Method and apparatus for measuring acute stress

• US 20030236451A1
• Filed: 04/02/2003
• Published: 12/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: El-Nokaly, Magda, Prickel, Diane Lynn, Saud, Abel, Schaiper, Daniel Raymond, Doyle, Kevin Lee, Hilton, Michael Lee
• Granted Patent: US 7,213,600 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/16 Devices for psychotechnics using teaching or educational appliances G09B1/00 - G09B7/00; Testing reaction times ; Devices for evaluating the psychological state
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided to quantify psychological and physiological components to measure acute stress in humans, in which a stimulus can be applied to the test subject'"'"'s environment during the test. The method involves multiple stress/relaxation intervals while physiological measurements are taken and “measured,” and involves questionnaires that are answered after each of the intervals to “measure” the test subject'"'"'s psychological state. A computerized testing apparatus acquires the physiological measurements, and also is used by the test subject in answering the questionnaires. The “stimulus” can be a fragrance, flavor, product, or task, and a “blank stimulus” is normally used during one of the stress intervals.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating acute stress of a person, said method comprising:

(a) providing a computerized apparatus having a memory circuit for storage of data, an interface circuit, a processing circuit, and at least one sensing device that is in communication with said interface circuit, wherein said at least one sensing device is used to detect at least one physiological parameter of a test subject;

(b) initiating a first stress interval, during which said test subject performs at least one predetermined task designed to induce some acute stress;

(c) initiating a first questionnaire interval, during which said test subject answers questions designed to evaluate at least one psychological component of acute stress;

(d) initiating a first relaxation interval, during which said test subject is allowed to relax;

(e) initiating a second questionnaire interval, during which said test subject answers questions designed to evaluate at least one psychological component of acute stress;

(f) initiating a second stress interval, during which said test subject performs at least one predetermined task designed to induce some acute stress; and

(g) initiating a third questionnaire interval, during which said test subject answers questions designed to evaluate at least one psychological component of acute stress;

wherein a stimulus may be introduced into said test subject'"'"'s environment during at least one of;

(i) said first stress interval, (ii) said first relaxation interval, and (iii) said second stress interval.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said stimulus comprises one of;

(a) a fragrance, (b) a flavor, (c) a task, and (d) a product.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein:

(a) said fragrance is in one of;

a solid form, a liquid form, and a gaseous form;

(b) said flavor is in one of;

a solid form, a liquid form, and a gaseous form;

(c) said task comprises an activity that may tend to either decrease acute stress or increase acute stress; and

(d) said product is one of;

a liquid fragrance, a gaseous odor, a medical device, and a therapeutic device.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said stimulus is not introduced in one of the first and second stress intervals, thereby evaluating a stimulus that was introduced in the other of the first and second stress intervals.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein:

no stimulus is introduced during said first relaxation interval.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein:

a questionnaire is used during at least one of said questionnaire intervals, and said test subject answers questions from the questionnaire that are designed to evaluate at least one psychological component of acute stress.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein:

said questionnaire comprises a plurality of quick-answer questions that provide a measure of perceived physiological effects of acute stress.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein:

answers to said quick-answer questions provide a measure of the test subjects'"'"' psychological state.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

an initial baseline interval, followed by a chronic stress questionnaire, before entering said first stress interval.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein during the baseline interval, said at least one sensing device is placed on the test subject, and then tested for proper operation.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of further stress intervals and relaxation intervals, each of said intervals being followed by a further questionnaire intervals.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one sensing device is a non-invasive device.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein said at least one sensing device comprises at least one of:

a blood volume pulse (BVP) sensor, and an EKG sensor.

14. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein said at least one sensing device is used to generate data on at least one of:

heart period, pulse transit time, peripheral blood flow, and standard deviation of normal to normal beats (SDNN).

15. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein said questionnaire is used to generate data on predetermined psychological parameters including at least one of:

energy, hedonic, tension, anger, overall relaxation, muscle tension, nervousness, and concentration/focus.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein said predetermined psychological parameters are analyzed to generate at least one of:

a personal stress profile; and

a delta chart of stress vs. relaxation effects.

17. A testing apparatus, comprising:

a memory circuit for storage of data;

at least one sensing device used to detect at least one physiological parameter of a test subject;

an interface circuit that is in communication with said at least one sensing device;

a processing circuit that is configured to control the flow of data between said memory circuit and said interface circuit, said processing circuit also being configured to;

(a) monitor said at least one physiological parameter during at least one stress interval;

(b) monitor said at least one physiological parameter during at least one relaxation interval; and

(c) introduce a stimulus into said test subject'"'"'s environment during one of;

(i) said at least one stress interval, and (ii) said at least one relaxation interval.

18. The testing apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said stimulus comprises one of:

(a) a fragrance, (b) a flavor, (c) a task, and (d) a product.

19. The testing apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein:

(a) said fragrance is in one of;

a solid form, a liquid form, and a gaseous form;

(b) said flavor is in one of a solid form, a liquid form, and a gaseous form;

(c) said task comprises an activity that may tend to either decrease acute stress or increase stress; and

(d) said product is one of;

a liquid fragrance, a gaseous odor, a medical device, and a therapeutic device.

20. The testing apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein:

said at least one stress interval comprises a first stress interval and a second stress interval, and wherein said stimulus is not introduced in one of the first and second stress intervals, thereby evaluating a stimulus that was introduced in the other of the first and second stress intervals.

21. The testing apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein:

no stimulus is introduced during any of said at least one relaxation intervals.

22. The testing apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said processing circuit is further configured to receive data input by said test subject who provides answers to a questionnaire after each of said at least one stress and relaxation intervals, wherein a set of questions in the questionnaire is designed to evaluate at least one psychological component of acute stress.

23. The testing apparatus as recited in claim 17, further comprising:

a second processing circuit and a second memory circuit, said second processing circuit being configured to receive data input by said test subject who provides answers to a questionnaire after each of said at least one stress and relaxation intervals, wherein a set of questions in the questionnaire is designed to evaluate at least one psychological component of acute stress.

24. The testing apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said at least one sensing device is a non-invasive device.

25. The testing apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein said at least one sensing device comprises at least one of:

a blood volume pulse (BVP) sensor, and an EKG sensor.

26. The testing apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein said at least one sensing device is used to generate data on at least one of:

heart period, pulse transit time, peripheral blood flow, and standard deviation of normal to normal beats (SDNN).