Method and apparatus for measuring acute stress
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for evaluating acute stress of a person, said method comprising:
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(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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification