CogniFit - CogniFit Patent

Summary

Summary

CogniFit is a method for testing and/or training cognitive ability, including the steps of testing a preliminary cognitive level of a user and receiving results representative therefrom. According to the results, the cognitive level may then be broken up into separate discrete cognitive skills, and one or more tasks may be created, each task related to each of the separate discrete cognitive skills. The one or more tasks may then be presented to the user and so that a current cognitive level of the user is re-tested, and results representative therefrom are received. This process may be repeated at least one time.

• Inventors: Shlomo Breznitz, Haifa (IL)

• Assignee: CogniFit LTD (Naiot), Nazrat Ilit

• Appl. No: 09/611,974

• Filed: July 6, 2000

Patent Summary

There is therefore provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for testing and/or training of cognitive abilities. There is also provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a method for diagnosing cognitive ability of a user. The method may include presenting a stimulus, receiving a motion Input (generally in response to the stimulus), and analyzing cognitive aspects of the motion input. 

The step of presenting may be selected from a group consisting of: presenting a moving stimulus, presenting a stimulus which changes color, presenting a stimulus which changes shape, presenting one or more stimuli and presenting stimuli targeting different senses. 

The motion input may be selected from a group consisting of: moving the stimulus, positioning the stimulus, moving a peripheral device to intercept the stimulus, operating a control with discrete states, and adjusting the stimulus. 

The stimulus may be selected from a group consisting of: one or more abstract stimuli, one or more meaningful stimulus and a combination of the one or more abstract stimuli with the one or more meaningful stimuli. 

Methodology for diagnosing and training the cognitive abilities of a user.

• 1) Presenting stimuli relevant to daily life.
• 2) Receiving motion input from the user in response to said stimulus.
• 3) Analyzing cognitive aspects of said input for diagnosis.
• 4) Interpolating said analyzed aspects into applicable cognitive skills.
• 5) Adjusting said stimulus according to said analyzed aspects.
• 6) Selecting one or more tasks to train said cognitive skills.
• 7) Repeating said process one or more time.

Implementation of the methodology of a continuous computerized assessment and training program.

A: A preliminary cognitive test is done: initial evaluation.

• A group of different cognitive abilities are selected: Hand-eye coordination, smooth movement, spatial orientation, route planning, mental rotation, speed/distance/time estimation, visual search, attention allocation/focusing, distractibility, split attention, scene perception, simple and choice reaction time, decision-making, risk-taking, short-term memory, location memory, memory for names, information encoding strategies, retrieval from long-term memory, ability to inhibit planned action, problem-solving, and linguistic skills.

• A group of stimuli is selected and placed in space:
  • Moving the stimulus.
  • Positioning the stimulus
  • Moving a peripheral device to intercept the stimulus while operating a control with discrete states.
  • Adjusting the stimulus.

• A group of stimuli is selected and modified by its composition and movement
  • A moving stimulus.
  • A stimulus that changes color
  • A stimulis that changes shape.
  • One or more stimuli.
  • Stimuli that targets the different senses.

• A group of stimuli of various types are selected:
  • Choose one or more abstract stimuli.
  • Choose one or more meaningful stimuli.
  • Combination of the previous stimuli

• The interface can be used on electronic devices (computer, cell phone, tablet) to provide and capture the evaluated stimuli.

• The system consists of a motion input device and a motion output device that provides the stimulus. An analyzer that analyzes the data diagnoses cognitive levels based off of said data.

B) Analysis of the information based on the results from the preliminary evaluation.

• After said test, the results are analyzed and the cognitive abilities are separated by score.

• The analyzed data are: motor skills, complex/continuous motor skills, time required to move said stimulus, movement smoothness, complex eye hand coordination, hand-hand coordination, and eye-foot coordination.

• A database is created to store the analyzed data.

• A motion input and motion output device that provides the stimulus is created.

• There is an analyzer which analyzes data from said input device and diagnoses therefrom cognitive levels, as well as a computing unit that assigns tasks to the user. These tasks are intended to train the cognitive levels of the user.

• The user's cognitive level will be determined through cognitive abilities.

C) Personalized Training based on the results from the evaluation.

• In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a method for training cognitive ability.

• A primary task that forms part of a primary cognitive ability is created, and the results are used to control one or more tasks.

• The interface can be used on electronic devices (computer, cell phone, tablet) to provide and capture the evaluated stimuli.

• There is an analyzer which analyzes data from said input device and diagnoses therefrom cognitive levels, as well as a computing unit that assigns tasks to the user. These tasks are intended to train the cognitive levels of the user.

• After presenting the tasks to the user, the cognitive level is analyzed again after completing the tasks based on the results.

• The training is personalized in accordance with the results from this stage in order to optimally challenge the user. The stimulus is controlled in order to keep the user from getting frustrated or bored.

• The method used for treatment of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson disease, behavioral disorders such as Hyperactivity and Attention Deficit Disorder, learning disabilities, cognitive rehabilitation after a stroke, brain injury, alcohol, drug abuse, improve or postpone short-term memory decline, perceptive abilities, and other cognitive and psychomotor abilities in people of all ages.

• The method is carried out one or more times a week.

• Register the number and type of mistaken responses and recording the reaction speed; and distinguishing between false positive errors and false negative errors.