WO2002013684A1

WO2002013684A1 - Method and apparatus for improving mental focus, visceral perception & bilateral psychomotor skills

Info

Publication number: WO2002013684A1
Application number: PCT/GB2001/003671
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ernesto Marcelo Dario Korenman; Shimon Badihi
Original assignee: Sentitech Limited
Priority date: 2000-08-16
Filing date: 2001-08-16
Publication date: 2002-02-21
Also published as: GB0020210D0; AU2001278618A1

Abstract

Apparatus and its use are described which enables analysis to be effected of correlations between psychomotor tasks, for example operating a switch and visceral perception, for example the user's consciousness of their own heartbeat. Such apparatus can be used for diagnosis, monitoring or training. For example, it may be used to enhance the perception of the inter-heartbeat interval by sportsmen, for example, in target shooting and archery.

Description

Method and Apparatus For Improving Mental Focus. Visceral Perception & Bilateral Psychomotor Skills

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for improving mental focus, visceral perception and bilateral psychomotor skills.

Heartbeat detection is a form of visceral perception, i.e. the ability to perceive internal, (visceral), functions of our body. In the psycho-physiological laboratory environment heartbeat sensations are commonly assessed using tasks that require individuals to judge simultaneity of heartbeat and tones. This has resulted in several major studies in recent years. However, interest in this area dates back many decades, though in the realm of psychology, few are the investigators whom have examined empirically the relationship between perception of autonomic arousal and emotional state.

Classic theories of emotion (e.g. James 1890) suggest that a relationship exists between the subject's physiological state and their experience of emotions. In line with Jamesian theory, individuals who are more aware of their visceral activity should demonstrate greater effective response to emotion-laden stimuli than individuals who are not viscerally perceptive. During the last twenty years, however, experimenters in the area of psychophysiology and psychology have tied the concepts of emotionality to the concepts of visceral perception and have suggested that those subjects who are more aware of visceral sensations also tend to be more emotional. For instance, high cardiovascular reactors are better heartbeat detector subjects than low reactors (Eichler S. and Katkin ES 1994: The relationship between cardiovascular reactivity and heartbeat detection. Psychophysiology May; 31 (3):229-234). Another interesting observation is that subjects who are able to perceive their heartbeat were found to be more facial!" excessive than ⁿoor ⁿerceivers are ^Ferπuson M.L., Katkiπ E.S. 1996: Visceral perception, anhedonia and emotion. Biol Psychology 1996 Jan 5; 42 (1-2):131-145).

From a different angle it has been reported that heartbeat feedback and detection has self-focusing effects (Fenigstein A. et al: Self-focusing effects of heartbeat feedback. J Pers Soc Psychol 1978 Nov; 36(11):1241-1250). In the area of brain physiology, it is well established that paying attention to an internal event such as the heartbeat can modify the brain cortical evoked response associated with that event (Montoya P. et al. (1993): Heartbeat evoked potentials.... Electroencephalor Clin Neurophysioi 1993, May-Jun, 88 (3): 163-172). Several studies have established that, while visceral signal processing, (including heartbeat detection), requires a marked right brain hemisphere preference (Adam G. Weizz 199), activities such as tapping the fingers and calculating time assessment are essentially a left brain activity.

All of the above studies have had as their principal object the scientific investigation of the interaction between visceral perception, especially of heartbeat, and the psychological or psychophysiological state of the subject. We have now found that, building on this investigative and theoretical foundation, it is possible to construct apparatus and to develop methods of investigation of visceral perception which do not simply reflect the condition of a particular subject, but which can be used for various desirable psychotherapeutic or motor training ends.

Thus, in accordance with a first feature of the present invention, there is provided a method of investigating visceral perception in a subject which comprises detecting a visceral physiological event, for example heartbeat, detecting psychomotor activity of the subject, and analysing the occurrence of psychomotor activity relative to that of the visceral physiological event. The psychomotor activity may vary widely, but is usually conscious motor action by the subject, for example pressing a switch button or key. If the r>swH">Qmrrtr»r aH-K/ih/ ncoe hrvrh cirlcus nf tho cπhio t <-> π nrggsinn hwri icpui one with the index finger of each hand, investigation of lateralisation may additionally be achieved.

In a second aspect, the invention provides apparatus for investigating visceral perception comprising

a first detector system adapted to detect the occurrence of a visceral physiological event,

a second detector system adapted to detect the occurrence of a psychomotor event, and

processing means adapted to receive signals from the first and second detector systems, to analyse the same according to a predetermined program or algorithm, and to store and/or display the results of such analysis.

Preferably, the apparatus is physically configured to detect psychomotor events from a plurality of sources, especially from parallel sources from each side of the (bilateral) subject.

The invention is based on the realisation that by the provision of appropriate hardware and software, it is possible to monitor, quantify and entrain visceral perception skills through the synchronize performance of a simple psychomotor task which promotes bilateral brain activity.

In addition, the disclosed method and apparatus provides a novel, non- 5 invasive and extremely simple method to indirectly monitor and quantify brain laterality while performing a visceral perception exercise.

In its preferred embodiment, the invention monitors the ability of individuals to predict and detect their own heartbeat while performing a bilateral hand i n

-ra ck in cwnr.hmnw /ith thpir nπp> Pirl heartbeat activity.

The concentration required by the visceral perception endeavour added to the bilateral brain rhythmic activity induced by the psychomotor task, 15 generates a state of consciousness conducive to improvements in general concentration and introspective mental skills.

The apparatus according to the invention is preferably configured to contain a facility to display and quantify, (on-line and off-line), the general degree of 0 accuracy of a heartbeat detection task. This is conveniently done by calculating the beat-to-beat phase shift between the visceral physiological event, (heartbeat), and the psychomotor task event (bilateral hand pressing of a switch). Brain laterality is indirectly monitored and quantified from differences in visceral perception performance while each side of the brain 5 is activated.

Finally, the apparatus may be arranged to enable the quantification of genera! levels of autonomic physiological arousal at various stages during a training program, (game), by applying power spectrum analysis of the heart 0 beat- to-beat intervals.

in summary, the present invention provides a method, (and apparatus), which promotes at the same time: 1) Focused concentration (through visceral perception) .

2) Rhythmic, (hypnotic), neuromuscular activity in synchrony with the individual's biological rhythms (heartbeat).

3) Bilateral brain activation (through alternative right and left-hand activation), and

4) Viscera! awareness.

In addition this method provides indirect means to quantify lateral brain activation and autonomic, (sympathetic and parasympathetic status), non- intrusively and without the use of EEG brain monitoring techniques.

The above combination of factors may provide an extremely beneficial effect for the management of many types of psycho-physiological and behavioral conditions such as hyperactivity, hyper-arousal, depression, lack of concentration, dyslexia and psychophysical detachment. In addition, the use of the method and apparatus according to the invention may play an interesting and innovative role in the training and development of "emotional-intelligence" skills.

The invention is illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the following description of apparatus and how it can be used. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of apparatus according to the invention, and

Figures 2 and 3 are illustrations of screen displays resulting from mouse activation. Referring to Figure 1 , the apparatus comprises an actuation unit 1 comprising two press switches, (each to be activated by a finger of each hand), connected to an electronic circuit (in a diagrammatic box 2) that generates a conventional event signal when one or other switch is pressed. The box 2 is connected via a cable 3 to a serial port interface 4 of a PC, of which only the screen 5 and two loudspeakers 6 are shown.

The hand switches may take the form of standard computer mice, which enables each of the user's hands to be moved bodily separately, Alternatively, both hands may be used, e.g. to hold a joystick or like device.

A heartbeat detector (HBD) is also connected to the serial port interface 4. The heartbeat detector consists of a circuit that records amplifies and filters a conventional ECG (electrocardiogram) signal. The HBD is configured to generate a logic event signal coincident with the "R wave" of the ECG (the peak value of the "QRS complex " in the electrocardiogram signal).

The HBD circuit can, if desired, be incorporated into box 2, and be arranged to receive the ECG signal from the wrist of each hand via a pair of conventional ECG electrodes and cables. Alternatively, the heart beat detector can be fitted within a separate device worn over the chest of the user, and incorporating a pair of conductive rubber electrodes for the bipolar recording of ECG over the chest. Such an HBD chest device may communicate the R event to the box 2 via a cordless link (inductive loop, infrared, radio, etc). In this case, box 2 includes a heartbeat event receiver connected to the H channel feeding the serial port.

There are thus three events generated by the circuitry in box 2:1) left hand press event (L), 2) right hand press event (R), and 3) heartbeat event (H). These are feed into a processing integrated circuit that generates a compatible COM port signal with information on the status of all three types of events. The COM port signal is fed to the serial port via the "RXD" pin of the serial port connector using conventional serial port communication. Other types of connection to the PC may be used if desired, for example a direct connection to a bus in the PC, or connection via an IR interface card.

Two different modes of interfacing data into the serial port may be envisaged; in the first, the PC serial port interface sends the raw data R, L and H logic events to the COM port. Then, data are processed by a software application in the PC.

Alternatively, the PC serial port interface may be configured to carry out the first signal processing step described below within an integrated circuit in the interface, and the resulting signal can then be fed into the PC.

The PC is programmed to calculate the relative times for R, L, and H, preferably using a low level language software application that enables very precise cycle clock measurements.

Then, another software-based module uses an algorithm to calculate the absolute shift in time between the hand press events (L or R) and the actual heartbeat (H).

In the following discussion, HL=ABS (H to L shift) and HR=ABS (H to R shift), where ABS is the absolute time shift, (+ or -), between (H) and (L or R). The above algorithm operates as follows:

at the time of a hand press switch event, (L or R), the application detects the closest H event before or after the hand press event. It then establishes the shortest shift period in absolute value from the two.

Finally, the HL or HR calculated periods are recorded in a database facility that holds all the values of HL, HR and HH of a working session (as explained further below).

At the end of the session the application quantifies MEAN & SD, (standard deviation), for HL and HR values to provide parametric measurements of the "Accuracy", (A), of heart beat detection for L and R and their relative degrees of "Dispersion" (D).

A, = MEAN (HL)

A_r = MEAN (HR) D, = SD (HL) D_r = SD (HR)

A quantitative example of the nrocessing and results achieved Is reflected in Table 1 below.

When using the apparatus, a user may not guess all the heartbeats during the session and miss some of them. However, the total number of H with guessed response, (L or R), can be measured by an off-line processing module, which calculates the percentage of the total number of actual physiological heartbeats, (No. (H)), that the user attempted to guess during the whole session. This enables a marker of the "Effort" (E) of heartbeat detection skills to be calculated, which can then be taken into account for a final evaluation of performance.

In Table 1 ,

E, = 100 ^* No. (L) / No. (H) E_r =100 ^* No. (R) / No. (H)

An important and innovative feature of the method and apparatus of the present invention is that it enables quantification of the laterality of a visceral perception task as reflected in the performance of a related psychomotor task.

At the end of each session, the software is configured to measure the percentage degree of (B) V = laterality by calculating the following parameters:

V_L = Max { 0 , [ (A_r A_r) / A, * 100 ] } V_R = Max { 0 , [ (A_r- A,) / A_r * 100 ] }

Apart of the off-line processing assessment described in the previous sections, the system includes an on-line assessment module, which provides sound and graphic display cues related to performance.

To measure the, beai-to-beat degree of ac-curac^v of heartbeat detection, this module calculates the on-line percentage of "Success rate" (S). This parameter reaches values between 0 and 100% according to the temporal proximity between the guessed heartbeat and the physiological one. 100% means perfect detection.

The S parameter is calculated as follows:

S, = 100 ^* { [ (HH/2) - HL ] / (HH/2) } S_r = 100 ^* { [ (HH/2) - HR ] / (HH/2) }

where HH is the last inter-heartbeat interval calculated by the system.

The software may also include a use interface module enabling various forms of on-line monitoring & assessment of increasing complexity according to the various phases of the heartbeat detection training to be carried out. The main user interface elements used are graphic display elements and sound display elements.

The different events or parameters described above may be displayed in a graphic form in the PC screens, for example an H graphic display; (a coloured ECG wave in the screen at the time of H event), an L graphic display; (a coloured ECG wave shown in the left side of the screen - at the time of the L event) and an R graphic display; (a coloured ECG wave in the right side of the screen at the time of R event). The display may also show the S parameter referred to above, e.g. as an

S_R graphic display; a target like display with an arrow placed in it according to the value of the "S_R" parameter placed in the right side of the screen, and an

S_L graphic display; a target like display with an arrow placed in it according to the value of the "S_L" parameter placed in the left side of the screen.

As shown in Figure 1, the graphic display shown on screen 5 during a user session includes the L graphic display on the left side of the screen together with S_L and the graphic display R on the right side of the screen with S_R. This feature imposes a shift of the eyes (and focus) by the user from one side to the other of the screen in synchrony with the heart. This type of eye movement task promotes itself an even higher degree of brain laterality.

The different events or parameters described above are also marked by sounds generated by the sound card of the PC, and which are rendered audible via speakers 6 (or via a pair of stereo headphones). The following sounds may be produced:

H sound: a realistic heartbeat sound at the time of H event.

L sound: a pre-recorded pip sound delivered to the left ear through the speakers 6 or headphones at the time of L event.

R sound: a pre-recorded pip sound delivered to the right ear through the speakers 6 or headphones at the time of R event.

S_R sound: a pre-recorded chord sound in 10 forms of increasing pitch, 10 to 100 in 10s, to be sounded with the presentation of the S_R graphic display according to the value of the parameter for that event, S_R is sounded to the right ear through the right speaker 6 or the right side of a pair of headphones.

S_L sound: a pre-recorded chord sound in 10 forms of increasing pitch, 10 to 100 in 10s, to be sounded with the presentation of the S_L graphic display according to the value of the parameter for that event, S_L is sounded to the left ear through the left speaker 6 or the right side of a pair of headphones.

The delivery of the L or/and S_L sound to the left ear and of the R or/and S_R sound to the right ear through a pair of speakers or headphones impose a shift of the sound detection by the user from one side to the other in synchrony with the heart. This type of sound alternation task promotes itself an even higher degree of brain laterality.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the arrangement of claim 1 may be modified using two separate mice 7 and 8 coordinated to the right and left hands respectively, and with right and left speakers 6.

When using the apparatus illustrated, we have found it preferable to divide a use session into three sections, denoted heating, training and assessment.

In the first heating stage, the user starts each session by hearing his or her own heartbeat sound, (H sound), and watching the screen display of their heartbeat activity (H display). At this early stage the user tries to emulate H by pressing alternatively L and R till the task is understood and a successful rhythm of positive responses is achieved. During all this early stage the user receives L or R display & sound in response to each pressing of the hand switches.

In a second training stage, the H display & sound start to fade and the user starts to guess his/her heartbeat by pressing L and R alternatively. Instant assessment is now complemented by the S_R and S_L sound & graphic display after each L or R. Accumulated "S" based gain is shown and displayed in a game fashion to encourage concentration and to prize heartbeat detection improvement.

Finally, at the end of the session, an assessment stage is carried out in which the A, D and E parameters are displayed and recorded for the whole session together with the game like accumulated "S" parameter. Assessment of training-based improvement over time can be monitored by mp.an.Q rvf P. nprfnrmanr. software facility hinh riisnlavs πranηs of A, D and

E values over many sessions along a period of time, (days/months/sessions), axis.

At the end of each session the application calculates differences in A, D and E for L and R as described above to establish if the user show any lateral dominance for heartbeat detection.

The method and apparatus of the present invention have manifold applications and uses, of which the following are examples:

Holistic brain-based educational strategies: The use of this technology encourages mental focus and bilateral brain activity; therefore, it can be applied as a training tool to encourage whole brain activity to improve learning.

Preventive and therapeutic behavioral approach for hyperactive children: The centring effects of the HBD task plus the encouragement of bilateral visceral perception activity plus the rhythmic muscular movement in sync with a physiological rhythm (heart) make from this an ideal tool to teach and train hyperactive children

Preventive and therapeutic behavioral approach for learning disabilities: Many learning disabilities are associated with polarized brain laterality with very little power of concentration. This methodology can teach, train and assess children and adults in the art of concentration, bilateral brain activity and de-arousal.

Development of concentration skills: The focusing effects of the HBD games area good for concentration training.

Body awareness education for sport excellence: Programs designed for professional training of elite sportsmen or for children and adults in need of increa^c'ⁿα hnrli/ ft /gronocc Thic name ontrninc cnnrtcmgn in npeΗ to achieve high heartbeat detection skills paramount for excellent performance in target like archery, golf, shooting at target etc. In this respect, the software may be configured (in contrast to the system described above) to promote the user's ability to detect his or her heartbeat and to recognise and control (if possible) the length of the inter-beat period. This is of paramount importance in target sports since the body movement associated with the heartbeat enormously affects the precision of performance.

"Concentration-Autohypnosis-Relaxation-Meditation" electronic teacher:

The hand switch press psychomotor task simulates a repetitive hypnotic exercise (in a way analogous to bead counting, mantra repetition or repetitive movements during prayer or trance dancing). This together with the inward mental focus and concentration generated while trying to perform HBD, the encouragement of bilateral activity, the de-arousal trend induced by the repetitive task and the sound and graphic display and stimulation provided by the PC in sync with the user's own heartbeat frequency make from these games a very good electronic trainer in the art of physical, emotional and mental auto-observation.

Emotional intelligence enhancer: As explained before, the link between visceral perception and emotional expression is well documented in the psychological literature. This methodology can add another important component in any education curriculum motivated to explore emotional intelligence strategies as a complement to attain full mental capabilities.

Table 1 below sets out a typical set of values for a real session. In the modified version of the software where the desire is to teach the user to detect the middle point between two heartbeats, the user attempts to press the switch as close to HH/2 as possible rather than at H. In such a case, a further data column (corresponding) to 100-H%) can easily be generated by the software, and displayed.

TABLE 1

ON-LINE DATA

Time ^HH(t-1) H1-(ABS) ■^""^(ABS) Event msec msec Msec % %

1 873 327 25

2 851 271 36

3 836 159 62

4 822 27 93

5 789 124 69

6 764 36 91

7 753 75 80

8 754 84 78

9 743 271 27

10 757 188 50

11 773 135 65

12 814 112 72

13 825

14 901 250 45

15 893 211 53

16 912 301 34

17 922 112 76

18 927 85 82

19 919 213 54

20 907 95 79

S, = 100^* {[HH/2) HL ]/(HH/2)} S = 100^* {[HH/2) HR ]/(HH/2)}

OFF-LINE RESULTS

180.8 msec A, = MEAN (HL)

D, 81.5 msec D, = SD (HL) E, 90.0 % E,= 100*No(L)/No(H) V, 19.8% V_L = Max {OfA A^/A, * 100]}

144.9 msec A_r = MEAN (HR)

D, 99.9 msec D_r = SD (HR) 100.0% E_r= 100* No (R)/No(H)

V_c 0.0 % V_R = Max{0[A_r-A_r)/A_r* 100]}

Claims

1. A method of investigating visceral perception in a subject which comprises detecting the visceral physiological event, detecting psychomotor

5 activity of the subject, and analysing the occurrence of psychomotor activity relative to that of the visceral physiological event.

2. A method according to Claim 1 wherein the psychomotor activity is a conscious motor action by the subject. in

3. A method according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein psychomotor activity of the subject is effected by both left and right sides of the subject and the analysis of the occurrence of a psychomotor activity is carried out to enable data relating to lateralisation to be attained.

15

4. A method according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the visceral physiological event is the subject's heartbeat.

5. Apparatus for investigating visceral perception comprising a first 0 detector system adapted to detect the occurrence of a visceral physiological event, a second detector system adapted to detect the occurrence of a psychomotor event and processing means adapted to receive signals from the first and second detector systems to analyse the same according to a predetermined programme or algorithm and to store and/or display the 5 results of such analysis.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein the second detector system includes means for detecting psychomotor events from two or more sources. 0

7. Apparatus according to Claim 5 or 6 wherein the first detector system comprises means for detecting a heartbeat.

8. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 7 wherein the second detector system comprises a mechanical switch, the state of which is used to detect the occurrence of a psychomotor event being the actuation of the switch by a user.

9. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 8 and including a display screen for viewing by a user of the apparatus and wherein the processing means are configured to display on the display screen the analysis of the signals received from the first and second detector systems.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9 and including at least one audio signal generating device adapted to emit sound in accordance with the analysed results of signals received in the first and/or second detector systems.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 10 and including two sound-generating means located to either side of the screen and wherein the processing means is adapted to cause audible signals to be emitted by the audio generating means correlated with the psychomotor activity of a user.