Method and apparatus for biofeedback
First Claim
1. An apparatus for mediating a biofeedback session with a subject, at least one of whose electrophysiological parameters is being measured, comprising:
- a) means for receiving signals indicative of the measurements of the parameters;
b) audio-visual storage means capable of recalling in any order audio-visual sequences of acoustically and visually degraded versions of a scene, said sequences being prestored in said storage means;
c) control means for receiving said signals and controlling an order of recall of said sequences based on said signals; and
d) audio-visual output means whereby the subject is able to view and hear said sequences.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for mediating a biofeedback session with a human subject in which measurements of electrophysiological quantities are used to control the presentation to the subject of a series of prestored audio-visual sequences of varying levels of clarity resident on a direct-access video storage device. The sequences are real scenes designed to induce a desired psychological state when viewed. As the subject succeeds in altering his physiological parameters, the clarity of the presented image and sound improve as an indication of success. By using the invention, the subject develops a conditioned response to the scenes and is able to control his physiological parameters even when away from the apparatus by remembering the audio-visual sequences used during treatment.
140 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for mediating a biofeedback session with a subject, at least one of whose electrophysiological parameters is being measured, comprising:
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a) means for receiving signals indicative of the measurements of the parameters; b) audio-visual storage means capable of recalling in any order audio-visual sequences of acoustically and visually degraded versions of a scene, said sequences being prestored in said storage means; c) control means for receiving said signals and controlling an order of recall of said sequences based on said signals; and d) audio-visual output means whereby the subject is able to view and hear said sequences. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of conditioning a desired psychological response in a subject comprising the steps of:
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a) monitoring at least one of the subject'"'"'s electrophysiological parameters indicative of his psychological response; and b) presenting to the subject a sequence of versions of an audio-visual scene, said versions exhibiting varying audio and visual reality wherein said audio and visual reality are increased as said monitored parameters indicate that the subject'"'"'s psychological response has become more desirable. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for conditioning a desired psychological response in a subject comprising:
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(a) means for monitoring at least one of the subject'"'"'s electrophysiological parameters indicative of his psychological response; (b) means for determining from the values of said monitored parameters when the subject'"'"'s psychological response has become more desirable; (c) means for presenting to the subject a sequence of versions of an audio-visual scene, said versions exhibiting varying audio and visual reality; and (d) means for controlling said presenting of said sequence so as to display to the subject a scene of increased audio and visual reality when said monitored parameters indicate that the subject'"'"'s psychological response has become more desirable. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for mediating a biofeedback session with a subject, at least one of whose electrophysiological parameters is being measured, comprising:
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a) means for receiving signals indicative of the measurements of the parameters; b) audio-visual storage medium comprising at least one cluster, wherein each of said clusters comprises a plurality of physically contiguous audio-visual sequences progressively degraded in reality; c) playback means for retrieving said sequences from said medium; d) control mean for receiving said signals and controlling an order of retrieval of said sequences based on said signals; and e) audio-visual output means whereby the subject is able to view an hear said sequences. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification