Method of Treatment to Improve Concentration and/or Memory in a Subject in Need Thereof

• US 20090023977A1
• Filed: 05/23/2008
• Published: 01/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas Jefferson University (Main Line Health System), Young Hyun Lim
• Original Assignee: Geomc Co., Ltd., Thomas Jefferson University (Main Line Health System)
• Inventors: Lim, Young Hyun, Tracy, Joseph I., Sperling, Michael R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,734,317 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0033 subsonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/00 Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0662 Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0618 Psychological treatment

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method of treatment to improve at least one of concentration, memory, cognitive performance, and stress-relief in a subject in need thereof by controlled administration of synchronized flashes of light and pulsed tones.

Claims

1. A method of treatment to improve at least one of concentration, memory, cognitive performance, and stress-relief in a subject by audio-visual entrainment, the method comprising:

a) selecting a subject in need of improvement in at least one of concentration, memory, cognitive performance, and stress-relief; and

b) administering synchronized flashes of light and pulsed tones to the subject, wherein the synchronized flashes of light and pulsed tones are in the frequency range of 4-12 Hz.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the flashes of light have a wavelength in the range of 400 to 720 nm and a brightness in the range of 0 to 16 Lx.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the flashes of light include a wave form with a varying frequency.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the varying frequency includes at least one of an ascending frequency and a descending frequency.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the flashes of light and pulsed tones are administered in-phase, out-phase, or a combination thereof.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein administering the synchronized flashes of light and pulsed tones occurs for a period of 15 to 60 minutes.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein administering the synchronized flashes of light and pulsed tones for a period of 15 to 30 minutes.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein administering the synchronized flashes of light and pulsed tones occurs daily for three or more days.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject has been diagnosed with ADHD.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject has been diagnosed with developmental impairment of executive function.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is suffering from age-related memory loss.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is at risk for age-related memory loss.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

administering sounds of nature.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the sounds of nature include at least one of river gurgling, birds chirping, rain drops, and ocean waves.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

establishing a baseline score for at least one of concentration, memory, cognitive performance, and stress-relief for the subject prior to administering the synchronized flashes of light and pulsed tones; and

measuring an improved score for at least one of concentration, memory, cognitive performance, and stress-relief for the subject after administering the synchronized flashes of light and pulsed tones.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein stress-relief includes at least one of increasing relaxation, decreasing anxiety, and increasing restorative sleep.