Systems and methods for altering brain and body functions and for treating conditions and diseases of the same
The present invention relates to systems and methods for management of brain and body functions and sensory perception. For example, the present invention provides systems and methods of sensory substitution and sensory enhancement (augmentation) as well as motor control enhancement. The present invention also provides systems and methods of treating diseases and conditions, as well as providing enhanced physical and mental health and performance through sensory substitution, sensory enhancement, and related effects.
1. A method of treating a patient with impaired motor control or function due to a nervous system impairment comprising:
A) having the patient participate in a rehabilitative therapy program comprising physical movement or exercise, wherein the patient's ability to perform the physical movement or exercise is inhibited by the patient's nervous system impairment;
B) providing electrotactile stimulation to the patient's tongue while the patient concurrently engages in a physical movement or exercise of the rehabilitative therapy program, wherein the physical movement or exercise comprises a body stabilization exercise and wherein the electrotactile stimulation:
1) is provided by an array of electrodes in contact with the top surface of the patient's tongue, wherein the array of electrodes is in communication with a processor configured to:
a) receive information from a program or detector;
b) process or translate the information into a pattern to be transmitted to the array; and
c) transmit the patterned information to the array to be displayed as electrical stimulation;
2) stimulates one or more cranial nerves of the subject; and
3) assists the subject in activating, utilizing, and/or training a portion of the brain to learn a task related to the rehabilitative therapy previously facilitated by a region of the brain damaged by the nervous system impairment;
C) ceasing the physical movement or exercise and electrotactile stimulation; and
D) repeating steps (B) and (C) until such time that the patient displays a rehabilitative improvement of motor control or function that persists after ceasing the physical movement or exercise and electrotactile stimulation.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the body stabilization exercise is selected from the group consisting of attempting to maintain an upright posture in a sitting position, attempting to maintain an upright posture in a standing position, attempting to maintain an upright posture in a sitting position on an exercise ball, attempting to maintain an upright posture in a standing position on a soft material, and attempting to maintain an upright posture in a standing position in a tandem Romberg stance.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the rehabilitative improvement is selected from the group consisting of alleviation of dyskinesias, alleviation of dystonia, alleviation of tremor, alleviation of gait problems, and alleviation of slowness of movement.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the rehabilitative improvement comprises improved motor control and function associated with the patient's gait.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the rehabilitative improvement comprises improved motor control and function associated with the patient's balance.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the patient is a traumatic brain injury patient and the rehabilitative improvement is selected from the group consisting of improved motor control, improved posture, improved balance and improved clarity of speech.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the patient is selected from the group consisting of a patient with bilateral vestibular dysfunction, a patient with traumatic brain injury, a patient with stroke or cerebellar lesion, and a patient with Mal de Debarquement syndrome.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the information received by the processor is selected from the group consisting of a preprogrammed pattern of electrical stimulation and information regarding angular and/or linear motion of the patient's head.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the array of electrodes displays pre-programmed patterns of electrotactile stimulation.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the physical movement or exercise comprises attempting to maintain a normal, upright posture in a sitting or standing position.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the physical movement or exercise comprises attempting to maintain a normal, upright posture in a sitting position on an exercise ball.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the physical movement or exercise comprises attempting to maintain a normal, upright posture in a standing position on a soft material.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the physical movement or exercise comprises attempting to maintain a normal, upright posture in a standing position in a tandem Romberg stance.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the patient is provided electrotactile stimulation while attempting to engage in a physical movement or exercise at a first, baseline level of activity, and subsequently while attempting to engage in the same or different physical movement or exercise at a more challenging level of activity.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising providing the patient electrotactile stimulation while the patient attempts to engage in the physical movement or exercise at the first, baseline level of activity subsequent to providing the patient electrotactile stimulation while attempting to engage in the same or different physical movement or exercise at a more challenging level of activity.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing electrotactile stimulation to the patient's tongue while the patient concurrently engages in a physical movement or exercise, wherein the patient's ability to perform the physical movement or exercise is inhibited by the patient's nervous system impairment, occurs for at least 20 minutes a day for at least 5 consecutive days.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the patient extends their limits of physical conditioning and balance control over the course of the at least 5 consecutive days.
18. A method of treating a patient with impaired motor control or function due to a nervous system impairment comprising:
A) having the patient participate in a rehabilitative therapy program comprising physical movement or exercise, wherein the patient's ability to perform the physical movement or exercise is inhibited by the patient's nervous system impairment;
B) providing electrotactile stimulation to the patient's tongue while the patient concurrently engages in a physical movement or exercise of the rehabilitative therapy program, wherein the physical movement or exercise comprises a body stabilization exercise;
C) ceasing the physical movement or exercise and electrotactile stimulation; and
D) repeating steps (B) and (C) until such time that the patient displays a rehabilitative improvement of motor control or function that persists after ceasing the physical movement or exercise and electrotactile stimulation.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the rehabilitative improvement is selected from the group consisting of alleviation of dyskinesias, alleviation of dystonia, alleviation of tremor, alleviation of gait problems, and alleviation of slowness of movement.