PORTABLE PSYCHOLOGICAL MONITORING DEVICE

• US 20110151418A1
• Filed: 04/14/2009
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Academisch Ziekenhuis Maastricht, Universiteit Maastricht
• Original Assignee: Academisch Ziekenhuis Maastricht, Universiteit Maastricht
• Inventors: Van Os, Johannes Jacobus, Nicolson, Nancy Anne, Germeys, Inez Yvonne Ronald, Peeters, Franciscus Petrus Maria Ludovicus, De Vries, Marten William, Emonds, Peter Maria Joseph, Wichers, Maria Catharina, Delespaul, Philippe Armand Etienne Ghislain
• Application Number:
  US12/736,511
• Publication Number:
  US 20110151418A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/236
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0431 Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0024 for multiple sensor units attached to the patient, e.g. using a body or personal area network
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/70 relating to mental therapies, e.g. psychological therapy or autogenous training
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

The invention relates to a portable psychological monitoring device, comprising an input, an output, a repository and a processor. The repository comprises a plurality of questionnaires, each comprising one or more questions relating to a mental state of a user. The processor is arranged for selecting a first questionnaire of the plurality of questionnaires, and presenting at least one of the questions of the first questionnaire to the user via the output at a first moment that is random to the user. The processor is arranged for receiving an answer to the question from the user via the input, and storing the answer into the repository. The invention further relates to a system for psychological monitoring, a method of assessment of a mental state of a user and a method of treatment or prevention of mood disorders and related disorder phenotypes.

Claims

1. Portable psychological monitoring device, comprising an input, an output, a repository and a processor,

wherein the repository comprises a plurality of questionnaires, each comprising one or more questions relating to a mental state of a user,

wherein the processor is arranged for selecting a first questionnaire of the plurality of questionnaires, and presenting at least one of the questions of the first questionnaire to the user via the output at a first moment that is random to the user, and

wherein the processor is arranged for receiving an answer to the question from the user via the input, and storing the answer into the repository.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is arranged for selecting a second questionnaire of the plurality of questionnaires and presenting at least one of the questions of the second questionnaire to the user via the output at a second moment that is known to the user.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first moment in time and/or the second moment in time is stored in the repository.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the repository comprises information regarding a time schedule according to which one or more questionnaires are to be presented to the user.

5. Device according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the at least one question of the first questionnaire or the second questionnaire is designed to test a predetermined parameter, such as an activity or state, associated with an emotion.

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the tested parameter is one of a level of physical activity, mental activity, substance (ab)use, craving, company, location, recent thoughts, stress, situation.

7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the device is further arranged for determining a value for the tested parameter on the basis of an answer given in response to the at least one question.

8. Device according to any one of claims 5-7, wherein the device is further arranged for determining a relationship between the tested parameter and the associated emotion, e.g. on the basis of the answer.

9. Device according to claim 8, further comprising a memory, wherein the device is arranged for storing the relationship in the memory.

10. Device according to at least claim 5, wherein the processor is further arranged for determining if and/or how the tested parameter needs to be changed for improving the emotion associated with that parameter, preferably on the basis of the value and the relationship.

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is arranged for providing feedback, on the basis of data entered by the user in response to one or more questions of the first and/or second questionnaire, on the basis of data entered by the user in response to the first and/or second questionnaire, or on the basis of data entered by the user in response to a succession of first and/or second questionnaires.

12. Device according to claim 10, wherein the device is further arranged for presenting the determined needed change of the tested parameter to the user and/or to an operator and/or to a therapist.

13. Device according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the device is a dedicated device.

14. Device according to claim 13, wherein the device only comprises software code portions for performing the psychological monitoring, and optionally displaying time.

15. System for psychological monitoring, comprising a portable psychological monitoring device according to any one of claims 1-14, an operator station, and optionally a user station, wherein the portable device is arranged for transmitting data relating to the mental state of the user to the operator station, optionally via the user station.

16. System according to claim 15 as far as dependent from claim 4, wherein the operator station is arranged for modifying the time schedule associated with the information comprised in the repository.

17. Method of assessment of a mental state of a user, comprising

providing a device according to any one of claims 1-14 to the user,

selecting a questionnaires comprising one or more questions relating to a mental state of a user,

having the device present at least one of the questions of the questionnaire to the user at the first moment that is random to the user, and receiving an answer to the question from the user using the device.

18. Method according to claim 17, wherein the at least one question is designed to test a predetermined parameter, such as an activity or state, associated with an emotion, the method further comprising:

determining a value for the tested parameter on the basis of an answer given in response to the at least one question,

determining a relationship between the tested parameter and the associated emotion, e.g. on the basis of the answer,

determining if and/or how the tested parameter needs to be changed for improving the emotion associated with that parameter, preferably on the basis of the value and the relationship, and

presenting the determined needed change in the tested parameter to the user and/or to an operator and/or to a therapist.

19. Method of assessment of a mental state of a person having mental state disorders and related disorder phenotypes and being subjected to psychotherapy, possibly Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or Mindfulness Based Therapy, using a portable psychological monitoring device according to any one of claims 1-14.

20. Method of treatment and/or prevention of mood disorders and related disorder phenotypes, in a person in need thereof, comprising subjecting the person to psychotherapy, possibly Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or Mindfulness Based Therapy, using a portable psychological monitoring device according to any one of claims 1-14, directed to improving the person'"'"'s ability to experience reward.

21. Use of a portable psychological monitoring device according to any one of claims 1-14 for treatment and/or prevention of mood disorders and related disorder phenotypes, in a person in need thereof, while subjecting the person to psychotherapy, possibly Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or Mindfulness Based Therapy, using said portable psychological monitoring device for improving the person'"'"'s ability to experience reward.