Patent No. 5480374 Method and apparatus for reducing physiological stress

 

Patent No. 5480374

Method and apparatus for reducing physiological stress (Van Dick, Jan 2, 1996)

Abstract

Physiological stress in a human subject is treated by generating a weak electromagnetic field about a grounded electrode by the application of pulses of between 5 and 50 microseconds each at a pulse rate of between 0.5K and 10K pulses per second to a power electrode, the power electrode and grounded electrode being coupled to high voltage pulse generation means. A subject is positioned within the weak electromagnetic field for a period of time sufficient to cause an increase in his or her alpha or theta brain wave levels.

Notes:

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for reducing physiological stress in humans. More particularly, the invention relates to methods of reducing physiological stress by increasing an individual's alpha and theta brain waves amplitudes without the need for conscious mental effort or the attachment of devices to the body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The human brain produces electrical brain waves at frequencies ranging from 0 to 64 Hertz (Hz). Within this range are delta waves from 0 to 3 Hz, theta waves from 3 to 8 Hz, alpha waves from 8 to 13 Hz, and beta waves from 13 to 64 Hz. These brain waves are usually present at any given time but in varying magnitudes depending on an individual's thought processes. Beta levels dominate during the alert awakened state. Alpha levels rise and beta levels fall in the light sleep state. Theta levels increase while alpha and beta levels decrease during the deep sleep state. Delta levels rise during a deep-deep sleep state.

It is known that an increase in physiological stress is manifested by low levels of alpha and theta brain waves. An increase in theta frequency levels produce the best physiological stress reduction results, yet they are the most difficult for individuals consciously to produce. While it has been found that an increase in theta frequency levels correspondingly increases alpha frequency levels, the reverse is not true. The more readily increased alpha brain waves do not correspondingly increase theta brain wave levels.

Current techniques used to reduce psychological stress are essentially limited to conscious mental efforts. This is sometimes achievable through pure meditation and sometimes not. Such technique is thus often unreliable. Physiological stress reduction can also be achieved by mental exercises in association with electronic bio-feedback instruments that inform individuals of their success or failure in controlling brain wave frequencies, and which assist in altering brain wave frequencies. These bio-feedback instruments typically employ sensors that are attached to the individual's skull and which are electrically coupled with analytic and display apparatuses. Since the individual is physically attached to the instrument, limitations in movement exist which can inhibit the ability of the individual to increase his or her alpha and theta brain wave frequencies and to maintain such increases for a sufficiently period of time to achieve therapeutic results.

Thus, there remains a need for a method of reducing physiological stress that does not require conscious mental effort by individuals and which does not require the attachment of devices to the persons. Accordingly, it is to the provision of such physiological stress that the present invention is primarily directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been discovered that physiological stress reduction can also be achieved with the use of electrical means without the need for conscious effort nor the attachment of devices to persons. By merely exposing a person or persons to a weak electromagnetic field produced in a certain manner, the person's alpha and theta brain wave levels may be increased and thereby reduce physiological stress.

The weak electromagnetic field is produced about a grounded electrode that is coupled with a high voltage pulse generator. The generator transmits pulses of between 5 and 50 microseconds each, at a pulse repetition rate of between 0.5K and 10K pulses per second, to a power electrode, the power electrode and grounded electrode being coupled to a high voltage pulse generator. The subject is positioned within the weak electromagnetic field for a period of time sufficient to cause an increase in alpha and/or theta brain wave levels of the subject.

The method may be practiced with a therapeutic unit that has a treatment space of a size sufficient to accommodate one or more human subjects positioned within the weak electromagnetic field about the grounded electrode. The weak electromagnetic field itself may be specifically prescribed by monitoring brain wave levels of the subject while varying an electrical parameter of the pulse trains generated by the high voltage pulse generator and identifying that parameter which produces a desirable increase in alpha and/or theta brain wave levels for the individual.
--------------------------------------

It thus is seen that a method of prescribing and treating, and apparatus for performing such, is now provided for treating physiological stress that alleviates problems associated with prior methods and apparatuses. Though the invention has been described in its preferred form, it should be understood that many modifications, additions and deletions may be made thereto without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.