjects 100 are photographed with one camera 11b, the processing unit 34 of the information processing device 30 performs facial recognition based on the image information to identify the subjects 100. The processing unit 34 also performs skeletal estimation based on the image information, calculates the angle θ of the trunk axis 101 of each subject 100, and generates a histogram.

[0055] In this embodiment, compared to the first embodiment, the subject 100 does not need to wear an acceleration sensor 11a, thus further reducing the stress on the subject 100. Also, since the camera 11b only needs to photograph the upper body of the subject 100, the number of cameras 11b can be reduced. Therefore, costs can be suppressed. The configuration, operation, and effects of this embodiment other than those described above are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0056] <Third Embodiment> Figure 11 shows the method for evaluating trunk strength according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 11, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it uses a seat sensor 11c as the angle information acquisition unit 11 of the angle information acquisition device 10. The seat sensor 11c is placed on the seat of the chair 201 and measures the body pressure distribution of the subject sitting on it.

[0057] In this embodiment, the angle information acquisition unit 11 (seat sensor 11c) of the angle information acquisition device 10 shown in Figure 1 acquires the body pressure distribution of the subject 100 as angle information at regular time intervals. The processing unit 34 of the information processing device 30 calculates the angle θ of the trunk axis 101 of the subject 100 based on the body pressure distribution and generates a histogram thereof.

[0058] In this embodiment as well, compared to the first embodiment, the subject 100 does not need to wear the acceleration sensor 11a, thus reducing the stress on the subject 100. Furthermore, since only one seat sensor 11c is needed per subject 100, costs can be reduced. The configuration, operation, and effects of this embodiment other than those described above are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0059] In the embodiments described above, the angle information acquisition unit 11 was shown to be an acceleration sensor 11a, a camera 11b, or a seat sensor 11c, but it is not limited to these, and various sensors can be used. Also, in the embodiments described above, an example of evaluating trunk ability was described in a nursing care facility, but it is not limited to this. For example, trunk ability may be evaluated in a medical facility such as a hospital or rehabilitation facility, or it may be evaluated at the subject's home. Furthermore, the timing of evaluating trunk ability is not limited to during meals, but may also be while reading or watching television.

[0060] Furthermore, it is possible to analyze the waveforms of numerous histograms obtained by collecting angle information from a large number of subjects in numerous nursing care facilities over a long period of time, and to explore new relationships between histogram waveforms and trunk ability. Alternatively, instead of histogram waveforms for each subject, a frequency distribution table of angle information can be created, and new relationships between the trends in the frequency distribution table and trunk ability can be explored. Since a histogram is a graph of a frequency distribution table, histograms and frequency distribution tables are equivalent in terms of the quality of information. In this specification, "histogram" includes frequency distribution tables, as well as other forms of data equivalent to histograms. In this case, the collected large amount of data (histograms and frequency distribution tables) may be analyzed using machine learning such as deep learning to explore new relationships between angle information and trunk ability.

[0061] The embodiments described above are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, the present invention is also included in the embodiments described above, with some components or processes added, deleted, or modified. Furthermore, the embodiments described above can be implemented in combination with each other.

[0062] The present invention includes the following embodiments.

[0063] (Note 1) The process involves measuring the angle of the subject's upper body, The process of creating a histogram of the aforementioned angles, A step of evaluating the subject's trunk ability based on the histogram, A method for evaluating core strength that includes the following features.

[0064] (Note 2) The aforementioned angle is the angle in the front-to-back direction of the subject. The method for evaluating trunk ability as described in Appendix 1, wherein in the evaluation step, if the histogram is unimodal, it is determined that trunk ability is lower than if the histogram is multimodal.

[0065] (Note 3) The process of measuring the angle and the process of creating the histogram are repeated over several days. The method for evaluating trunk ability according to Appendix 1 or 2, further comprising the step of outputting a warning signal when the histogram changes.

[0066] (Note 4) The step of measuring the angle is performed during the subject's meal, and is part of the method for evaluating trunk ability described in any one of the appendices 1 to 3.

[0067] (Note 5) The method for evaluating trunk ability described in any one of the appendices 1 to 4, wherein the angle is measured using an acceleration sensor fixed to the upper body of the subject.

[0068] (Note 6) The method for evaluating trunk ability described in any one of the appendices 1 to 4, wherein the angle is measured by photographing the upper body of the subject.

[0069] (Note 7) The method for evaluating trunk ability described in any one of the appendices 1 to 4, wherein the angle is measured by a pressure sensor installed on the seat of the chair on which the subject sits.

[0070] (Note 8) An angle information acquisition device that measures the angle of the subject's upper body, An information processing device that creates a histogram of the angle and evaluates the subject's trunk ability based on the histogram, A system for evaluating core strength.

[0071] (Note 9) The angle information acquisition device is a trunk ability evaluation system as described in Appendix 8, which has an acceleration sensor fixed to the upper body of the subject.

[0072] (Note 10) The angle information acquisition device is a trunk ability evaluation system as described in Appendix 8, which has a camera for photographing the upper body of the subject.

[0073] (Note 11) The angle information acquisition device is a trunk ability evaluation system as described in Appendix 8, which has a pressure sensor installed on the seat surface of the chair on which the subject sits. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1. Evaluation System 10 Angle information acquisition device 11 Angle information acquisition section 11a accelerometer 11b Camera 11c Seat sensor 12 Angle information storage section 13 Communications Department 20 Supplementary Information Input Device 21 Supplementary Information Input Section 22 Communications Department 30 Information Processing Devices 31 Communications Department 32 Angle information storage section 33 Supplementary information storage section 34 Processing Unit 40 Display device 41 Communications Department 42 Display section 100 subjects 101 Trunk axis 200 horizontal plane 201 Chairs 202 Table 203 vessel 204 Bowl G: Direction of gravitational acceleration f1, f2 degrees θx: Angle in the left-right direction θy: Angle in the front-back direction

Claims

1. A method for operating a trunk ability evaluation system, comprising: an angle information acquisition device for measuring the angle of the upper body of a subject in a seated position; and an information processing device for creating a histogram of the angles and evaluating the subject's trunk ability based on the histogram, A step of measuring the angle of the upper body of the subject in the seated position, The process of creating a histogram of the aforementioned angles, A step of evaluating the subject's trunk ability based on the histogram, A method for operating a trunk ability evaluation system equipped with [specific features / features].

2. The aforementioned angle is the angle in the front-to-back direction of the subject. A method for operating a trunk ability evaluation system according to claim 1, wherein, in the evaluation step, if the histogram is unimodal, it is determined that the trunk ability is lower than if the histogram is multimodal.

3. The process of measuring the angle and the process of creating the histogram are repeated over several days. The method for operating the trunk ability evaluation system according to claim 1, further comprising the step of outputting a warning signal when the histogram changes.

4. The method for operating the trunk ability evaluation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the step of measuring the angle is performed while the subject is sitting in a chair and while the subject is eating.

5. The method for operating a trunk ability evaluation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the angle is measured by an acceleration sensor fixed to the upper body of the subject.

6. The method for operating a trunk ability evaluation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the measurement of the angle is performed by photographing the upper body of the subject.

7. The method of operating a trunk ability evaluation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the angle is measured by a pressure sensor installed on the seat surface of the chair on which the subject sits.

8. An angle information acquisition device for measuring the angle of the upper body of a subject in a seated position, An information processing device that creates a histogram of the angle and evaluates the subject's trunk ability based on the histogram, A system for evaluating core strength.

9. The trunk ability evaluation system according to claim 8, wherein the angle information acquisition device has an acceleration sensor fixed to the upper body of the subject.

10. The trunk ability evaluation system according to claim 8, wherein the angle information acquisition device has a camera that photographs the upper body of the subject.

11. The trunk ability evaluation system according to claim 8, wherein the angle information acquisition device has a pressure sensor installed on the seat surface of the chair on which the subject sits.

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