Method and apparatus for facilitating physiological coherence and autonomic balance
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- sampling a physiological measure of a subject;
tracking dynamically a power spectral density peak derived from the physiological measure and representative of a state of physiological coherency wherein an amplitude and frequency of said power spectral density peak varies over time; and
indicating that said subject is in the state of physiological coherency when said power spectral density peak is in a frequency range of between 0.03125 Hertz and 0.234 Hertz and exhibits at least a relative amplitude to one or more other peaks, wherein said state is also characterized by at least one of a sine-wave-shaped heart rhythm pattern and an increased synchronization between two or more oscillatory systems of said subject.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus for determining the state of entrainment between biological systems which exhibit oscillatory behavior such as heart rhythms, respiration, blood pressure waves and low frequency brain waves based on a determination of heart rate variability (HRV) and an evaluation of the power spectrum thereof. Entrainment reflects a harmonious balance between the two branches of the autonomic nervous system within the body. This internal state of heightened physiological efficiency enhances health and promotes optimal performance. According to one embodiment a method is used to determine the entrainment level based on an entrainment parameter related to HRV. The method first determines the power distribution spectrum (PSD) and then calculates an entrainment parameter (EP), which is a measure of the power distribution in the HRV spectrum. High EP values occur when this power is concentrated within a relatively narrow range of frequencies, and lower values when the power is distributed over a broader range of frequencies. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for monitoring the heart beat and presenting this information via a personal computer, handheld device, or other processing means.
122 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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sampling a physiological measure of a subject; tracking dynamically a power spectral density peak derived from the physiological measure and representative of a state of physiological coherency wherein an amplitude and frequency of said power spectral density peak varies over time; and indicating that said subject is in the state of physiological coherency when said power spectral density peak is in a frequency range of between 0.03125 Hertz and 0.234 Hertz and exhibits at least a relative amplitude to one or more other peaks, wherein said state is also characterized by at least one of a sine-wave-shaped heart rhythm pattern and an increased synchronization between two or more oscillatory systems of said subject. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system comprising:
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sampling means adapted to sample a physiological measure of a subject; and
,a processor coupled to the sampling means, said processor to, dynamically track a power spectral density peak derived from said physiological measure and representative of a state of physiological power spectral density wherein an amplitude and frequency of said power spectral density peak varies over time, and determine that said subject is in the state of physiological coherency when said coherency peak is in a frequency range of between 0.03125 Hertz and 0.234 Hertz and exhibits at least a relative amplitude to one or more other peaks, wherein said state is also characterized by at least one of a sine-wave-shaped heart rhythm pattern, and an increased synchronization between two or more oscillatory systems of said subject. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method comprising:
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sampling a physiological measure of a subject; analyzing the physiological measure in one of a frequency domain, a time domain, a period analysis and a template match; tracking dynamically a power spectral density peak derived from the physiological measure and representative of a state of physiological coherency, wherein the power spectral density peak has a frequency in a range between 0.03125 Hertz and 0.234 Hertz; and indicating that said subject is in the state of physiological power spectral density when said coherency peak is in the range and exhibits at least a predetermined relative amplitude to a plurality of other peaks, wherein said state is also characterized by at least one of a sine-wave-shaped heart rhythm pattern and an increased synchronization between two or more oscillatory systems of said subject. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification