Augmented reality coordinated with nerve stimulation to enhance performance
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for increasing performance, improving sleep and improving relaxation that involve specifically coordinating nerve stimulation of a cranial nerve (e.g. vagus nerve) in conjunction with augmented reality (AR). According to certain embodiments disclosed are systems that include an AR component that presents information or a stimulus and provides cranial nerve fiber stimulation (CNFS) at strategic times to reduce anxiety/arousal/related during user activity or scenarios and reinforce learning.
1 . A system comprising
a cranial nerve fiber stimulation (CNFS) component;
a physiological parameter monitoring component, wherein the physiological parameter monitoring component is configured to sense or measure physiological parameter signals from a user;
an augmented reality (AR) component, the AR component comprising headphones, a speaker, a monitor displaying video recordings, or a virtual-reality device, or a combination thereof; and
a controller communicably connected to the CNFS component, the AR component and physiological parameter monitoring component, wherein the controller comprises a central processing unit, circuitry for receiving/sending electrical signals and/or user input, at least one memory device and wherein the controller comprises one or more software algorithms that control operation of the CNFS component and/or AR component;
wherein the controller is configured to direct the CNFS component to administer CNFS to the user at or before a predetermined time in an AR scenario provided to the user by the AR component, the predetermined time being a time at which an aroused state of the user was recorded during a prior iteration of the AR scenario provided to the user.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to receive input from the AR component and transmit an output to the CNFS component.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is programmed to modify an intensity or duration of the CNFS to a level optimized to achieve the intended effect, while also reducing discomfort.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the AR component provides sensory stimulation to the subject at targeted times during an AR scenario, wherein sensory stimulation comprises music, white noise, individually selected emotionally uplifting music to treat depression or enhance cognition; trauma-related virtual-reality stimulation, haptic stimulation of specific dermatomes for treatment of chronic pain syndromes; physical exercises; guided virtual-reality experiences or recorded video stimulation of athletic performances to enhance motor skills; guided mental exercise instructions to enhance cognitive skills; video-conferenced psychotherapeutic treatment (including cognitive behavioral therapy); guided imagery; guided meditation to enhance psychological skills; or guided simulations of social situations to enhance social skills or autism spectrum disorders.
5 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a user activity output monitoring component communicably connected to the controller or AR component, or both.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the user activity output monitoring component comprises a device that monitors user activity not pertaining to physiological parameters, and wherein user activity monitored by the user activity output monitoring component comprises movement, spatiotemporal positioning, sound, or facial expressions.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the controller receives monitored user activity and controls, times or synchronizes AR and/or CNFS based on the received user activity.
8 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising a user wearable device communicably connected to the user activity output monitoring component or controller, or both.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the wearable device comprises an accelerometer, tilt sensor, or color marker.
10 . A method of using the system of claim 5 comprising
conducting a first iteration of an AR scenario to a subject via the AR component;
detecting at least one physiological parameter of the subject from the physiological parameter monitoring component and/or a user activity of the subject from the user activity output monitoring component;
recording a time of an aroused state during the first iteration to produce a recorded arousal time;
conducting a second iteration of the AR scenario; and
administering central nerve fiber stimulation prior to and/or during the recorded arousal time while conducting the second iteration.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising monitoring for physiological parameter changes in response to administering central nerve fiber stimulation for the second iteration or third iteration.
12 . The method of claim 10 further comprising
conducting a third iteration of the AR scenario; and
administering central nerve fiber stimulation prior to and/or during the recorded arousal time while conducting the third iteration.
13 . A system comprising
a cranial nerve fiber stimulation (CNFS) component;
an augmented reality (AR) component;
a controller communicably connected to the CNFS component and the AR component; and
a user activity output monitoring component;
wherein the controller is configured to direct the CNFS component to administer CNFS to a user at or before a predetermined time in an AR scenario provided to the user by the AR component, the predetermined time being a time at which a user activity output of the subject was recorded during a prior iteration of the AR scenario provided to the user.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the CNFS is strategically administered to reduce user anxiety, induce relaxation, and/or increase performance without the need for physiological monitoring.
15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the user activity output comprises a certain movement or series of movements, positioning, expression or the like, without a need for physiological monitoring.
16 . A system comprising
a cranial nerve fiber stimulation (CNFS) component;
a user activity output monitoring component;
a physiological parameter component;
a timer component; and
a controller communicably connected to the CNFS component and user activity output monitoring component, physiological parameter component, or timer component, or combination thereof; wherein
(a) the system administers CNFS at or before a predetermined time of user activity output as detected by the user activity output monitoring component; or
(b) the system administers CNFS at or before a predetermined time of an aroused state as previously determined by the physiological parameter component.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the user activity output monitoring component comprises a sensor to detect sleep initiation, time of day, light, polysomnography signals, or electroencephalograph (EEG) signals, and wherein the user activity output comprises sleep initiation or assuming a supine position.
18 . A method of using the system of claim 16 comprising
conducting a first iteration of a bodyscan meditation by a subject;
recording at least one time at which during the bodyscan meditation a respiratory sinus arrythmia (RSA) of the subject drops below a predetermined threshold to generate at least one recorded anxiety event;
conducting a second iteration of the bodyscan meditation; and
administering central nerve fiber stimulation at or before the recorded anxiety event time.
19 . The method of claim 18 ,
wherein the predetermined threshold comprises an RSA of 5.5 In (ms) 2 , and/or
wherein administering comprises administering central nerve fiber stimulation that is initiated within 1-2 minutes prior to the recorded anxiety event and is ceased within 1-2 minutes after the recorded anxiety event.