WO2025075053A1 - Training assistance device, training assistance program, training assistance system, and non-transitory recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

A training assistance device 10 comprises: an exercise presentation unit 11A that presents an exercise indicated by an exercise program which has been developed in advance for a subject to train a pelvic floor muscle group; an acquisition unit 11B that uses a myogenic potential sensor 50 to acquire data indicating a time-series movement of the pelvic floor muscle group of the subject when the subject is performing the exercise; and an information presentation unit 11C that presents information indicating the data which has been acquired by the acquisition unit 11B.

Description

Training support device, training support program, training support system, and non-transitory recording medium

This disclosure relates to a training support device, a training support program, a training support system, and a non-transitory recording medium.

In recent years, stress urinary incontinence, the involuntary leakage of urine caused by exerting abdominal pressure such as coughing or sneezing, has come to be seen as a problem, with weakening of the pelvic floor muscles being one of the causes. Stress urinary incontinence can be treated with surgery, but this method has problems in that it is highly invasive to the patient's body and expensive.

Therefore, training therapy, in which the patient uses their own body to train, has been considered as a low-cost, minimally invasive treatment for stress urinary incontinence. Guidelines exist in each country for this training therapy, and it is strongly recommended not only for stress urinary incontinence, but also for other types of urinary incontinence (such as urge urinary incontinence) and overactive bladder. The following techniques are applicable to this training therapy.

Patent No. 6242899 discloses a rehabilitation system that aims to have a subject undergo rehabilitation training based on a training menu and update the training menu based on the subject's body movements to enable the subject to continue the rehabilitation training.

This rehabilitation system has an input terminal that can be operated by the subject undergoing rehabilitation training, a display terminal that displays information about the rehabilitation training for the subject, and a sensor that is attached to the subject's body and detects the movement of the joints or muscles of the body. The rehabilitation system also has a feedback device that stimulates parts of the subject's body, and a memory unit that stores a training menu including a training pattern that defines the training content for each subject. The rehabilitation system also has a subject analysis system unit that outputs the training pattern for each subject from the memory unit and displays it on the display terminal used by the subject, and determines whether the data measured by the sensor is sufficient for a value predetermined for the training pattern, and activates the feedback device if it determines that the data measured by the sensor is insufficient for a value predetermined for the training pattern.

In addition, in this rehabilitation system, the subject analysis system activates the feedback device to stimulate a body part of the subject who is training according to the training pattern. After providing the stimulation, the rehabilitation system determines whether there is necessary muscle activity based on the movement of the subject's joints or muscles detected by the sensor. If the rehabilitation system determines that there is necessary muscle activity as a result of this determination, it changes the training pattern and stores the training menu including the changed training pattern in the memory unit.

However, the technology disclosed in Patent No. 6242899 does not take into account the pelvic floor muscles, and therefore does not necessarily allow for effective training of the pelvic floor muscles. This problem can also arise when treating not only stress urinary incontinence, but also other urinary incontinence (e.g., urge urinary incontinence), overactive bladder, pelvic organ prolapse, fecal incontinence, and other disorders.

This disclosure has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a training support device, a training support program, a training support system, and a non-temporary recording medium that enable training of the pelvic floor muscles to be performed more effectively.

A first aspect of the present disclosure is a training support device that includes an exercise presentation unit that presents exercises indicated by a pre-designed exercise program for a subject to train the pelvic floor muscles, an acquisition unit that uses an electromyogram sensor to acquire data indicating the time-series movements of the subject's pelvic floor muscles while the subject is performing the exercises, and an information presentation unit that presents information indicating the data acquired by the acquisition unit.

A second aspect of the present disclosure is a training support device according to the first aspect, in which the pelvic floor muscles include at least one of the perineal muscles, levator ani muscles, external urethral sphincter muscles, transverse perineal muscles, and coccygeal muscles.

A third aspect of the present disclosure is a training support device according to the first or second aspect, in which the exercise presentation unit further presents goal information indicating a goal for the data when the exercise indicated by the exercise program is performed.

A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a training support device according to the first or second aspect, in which the information presenting unit further presents advice information indicating advice according to the state of the data acquired by the acquiring unit.

A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a training support device according to the first or second aspect, in which the exercise program combines an exercise that causes sustained contraction of the pelvic floor muscles with an exercise that causes sudden contraction of the pelvic floor muscles.

A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a training support device according to the first or second aspect, in which the exercise program is for at least one of treating and improving at least one of a pelvic floor disorder and a pelvic floor dysfunction.

A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is a training support device according to the sixth aspect, in which at least one of the pelvic floor disorder and the pelvic floor dysfunction induces at least one of the following disorders: urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, pelvic organ prolapse, and fecal incontinence.

An eighth aspect of the present disclosure is a training support device according to the first or second aspect, in which the acquisition unit acquires the data from the pelvic floor muscles of the subject through the skin of the subject.

A ninth aspect of the present disclosure is a training support program for causing a computer to execute a process that presents exercises indicated by a pre-designed exercise program for training the pelvic floor muscles of a subject, acquires data showing the time-series movements of the pelvic floor muscles of the subject while performing the exercises using an electromyogram sensor, and presents information showing the acquired data.

A tenth aspect of the present disclosure includes a training support device as described in claim 1 and a server having a storage unit that stores data acquired by an acquisition unit of the training support device for each of a number of predetermined subjects.

An eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is a non-transitory recording medium having recorded thereon a training support program for causing a computer to execute processing that presents exercises indicated by a pre-designed exercise program for a subject to train the pelvic floor muscles, acquires data showing the time-series movements of the subject's pelvic floor muscles while the subject is performing the exercises using an electromyogram sensor, and presents information showing the acquired data.

According to the present disclosure, training of the pelvic floor muscles can be performed more effectively.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a training assistance system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a configuration of a myoelectric potential sensor according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of a state in which shorts according to an embodiment are worn. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a training assistance device according to an embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of a subject management information database according to one embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an advice information database according to an embodiment. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of an exercise program information database according to an embodiment; FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a training assistance process according to an embodiment. 13 is a front view showing an example of a configuration of a basic posture presenting screen displayed when a training assistance process according to an embodiment is executed. FIG. FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example of a configuration of a long-term contraction training support screen displayed when the training support process according to one embodiment is executed. FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example of a configuration of a long-term contraction training support screen displayed when the training support process according to one embodiment is executed. 11 is a front view showing an example of a configuration of a short-term contraction training support screen displayed when the training support process according to an embodiment is executed; FIG. FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example of another configuration of the long-term contraction training support screen displayed when the training support process according to the embodiment is executed. FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example of another configuration of the long-term contraction training support screen displayed when the training support process according to the embodiment is executed. FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example of another configuration of the long-term contraction training support screen displayed when the training support process according to the embodiment is executed. FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example of another configuration of the short-term contraction training support screen displayed when the training support process according to the embodiment is executed. FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example of another configuration of the short-term contraction training support screen displayed when the training support process according to the embodiment is executed.

Below, an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference symbols are used for identical or equivalent components and parts in each drawing. Also, the dimensional ratios in the drawings have been exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

In this embodiment, a training support device in the technology disclosed herein is described as being applied to a general-purpose smartphone. However, the technology disclosed herein is not limited to being applied to smartphones, but can also be applied to other portable information processing devices such as portable game devices, tablet terminals, wearable devices, and notebook personal computers. The technology disclosed herein can also be applied to stationary servers, personal computers, and the like.

First, the configuration of the training support system 90 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the training support system 90 according to one embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the training support system 90 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of training support devices 10, each of which is capable of accessing a network 80, and a server 30. Examples of the server 30 include general-purpose information processing devices such as personal computers and server computers. The server 30 according to this embodiment is configured as a cloud server, but is not limited to this. For example, the server 30 may be configured as an on-premise server.

The training support device 10 according to this embodiment is a terminal carried by each of a plurality of subjects (hereinafter simply referred to as "subjects") who are intended to use the service (service to support training of the pelvic floor muscles) provided by the training support system 90. In this embodiment, the subjects are patients with stress urinary incontinence, but this is not limited to this. For example, the subjects may be people who have not been diagnosed with stress urinary incontinence but are thought to have a high possibility of developing stress urinary incontinence later on (e.g., people in their 40s or older, people who have just given birth, etc.) or people who would like to try pelvic floor muscle training. In addition, the target disease is not limited to stress urinary incontinence, and may be urinary incontinence other than stress urinary incontinence (e.g., urge urinary incontinence, etc.), overactive bladder, pelvic organ prolapse, fecal incontinence, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, the training support device 10 according to this embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a memory 12 as a temporary storage area, a non-volatile storage unit 13, and an input unit 14 such as a touch panel and various switches. The training support device 10 according to this embodiment also includes a display unit 15 such as a liquid crystal display, and a media read/write device (R/W) 16. The training support device 10 according to this embodiment also includes a wireless communication unit 18 that performs mobile communication using a predetermined communication standard, and an audio output unit 19. The CPU 11, memory 12, storage unit 13, input unit 14, display unit 15, media read/write device 16, wireless communication unit 18, and audio output unit 19 are connected to each other via a bus B1. The media read/write device 16 reads information written in the recording medium 17 and writes information to the recording medium 17.

The wireless communication unit 18 according to this embodiment has a function of performing wireless communication according to a predetermined communication standard (Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) in this embodiment) in addition to the mobile communication described above. The wireless communication unit 18 is capable of communicating with a server 30 (described below) via mobile communication and Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The wireless communication unit 18 is also capable of communicating with an electromyograph main body (described below) via Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). Thus, although communication with the electromyograph main body is wireless in this embodiment, it may be wired communication.

The memory unit 13 is realized by a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), flash memory, etc. A training assistance program 13A is stored in the memory unit 13 as a storage medium. The training assistance program 13A is stored (installed) in the memory unit 13 of the training assistance device 10 by downloading it via the wireless communication unit 18. The CPU 11 reads out the training assistance program 13A from the memory unit 13, expands it into the memory 12, and sequentially executes the processes contained in the training assistance program 13A.

In this way, in the training assistance device 10 according to the present embodiment, the training assistance program 13A is installed in the training assistance device 10 by downloading it via the wireless communication unit 18, but this is not limited to this. For example, a recording medium 17 on which the training assistance program 13A is written may be set in the medium reading and writing device 16, and the medium reading and writing device 16 may read the program 13A from the recording medium 17, thereby installing the training assistance program 13A in the training assistance device 10.

On the other hand, the server 30 according to this embodiment is a device managed by the operating company of the training support system 90 (in this embodiment, a pharmaceutical company; hereinafter, simply referred to as the "operating company"). The server 30 comprises a CPU 31, a memory 32 as a temporary storage area, a non-volatile storage unit 33, an input unit 34 such as a keyboard and mouse, a display unit 35 such as a liquid crystal display, a media read/write device (R/W) 36, and a communication interface (I/F) unit 38. The CPU 31, memory 32, storage unit 33, input unit 34, display unit 35, media read/write device 36, and communication interface (I/F) unit 38 are connected to each other via bus B2. The media read/write device 36 reads information written in the recording medium 37 and writes information to the recording medium 37.

The storage unit 33 is realized by a HDD, SSD, flash memory, etc. The storage unit 33 as a storage medium stores a subject management information database 33A, an advice information database 33B, an exercise program information database 33C, and an electromyogram database 33D. Each of these databases 33A to 33D will be described in detail later.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 1, the training support system 90 according to this embodiment includes a myoelectric potential sensor 50 that is worn by a subject when the subject trains the pelvic floor muscles. The configuration of the myoelectric potential sensor 50 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of the myoelectric potential sensor 50 according to one embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the myoelectric potential sensor 50 according to this embodiment includes an electrode unit 52 that is brought into contact with an area outside the subject's body that corresponds to a muscle belonging to the subject's pelvic floor muscles (hereinafter referred to as the "measurement target muscle") during use. The electrode unit 52 may be attached to clothing worn by the subject so as to come into contact with the subject's skin.

The electrode unit 52 according to this embodiment includes a pair of electrodes 52A. There are no particular limitations on the pair of electrodes 52A as long as they are capable of measuring myoelectric potential, but for example, passive electrodes, active electrodes, dry electrodes, wet electrodes, single-channel electrodes, multi-channel electrodes, etc. may be used as the electrodes 52A.

Although not shown, the myoelectric potential sensor 50 according to this embodiment is provided with a connector section 54 that is connected to an electromyograph main body that is capable of communicating with the wireless communication section 18 of the training support device 10. Therefore, the training support device 10 can wirelessly control the operation of the electromyograph main body, and can obtain digital data (hereinafter referred to as "movement data") indicating the time-series movement of the muscle being measured, obtained by the myoelectric potential sensor 50, via the electromyograph main body.

The connector section 54 according to this embodiment is provided with a pair of connectors 54A corresponding to the pair of electrodes 52A of the electrode section 52. The pair of connectors 54A are connected to the corresponding electrodes 52A of the electrode section 52 via connection wiring 56A provided on the connection section 56 which is elongated and made of a flexible material. In this way, the myoelectric potential sensor 50 according to this embodiment has the electrode section 52 and the connector section 54 connected by the connection section 56 which is elongated and made of a flexible material, so that even when the sensor is attached to clothing, it can flexibly adapt to the location where it is attached.

For example, if the muscle to be measured is located in a part covered by shorts, such as the perineal muscle, the myoelectric sensor 50 is placed inside the shorts and in a position where the pair of electrodes 52A will come into contact with the muscle to be measured when the subject wears the shorts.

FIG. 3 shows an example of how the shorts 60 are worn when the muscles to be measured are the perineal muscles. Note that in FIG. 3, only the electrode portion 52 of the myoelectric potential sensor 50 is shown. As shown in FIG. 3, in this case, the myoelectric potential sensor 50 is placed inside the shorts 60, at a position where the pair of electrodes 52A come into contact with the perineal muscles when the subject 70 wears the shorts.

In this embodiment, one myoelectric potential sensor 50 is used when measuring the movement data, but this is not limited to this. Two or more myoelectric potential sensors 50 may be used to measure the movement data. When multiple myoelectric potential sensors 50 are used, multiple pieces of movement data are obtained from the multiple myoelectric potential sensors 50. In this case, the average value of the multiple pieces of movement data may be applied as the final movement data. In this case, the maximum value, median value, minimum value, etc. of the multiple pieces of movement data may be selectively applied as appropriate depending on the target of use. Furthermore, when multiple pieces of movement data are obtained, they may be used individually depending on the usage.

Next, the functional configuration of the training support device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the training support device 10 according to one embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the training support device 10 according to this embodiment includes an exercise presentation unit 11A, an acquisition unit 11B, and an information presentation unit 11C. The CPU 11 of the training support device 10 executes the training support program 13A, thereby functioning as the exercise presentation unit 11A, the acquisition unit 11B, and the information presentation unit 11C.

The exercise presentation unit 11A according to this embodiment presents exercises indicated by an exercise program that has been formulated in advance for the subject to train the pelvic floor muscles. The acquisition unit 11B according to this embodiment acquires, using the myoelectric potential sensor 50, movement data indicating the time-series movement of the measurement target muscles, which are muscles that belong to the subject's pelvic floor muscles, when the subject is performing the exercises indicated by the exercise program. The information presentation unit 11C according to this embodiment then presents information indicating the movement data acquired by the acquisition unit 11B. The information presentation unit 11C can also present information for comparison with movement data such as a reference pattern.

When applying muscles belonging to the pelvic floor muscles as the muscles to be measured, it is preferable to apply the perineal muscles. This is because the movements of the perineal muscles can be measured from outside the subject's body using the myoelectric potential sensor 50. Furthermore, examples of muscles other than the perineal muscles when applying muscles belonging to the pelvic floor muscles as the muscles to be measured include the levator ani, external urethral sphincter, transverse perineal muscle, and coccygeus muscle.

The exercise presentation unit 11A according to this embodiment further presents goal information indicating a goal for the movement data when the exercise indicated by the exercise program is performed. The information presentation unit 11C according to this embodiment further presents advice information indicating advice according to the state of the movement data acquired by the acquisition unit 11B. Here, in this embodiment, the exercise program applied is a combination of an exercise that causes sustained contraction of the pelvic floor muscles and an exercise that causes sudden contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, but this is not limited to this. For example, only one of these exercises may be applied as the exercise program, or these exercises may be combined with other exercises to be applied as the exercise program.

In addition, in this embodiment, the exercise program is intended to treat and improve both pelvic floor disorders and pelvic floor dysfunction, but is not limited to this. For example, the exercise program may be intended to treat and improve either one of pelvic floor disorders or pelvic floor dysfunction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, at least one of the pelvic floor disorders and pelvic floor dysfunction induces at least one of the following disorders: urinary incontinence (e.g., stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, etc.), overactive bladder, pelvic organ prolapse, and fecal incontinence, but it goes without saying that this is not limited to this.

The exercise program according to this embodiment may reflect the subject's complaints obtained from a medical interview by the doctor in charge. For example, if the subject has a lot of urinary incontinence when standing up, a functional exercise that contracts the pelvic floor muscles before standing up is selected. However, this is not limited to this form, and for example, a general exercise that is widely known as an exercise for treating stress urinary incontinence may be applied to the exercise program for all subjects.

In addition, in this embodiment, the various information is presented by the exercise presentation unit 11A and the information presentation unit 11C through display by the display unit 15 of the training support device 10, but this is not limited to this. For example, the various information may be presented through audio by the audio output unit 19 of the training support device 10, or through printing by an image forming device such as a printer.

Next, various databases according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 7. First, the subject management information database 33A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the subject management information database 33A according to one embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the subject management information database 33A according to this embodiment stores information related to the subject ID (identification), time period, and reference pattern.

The subject ID is information that is assigned in advance to each subject and is different in order to identify the subject individually, and the time period is information indicating each time period obtained by dividing a day into predetermined times as the time period during which the exercise program should be carried out. In this embodiment, three types of time periods, "morning", "afternoon", and "night", are applied as the time period, but this is not limited to this. For example, the time period that is applied may be the time period obtained by adding a time period between each of these three types of time periods, or two types of time periods, such as "morning" and "night", or only one type of time period, "afternoon", may be applied as the time period.

In addition, in this embodiment, the "morning" time period is from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM, the "afternoon" time period is from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and the "evening" time period is from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. However, it goes without saying that these time periods are not limited to these.

Furthermore, the reference pattern is information that indicates a target pattern of time-series movement data to be applied to the time period during which the subject is performing the exercise indicated by the exercise program to be applied to the corresponding subject.

In other words, in this embodiment, as described above, an exercise program is applied that combines exercises that cause sustained contraction of the pelvic floor muscles (hereinafter referred to as "long-term contraction training") and exercises that cause sudden contraction of the pelvic floor muscles (hereinafter referred to as "short-term contraction training"). In this embodiment, for each of the long-term contraction training and short-term contraction training, for each corresponding subject and for each corresponding time period, information indicating the target pattern of the above movement data is registered in advance in the subject management information database 33A as a reference pattern.

In this embodiment, the reference pattern is created using the movement data measured by the myoelectric potential sensor 50 when the corresponding subject is actually wearing the myoelectric potential sensor 50 and performing the corresponding exercise program under ideal conditions under the instructions of the corresponding subject's doctor. The reference patterns are created for each of the three time periods of "morning", "afternoon", and "night" described above, and stored in the corresponding memory area of the subject management information database 33A. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 as an example, an approximation of the movement data to a rectangular wave is applied instead of the movement data itself, but this is not limited to this. For example, the movement data measured by the myoelectric potential sensor 50 itself may be applied as the reference pattern.

The number of times each contraction training session can be selected and presented according to the following table, for example, based on the individual's experience with pelvic floor muscle training and the individual's preference for how many sessions per day they would like to complete the program.

Next, the advice information database 33B according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the advice information database 33B according to one embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the advice information database 33B according to this embodiment stores information on contraction levels and advice in association with each other.

In the training assistance system 90 according to this embodiment, advice is presented according to the difference between the motion data obtained by the myoelectric potential sensor 50 and the corresponding reference pattern while the subject is exercising according to an exercise program. In this embodiment, the position of the maximum value of any one period of the motion data obtained by the myoelectric potential sensor 50 is positioned in the center of the section of the maximum value in the first period of the reference pattern. In this state, the difference is applied as the percentage (%) of the motion data from that period onwards to the corresponding reference pattern. The maximum value and period of the motion data differ for each subject, but by using the percentage (%) of the reference pattern obtained from the subject's measurements, the difference in the subject's motion data can be accurately grasped.

This ratio corresponds to the degree of contraction in the advice information database 33B. Note that the degree of contraction is not limited to the above ratio. For example, the ratio of the movement data to the maximum value of the movement data that can be considered as a measurement value by the myoelectric potential sensor 50 may be applied as the degree of contraction.

The above advice is information indicating advice corresponding to the contraction degree D within the corresponding range. In the example shown in FIG. 6, for example, the advice when the contraction degree D is greater than or equal to 0% and less than 50% is shown to be "Tighten the anus, urethra, and entire vagina, and tighten as if pulling them up into the body (towards the navel). Do not apply pressure to the stomach."

Next, the exercise program information database 33C according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the exercise program information database 33C according to one embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the exercise program information database 33C according to this embodiment stores information on the subject ID and the exercise program in association with each other.

The subject ID is the same information as the subject ID in the subject management information database 33A, and the exercise program is information indicating the exercise program to be presented to the corresponding subject. As described above, in this embodiment, the exercise program applied is a combination of exercises that cause sustained contraction of the pelvic floor muscles (long-term contraction training) and exercises that cause sudden contraction of the pelvic floor muscles (short-term contraction training).

As shown in FIG. 7, in the exercise program information database 33C according to this embodiment, information indicating an exercise program is applied that expresses the corresponding exercise program in two ways: video and text (sentences). Therefore, by using this information, the exercise program can be presented to the subject as a video, displayed on a screen using text, or played back as audio using the text.

Note that the text in the information showing the exercise program according to this embodiment includes posture information showing the basic posture for the corresponding exercise (hereinafter referred to as the "basic posture"). In addition, the first image of the video in the information showing the exercise program according to this embodiment is an image showing the basic posture for the corresponding exercise.

Here, if an exercise program is performed multiple times, time may be provided between the exercise programs to stretch and relax the muscles. The time is preferably from a few seconds to 60 seconds, and more specifically, 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 seconds. Needless to say, depending on the individual, the time is not limited to these. Although not shown, the myoelectric database 33D of this embodiment registers the movement data obtained by the myoelectric sensor 50 for each subject when the exercise program is performed by each subject.

Next, the operation of the training support system 90 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 12. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the training support process according to one embodiment. Note that, in order to avoid confusion, a case will be described in which the subject management information database 33A, the advice information database 33B, and the exercise program information database 33C have already been constructed.

The training support process shown in FIG. 8 is executed by the CPU 11 of any of the training support devices 10 executing the training support program 13A. The training support process shown in FIG. 8 is executed when a command to start execution of the training support program 13A is input via the input unit 14 by any of the subjects (hereinafter referred to as the "trainee") wearing clothing equipped with the myoelectric potential sensor 50.

In step 100 of FIG. 8, the CPU 11 reads information indicating a reference pattern corresponding to the trainee and to this time (hereinafter referred to as "reference pattern information") from the subject management information database 33A. Also in step 100, the CPU 11 reads all information (hereinafter referred to as "advice information") from the advice information database 33B. Furthermore, in step 100, the CPU 11 reads information indicating an exercise program corresponding to the trainee (hereinafter referred to as "exercise program information") from the exercise program information database 33C.

In step 102, the CPU 11 uses the read exercise program information to control the display unit 15 to display a basic posture presentation screen with a predetermined configuration. In step 104, the CPU 11 waits until the predetermined information is input.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a basic posture presentation screen according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the basic posture presentation screen according to this embodiment displays the first image 15A in the information showing the video of the exercise program information. In addition, the basic posture presentation screen according to this embodiment displays text 15B indicating the basic posture indicated by the posture information included in the text of the exercise program information. Therefore, the trainee can accurately grasp the basic posture in the exercise program that he or she should perform.

In addition, on the basic posture presentation screen according to this embodiment, the input unit 14 can be used to specify the display area of the image 15A, thereby allowing the moving image following the image 15A to be played. Therefore, by referring to the moving image, the trainee can accurately understand the exercises indicated by the exercise program that he or she should perform.

As mentioned above, when the basic posture presentation screen is displayed, the basic posture and the contents of the exercise program may be presented by voice using the audio output unit 19, using the text in the exercise program information. With this configuration, even when the trainee is performing training (exercise) in which he or she is unable to refer to the display unit 15 of the training support device 10, the trainee can understand the basic posture and the contents of the exercise program.

When the trainee understands the basic posture and content of the exercise program, he or she uses the input unit 14 to select the complete button 15C displayed on the basic posture presentation screen. When the complete button 15C is selected, the result of step 104 becomes positive and the process moves to step 106.

In step 106, the CPU 11 controls the electromyograph body to start measuring motion data and transmitting the measurement results to itself, thereby starting to acquire motion data associated with the trainee's exercise. In step 108, the CPU 11 uses the long-term contraction pattern and exercise program information of the read reference pattern information and the acquired motion data to switch the basic posture presentation screen displayed on the display unit 15 to a long-term contraction training support screen with a predetermined configuration.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a long-term contraction training support screen according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the long-term contraction training support screen according to this embodiment displays a message instructing the user to exert force so that the inner circle fits inside the outer circle, and also displays two circles 15D and 15E with a common center.

Circle 15D is an animated representation of the change in size of the long-term contraction pattern in chronological order in the reference pattern information, expressed as a change in diameter. Therefore, when the long-term contraction pattern is a rectangular wave as shown in FIG. 5, circles 15D of two different diameters, large and small, are displayed alternately in sync with the cycle of the long-term contraction pattern.

On the other hand, circle 15E is a moving image that shows the change in size of the movement data acquired from the myoelectric potential sensor 50 in chronological order as a change in diameter. At this time, CPU 11 standardizes the size of the movement data in the same way as the long-term contraction pattern before applying it. Therefore, the ratio of the size of circle 15E to the size of circle 15D corresponds to the contraction degree D described above. Note that FIG. 11 shows an example of a long-term contraction training support screen that is displayed at a different timing than that shown in FIG. 10.

The trainee can perform ideal long-term contraction training by referring to the long-term contraction training support screen and performing long-term contraction training so that circle 14E matches the change in size of circle 15D as closely as possible.

In addition, on the long-term contraction training support screen according to this embodiment, the contraction degree D is displayed in the center of the circle 15D and the circle 15E. Therefore, by referring to the contraction degree D, the trainee can quantitatively grasp the accuracy of the exercise he or she is performing, and can perform long-term contraction training more effectively.

In addition, the long-term contraction training support screen according to this embodiment displays advice 15F according to the contraction degree D. Therefore, by referring to advice 15F, the trainee can take appropriate measures even if the contraction degree D deviates from the ideal.

Furthermore, the long-term contraction training support screen according to this embodiment displays in real time the elapsed time 15G for each set of the long-term contraction training being performed, the number of sets being performed 15H, and the number of remaining sets 15I. Therefore, the trainee can easily grasp the progress of the long-term contraction training being performed.

In step 110, the CPU 11 waits until all sets of the long-term contraction training indicated by the read exercise program information are completed, and then proceeds to step 112.

In step 112, the CPU 11 uses the short-term contraction pattern and exercise program information of the read reference pattern information and the acquired movement data to switch the long-term contraction training support screen displayed on the display unit 15 to a short-term contraction training support screen with a predetermined configuration.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the short contraction training support screen according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the short contraction training support screen according to this embodiment displays a message instructing the user to exert force when a predetermined display state is reached. The short contraction training support screen according to this embodiment also displays a group of figures 15J which are subject to the above display state and which individually represent each of the periods of the short contraction pattern of the read reference pattern information in chronological order.

As shown in FIG. 12, in this embodiment, a group of rectangular figures with curved corners is applied as figure group 15J, and each figure is filled in with a predetermined pattern depending on the progress of the short-term contraction training. Also, in this embodiment, different patterns are applied to the timing when the trainee exerts force and the timing when the trainee releases force. Therefore, by referring to figure group 15J, the trainee can grasp the progress of his/her own short-term contraction training as well as the timing when to exert force.

In this way, in the short contraction training support screen according to this embodiment, a group of rectangular figures with curved corners is applied as the figure group 15J, and each figure is filled in with a predetermined pattern depending on the progress of the short contraction training. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, the figures that make up the figure group 15J may be shapes other than rectangular, or shapes of other shapes such as circles and ellipses. Furthermore, the method of changing the figures depending on the progress is not limited to filling in the pattern, and other methods such as changing the color, size, or shape may be applied as a method of changing the figures depending on the progress.

In addition, the short-term contraction training support screen according to this embodiment displays advice 15K according to the contraction degree D. Therefore, by referring to the advice 15K, the trainee can take appropriate measures even if the contraction degree D deviates from the ideal.

Furthermore, the short contraction training support screen according to this embodiment displays in real time the elapsed time 15L for each set of the short contraction training being performed, the number of sets being performed 15M, and the number of remaining sets 15N. Therefore, the trainee can easily grasp the progress of the short contraction training being performed.

In step 114, the CPU 11 waits until all sets of the short-term contraction training indicated by the read exercise program information are completed, and then proceeds to step 116.

In step 116, the CPU 11 stops acquiring the movement data by controlling the electromyograph main body to stop measuring the movement data and sending the measurement results to itself. In step 118, the CPU 11 transmits various information obtained during the long-term contraction training and short-term contraction training (hereinafter referred to as "implementation information") to the server 30, and then ends this training support process. The server 30 stores the implementation information received from the training support device 10 in the memory unit 33, in association with the trainee who sent it.

In this embodiment, the implementation information includes the exercise date and time, the number of exercises (number of sets), information indicating the accuracy of the exercise (for example, the degree of contraction), movement data, etc., and the implementation information stored in the memory unit 33 of the server 30 is used by the trainee himself, the trainee's doctor, other medical professionals, etc. An example of the form in which the information is used by the trainee himself is a form in which a reminder notification is sent to the trainee himself by email or the like depending on the implementation status of the exercise. In particular, the movement data in the implementation information is stored in the myoelectric potential database 33D of the memory unit 33 in association with the trainee who sent it, thereby improving convenience.

As described above, according to one embodiment, exercises indicated by a pre-designed exercise program for training the pelvic floor muscles of a subject are presented, data (movement data) showing the time-series movements of the subject's pelvic floor muscles while the subject is performing the exercises is acquired using an electromyogram sensor, and information showing the acquired data is presented. Therefore, by referring to the presented information, the pelvic floor muscles can be trained more effectively.

Furthermore, according to one embodiment, goal information (in this embodiment, a circle 15D and a group of figures 15J) is further presented, which indicates a goal for the data showing the above-mentioned movements when the exercises indicated by the exercise program are performed. Therefore, by referring to the goal information, the pelvic floor muscles can be trained more effectively.

Furthermore, according to one embodiment, advice information is further presented that shows advice according to the state of the data showing the acquired movement. Therefore, by referring to the advice information, the pelvic floor muscles can be trained more effectively.

In addition, according to one embodiment, the exercise program applied is a combination of exercises that cause sustained contraction of the pelvic floor muscles (long-term contraction training) and exercises that cause sudden contractions of the pelvic floor muscles (short-term contraction training). Therefore, compared to applying only one of these types of training as an exercise program, the pelvic floor muscles can be trained more effectively.

Furthermore, according to one embodiment, an exercise program is applied for at least one of treating and improving at least one of a pelvic floor disorder and a pelvic floor functional disorder. Therefore, it is possible to effectively train the pelvic floor muscles for the disorder applied.

Furthermore, according to one embodiment, at least one of the pelvic floor disorders and pelvic floor functional disorders is applied that induces at least one of the following disorders: urinary incontinence (e.g., stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, etc.), overactive bladder, pelvic organ prolapse, and fecal incontinence. Therefore, the pelvic floor muscles can be effectively trained for the disorder applied.

Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the data indicating the above movement is acquired from the subject's pelvic floor muscles through the subject's skin. Therefore, the data indicating the above movement can be acquired more easily compared to when the data indicating the above movement is acquired from inside the body.

In the above embodiment, the basic posture for long-term contraction training and short-term contraction training is the same, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the basic posture for long-term contraction training and short-term contraction training may be different. In this case, information indicating the basic posture for each training is registered in advance in the exercise program information database 33C, and the corresponding basic posture for each of the long-term contraction training and short-term contraction training is presented.

In the above embodiment, the same advice is presented for long-term contraction training and short-term contraction training based on a common criterion (in this embodiment, a criterion using contraction degree), but this is not limited to the above. For example, advice for each type of training may be presented based on different criteria.

In the above embodiment, the situation of the exercise performed by the trainee is represented by the size of the circle as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, but this is not limiting. For example, as shown in Fig. 13, the reference pattern and the movement data may be displayed superimposed on each other.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the screens shown in Figures 10 and 11 are given as examples of a long-term contraction training support screen, and the screen shown in Figure 12 is given as an example of a short-term contraction training support screen, but each screen is not limited to these.

For example, examples of long-term contraction training support screens include those shown in Figures 14 and 15, and examples of short-term contraction training support screens include those shown in Figures 16 and 17. Note that Figure 14 is an example of a long-term contraction training support screen in the preparation stage, and Figure 15 is an example of a long-term contraction training support screen in this stage. Also, Figure 16 is an example of a short-term contraction training support screen in the preparation stage, and Figure 17 is an example of a short-term contraction training support screen in this stage.

In the example shown in Fig. 14 and Fig. 15, the long-term contraction training support screen uses an animation in which the change in magnitude of the long-term contraction pattern in chronological order in the reference pattern information is displayed as a square wave, and an animation in which the change in magnitude of the movement data acquired from the myoelectric potential sensor 50 in chronological order is displayed as a square wave. As shown in Fig. 14 and Fig. 15, these screens display the current position of the movement data as an animation on a straight line extending in the left-right direction, and also display an overview of the training method, etc.

16 and 17 show an example of a short-term contraction training support screen. Circle 17A represents one cycle of the contraction pattern, and differences in color (e.g., shades of color) represent contraction and relaxation (in the example of FIG. 17, darker parts represent contraction and lighter parts represent relaxation). Circle 17B has a center 17D that moves at a constant speed in one direction (e.g., clockwise) along circle 17A, and its position represents the current position of the movement data. In addition, when the contraction degree represented by the ratio of the size of the chronological order of the movement data acquired from the myoelectric potential sensor 50 to the size of the chronological order of the short-term contraction pattern in the reference pattern information (at this time, the CPU 11 applies the size of the movement data after standardizing it in the same manner as the long-term contraction pattern described above) is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (for example, 50% or more), the diameter of the circle 17B is displayed larger by a predetermined size than when the contraction degree does not reach the predetermined threshold, and further, as shown in FIG. 17, a circle 17C is displayed inside the circle 17B with the center 17D filled in so that the circle 17B and the center 17D are common. When the contraction degree does not reach the predetermined threshold, the circle 16B and the center 16D are displayed as shown in FIG. 16. Note that, as shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, the current position of the movement data is displayed as a moving image on a straight line extending in the left-right direction on these screens as well, and an overview of the training method is also displayed.

In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a circle indicating the waveform of the long-term contraction pattern in the reference pattern information and a circle indicating the waveform of the movement data acquired from the myoelectric potential sensor 50 are displayed superimposed on each other on the long-term contraction training support screen in the above training support process, so that the subject himself compares each waveform, but this is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 11 of the training support device 10 may store these waveforms in the memory 12 or storage unit 13 of the training support device 10 in real time and perform comparisons sequentially. Furthermore, advice information, etc. similar to the above embodiment may be displayed based on the results of this comparison.

Although not mentioned in the above embodiment, when the movement indicated by the movement data satisfies or does not satisfy the target indicated by the reference pattern information, the audio output unit 19 may output a voice indicating this. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when outputting both cases where the target is satisfied and where it is not satisfied, the tone of the voice may be changed depending on the case.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the training support device of the present disclosure is applied to a portable training support device 10, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the training support device of the present disclosure may be applied to a server 30, or the training support device of the present disclosure may be applied to the electromyograph main body described above. Furthermore, the training support process according to the present embodiment may be shared and executed by multiple combinations of the training support device 10, the server 30, and the electromyograph main body.

It goes without saying that the configurations of the various databases described in the above embodiment are merely examples and may be modified as appropriate depending on the implementation, etc.

In addition, in the above embodiment, for example, the various processors shown below can be used as the hardware structure of the processing unit that executes each process of the motion presentation unit 11A, the acquisition unit 11B, and the information presentation unit 11C. As described above, the various processors include a CPU, which is a general-purpose processor that executes software (programs) and functions as a processing unit, as well as a programmable logic device (PLD), which is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture, such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and a dedicated electrical circuit, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), which is a processor with a circuit configuration designed specifically to execute specific processes.

The processing unit may be configured with one of these various processors, or may be configured with a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (e.g., a combination of multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). The processing unit may also be configured with a single processor.

As an example of configuring the processing unit as a single processor, first, there is a form in which one processor is configured as a combination of one or more CPUs and software, as represented by client and server computers, and this processor functions as the processing unit. Secondly, there is a form in which a processor is used to realize the functions of the entire system, including the processing unit, on a single IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, as represented by a System On Chip (SoC). In this way, the processing unit is configured as a hardware structure using one or more of the various processors listed above.

More specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors can be an electrical circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

The above description makes it possible to understand the disclosures described in the following appendix.

[Appendix 1]
An exercise presentation unit presents exercises according to a pre-designed exercise program for a subject to train his or her pelvic floor muscles;
an acquisition unit that acquires data showing time-series movements of the subject's pelvic floor muscles while the subject is performing the exercise using an electromyogram sensor;
an information presenting unit that presents information indicating the data acquired by the acquiring unit;
A training support device equipped with the above-mentioned.
[Appendix 2]
The pelvic floor muscles include at least one of the perineal muscles, the levator ani muscles, the external urethral sphincter muscles, the transverse perineal muscles, and the coccygeal muscles;
2. A training support device as described in appendix 1.
[Appendix 3]
The exercise presentation unit further presents goal information indicating a goal for the data when the exercise indicated by the exercise program is performed.
3. The training support device according to claim 1 or 2.
[Appendix 4]
the information presenting unit further presents advice information indicating advice according to a state of the data acquired by the acquiring unit.
A training support device according to any one of appendix 1 to appendix 3.
[Appendix 5]
The exercise program combines an exercise for performing sustained contraction of the pelvic floor muscles with an exercise for performing instantaneous contraction of the pelvic floor muscles.
A training support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
[Appendix 6]
The exercise program is for at least one of treating and improving at least one of pelvic floor disorders and pelvic floor dysfunction.
A training support device according to any one of appendix 1 to appendix 5.
[Appendix 7]
At least one of the pelvic floor disorder and pelvic floor dysfunction induces at least one of urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, pelvic organ prolapse, and fecal incontinence.
7. A training support device as described in appendix 6.
[Appendix 8]
The acquisition unit acquires the data from the pelvic floor muscles of the subject through the skin of the subject.
8. A training support device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
[Appendix 9]
presenting the subject with exercises according to a pre-designed exercise program for training the pelvic floor muscles;
acquiring data showing time-series movements of the subject's pelvic floor muscles while the subject is performing the exercise using an electromyogram sensor;
presenting information indicative of the data obtained;
A training support program for making a computer carry out processing.
[Appendix 10]
A training support device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 8;
A server including a storage unit that stores data acquired by the acquisition unit of the training support device for each of a plurality of predetermined subjects;
A training support system having the above configuration.
[Appendix 11]
presenting the subject with exercises according to a pre-designed exercise program for training the pelvic floor muscles;
acquiring data showing time-series movements of the subject's pelvic floor muscles while the subject is performing the exercise using an electromyogram sensor;
presenting information indicative of the data obtained;
A non-transitory recording medium on which a training support program for causing a computer to execute a process is recorded.

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-172200 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition, all documents, patent applications, and technical standards described herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims (11)

An exercise presentation unit presents exercises according to a pre-designed exercise program for a subject to train his or her pelvic floor muscles;
an acquisition unit that acquires data showing time-series movements of the subject's pelvic floor muscles while the subject is performing the exercise using an electromyogram sensor;
an information presenting unit that presents information indicating the data acquired by the acquiring unit;
A training support device equipped with the above-mentioned. The pelvic floor muscles include at least one of the perineal muscles, the levator ani muscles, the external urethral sphincter muscles, the transverse perineal muscles, and the coccygeal muscles;
The training support device according to claim 1 . The exercise presentation unit further presents goal information indicating a goal for the data when the exercise indicated by the exercise program is performed.
The training support device according to claim 1 or 2. the information presenting unit further presents advice information indicating advice according to a state of the data acquired by the acquiring unit.
The training support device according to claim 1 or 2. The exercise program combines an exercise for performing sustained contraction of the pelvic floor muscles with an exercise for performing instantaneous contraction of the pelvic floor muscles.
The training support device according to claim 1 or 2. The exercise program is for at least one of treating and improving at least one of pelvic floor disorders and pelvic floor dysfunction.
The training support device according to claim 1 or 2. At least one of the pelvic floor disorder and pelvic floor dysfunction induces at least one of urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, pelvic organ prolapse, and fecal incontinence.
The training support device according to claim 6. The acquisition unit acquires the data from the pelvic floor muscles of the subject through the skin of the subject.
The training support device according to claim 1 or 2. presenting the subject with exercises according to a pre-designed exercise program for training the pelvic floor muscles;
acquiring data showing time-series movements of the subject's pelvic floor muscles while the subject is performing the exercise using an electromyogram sensor;
presenting information indicative of the data obtained;
A training support program for making a computer carry out processing. The training support device according to claim 1 ;
A server including a storage unit that stores data acquired by the acquisition unit of the training support device for each of a plurality of predetermined subjects;
A training support system having the above configuration. presenting the subject with exercises according to a pre-designed exercise program for training the pelvic floor muscles;
acquiring data showing time-series movements of the subject's pelvic floor muscles while the subject is performing the exercise using an electromyogram sensor;
presenting information indicative of the data obtained;
A non-transitory recording medium on which a training support program for causing a computer to execute a process is recorded.