Treatment assistance program, treatment assistance device, and treatment assistance method

Abstract

The present invention causes a computer to function as: an output unit 121 which outputs practice contents in a practice curriculum for a patient, the practice curriculum being related to cognitive behavior therapy for changing cognition and / or behavior of the patient; an acquisition unit 122 which acquires evaluation information 131 regarding a practice content having been executed by the patient; and a determination unit 123 which determines progress in the practice curriculum on the basis of the evaluation information 131. The evaluation information 131 includes: qualitative evaluation information 133 based on an input received from the patient; and quantitative evaluation information 135 based on the input received from the patient. The determination unit 123, on the basis of the qualitative evaluation information 133 and / or the quantitative evaluation information 135, executes: a first determination process for determining the necessity of re-outputting the practice content having been executed by the patient; and / or a second determination process for determining the necessity of outputting other practice contents not having been executed by the patient.

Description

Treatment support program, treatment support device, and treatment support method

[0001] The present invention relates to a treatment support program, a treatment support device, and a treatment support method.

[0002] In recent years, various methods for treating diseases using digital technology have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for ensuring data security in disease treatment using digital technology, in which anonymized data related to treatment is transmitted and received between a patient terminal and a therapist terminal using encrypted communication technology.

[0003] Special Publication No. 2020-537462

[0004] However, in conventional technology, even if the patient attempts to autonomously carry out treatment based on the data related to the treatment received by the patient's terminal from the therapist's terminal, there are cases where the patient is unable to continue with the treatment due to, for example, the hassle of the treatment, and improvements in this area are needed.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a treatment support program, a treatment support device, and a treatment support method that can support patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome in continuing to work on disease treatment.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a treatment support program used to support the treatment of patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, which causes a computer to function as an output unit that outputs exercise content in an exercise curriculum for the patient, the exercise curriculum being related to cognitive behavioral therapy for transforming at least one of the patient's cognition and behavior, an acquisition unit that acquires evaluation information on the exercise content performed by the patient, and a judgment unit that judges the progress of the exercise curriculum based on the evaluation information, wherein the evaluation information includes qualitative evaluation information based on input received from the patient and quantitative evaluation information based on input received from the patient, and the judgment unit executes at least one of a first judgment process that judges whether or not to re-output exercise content that has already been performed by the patient, and a second judgment process that judges whether or not to output other exercise content that has not yet been performed by the patient, based on at least one of the qualitative evaluation information and the quantitative evaluation information.

[0007] The present disclosure provides a treatment support device used to support the treatment of patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, the treatment support device having an output unit that outputs exercise content in an exercise curriculum for the patient, the exercise curriculum being related to cognitive behavioral therapy for transforming at least one of the patient's cognition and behavior, an acquisition unit that acquires evaluation information on the exercise content performed by the patient, and a judgment unit that judges whether the exercise curriculum can be progressed based on the evaluation information, the evaluation information including qualitative evaluation information based on input received from the patient and quantitative evaluation information based on input received from the patient, and the judgment unit executes at least one of a first judgment process that judges whether exercise content that has already been performed by the patient needs to be re-output and a second judgment process that judges whether other exercise content that has not yet been performed by the patient needs to be output based on at least one of the qualitative evaluation information and the quantitative evaluation information.

[0008] The present disclosure provides a treatment support method used to support the treatment of patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, the treatment support method including: an output process for outputting exercise content in an exercise curriculum for the patient, the exercise curriculum being related to cognitive behavioral therapy for transforming at least one of the patient's cognition and behavior; an acquisition process for acquiring evaluation information on the exercise content performed by the patient; and a judgment process for determining whether or not the exercise curriculum can be progressed based on the evaluation information, the evaluation information including qualitative evaluation information based on input received from the patient and quantitative evaluation information based on input received from the patient, and the judgment process executes at least one of a first judgment process for determining whether or not to re-output exercise content that has already been performed by the patient, and a second judgment process for determining whether or not to output other exercise content that has not yet been performed by the patient, based on at least one of the qualitative evaluation information and the quantitative evaluation information.

[0009] According to the present invention, in treating a patient suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, it is possible to support the patient in continuing to work on disease treatment.

[0010] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system to which a treatment support device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of data content of evaluation information; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an implementation schedule for an educational curriculum and a practice curriculum; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an implementation schedule for an educational curriculum and a practice curriculum; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen for a symptom diary; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an execution screen for a relaxation method; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an execution screen for a downward arrow method; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen for a self-assessment; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen for a case formulation; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen for a cognitive reorganization method; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an execution screen for an exposure mini-experiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a creation screen for a hierarchical table of internal sensory exposure; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of settings in the hierarchical table of internal sensory exposure; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an execution screen for ...

[0011] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the drawings, components with the same reference numerals have the same or similar configurations.

[0012] In this embodiment, a patient terminal and a therapist terminal cooperate to provide treatment support for a patient suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a type of digestive disorder. IBS has multiple disease types, including constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C), diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), mixed irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-M), and unclassifiable irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-U). All of these are considered to be psychologically related disorders. Patients suffering from IBS are treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), for example, to alter at least one of the patient's cognition and behavior. Cognitive behavioral therapy targets cognitive, behavioral, and emotional problems associated with maladaptive states, with the goal of alleviating maladaptive responses and developing adaptive responses.

[0013] Treatment support for patients suffering from IBS can be realized by providing patients with cognitive behavioral therapy exercise curricula using the treatment support program, treatment support device, or treatment support method disclosed herein. The exercise curricula include exercise content related to at least one or more techniques selected from the group consisting of attention training, cognitive restructuring, internal sensory exposure, and real-life exposure. Details of each exercise curriculum will be described later, but each exercise curriculum includes at least one or more tasks to be performed by the patient.

[0014] Furthermore, therapeutic support for patients suffering from IBS may be realized by providing the patient with an educational curriculum in addition to the exercise curriculum. The educational curriculum is a curriculum for deepening the patient's understanding of cognitive behavioral therapy, and includes, for example, a disease education curriculum for deepening the patient's understanding of the disease and an exercise education curriculum for deepening the patient's understanding of the exercises.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1 , the patient terminal 100 is a portable information terminal held by a patient and includes, for example, a communication device 110, a control unit 120, and a storage unit 130. The control unit 120 is implemented by a hardware processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be implemented by hardware (including circuitry), such as a large-scale integration (LSI), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a graphics processing unit (GPU), or may be implemented by a combination of software and hardware. The program may be pre-stored in the storage unit 130 of the patient terminal 100, or may be stored on a removable computer-readable recording medium, such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and installed in the storage unit 130 of the patient terminal 100 by inserting the computer-readable recording medium into a drive device. The program may be a so-called native application that is installed and used in the storage unit 130 of the patient-side terminal 100, or may be a web application that is stored on an external server and can be remotely operated via an internet line using a web browser. In this embodiment, the patient-side terminal 100 is preferably a smartphone, but may also be other portable information terminals such as a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, or a computer.

[0016] The communication device 110 includes a communication interface such as a network interface card (NIC), etc. The communication device 110 communicates with the therapist terminal 200 using, for example, a cellular network or a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) network.

[0017] The control unit 120 includes, for example, an output unit 121, an acquisition unit 122, a determination unit 123, and an editing unit 124.

[0018] The output unit 121 outputs an exercise curriculum. For example, the output unit 121 outputs the exercise curriculum according to a predetermined schedule at predetermined intervals. Furthermore, in addition to the exercise curriculum output according to the predetermined schedule, the output unit 121 can also output an educational curriculum according to the predetermined schedule. In this case, for example, the output unit 121 can be configured to unlock the function of an exercise content in the exercise curriculum when the implementation status of the educational curriculum meets a predetermined condition. Here, the state in which the function of an exercise content is unlocked means that the corresponding exercise content can be freely implemented in response to input from the patient at any time the patient desires to receive treatment support using the exercise content. Furthermore, the output unit 121 can also switch the output order of the exercise curriculum so that it differs from the predetermined schedule. The timing of the output of the exercise curriculum can also be arbitrarily switched depending on whether the implementation status of the educational curriculum meets a predetermined condition or whether the function of the exercise content in the exercise curriculum is unlocked.

[0019] The acquisition unit 122 acquires evaluation information 131 for the exercise content performed by the patient. For example, the acquisition unit 122 acquires the evaluation information 131 input by the patient to the patient-side terminal 100 after the patient performs the exercise content. Here, the evaluation information 131 includes qualitative evaluation information 133 based on input received from the patient and quantitative evaluation information 135 based on input received from the patient. Details of the qualitative evaluation information 133 and the quantitative evaluation information 135 will be described later.

[0020] Below, the function of the acquisition unit 122 will be explained using the example of the case where the acquisition unit 122 of this embodiment acquires evaluation information 131 obtained when a mini-exposure experiment, an internal sensory exposure method, and a real exposure method are performed as training content.

[0021] For example, when performing an exposure mini-experiment, the acquisition unit 122 first displays two exposure tasks associated with the IBS on the patient-side terminal 100 and accepts a selection by the patient. Then, as input items related to the selected task, the acquisition unit 122 accepts input of the patient's thoughts associated with the exposure task and their confidence in these thoughts. The acquisition unit 122 then acquires, as qualitative evaluation information 133, the text of the patient's thoughts associated with the exposure task, and acquires, as quantitative evaluation information 135, the numerical value of the confidence and the amount of change therein before and after the exposure task.

[0022] Furthermore, when performing the internal sensation exposure method, for example, the acquisition unit 122 first displays multiple virtual cases similar to the patient's physical symptoms of IBS on the patient-side terminal 100 and accepts the patient's selection. Then, as input items for the selected virtual case, the acquisition unit 122 accepts input of the patient's thoughts about the virtual case and a subjective units of disturbance (SUD) value for the virtual case. The acquisition unit 122 then acquires, as qualitative evaluation information 133, the text of the patient's thoughts about the virtual case, and acquires, as quantitative evaluation information 135, the numerical value of the SUD for the virtual case before and after performing the internal sensation exposure method and the amount of change therein.

[0023] Furthermore, for example, when performing the real-life exposure method, the acquisition unit 122 first displays on the patient-side terminal 100 multiple exposure tasks that the patient believes may cause IBS symptoms and accepts the patient's selection based on situations in which the patient has previously experienced IBS symptoms. Then, as input items related to the selected exposure task, the acquisition unit 122 accepts input of the patient's thoughts associated with the selected exposure task and SUD values ​​for the exposure task before and after performing the real-life exposure method. The acquisition unit 122 then acquires text of the patient's thoughts associated with the situation as qualitative evaluation information 133, and acquires the SUD values ​​and their changes for the exposure task before and after performing the real-life exposure method as quantitative evaluation information 135.

[0024] The evaluation information 131 acquired by the acquisition unit 122 is stored in the storage unit 130 and transmitted to the therapist terminal 200 via the communication device 110. The transmitted evaluation information 131 can be viewed in a state linked to a user ID, etc., on the therapist terminal 200 that receives the evaluation information 131 using any network such as a cellular network or a Wi-Fi network.

[0025] The determination unit 123 determines the progress of the exercise curriculum based on the evaluation information 131 evaluated by the acquisition unit 122. The determination unit 123 executes at least one of a first determination process for determining whether or not it is necessary to re-output exercise content that has already been performed on the patient, and a second determination process for determining whether or not it is necessary to output other exercise content that has not yet been performed on the patient, based on at least one of the qualitative evaluation information 133 and the quantitative evaluation information 135.

[0026] The determination unit 123 executes a first determination process for determining whether or not re-output is required, for example, for a first exercise content group including a plurality of exercise contents that have already been performed on the patient, based on at least one of the qualitative evaluation information 133 and the quantitative evaluation information 135 included in the evaluation information 131 stored in the storage unit 130. For example, the determination unit 123 sets, as targets for re-output, exercise contents of the first exercise content group for which at least one of the qualitative evaluation information 133 and the quantitative evaluation information 135 satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0027] Furthermore, the determination unit 123 executes a second determination process for determining whether or not to output a second exercise content group including other exercise content that has not yet been performed on the patient, based on at least one of the qualitative evaluation information 133 and the quantitative evaluation information 135 included in the evaluation information 131 stored in the storage unit 130. For example, the determination unit 123 sets, as the target for output, exercise content from the second exercise content group, for which at least one of the qualitative evaluation information 133 and the quantitative evaluation information 135 satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0028] The editing unit 124 edits at least one of the qualitative evaluation information 133 and the quantitative evaluation information 135 for the exercise curriculum. For example, after the patient performs the exercise curriculum, the editing unit 124 acquires evaluation information 131 input by the patient into the patient-side terminal 100 from the acquisition unit 122, and updates the qualitative evaluation information 133 and the quantitative evaluation information 135 for the exercise curriculum based on the acquired evaluation information 131. For example, the editing unit 124 updates information on the content of the task as qualitative evaluation information 133 based on information input by the patient into the patient-side terminal 100 as the task progresses. Furthermore, the editing unit 124 updates information on the evaluation value of the task as quantitative evaluation information 135 based on the evaluation value of the task input by the patient when performing the task. In this case, the updated qualitative evaluation information 133 and quantitative evaluation information 135 are stored in the storage unit 130 and transmitted to the therapist-side terminal 200 via the communication device 110. The transmitted evaluation information 131 can be viewed in association with the user ID, etc., on the therapist terminal 200 that receives the evaluation information 131 using any network such as a cellular network or Wi-Fi network.

[0029] The storage unit 130 stores, for example, evaluation information 131. A specific example of the evaluation information 131 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0030] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the data content of the evaluation information 131. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the evaluation information 131 uses a user ID, which is identification information of a user (patient), as a key, and associates an exercise ID, qualitative evaluation information 133, and quantitative evaluation information 135. The exercise ID is identification information of the exercise content in the exercise curriculum.

[0031] The qualitative evaluation information 133 is information that cannot be evaluated numerically and includes symbols, character strings, etc. other than numbers, and specifically includes, for example, text information in or about the exercise content. The text information is based on text entered by the patient in each exercise content, such as a symptom diary or case formulation, or in self-evaluation.

[0032] The quantitative evaluation information 135 is information that can be evaluated numerically, and includes, for example, information regarding the degree of completion, progress, level of understanding, or evaluation value of tasks in the exercise content. The degree of task completion is information indicating the proportion of tasks included in the exercise content that have been completed, and is obtained, for example, based on information input to the patient terminal 100 when a specific task is completed. The degree of task progress is information indicating the degree to which the patient has progressed on subtasks that are subdivisions of a specific task while performing the task, and is obtained, for example, based on information input to the patient terminal 100 when a subtask is completed. The degree of understanding is information indicating whether the patient has fully understood the exercise content, and is obtained, for example, based on a slider rating selected by the patient after watching an explanatory video or text about the exercise content. The information related to the evaluation value may be, for example, the confidence level of the content (character string) entered by the patient or the option selected by the patient, the change in confidence level before and after the execution of the task, the SUD value for the hypothetical case or exposure task, or information related to the change in the SUD value before and after the execution of the task. In the example shown in FIG. 2 , "X1α," "X2α," "X3α," and "X4α" correspond to the confidence level or SUD value before the execution of the task, and "X1β," "X2β," "X3β," and "X4β" correspond to the confidence level or SUD value after the execution of the task. The change in the confidence level or SUD value before and after the execution of the task is calculated by subtracting the confidence level or SUD value before the execution of the task from the confidence level or SUD value after the execution of the task. The degree of strength or confidence (also referred to as "emotional strength" or "certainty" in this specification) in the content (character string) entered by the patient or the option selected by the patient, and the amount of change thereof before and after the performance of the task, is information that numerically indicates the degree of emotional strength with which the patient entered the character string or option that represents his or her own thoughts in the task, or the degree of confidence with which the patient was able to enter the character string or option, and information that indicates the degree to which the numerical value indicating the strength of emotion or confidence changed through the performance of the task, and is obtained, for example, based on information entered into the patient-side terminal 100 before and after the patient performs the task.The SUD values ​​and their changes for the virtual cases and exposure tasks are information that indicates the degree of subjective anxiety or discomfort for the virtual cases or exposure tasks and information that indicates how the degree of anxiety or discomfort has changed through the performance of the tasks, and are acquired, for example, based on information input to the patient-side terminal 100 before and after the patient performs the tasks. Note that, apart from the aspect shown in Fig. 2, for example, in the internal sensation exposure method or real exposure method, qualitative evaluation information 133 may be set for each exercise content, while quantitative evaluation information 135 may be set for each task in the exercise content.

[0033] 3 and 4 are diagrams showing an example of an implementation schedule of a practice curriculum. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the practice curriculum is implemented over 10 weeks. The 10-week implementation schedule can, for example, designate the first week as the first phase, weeks 2 to 6 as the second phase, and weeks 7 to 10 as the third phase, and can include interviews with a therapist between phases or during each phase. Here, each "week" is a convenient notation for dividing a unit period in the implementation schedule of the practice curriculum or educational curriculum disclosed herein, and does not necessarily correspond strictly to a calendar "week," nor does it necessarily include seven "days." Furthermore, each "day" belonging to each "week" is a convenient notation for dividing a unit period in the implementation schedule of the practice curriculum or educational curriculum disclosed herein, and does not necessarily correspond strictly to a calendar "day."

[0034] In the first phase, the acquisition unit 122 acquires, as qualitative evaluation information 133, texts and the like entered in each exercise content, such as the symptom diary and case formulation, and stores them in the storage unit 130. In addition, the acquisition unit 122 acquires, as quantitative evaluation information 135, information such as the playback status of various explanatory videos, the confirmation status of summaries of various explanatory videos, the unlock status of various functions, the implementation status of the exercise content, the scalable evaluation value selected in the symptom diary, the entry status of the symptom diary and case formulation, and the elapsed status of a predetermined period of time after the start of the phase.

[0035] In the second and third phases, texts and the like input in each exercise content in the exercise curriculum, such as the symptom diary, case formulation, cognitive restructuring, internal sensory exposure, or real exposure, are acquired by the acquisition unit 122 as qualitative evaluation information 133 and stored in the storage unit 130. In addition, the playback status of various explanatory videos, the confirmation status of summaries of various explanatory videos, the unlock status of various functions, the implementation status of the exercise content, the scalable evaluation value selected in the symptom diary, the entry status of the symptom diary, case formulation, etc., the elapsed status of a predetermined certain time after the start of the phase or the corresponding week, the implementation status of interviews, and the like are acquired by the acquisition unit 122 as quantitative evaluation information 135 and stored in the storage unit 130.

[0036] The implementation schedule in this embodiment will be specifically described below.

[0037] During the first week of the first phase, the symptom diary entry function and relaxation technique implementation function are unlocked, allowing the patient to enter symptoms and implement relaxation techniques, provided that the explanatory video on the symptom diary and relaxation techniques and the summary of the explanatory video are played. Furthermore, the case formulation entry function is unlocked, allowing the patient to enter information, provided that the explanatory video on case formulation is played. Then, a certain number of days before the first scheduled appointment with the therapist, the patient is allowed to conduct a self-assessment, and the results of the self-assessment are used to prepare for the first appointment.

[0038] In the second phase, the second week, the attention training implementation function was unlocked and the patient could begin practicing after watching the instructional video for attention training and the summary of the instructional video. The downward arrow method function was unlocked and the patient could begin practicing after watching the instructional video for the downward arrow method. Furthermore, the patient could begin self-assessment after completing certain tasks in the second week and after a certain number of days had passed.

[0039] Next, in the third week, the function of the thought balance work is unlocked and can be performed, provided that an explanatory video related to the thought balance work and a summary of the explanatory video are played. Furthermore, the function to perform the cognitive restructuring method is unlocked, and the cognitive restructuring method can be performed, provided that an explanatory video on the cognitive restructuring method is played. Next, the function to perform the exposure mini-experiment is unlocked, and the exposure mini-experiment can be performed, provided that an explanatory video on the exposure mini-experiment is played and the cognitive restructuring method is performed a certain number of times. In other words, first, the patient becomes aware of their thinking habits through cognitive restructuring, and then the exposure mini-experiment prepares them to engage in the reality exposure method. Furthermore, the patient can perform a self-assessment, provided that certain tasks in the third week are completed and a certain number of days have passed.

[0040] Next, in the fourth week, the patient is allowed to create a reality exposure hierarchy table after playing an explanatory video on creating a reality exposure hierarchy table and a summary of the explanatory video. Furthermore, the patient is allowed to conduct a self-assessment after completing certain tasks in the fourth week and a certain number of days have passed. The patient then prepares for the second interview with the therapist, referring to the results of the self-assessment.

[0041] Next, in the fifth week, the patient is allowed to create an internal sensory exposure hierarchy chart, provided that an instructional video on creating an internal sensory exposure hierarchy chart has been played. Furthermore, the patient is allowed to conduct internal sensory exposure, provided that an instructional video on internal sensory exposure has been played. After that, the patient is allowed to conduct a self-assessment, provided that certain tasks in the fifth week have been completed and a certain number of days have passed.

[0042] Next, in the sixth week, real-life exposure can be implemented on the condition that an explanatory video on real-life exposure has been played. Then, once a certain number of days have passed since the start of the sixth week, self-assessment can be implemented, and the results of the self-assessment are used to prepare for the third interview with the therapist.

[0043] Next, in the third phase, from week 7 to week 9, each exercise curriculum can be implemented on the condition that an explanatory video on how to utilize the exercise content learned by week 6 has been played. In addition, self-assessment can be implemented on the condition that a certain number of days have passed since the start of each week.

[0044] Next, in the 10th week, exercises to prevent the recurrence of IBS symptoms can be carried out, provided that an explanatory video regarding exercises to prevent the recurrence of IBS symptoms has been played.

[0045] Although not shown in the figures, in the above example, symptom diary and relaxation techniques are set as daily assignments for the patient to complete, provided that the corresponding functions are unlocked, for each week from week 1 to week 10. Also, in this example, the downward arrow method and thought balance work are set as optional assignments for the patient to complete, provided that the corresponding functions are unlocked, for each week from week 1 to week 10.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a symptom diary entry screen. The symptom diary is used by a patient to record IBS symptoms during the period when the patient is using the treatment support program, treatment support device, or treatment support method of the present disclosure. By entering information related to the patient's IBS symptom status, the symptom diary helps the patient objectively view their own condition. In the example shown in FIG. 5 , entry items for the symptom diary include, for example, the name of the medication, the time of administration, the number of bowel movements, a symptom evaluation, a stress evaluation, and a memo section. The symptom evaluation is performed by the patient self-reporting a numerical evaluation of the degree to which a preset symptom applies. In this example, examples of the preset symptoms include, for example, "stomach pain" and "abdominal bloating." The stress evaluation is configured to provide a numerical evaluation of the degree of stress felt by the patient self-reporting a numerical evaluation.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a relaxation technique execution screen. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the relaxation technique includes a 10-second breathing technique and a progressive muscle relaxation technique. The 10-second breathing technique is a training method that involves slow abdominal breathing over 10 seconds, which relaxes the mind and body and reduces anxiety. The progressive muscle relaxation technique involves tensing the muscles and then suddenly relaxing them, which relaxes the mind and body more deeply than simple relaxation and reduces anxiety. These training methods can be performed when performing cognitive behavioral therapy exercises or immediately before the exercises when the patient is experiencing strong anxiety or unpleasant feelings, thereby reducing anxiety and unpleasant feelings and supporting the patient's continued commitment to treatment. The relaxation technique may be performed alone or in combination with other exercises.

[0048] FIG. 7 shows an example of the execution screen for the downward arrow method. The downward arrow method is an exercise designed to help patients organize their biased thoughts and gain an objective perspective by identifying one of the automatic thoughts that causes distress and having the patient repeatedly ask themselves questions about the extracted automatic thought. Automatic thoughts are thoughts or images that suddenly pop into their head and are influenced by the patient's unique worries, fears, worldview, values, beliefs, and so on. In the example shown in FIG. 7 , the top of the execution screen is provided with an input field for the patient's spontaneous thoughts (automatic thoughts). Once input into this input field is complete, the patient can enter thoughts they have obtained by asking themselves questions about the cause of the thought in the adjacent input field below, and then enter thoughts they have obtained by asking themselves questions about the cause of the entered thought in the adjacent input field below.

[0049] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a self-assessment input screen. Self-assessment is, for example, a self-report by the patient before an interview with a therapist to prepare for the interview. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the self-assessment input items include the patient's level of understanding of the exercises. In this example, the upper part of the input screen displays the patient's symptom evaluation value and stress evaluation value for each date. These evaluation values ​​reflect, for example, the data entered in the symptom diary shown in FIG. 5. In addition, in this example, the lower part of the input screen is configured to allow the patient to input the level of understanding of the exercises. Examples of exercises include, for example, the "relaxation method" and the "downward arrow method," and the patient is configured to self-report the level of understanding of each of these exercises.

[0050] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a case formulation input screen. Case formulation is an example of a tool for visualizing and organizing the events that caused the patient's IBS symptoms and the patient's thoughts, emotions, behavior, and physical symptoms regarding the events. Filling out the case formulation has the effect of allowing the patient to objectively view the cognitive status of their own IBS symptoms. In the example shown in FIG. 9, an input field is provided at the top of the input screen for entering text about the events that trigger the patient's biased thinking, and an input field is provided at the bottom of the input screen for entering text about the patient's thoughts, emotions, behavior, and physical symptoms regarding the above-mentioned events.

[0051] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen for the cognitive restructuring method. The cognitive restructuring method, as an exercise curriculum, is a function for examining biases in thinking commonly observed in IBS patients, enhancing cognitive flexibility, and reducing unpleasant emotions. Engaging in cognitive restructuring has the effect of encouraging patients to objectively view their own cognitive biases and understand changes in unpleasant emotions related to IBS symptoms. In the example shown in FIG. 10 , an input field is provided at the top of the input screen for entering text about events that trigger the patient's biased thinking. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 10 , an input field is provided at the bottom left of the input screen for entering the patient's thoughts about the events, their confidence in those thoughts, and the strength of their unpleasant emotions (hereinafter also referred to as negative emotions) toward those thoughts. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 10 , an input field is provided at the bottom right of the input screen for entering the patient's rebuttal to the original thought, which the patient has obtained through trial and error, and the strength of the negative emotions after the rebuttal. Also, an input field is provided in the center of the input screen for entering the patient's confidence in the original thought after entering a rebuttal to the original thought.

[0052] FIG. 11 shows an example of an execution screen for an exposure mini-experiment. The exposure mini-experiment as a training curriculum is a preparation for the real-life exposure method, a function that allows patients to experience the natural subsidence of unpleasant feelings over time by deliberately exposing themselves to places, situations, and physical sensations that they believe trigger IBS symptoms and avoid. By providing patients with predetermined tasks associated with IBS, the system has the effect of reducing the fear felt by patients when placed in certain situations. In the example shown in FIG. 11 , first, two tasks associated with IBS are displayed on the input screen, and the patient's selection is accepted. Next, input items related to the accepted tasks are accepted, including the target time for performing the task, thoughts that the patient will evoke when performing the task, and the patient's confidence in the thoughts that will evoke. Next, once input into these input items is accepted, the task is accepted for execution. After completion of the task, input of the change in the patient's confidence in the thoughts that the patient had before performing the task is accepted, and the exposure mini-experiment is terminated.

[0053] FIG. 12 shows an example of a screen for creating a hierarchy table for internal sensory exposure. The internal sensory exposure method as an exercise curriculum is a function for experiencing the natural subsidence of unpleasant feelings over time by deliberately exposing patients to physical sensations that may cause IBS symptoms. In creating a hierarchy table for internal sensory exposure, a patient is provided with a virtual case similar to a situation in which the patient has experienced, thought to experience, or experienced physical symptoms. The virtual case is compared to the degree of similarity between the physical symptoms experienced by the patient and the physical symptoms of IBS experienced in the past, and the intensity of the negative emotions experienced when the virtual case is performed is used to evaluate the patient's fear of the event. This information organization allows a customized internal sensory exposure method to be practiced for each patient, which has the effect of supporting the patient's continued efforts in treatment. In the example shown in FIG. 12, nine virtual cases pre-prepared for IBS are displayed on the creation screen, and the patient's selection is accepted. The number of virtual cases is not particularly limited, and can include any number necessary for implementing the internal sensory exposure method. For example, any integer between 1 and 15, preferably between 5 and 10, can be set. Next, upon receiving a selection of a hypothetical case from the patient, the system accepts the setting of an SUD value for the hypothetical case. The SUD value is a numerical value representing the degree of subjective anxiety or discomfort. Because the degree of anxiety or discomfort varies from patient to patient, the SUD value varies from patient to patient. Therefore, in the internal sensory exposure method, the change in the SUD value before and after the hypothetical case is more important than the SUD value itself for the hypothetical case. In this embodiment, the patient selects the hypothetical case of "quickly drinking cold water or a carbonated beverage," and the system accepts the setting of an SUD value for that hypothetical case. In this case, the patient sets the SUD value as a relative value, with the most severe subjective anxiety or discomfort being assigned a score of 100. In this embodiment, the SUD value for the hypothetical case of "quickly drinking cold water or a carbonated beverage" is set to "85 points." In addition, when creating the internal sensory exposure hierarchical table, the system accepts input of the degree of similarity between the selected hypothetical case and the IBS symptoms experienced by the patient.In this embodiment, the system accepts input of the similarity level using three options: "not very similar," "somewhat similar," or "similar." Once these inputs are accepted, the SUD value setting for the selected virtual case is completed. This setting process is repeated multiple times to create a hierarchical table of internal sensory exposures.

[0054] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the settings of the internal sensory exposure hierarchical table. The internal sensory exposure hierarchical table is a list of virtual cases referenced by patients when performing the internal sensory exposure method. Since the SUD setting values ​​for each virtual case vary from patient to patient, the table is customized for each patient. This allows the internal sensory exposure method to be performed according to each patient's symptoms, thereby supporting continuous treatment efforts. In the example shown in FIG. 13, nine virtual cases are displayed in the hierarchical table in descending order of SUD setting value. Furthermore, in this example, the SUD setting value for each virtual case is associated with a setting value of IBS symptom similarity. When there are multiple virtual cases with overlapping SUD setting values, the virtual cases with the option with the highest IBS symptom similarity setting are displayed in descending order from top to bottom. Although not shown in FIG. 13, when the SUD setting values ​​and IBS symptom similarity are overlapping, the virtual cases can also be displayed in the order of virtual case IDs pre-assigned as identification information for each virtual case.

[0055] 14 to 17 are diagrams showing examples of execution screens for the internal sensory exposure method. In this embodiment, the execution screen for the internal sensory exposure method refers to the internal sensory exposure hierarchical table shown in FIG. 13 , accepts input from the patient, and selects an arbitrary virtual case. Here, in this embodiment, when a certain achievement condition is met through the implementation of the virtual case, it can be determined that the virtual case has been achieved. The certain achievement condition may be any condition that can determine whether or not the virtual case has been achieved. For example, the certain achievement condition may be whether or not the change in the SUD value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold when comparing the SUD value before and after the implementation of the virtual case. Alternatively, the certain achievement condition may be whether or not the change in the SUD value is within a predetermined threshold when comparing the SUD value before and after the implementation of the virtual case, and whether or not the number of times the virtual case has been implemented is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the certain achievement condition may be whether or not the change in the SUD value is within a predetermined threshold when comparing the SUD value before and after the implementation of the virtual case, and the input of the level of understanding for the virtual case satisfies a predetermined condition. Alternatively, the certain achievement condition may be whether or not the SUD value after the implementation of the virtual case has changed to or below a predetermined threshold. In this case, the predetermined threshold value can be set in advance for each virtual case according to the SUD value before the virtual case is implemented.

[0056] Then, the determination unit 123 sets virtual cases to be recommended based on the achievement status of the virtual cases. The determination unit 123 executes a first determination process for determining whether or not to re-output achieved virtual cases, and a second determination process for determining whether or not to output unachieved virtual cases, based on at least one of the qualitative evaluation information 133 and the quantitative evaluation information 135 included in the evaluation information 131. Hereinafter, a first group of virtual cases will be referred to as a first virtual case group, and a second group of virtual cases will be referred to as a second virtual case group. For example, the determination unit 123 may perform the first and second determination processes on the condition that it has determined that the patient has a high level of understanding of the internal sensory exposure method, by referring to the qualitative evaluation information 133. The determination unit 123 may execute both the first and second determination processes simultaneously, or may execute only one of them. Specifically, the determination unit 123 determines whether output is necessary for the first virtual case group based on the evaluation information 131 stored in the storage unit 130. For example, the determination unit 123 can set, as a target for recommendation display, virtual cases that satisfy a predetermined condition for the first virtual case group. For example, the determination unit 123 can set, as a target for recommendation display, virtual cases whose order is within a predetermined range based on any virtual case belonging to the first virtual case group or the second virtual case group, or virtual cases whose SUD values ​​are up to a predetermined number of positions in the entire hierarchical table when counted from the top or bottom for the first virtual case group, or virtual cases whose SUD values ​​are set within a predetermined range based on the SUD value of any virtual case belonging to the first virtual case group or the second virtual case group, and execute the first determination process.

[0057] The determination unit 123 also performs a second determination process for the second virtual case group, determining whether output is necessary based on the evaluation information 131 stored in the storage unit 130. For example, the determination unit 123 can set, for the second virtual case group, virtual cases that satisfy a predetermined condition as targets for recommendation display. For example, for the second virtual case group, the determination unit 123 can set virtual cases that are within a predetermined range of order from any virtual case belonging to the first virtual case group or the second virtual case group, or for the second virtual case group, virtual cases whose SUD values ​​are up to a predetermined number of positions in the entire hierarchical table, counting from the top or bottom, or for the second virtual case group, virtual cases whose SUD values ​​are set within a predetermined range based on the SUD value of any virtual case belonging to the first virtual case group or the second virtual case group. The output unit 121 then displays, as a recommendation, at least one of the virtual cases set as targets for recommendation from the first virtual case group by the determination unit 123 and the virtual cases set as targets for recommendation from the second virtual case group by the determination unit 123.

[0058] For example, when setting virtual cases to be recommended from both the first virtual case group and the second virtual case group, the output unit 121 may set the same number of virtual cases from each virtual case group, or may set a different number of virtual cases from each virtual case group. In this case, the output unit 121 may prioritize virtual cases included in the second virtual case group as recommendation targets over virtual cases included in the first virtual case group. For example, the output unit 121 may first set virtual cases included in the first virtual case group as recommendation targets, and then further set virtual cases included in the second virtual case group as recommendation targets, provided that the number of virtual cases set as recommendation targets has not reached an upper limit.

[0059] In the example shown in Figure 14, all nine virtual cases are in an unmet state. In this example, the determination unit 123 sets the virtual case with the smallest SUD value ("quickly drink a cold carbonated drink or water") among the nine virtual cases that are deemed unmet in the internal sensory exposure hierarchical table as the target for recommendation. Then, when the virtual case with the lowest SUD setting value is selected from the internal sensory exposure hierarchical table on the execution screen shown in Figure 14, the outer frame of the display area corresponding to this virtual case is displayed with a solid line.

[0060] Figure 15 shows an example of a screen that is displayed after selecting a hypothetical case from the referenced hierarchical table of internal sensory exposure when performing the internal sensory exposure method. The execution screen shown in Figure 15 accepts input of pre-execution records, such as thoughts that the patient recalls when performing the selected hypothetical case and the pre-execution SUD value for the selected hypothetical case. Once input into these input fields is accepted, the screen transitions to the execution screen shown in Figure 16.

[0061] Next, the execution screen shown in Fig. 16 accepts input of the maximum SUD value during execution of the selected virtual case and the SUD value after execution of the virtual case as a post-execution record. After accepting input into these input items, the screen transitions to the execution screen shown in Fig. 17.

[0062] The execution screen shown in Figure 17 displays the SUD value before the implementation of the virtual case, the maximum SUD value during the implementation of the virtual case, and the SUD value after the implementation of the virtual case, which were input on the execution screens shown in Figures 15 and 16, as a graph showing the change in SUD value over time.

[0063] 14 to 17 show examples in which the SUD value does not change by more than the predetermined threshold value before and after the execution of the virtual case. In this case, the achievement condition for the virtual case is not met, and even after the virtual case is executed, the virtual case is treated as an unexecuted virtual case (i.e., in subsequent processing by the determination unit 123, the virtual case belongs to the second virtual case group, not the first virtual case group). Therefore, in subsequent virtual cases, the patient must first execute the virtual case in the same way as this time. Only after the virtual case has fulfilled the achievement condition and been determined to have been executed can another virtual case be executed.

[0064] FIG. 18 illustrates an example of the settings of a hierarchical table for real-life exposure. Based on the patient's experience, the real-life exposure method as an exercise curriculum is a function that allows patients to experience the natural subsidence of unpleasant feelings over time by deliberately exposing themselves to places and situations that they avoid, which are considered to be triggers for IBS symptoms. By exposing the patient to situations that they fear, the hierarchical table for real-life exposure is effective in reducing the fear the patient feels when placed in those situations. The real-life exposure hierarchical table is a list of exposure tasks that the patient refers to when performing the real-life exposure method. The content of each exposure task and the SUD value setting for each exposure task can be customized for each patient. This allows the real-life exposure method to be performed according to the patient's symptoms, thereby supporting continuous treatment efforts. In the example shown in FIG. 18, 10 exposure tasks are displayed in the hierarchical table in descending order of SUD value. However, the number of exposure tasks is not particularly limited and can include any number necessary for performing the real-life exposure method. For example, any integer between 1 and 15, preferably between 5 and 10, can be set.

[0065] 19 to 22 are diagrams illustrating an example of an execution screen for the real-life exposure method. In this embodiment, the execution screen for the real-life exposure method refers to the real-life exposure hierarchy table shown in FIG. 18 , accepts input from the patient, and selects an arbitrary exposure task. In this embodiment, when a certain achievement condition is met through the execution of the exposure task, it can be determined that the exposure task has been accomplished. The certain achievement condition may be any condition that can determine whether the exposure task has been accomplished. For example, the certain achievement condition may be whether, when comparing the SUD values ​​before and after the execution of the exposure task, the amount of change in the SUD value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the certain achievement condition may be whether, when comparing the SUD values ​​before and after the execution of the exposure task, the amount of change in the SUD value is within a predetermined threshold and the number of times the exposure task has been performed is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the certain achievement condition may be whether, when comparing the SUD values ​​before and after the execution of the exposure task, the amount of change in the SUD value is within a predetermined threshold and the input of the level of understanding for the exposure task satisfies a predetermined condition. Alternatively, the certain achievement condition may be whether the SUD value after the execution of the exposure task has changed to or below a predetermined threshold. In this case, the predetermined threshold value can be set in advance for each exposure task according to the SUD value before the exposure task is performed.

[0066] Then, the determination unit 123 sets the exposure tasks to be recommended based on the achievement status of the exposure tasks. The determination unit 123 executes a first determination process for determining whether completed tasks need to be re-output and a second determination process for determining whether uncompleted tasks need to be output, based on at least one of the qualitative evaluation information 133 and the quantitative evaluation information 135 included in the evaluation information 131. In the following description, a plurality of exposure tasks determined to have been completed will be referred to as a first group of exposure tasks, and a plurality of exposure tasks determined to have not been completed (including not performed and not completed) will be referred to as a second group of exposure tasks. For example, the determination unit 123 may perform the first determination process and the second determination process on the condition that it is determined that the patient has gained an understanding of the real-world exposure method, by referring to the qualitative evaluation information 133. Note that the determination unit 123 may execute both the first determination process and the second determination process simultaneously, or may execute only one of them. Specifically, the determination unit 123 determines whether output is necessary for the first exposure task group based on the evaluation information 131 stored in the storage unit 130. For example, the determination unit 123 sets, for the first exposure task group, exposure tasks that satisfy a predetermined condition as targets for recommendation display. For example, for the first exposure task group, exposure tasks whose order is within a predetermined range based on any exposure task belonging to the first exposure task group or the second exposure task group, or for the first exposure task group, exposure tasks whose SUD values ​​are up to a predetermined number of positions in the entire hierarchical table, counting from the top or bottom, or for the first exposure task group, exposure tasks whose SUD values ​​are set within a predetermined range based on the SUD values ​​of any exposure tasks belonging to the first exposure task group or the second exposure task group, can be set as the first determination process.

[0067] Furthermore, the determination unit 123 determines whether output is necessary for the second exposure task group based on the evaluation information 131 stored in the storage unit 130. For example, the determination unit 123 sets, for the second exposure task group, exposure tasks that satisfy a predetermined condition as targets for recommendation display. For example, for the second exposure task group, the determination unit 123 can set exposure tasks whose order is within a predetermined range based on any exposure task belonging to the first exposure task group or the second exposure task group, or for the second exposure task group, the determination unit 123 can set exposure tasks whose SUD values ​​are up to a predetermined number of positions in the entire hierarchical table, counting from the top or bottom, or for the second exposure task group, the determination unit 123 can set exposure tasks whose SUD values ​​are set within a predetermined range based on the SUD values ​​of any exposure tasks belonging to the first exposure task group or the second exposure task group. Then, the output unit 121 displays, as recommendations, at least one of the exposure tasks set as targets for recommendation from the first exposure task group by the determination unit 123 and the exposure tasks set as targets for recommendation from the second exposure task group by the determination unit 123.

[0068] For example, when setting exposure tasks to be recommended from both the first exposure task group and the second exposure task group, the output unit 121 may set the same number of exposure tasks from each exposure task group, or may set a different number of exposure tasks from each exposure task group. In this case, the output unit 121 may prioritize the exposure tasks included in the second exposure task group as the target of recommendation over the exposure tasks included in the first exposure task group. For example, the output unit 121 may first set the exposure tasks included in the first exposure task group as the target of recommendation, and then further set the exposure tasks included in the second exposure task group as the target of recommendation, on the condition that the number of exposure tasks already set as the target of recommendation has not reached an upper limit.

[0069] By performing the judgment process by the judgment unit 123 and output by the output unit 121, it is possible to prevent exposure tasks that have a difference in SUD value or a distance in the hierarchical table that is greater than a predetermined certain level from being performed by mistake, and to assist in safely performing treatment using the highly invasive real exposure method.

[0070] In the example shown in FIG. 19 , in the hierarchical table of real-life exposure, the first task (“Imagine attending a meeting for more than one hour”), the second task (“Imagine attending a meeting for 1.5 hours”), and the fourth task (“Go shopping in a neighboring town by car, taking 30 minutes”) are marked as completed, counting from the lowest SUD value, while the other tasks are marked as incomplete. In this example, the determination unit 123 sets, as a recommendation target, the task with the highest SUD value (“Go shopping in a neighboring town by car, taking 30 minutes”) among the three tasks marked as completed in the hierarchical table of real-life exposure. In this example, the determination unit 123 also sets, as a recommendation target, the task one rank higher than the task with the highest SUD value among the other tasks marked as incomplete in the hierarchical table of real-life exposure (“Stay in a meeting until the end without leaving your seat”).

[0071] 19, the tasks with the third lowest SUD setting value ("Go shopping in the next town by foot, taking 30 minutes") and the fifth lowest task ("Stay in a meeting until the end without leaving") are displayed as recommended targets from the reality exposure hierarchy table. When the task with the fifth lowest SUD setting value is selected from among these tasks, the outer frame of the display area corresponding to this task is displayed in solid lines.

[0072] Fig. 20 shows an example of a screen that is displayed after selecting an exposure task from the referenced hierarchical table of real exposures when performing the real exposure method. The execution screen shown in Fig. 20 accepts input of pre-execution records, such as thoughts that the patient recalls when performing the selected exposure task and the pre-execution SUD value for the selected exposure task. When input into these input items is accepted, the screen transitions to the execution screen shown in Fig. 21.

[0073] Next, the execution screen shown in Fig. 21 accepts input of the maximum SUD value during the selected exposure task and the SUD value after the exposure task as a post-execution record. When input into these input items is accepted, the screen transitions to the execution screen shown in Fig. 22.

[0074] The execution screen shown in Figure 22 displays the SUD value before the exposure task, the maximum SUD value during the exposure task, and the SUD value after the exposure task, which were entered in the execution screens shown in Figures 20 and 21, as a graph showing the change in SUD value over time.

[0075] 20 to 22 show an example in which the SUD value changes by more than the predetermined threshold value before and after the exposure task is performed. In this case, the exposure task is treated as having met the above-mentioned achievement condition (i.e., in the processing of the determination unit 123 from the next time onward, the exposure task is treated as belonging to the first exposure task group). Therefore, from the next time onward, the patient can perform, for example, an exposure task that satisfies a predetermined condition from among the exposure tasks belonging to the second exposure task group based on the exposure task that was currently completed.

[0076] Next, the operation of the control unit 120 of the patient terminal 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 23. The flowchart shown in Figure 23 is executed, for example, when the treatment assistance program is started. Note that the processing steps included in the processing flow described below can be executed in any order or in parallel, as long as no contradictions occur in the processing content. Furthermore, a step described as one step for convenience can be executed in multiple steps, while a step described as multiple steps for convenience can be understood as one step.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 23, the control unit 120 first sets the value of a parameter N relating to a period (term) included in the schedule of the exercise curriculum and the educational curriculum to an initial value of "1" (step S100).

[0078] Next, the control unit 120 proceeds with the N-term curriculum (step S110).

[0079] Next, the control unit 120 determines whether the implementation status of the curriculum satisfies a predetermined condition (step S120). When the control unit 120 determines that the implementation status of the curriculum satisfies the predetermined condition (step S120 = YES), the control unit 120 unlocks the function of the exercise content (step S130). For example, when an educational curriculum is implemented, the control unit 120 unlocks the function of the exercise content that is the target of the educational curriculum.

[0080] Next, the control unit 120 determines whether the function released in step S130 has been selected as the exercise content (step S140). When the control unit 120 determines that the released function has been selected as the exercise content (step S140=YES), the control unit 120 performs a recommendation display process (step S150).

[0081] 24, in the recommendation display process, the control unit 120 first acquires information about the task achievement status included in the evaluation information 131 stored in the storage unit 130 (step S151). Note that in this embodiment, the task refers to a virtual case when the exercise content is the internal sensation exposure method, and refers to an exposure assignment when the exercise content is the real exposure method.

[0082] Next, the control unit 120 determines whether the task to be evaluated is incomplete (step S152). If the control unit 120 determines that the task to be evaluated is incomplete (step S152 = YES), the control unit 120 determines whether the evaluation value is within a predetermined range (e.g., "up to two places above") based on the completed tasks (step S153).

[0083] When the control unit 120 determines that the evaluation value of the task to be evaluated is within a predetermined range based on the completed tasks (step S153 = YES), it sets the task to be evaluated as a target for recommendation (step S154).

[0084] On the other hand, when the control unit 120 determines that the task to be evaluated has been completed (step S152 = NO), or when it determines that the evaluation value of the task to be evaluated is not within a predetermined range based on the completed tasks (step S153 = NO), it transitions the processing to step S155 without setting the task to be evaluated as a target for recommendation.

[0085] Next, the control unit 120 determines whether all tasks have been evaluated (step S155). If the control unit 120 determines that all tasks have not been evaluated (step S155 = NO), the control unit 120 changes the task to be evaluated (step S156) and returns the process to step S152.

[0086] On the other hand, when the control unit 120 determines that all tasks have been evaluated (step S155 = YES), it displays a recommendation of the tasks that were set as the target of recommendation in the previous step S154 (step S157), and then ends the flowchart shown in Figure 24.

[0087] 23, the control unit 120 determines whether a task has been selected (step S160). If the control unit 120 determines that a task has been selected (step S160 = YES), the control unit 120 executes the selected task (step S170).

[0088] Next, the control unit 120 determines whether the task executed in the previous step S170 is completed (step S180) based on the evaluation information 131. For example, the control unit 120 determines whether the task is completed based on the amount of change in the evaluation information 131 before and after the execution of the task or if the number of times the task is executed satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0089] Returning to FIG. 23 , the control unit 120 determines whether the conditions for holding an interview are met (step S190). The control unit 120 also determines whether the conditions for holding an interview are met (step S190) when it determines in step S120 that the implementation status of the curriculum does not satisfy the predetermined conditions (step S120 = NO) or when it determines in step S170 that no task is selected (step S170 = NO). The control unit 120 also determines whether the conditions for holding an interview are met (step S190) when it determines in step S140 that the unlocked function is not selected as the exercise content (step S140 = NO). The conditions for holding an interview are met, for example, when all educational curriculums for a predetermined period have been implemented and a predetermined number of days have passed since the start of the predetermined period. When the control unit 120 determines that the conditions for holding an interview are not met (step S190 = NO), the control unit 120 returns to step S110. On the other hand, when the control unit 120 determines that the conditions for holding an interview are met (step S190 = YES), it executes preparations for the interview (step S200).

[0090] Next, the control unit 120 determines whether all terms have been completed (step S210). If the control unit 120 determines that all terms have not been completed (step S210=NO), it increments the parameter N (step S220) and returns the process to step S110. On the other hand, if the control unit 120 determines that all terms have been completed (step S210=YES), it ends the flowchart shown in FIG. 23.

[0091] [Hardware Configuration] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the patient-side terminal 100 of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the patient-side terminal 100 includes a communication controller 100-1, a CPU 100-2, a random access memory (RAM) 100-3 used as a working memory, a read-only memory (ROM) 100-4 for storing a boot program, a storage device 100-5 such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive (HDD), and a drive device 100-6, all interconnected via an internal bus or a dedicated communication line. The communication controller 100-1 communicates with components other than the patient-side terminal 100. The storage device 100-5 stores a program 100-5a executed by the CPU 100-2. This program is loaded into the RAM 100-3 by a direct memory access (DMA) controller (not shown) or the like and executed by the CPU 100-2. This realizes an output unit 121, an acquisition unit 122, and a determination unit 123.

[0092] The above embodiment can also be implemented in the following manner. In the above embodiment, when the internal sensory exposure method or the real-life exposure method is selected as the exercise content, the determination unit 123 determines the achievement status of each task in the internal sensory exposure or the real-life exposure based on the evaluation information 131 stored in the storage unit 130, and can determine whether or not a recommended task needs to be re-output or output based on the achievement status of each task thus determined. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When outputting a recommended exercise content from among a plurality of exercise content such as case formulation, cognitive reorganization, a mini-exposure experiment, the internal sensory exposure method, and the real-life exposure method, the determination unit 123 may determine whether or not to output the recommended exercise content based on the evaluation information 131 corresponding to the exercise content obtained by performing each exercise content.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the output unit 121 can switch the order of the practice curriculum and the educational curriculum based on the evaluation information 131. Alternatively or in addition to this, the output unit 121 may be configured to further output a re-exercise curriculum that can combine and output the types, frequencies, or ratios of two or more of the practice contents implemented in the practice curriculum based on the evaluation information 131 in accordance with the patient's selection.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the acquiring unit 122 has been described as selecting the internal sensory exposure method or the real exposure method as the exercise content in the exercise curriculum. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The acquiring unit 122 may pre-set one or more exercise contents as a combination (also referred to as a "weekly task" or "daily task") that is recommended to be performed per unit period, and acquire the degree of completion of the combination as the evaluation information 131. The weekly task or the daily task may also include an educational curriculum.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the control unit 120 determined whether the conditions for holding an interview were met in step S190. However, this is not limiting. For example, the control unit 120 may determine whether the conditions for progressing to the practice curriculum for week N+1 are met based on the degree of completion of the weekly tasks for week N. The progress condition may be met, for example, when all weekly tasks for week N have been completed and a predetermined number of days have passed since the start of the practice curriculum for week N, when the completion rate of the weekly tasks for week N reaches 100%, or when at least one of the weekly tasks for week N that is preset as mandatory is completed. Furthermore, the progress condition may be, more specifically, whether the function of an optional practice curriculum has been unlocked, or whether or not the practice content in the optional practice curriculum has been implemented, or the number of times it has been implemented. If the control unit 120 determines that the progress condition is not met (step S190 = NO), the control unit 120 returns to step S110. On the other hand, when the control unit 120 determines that the progress condition is met (step S190=YES), it controls the treatment support program so as to progress to the N+1th week (step S200).

[0096] [Additional Notes] The technical ideas that can be understood from the above embodiment will be described below.

[0097] [Appendix 1] A treatment support program used to support the treatment of patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, the treatment support program causing a computer to function as: an output unit 121 that outputs exercise content in an exercise curriculum for the patient, the exercise curriculum being related to cognitive behavioral therapy for transforming at least one of the patient's cognition and behavior; an acquisition unit 122 that acquires evaluation information 131 regarding the exercise content performed by the patient; and a judgment unit 123 that judges the progress of the exercise curriculum based on the evaluation information 131, the evaluation information 131 including qualitative evaluation information based on input received from the patient and quantitative evaluation information based on input received from the patient, the judgment unit 123 executing at least one of a first judgment process that judges whether or not to re-output exercise content that has already been performed by the patient based on at least one of the qualitative evaluation information and the quantitative evaluation information, and a second judgment process that judges whether or not to output other exercise content that has not yet been performed by the patient based on at least one of the qualitative evaluation information and the quantitative evaluation information.

[0098] [Appendix 2] The treatment support program described in Appendix 1, in which the judgment unit 123 judges whether or not it is necessary to re-output a specified exercise content that has already been performed on the patient and whether or not it is necessary to output other exercise content that has not yet been performed on the patient, based on the amount of change in quantitative evaluation information through the implementation of specified exercise content in the exercise curriculum.

[0099] [Appendix 3] A treatment support program described in Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the exercise curriculum is an exercise curriculum relating to at least one selected from the group consisting of attention training method, cognitive restructuring method, internal sensory exposure method, and reality exposure method.

[0100] [Appendix 4] A treatment support program as described in Appendix 3, in which the exercise content in the exercise curriculum for cognitive restructuring includes input of information representing the patient's thoughts on the exercise content, and the evaluation information 131 includes the patient's degree of confidence in the information representing the patient's thoughts.

[0101] [Supplementary Note 5] The treatment support program according to Supplementary Note 4, wherein the acquisition unit 122 accepts input of the patient's degree of confidence in the information representing the patient's thoughts on the exercise content, on the condition that information representing the patient's thoughts on the exercise content has been input.

[0102] [Appendix 6] A treatment support program as described in Appendix 3, in which the content of the exercises in the exercise curriculum for the internal sensory exposure method includes providing virtual cases similar to the patient's physical symptoms, and the evaluation information 131 is determined based on quantitative evaluation information for the content of the virtual cases and / or the amount of change thereof.

[0103] [Appendix 7] The treatment support program described in Appendix 3, in which the exercise content in the exercise curriculum for the real-life exposure method includes cases in which the patient has previously experienced symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and the provision of specified tasks for the patient to evaluate their own cognitive state regarding the cases, and the evaluation information 131 includes quantitative evaluation information on the content of the exposure tasks set by performing the specified tasks, and the amount of change therein.

[0104] [Appendix 8] The treatment support program according to any one of Appendix 1 to Appendix 7, wherein the output unit 121 outputs an educational curriculum including a disease education curriculum related to irritable bowel syndrome and an exercise education curriculum related to the exercise content in the exercise curriculum.

[0105] [Appendix 9] A treatment support program described in any one of Appendices 1 to 8, wherein the exercise curriculum further includes a re-exercise curriculum that can output two or more exercise contents from the exercise contents performed in the exercise curriculum in a combination of types, frequencies, or ratios according to the patient's selection.

[0106] [Supplementary Note 10] The treatment support program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 9, further causing the computer to function as an editing unit 124 that edits at least one of qualitative evaluation information and quantitative evaluation information for the exercise curriculum.

[0107] [Appendix 11] A treatment support device used to support the treatment of a patient suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, the treatment support device comprising: an output unit 121 that outputs exercise content in an exercise curriculum for the patient, the exercise curriculum being related to cognitive behavioral therapy for transforming at least one of the patient's cognition and behavior; an acquisition unit 122 that acquires evaluation information 131 on the exercise content performed by the patient; and a judgment unit 123 that judges whether the exercise curriculum can be progressed based on the evaluation information 131, wherein the evaluation information 131 includes qualitative evaluation information based on input received from the patient and quantitative evaluation information based on input received from the patient, and the judgment unit 123 executes at least one of a first judgment process that judges whether or not the exercise content that has already been performed by the patient needs to be re-output based on at least one of the qualitative evaluation information and the quantitative evaluation information, and a second judgment process that judges whether or not other exercise content that has not yet been performed by the patient needs to be output based on at least one of the qualitative evaluation information and the quantitative evaluation information.

[0108] [Appendix 12] A treatment support method used to support the treatment of a patient suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, the treatment support method including: an output step of outputting exercise content in an exercise curriculum for the patient, the exercise curriculum being related to cognitive behavioral therapy for transforming at least one of the patient's cognition and behavior; an acquisition step of acquiring evaluation information 131 for the exercise content performed by the patient; and a judgment step of judging whether the exercise curriculum can be progressed based on the evaluation information 131, the evaluation information 131 including qualitative evaluation information based on input received from the patient and quantitative evaluation information based on input received from the patient, and the judgment step executing at least one of a first judgment process of judging whether or not the exercise content that has already been performed by the patient needs to be re-output based on at least one of the qualitative evaluation information and the quantitative evaluation information, and a second judgment process of judging whether or not other exercise content that has not yet been performed by the patient needs to be output based on at least one of the qualitative evaluation information and the quantitative evaluation information.

[0109] Each of the above functions described in this embodiment may be realized in cooperation with one or more other programs. In this case, each of the above functions may be realized in combination with a program stored in a computer such as a patient terminal or an external server.

[0110] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and equivalents are also included in the present invention. In other words, even if a person skilled in the art appropriately modifies the design of each embodiment, the modifications are also within the scope of the present invention as long as they incorporate the characteristics of the present invention. Furthermore, each embodiment is merely an example, and it goes without saying that partial substitution or combination of the configurations shown in different embodiments is possible, and these are also within the scope of the present invention as long as they incorporate the characteristics of the present invention.

[0111] 100...Patient side terminal, 110...Communication device, 120...Control unit, 121...Output unit, 122...Acquisition unit, 123...Determination unit, 124...Editing unit, 130...Memory unit, 131...Evaluation information, 133...Qualitative evaluation information, 135...Quantitative evaluation information, 200...Therapist side terminal.

Claims

1. A treatment support program used to assist in the treatment of patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, Computers, An output unit that outputs the content of exercises in an exercise curriculum for patients, wherein the exercise curriculum relates to cognitive behavioral therapy for modifying at least one of the patient's cognition and behavior, An acquisition unit that acquires evaluation information regarding the exercises performed by the patient, Based on the aforementioned evaluation information, a determination unit is configured to determine the progress of the exercise curriculum, The aforementioned evaluation information includes qualitative evaluation information based on input received from the patient and quantitative evaluation information based on input received from the patient. The determination unit performs at least one of the following based on at least one of the qualitative evaluation information and the quantitative evaluation information: a first determination process that determines whether it is necessary to re-output the exercise content that has already been performed by the patient, and a second determination process that determines whether it is necessary to output other exercise content that has not yet been performed by the patient. The aforementioned training curriculum is a training curriculum relating to internal sensory exposure and / or reality exposure, If the exercise curriculum is an exercise curriculum relating to internal sensory exposure therapy, the content of the exercise curriculum includes providing a hypothetical case similar to the patient's physical symptoms, and the evaluation information is determined based on the quantitative evaluation information and / or the amount of change thereof for the content of the hypothetical case. If the exercise curriculum is an exercise curriculum relating to reality exposure therapy, the content of the exercise curriculum includes providing a case in which the patient has previously experienced symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and a predetermined task for the patient to evaluate their own perception of the case, and the evaluation information includes the amount of change in the quantitative evaluation information with respect to the content of the exposure task set by performing the predetermined task. Treatment support program.

2. The determination unit performs at least one of the first determination process and the second determination process based on the amount of change in the quantitative evaluation information obtained through the implementation of predetermined exercise content in the exercise curriculum. The treatment support program according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned exercise curriculum is an exercise curriculum relating to attention training methods or cognitive reorganization methods. The treatment support program according to claim 1.

4. The exercise content in the aforementioned exercise curriculum relating to the cognitive reorganization method includes inputting information representing the patient's thoughts on the exercise content, The aforementioned evaluation information includes the patient's degree of confidence in information representing the patient's opinion, The treatment support program according to claim 3.

5. The acquisition unit accepts input of the patient's confidence level regarding the information representing the patient's opinion, provided that information representing the patient's opinion has been input. The treatment support program according to claim 4.

6. The output unit provides a disease education curriculum related to irritable bowel syndrome, Further outputting an educational curriculum that includes an exercise curriculum relating to the exercise content in the aforementioned exercise curriculum, The treatment support program according to claim 1.

7. The aforementioned training curriculum further includes a retraining curriculum that allows for the output of two or more training contents from the training contents implemented in the aforementioned training curriculum, combined according to the patient's selection in terms of type, frequency, or ratio. The treatment support program according to claim 3.

8. The aforementioned computer, To further function as an editorial department that compiles at least one of the qualitative evaluation information and the quantitative evaluation information for the aforementioned exercise curriculum, A treatment support program according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A treatment support device used to assist in the treatment of patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, An output unit that outputs the content of exercises in an exercise curriculum for patients, wherein the exercise curriculum relates to cognitive behavioral therapy for modifying at least one of the patient's cognition and behavior, An acquisition unit that acquires evaluation information regarding the exercises performed by the patient, A determination unit determines whether or not the exercise curriculum can proceed based on the aforementioned evaluation information. It has, The aforementioned evaluation information includes qualitative evaluation information based on input received from the patient and quantitative evaluation information based on input received from the patient. The determination unit performs at least one of the following based on at least one of the qualitative evaluation information and the quantitative evaluation information: a first determination process that determines whether it is necessary to re-output the exercise content that has already been performed by the patient, and a second determination process that determines whether it is necessary to output other exercise content that has not yet been performed by the patient. The aforementioned training curriculum is a training curriculum relating to internal sensory exposure and / or reality exposure, If the exercise curriculum is an exercise curriculum relating to internal sensory exposure therapy, the content of the exercise curriculum includes providing a hypothetical case similar to the patient's physical symptoms, and the evaluation information is determined based on the quantitative evaluation information and / or the amount of change thereof for the content of the hypothetical case. If the exercise curriculum is an exercise curriculum relating to reality exposure therapy, the content of the exercise curriculum includes providing a case in which the patient has previously experienced symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and a predetermined task for the patient to evaluate their own perception of the case, and the evaluation information includes the amount of change in the quantitative evaluation information with respect to the content of the exposure task set by performing the predetermined task. Treatment support equipment.

10. A treatment support method used to assist in the treatment of patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, An output process for outputting exercise content in a patient exercise curriculum, wherein the exercise curriculum relates to cognitive behavioral therapy for modifying at least one of the patient's cognition and behavior, and the output process is as follows: The process of acquiring evaluation information regarding the exercises performed by the patient, A determination process to determine whether or not the exercise curriculum can proceed based on the aforementioned evaluation information. Includes, The aforementioned evaluation information includes qualitative evaluation information based on input received from the patient and quantitative evaluation information based on input received from the patient. The determination step performs at least one of the following based on the qualitative evaluation information and the quantitative evaluation information: a first determination process that determines whether it is necessary to re-output the exercise content that has already been performed by the patient, and a second determination process that determines whether it is necessary to output other exercise content that has not yet been performed by the patient. The aforementioned training curriculum is a training curriculum relating to internal sensory exposure and / or reality exposure, If the exercise curriculum is an exercise curriculum relating to internal sensory exposure therapy, the content of the exercise curriculum includes providing a hypothetical case similar to the patient's physical symptoms, and the evaluation information is determined based on the quantitative evaluation information and / or the amount of change thereof for the content of the hypothetical case. If the exercise curriculum is an exercise curriculum relating to reality exposure therapy, the content of the exercise curriculum includes providing a case in which the patient has previously experienced symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and a predetermined task for the patient to evaluate their own perception of the case, and the evaluation information includes the amount of change in the quantitative evaluation information with respect to the content of the exposure task set by performing the predetermined task. Treatment support methods.