WO2001056465A1

WO2001056465A1 - Method for obtaining and evaluating neuro feedback

Info

Publication number: WO2001056465A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/003478
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian Wolpert
Original assignee: Neurofeed.Com, Llc
Priority date: 2000-02-03
Filing date: 2001-02-02
Publication date: 2001-08-09
Also published as: AU2001234772A1

Abstract

A remote interactive therapy method includes preparing and sending to a remote user via a network or the like protocols, settings for protocols and/or other information for carrying out a therapy session. A user may access the protocols, settings and other information from a secure remote mailbox and carry out the session. Data from the session is stored and transmitted to a secure mailbox for review and evaluation by a practitioner. Apparatus for carrying out remote interactive therapy sessions and the like, includes a practitioner computer system for preparing protocols, settings, and other information for transmission to a remote storage location accessible by a user; a user computer system for accessing such remote storage location to retrieve the protocols, settings and other information, for carrying out a session based thereon and for storing the results of the session. The user computer system may transmit the results via a network or the like to a secure mailbox for retrieval and evaluation by a practitioner.

Description

Title : METHOD FOR OBTAINING AND EVALUATING NEURO FEEDBACK

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates generally, as indicated, to remote interactive therapy and, more particularly, to evaluation, treatment and training using biofeedback or a subclass thereof, neurofeedback, for clients who are remotely located from the practitioner.

BACKGROUND In the fields of psychology, psychiatry and/or other fields in which there is a therapist or a practitioner may conduct evaluations of patients or clients and/or administer treatment or training. As used herein for the purpose of describing the invention the terms therapist and practitioner; patient and client; and treatment and training; respectively, may be used synonymously. In the past when patient evaluations were made and therapies were administered, usually it was necessary for the patient to meet with the therapist.

Sometimes these meetings are on a periodic basis and sometimes the meetings are relatively frequent. However, sometimes it is necessary to provide evaluations and/or therapies on a more frequent and/or immediate basis than can be accommodated by the personal schedules and distance separations of the therapist and/or patient. Moreover, the costs involved with such meetings, especially if on a relatively frequent basis, can be relatively high, not only in regard to the cost of evaluation and therapy but also in regard to travel expenses, time off from work, sometimes need for a third person to accompany the patient to the therapist (additional manpower time and cost), etc.

New techniques, procedures, medications, and therapies continue to be developed in the fields of psychology, psychiatry and/or other fields in which there is a therapist/patient relationship. It is desirable to provide the patient with as up to date service as is reasonably possible.

With the restrictions of time available and full patient schedules, often it is difficult for a therapist to obtain and to learn, to assimilate and to use new techniques, procedures, medications, therapies, etc. , immediately as they are developed in the fields of psychology, psychiatry and/or other fields in which there is a therapist/patient relationship. Furthermore, often it is difficult, if not impossible, for a therapist to maintain accurate comparison data, vis-a-vis patient condition, treatment and results, that may be useful to develop new techniques, procedures, medications, therapies, etc. especially useful for a typical group of patient clientele seen by the therapist and/or to learn from the results of other therapists who have a similar clientele group. It would be desirable to be able to obtain and to learn, to assimilate and to use new techniques, procedures, medications, therapies, etc. It also would be desirable to obtain, to maintain and to be able to use accurate comparison data and to improve the facility with which these can be done. It would be desirable to increase accessibility to people, including those in remote locations where practitioners may not be readily available, to obtain evaluations, therapy and training using biofeedback or neurofeedback.

Neurofeedback is a subset of biofeedback. Biofeedback is generically the feeding back of body signals so that an individual can self regulate based on what happens. An example, is changing body temperature, which can be monitored by a sensor on a finger, a change in heart rate or breathing rate; and neurofeedback is, for example, a changing a brain wave.

SUMMARY Briefly, one aspect of the invention is to provide remote interactive therapy and, more particularly, to provide evaluation, treatment and training using biofeedback or a subclass thereof, neurofeedback, for clients who are remotely located from the practitioner.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the use by a practitioner of a centralized collection of files of patient information.

Another aspect relates to the providing to a therapist patient information concerning the therapist's patients which is stored on a centralized storage device.

Another aspect relates to providing comparison information to a therapist. Another aspect relates to providing a therapist updated and/or new techniques, procedures, medications, therapies, etc. and to facilitate use thereof.

Another aspect is to provide an analysis of patient information and to deliver information resulting from such analysis to a therapist. Another aspect relates to providing of protocol, question and other information and data to a therapist from a remote storage location.

According to one aspect, a remote interactive therapy method includes receiving signals from a remote location for a therapy session, conducting the therapy session, storing information representative of the therapy session for subsequent transmission to a remote location.

According to another aspect, a method of conducting interactive therapy, includes remotely accessing information representing a number of therapy sessions carried out by users. According to another aspect, a system for storing information includes data storage media, an input to provide for storage in the storage media at respective secure storage portions instructions for a patient to carry out a therapy session from a remote location, and an output to provide such instructions upon being accessed with appropriate authorization. According to another aspect, a system for storing information includes data storage media, an input to provide for storage in the storage media at respective secure storage portions data representing the results of a therapy session carried out by a user at a remote location, and an output to provide such data representing such results upon being accessed with appropriate authorization. According to another aspect, a method of providing comparison information to a therapist includes providing for storage at a central location information representing the results of therapy sessions carried out by remotely located users, and allowing access to such information with appropriate authorization.

According to another aspect, a method of providing a therapist with updated and/or new techniques, procedures, medications, therapies, and to facilitate use thereof includes transmitting over a network to a central storage location information concerning updated and/or new techniques, procedures, medications, therapies, and to facilitate use thereof, and allowing a therapist to access such information from a remote location with appropriate authorization. According to another aspect, a method of analysis of patient information includes allowing a patient to carry out a therapy session based on protocols, transmitting the results of the therapy session for analysis at a location remote from the patient.

According to another aspect, an apparatus for carrying out a therapy session includes a computer, a connection to a network, information provided via the network for a user to carry out a therapy session, and a memory to store the results of the therapy session for transmission via the network to a remote location.

According to another aspect, a system to carry out therapy sessions remotely includes a computer to prepare and forward protocols, settings and other information for use by a remotely located user, an input to the computer to receive information representing results of carrying out of a therapy session based on such protocols, settings and other information.

According to another aspect, a method of remotely carrying out a therapy session includes providing to a user a protocol and a setting, applying sensors to the user to detect results of operation according to the session following the protocol and setting, and recording information detected.

According to another aspect, a method of remotely carrying out a therapy session includes downloading protocol and setting information, carrying out exercises according to the protocol and setting information, detecting the results of carrying out such exercises, and storing the detected results.

According to another aspect, a method of carrying out a therapy session includes selecting and transmitting protocols and settings for protocols for storage in respective user mailboxes at a remote storage location, wherein each protocol and settings for the protocol may be unique to each user and each storage location is uniquely accessible by only that user and by a practitioner or practitioner group.

According to another aspect, a method of carrying out a therapy session, comprising logging on to a network and accessing protocol and settings for protocol, based on the protocol and settings, carrying out a therapy session, and storing the results.

According to another aspect, a method of monitoring therapy sessions carried out at remote locations connecting via a network to a remotely located storage medium to access user records, selectively accessing respective mailboxes containing the respective user records at the storage medium, and reviewing the user records.

According to another aspect, a secure system for use in remote therapy sessions a series of mailboxes selectively accessible by respective users and respective practitioners, a security to limit access to respective mailboxes to only those having authorization, network connection to receive protocol, settings, and other information from practitioners, to provide protocol, settings and other information to users, to receive data representing the results of a therapy session carried out by users according to protocol, settings and other information, and to provide practitioners security limited access to such data. Another aspect relates to a computer program for carrying out a remote therapy session, including means to input protocols, settings of protocols, means to direct the storage of such protocols and settings at a remote locations, and means to allow review of the results of a therapy session stored at a remote location.

Another aspect relates to a computer program for carrying out a therapy session directed from a remote source, including means for retrieving protocols and settings, means for carrying out a therapy session by a user based on such protocols and settings, and means for storing data representing the results of such carrying out.

A number of features are described herein with respect to embodiments of the invention; it will be appreciated that features described with respect to a given embodiment also may be employed in connection with other embodiments.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described in the specification and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but several of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be suitably employed.

Although the invention is shown and described with respect to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that equivalents and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of the specification. The present invention includes all such equivalents and modifications, and is limited only by the scope of the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In the annexed drawings,

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for carrying out a method in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic functional diagram for installing software on a patient's computer system;

Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram representing the initial evaluation and/or loading of protocols and settings for those protocols to one or more respective clients; Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram representing the practitioner's review procedure and revising of protocols and/or settings of the protocols for one or more clients;

Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram showing client interaction to download information, such as a protocol, settings, and messages from a practitioner, as provided to a server;

Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram of steps for a client to carry out the protocol that was downloaded from a server;

Fig. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a number of steps for the client to follow to upload to the server 11 the data from a treatment protocol session that is stored on the client computer system 13; and

Figs. 8A-8C is a functional block diagram expanding several of the steps carried out by the practitioner using the invention expanding on the steps illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4.

DESCRIPTION Referring, now, to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like parts in the several figures, and initially to Fig. 1, a system for carrying out the method of the invention is shown at 10. The system 10 includes a server 11, a practitioner /therapist computer system 12, a client/patient computer system 13 (sometimes referred to below as a "local computer"), and network connections 14, 15. Each computer system 12, 13 includes memory (such as, for example, RAM, ROM, hard drive, cd-rom, dvd, floppy disk, etc.) 12m, 13m, a manual input device (such as a keyboard, mouse, joystick, pointer, etc.) 12i, 13i, and a display 12d, 13d. The computer systems 12, 13 may be conventional computer systems. The server 11 may be a conventional computer server. The network connections 14, 15 may be, for example, connections made using the Internet, wide area networks (WAN), large area networks (LAN), private networks, telephone connections, etc.

A practitioner (sometimes referred to as a "therapist") 20 may use or interact directly with the practitioner computer system 12, and the client (sometimes referred to as a "patient") 21 may use or interact directly with the client computer system 13.

Additionally, the practitioner has available to him/her protocols 16 for use for analysis, treatment and/or training of a given client and settings 17 available for those protocols. The protocols and settings may be stored in the practitioner computer system 12, e.g. , loaded therein and updated from time to time to assist the practitioner in determining protocols and settings thereof for use with a given client, for example, when a new protocol is researched or published, etc. The protocols and settings also may be available from other sources, such as texts, periodicals, and the like, or from training and experience of the practitioner, etc. , or from some other source. The client 21 may use or interact with the client computer system 13 to download the protocols and settings. The client also may apply the sensors 22 appropriately to obtain biofeedback, for example, neurofeedback, in response to analysis, treatment, training or the like, for example, in response to protocols and settings determined by the practitioner 20. Information from the sensors may be provided to and stored in the client computer system 13. A signal processor 23 may be used to amplify or otherwise to enhance the signals from the sensors, if desired.

The method and practice of the invention is for remote monitoring and remote administration of therapy. The system 10 may be used to carry out that method and practice. Briefly, a practitioner 20 may select a protocol and settings for the protocol for use with a given patient 21. The practitioner uses the practitioner computer system 12 to logon to the server 11 via the network 14 and to deliver to a protocol and settings for the protocol values to a mailbox or other location uniquely accessible by the given patient. The patient may use the patient computer system 13 to access the specified mailbox to download the protocol and settings. The patient would apply the sensors 22, for example, if brainwave sensors, then to respective portions of the head, and if the sensors are breathing rate sensors, then to an appropriate place to detect breathing rate, etc. The invention is not limited to the particular type of sensor or parameter that is measured. According to an embodiment of the invention, a practitioner selects and transmits protocols and settings for protocols to respective patients' mailboxes or other uniquely accessible storage locations associated with the server 11. Each protocol and settings for the protocol may be unique to each patient; and each storage location is uniquely accessible by only that patient and by the practitioner. At a subsequent time the patient will logon to the network 15 and access the patient's unique storage location; and the patient will download the protocol, settings and any other information, such as messages or the like, previously sent and stored by the practitioner. The patient then applies the sensors 22 and connects them to the patient computer system 13, as may be appropriate, and uses the patient computer system 13 to follow the protocol. While the patient carries out the protocol, the sensors monitor respective parameters, such as brain waves, breathing rate, body temperature, etc. , and the patient computer system 13 stores the values of those parameters. The values may be stored with respect to one or more of time, protocol process or progress, e.g. , what question is being asked by the protocol, or some other consideration, etc. After the patient has completed a given analysis, therapy, training, or like session having followed the protocol, the patient may use the patient computer system 13 to transmit the data obtained during the session, e.g., the values detected by the sensors 22, to the server 11 for access by the practitioner. The data may be stored in the same or a different storage location in the server or accessible by the server; but the location would be secure, confidential and accessible only by the practitioner or by someone authorized by the practitioner, such as, for example, an associate in the practice of the practitioner. Subsequently, the practitioner may access the data; review and evaluate it; and, if appropriate, adjust the protocol and/or protocol settings for the next session, determine whether further sessions are required for the patient, make notes concerning the therapy, for example, or prepare messages to the client, etc.

Turning to Fig. 2, a functional block diagram for installing software for use in carrying out the invention is illustrated at 30. At step 32 the client 21 loads the software into the client computer system 13. The software is intended to carry out various functions described in further detail below. At step 34 the client connects to the server 11, for example, using the network connection 15. At step 36 the client 21 validates the relationship between the client and the practitioner 20. Such validation may include, for example, accessing software stored on the server 11 to set up a private mailbox for the client, obtaining a password to use the invention for the desired therapy, etc. The client and the practitioner may establish their relationship either via online communication, telephone, mail, direct visit, or some other way so that the client is known to the practitioner, including, for example, one or more of contact information (e.g., mailing address, telephone, email address, etc.), billing information, information concerning the client's needs, conditions and/or desires, etc. After the client has been validated, the client may use the invention as described further herein.

In Fig. 3 is a functional block 40 diagram representing the initial evaluation and/or loading of protocols and settings for those protocols to one or more respective clients 21.

At step 42 the practitioner selects a client for which protocols and settings are to be provided. At step 44 the practitioner determines the protocol(s) and setting(s) for that client, and at step 46 the practitioner logs on to the server if not already logged on and uploads that data to the client's box on the server 11. At step 48 an inquiry is made to determine whether the practitioner has finished carrying out the preceding steps for all clients desired to be serviced at that point; if not, then the process is repeated for one or more other clients; if so, then the process exits.

In Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram 50 representing the practitioner's review procedure and revising of protocols and/or settings of the protocols for one or more clients. At step 52 the practitioner logs on to the server 11 and at step 54 the practitioner checks to determine if new information (data and/or messages), such as biofeedback data from a client or messages from the client, has been received in one or more of the mailboxes on the server 11. The biofeedback or neurofeedback data may be presented as numerical data or as graphical data, or it may be in some other form. If not, the process exits. If affirmative, then at step 56 the practitioner may review the new information in a given box.

That review may include reviewing the information on-line at that time or at a later time or downloading the information to the practitioner computer system 12 for review at that time or at a later time. Based on the review, then, at step 58 the practitioner may determine whether a change in protocol or a change in settings of the protocol is/are needed; and, if affirmative, can upload the change(s) to the appropriate box. For example, if the protocol is not working for the patient, the protocol may be changed; or if a patient is progressing well in the therapy using the protocol, the settings used for the protocol may be increased (or decreased, as the case may be) to enhance the therapy. Also, the practitioner may upload a message to the client for storage in the box and subsequent access by the client. Further, the practitioner may make notes to himself concerning the patient, therapy, etc. At step 60 an inquiry is made whether new information is in one or more boxes of other clients; if affirmative, the process continues back to step 54; if not, the process exits. An exemplary software package to carry out the practitioner's evaluation and/or other functions described herein may be that sold under the brand NeuroCare Pro, and there are other biofeedback and neurofeedback software packages that may be used for such purposes.

Before initiating a therapy or treatment, the practitioner may determine which parameters are to be considered to define what it is that is being monitored and/or for what purpose, e.g., which brain wave is being looked at, what is to be changed and how do make that change. For example, should a given brain wave be lowered or increased; these determinations typically are made by the therapist. This can be part of the setting up of a protocol and settings for the protocol. The practitioner may consider which set(s) of brain waves are to be moved in which direction; and, then within the protocol there are different settings, and levels, as to how to administer the protocol to achieve the desired goal.

The client computer system 13 will administer the session based on the parameters. The results of the session, the data that is recorded, which is the feedback, are recorded by the computer 13 and ultimately sent to the practitioner who will review the session and make the determination whether the session was successful or not successful, and whether protocols should be changed or levels of a protocol should be changed.

A functional block diagram 70 in Fig. 5 shows client interaction to download information, such as a protocol, settings, and messages from the practitioner, from the server 11. At step 72 the client connects to the Internet (or other appropriate network) , for example, using an ISP (Internet service provider). At step 74 the client connects via the network to the server 11. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention the server may be provided by an entity having a website identified by the address Neurofeed.com, although others may be used, provided the server has the appropriate software and secure mailboxes suitable to carry out the invention as described herein. At step 76 the client 21 logs into the client area of the server 11 using the client's unique identification and password combination. Then, at step 78 the client opens up its unique electronic mailbox on the server 11 to check for information therein. At step 80 the client identifies the treatment protocol file that the client's practitioner had created for use in the next session that the client is expected to carry out. That treatment protocol file would be in the client's unique electronic mailbox on the server 11. It is possible that there may be prior treatment protocol files still in the mailbox for use by the client in case of a loss of data, etc. in the client computer system 13 prior to the client having run that protocol. Therefore, at step 82 the client selects from the one treatment protocol file to download to the client computer system. At step 84 the client downloads the selected treatment protocol to the client computer system 13, and at step 86 the client verifies that the download was successful. Then, at step 88 the client may disconnect from the network connection, as the protocol would be run on the client's local computer, e.g. , the client computer system 13. In Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram 90 of steps for a client to carry out the protocol that was downloaded as described with respect to Fig. 5. At step 92 the client 21 brings up a suitable software to run the protocol. Several software products are available to do so, as computer systems have been used to conduct biofeedback treatments in the past. An exemplary product is mentioned in the diagram 90 known as NeuroCare Home. The software can be run on the client computer system 13. At step 94 the client selects the menu setting in the operating software on the client computer system 13 to load in a new treatment protocol file for use, for example, the protocol file that was mentioned above as being downloaded in the steps of Fig. 5. At step 96 the client verifies that the new treatment protocol file was successfully loaded. At step 98 the client selects the menu setting to perform a remote therapy session.

It may be desirable for the practitioner and the client to communicate verbally rather than by only running the treatment protocol sessions, evaluating the results of those sessions, revising the protocol and levels, and running further sessions. For example, it may be the case that the practitioner 20 desires to send a written message, such as an instruction or a question to the patient 21. One example may be for the practitioner to ask the client if something was wrong, such as the client having a headache, when the prior protocol session (sometimes referred to herein as "therapy" session) was run by the client, as the data may have seemed skewed from that which would have been expected by the practitioner; thus, the practitioner may have sent the client one or more messages along with the treatment protocol. Similarly, the client may respond to inquiries made by the practitioner or may send messages to indicate, for example, that a treatment protocol session was only run for a short time, e.g., not the full time typically required, because the client got sick or had to leave the house to do an important errand that arose unexpectedly, etc.

Therefore, at step 100 in Fig. 6 the client may select the menu setting to review the practitioner's comments from the latest treatment protocol file that was downloaded, and at step 102 the client reviews the practitioner comments. At step 104 the client closes the practitioner comments file and is ready to commence running the treatment protocol.

At step 106 the client connects the sensors and other equipment required to perform the remote therapy session, e.g., to run the treatment protocol. Brainwave sensors 22 (Fig. 1) may be applied to the head and connected to the computer system 13, for example, either directly to the computer or via the signal processor 23 (Fig. 1). Other sensors may be connected and applied appropriately. At step 108 the client verifies that the connections are correct and that data is flowing through to the computer. At step 110 the client begins the remote therapy session using the practitioner supplied treatment protocol file that had been downloaded previously.

At step 112 the client performs and then at step 114 the client completes the remote therapy session. The biofeedback data from the sensors 22 is stored in the computer 13; for example, such storage may be in relation to one or more other parameters, such as time, the settings, the process or progress of the protocol or therapy as it is carried out, etc. Then, at step 116 the client creates a related comments file with information, questions and comments for the practitioner, for example, as was mentioned above to allow opportunity for verbal communication between the client and the practitioner. At step 118 the client saves the file containing the remote therapy session data and comments on the client's local computer 13. Usually the client will remove the sensors and clean them and other equipment used to perform the remote therapy session, as is represented at step 120. If desired, software on the patient's computer system 13 may be used to either alter the biosignal or neurosignal or to respond to the biosignal or neurosignal to do something with respect to the before it sends that signal to the server. The patient's computer 13 may be preprogrammed or may interact or be controlled by or receive parameters or some other instructions from the server 11 in response to some type of review and/or input by the practitioner.

Referring, now, to Fig. 7, a functional block diagram 130 shows a number of steps for the client to follow to upload to the server 11 the data from a treatment protocol session that is stored on the client computer system 13. At step 132 the client connects to the network, e.g. , the Internet, and at step 134 the client connects to the server 11. At step

136 the client logs into the client area of the server using the client's unique client identification and password; this allows access to the client's mailbox and possibly to other public areas of the server. At step 138 the client opens its unique electronic mailbox on the server 11. At step 140 the client identifies the files on the client computer system 13 which contain the remote therapy session data and comments that the client had stored and that had not been sent to the practitioner yet. At step 142 the client selects the remote therapy session data and comments files to upload from the computer system 13 to the server 11, and at step 144 the client uploads that selected information to the server 11 for storage in the client's mailbox there. The practitioner subsequently may access that mailbox to review the information, etc. , as was described above. At step 146 the client verifies that the file upload was successfully completed.

A further step automatically carried out or initiated by the client is that shown at 148; the uploaded remote therapy session data and comment file(s) are placed into the practitioner's unique electronic mailbox on the server. This step allows all of the remote therapy session data from several clients to be collected in the practitioner's mailbox so the practitioner does not have to search several mailboxes to determine which may have in it such new data. Alternatively, simply one or more messages or indications can be transmitted to the practitioner's mailbox to advise the practitioner in which client mailboxes contain new information. At step 150 the client disconnects from the network. Subsequent remote therapy sessions can be prescribed by the practitioner and run by the client as was described above. Therapy often is an ongoing process and the invention may be used to continue that therapy.

Referring to Figs. 8A-8C, a functional block diagram 200 expanding several of the steps carried out by the practitioner 20 along lines of those described above with respect to

Figs. 3 and 4 is shown. At step 202 the practitioner connects to the network. At step 204 the practitioner connects to the server 11 (Fig. 1), and at step 206 the practitioner logs into the practitioner area of the server using the practitioner's identification and password. At step 208 the practitioner opens up his/her unique electronic mailbox on the server 11. At step 210 an inquiry is made to determine whether there is information from a new client. If a new client, then at step 212 the practitioner determines the initial client treatment protocols to be administered based on a client interview, observation of the client, or other available records or information. If the client is an existing client, then at step 214 the practitioner identifies the remote therapy session data and comments file(s) waiting to be reviewed. At step 216 the practitioner electronically selects a remote therapy session data and comments file to review, and at step 218 the practitioner reads the client comments from the remote therapy session data and comments file and, at step 220, reviews the remote therapy session data using appropriate software, for example, that sold under the trademark NeuroCare Pro. At step 222 the practitioner makes a determination about changes to the type of treatment or to the treatment parameters to be administered to the patient/client.

At step 224 an inquiry is made whether the desired treatment protocol file exists on the selection menu. If not, then at step 226 the practitioner chooses a different protocol file or creates a new protocol file using protocol file building tools. Such new protocol file may be added to others and at step 228 the practitioner selects the treatment protocol file to be administered from the menu of available protocol files, including the new one. At step 230 the practitioner selects the appropriate parameters for the treatment to be administered to the client/patient.

At step 232 the practitioner selects the appropriate number of client sessions for which the protocol file will be used. At step 234 the practitioner creates a related comments file with information, questions and/or other instructions for the client. At step 236 the practitioner saves the file containing the treatment protocol, treatment parameters, length of use and comments on the server. At step 238 the practitioner electronically sends the file containing the treatment protocol, treatment parameters, length of use and comments to the client's mailbox on the server. At step 240 the client's unique mailbox on the server is updated with the new treatment protocol file and may be used as was described above.

Technical Field It will be appreciated that the invention may be used for remote interactive evaluation, treatment and training using biofeedback or a subclass thereof, neurofeedback, for clients who are remotely located from the practitioner.

Claims

CLAIMS I claim:

1. A remote interactive therapy method, comprising receiving signals from a remote location for a therapy session, conducting the therapy session, storing information representative of the therapy session for subsequent transmission to a remote location.

2. A method of conducting interactive therapy, comprising, remotely accessing information representing a number of therapy sessions carried out by users.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the information includes neurofeedback or biofeedback information based on the operation by a user.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising, based on a review of the information accessed, preparing additional therapy session instructions and transmitting those instructions for subsequent carrying out by a remotely located user.

5. A system for storing information, comprising data storage media, an input to provide for storage in the storage media at respective secure storage portions instructions for a patient to carry out a therapy session from a remote location, and an output to provide such instructions upon being accessed with appropriate authorization.

6. A system for storing information, comprising data storage media, an input to provide for storage in the storage media at respective secure storage portions data representing the results of a therapy session carried out by a user at a remote location, and an output to provide such data representing such results upon being accessed with appropriate authorization.

7. A method of providing comparison information to a therapist, comprising providing for storage at a central location information representing the results of therapy sessions carried out by remotely located users, and allowing access to such information with appropriate authorization.

8. A method of providing a therapist with updated and/or new techniques, procedures, medications, therapies, and to facilitate use thereof, comprising transmitting over a network to a central storage location information concerning updated and/or new techniques, procedures, medications, therapies, and to facilitate use thereof, and allowing a therapist to access such information from a remote location with appropriate authorization.

9. A method of analysis of patient information, comprising allowing a patient to carry out a therapy session based on protocols, transmitting the results of the therapy session for analysis at a location remote from the patient.

10. Apparatus for carrying out a therapy session, comprising a computer, a connection to a network, information provided via the network for a user to carry out a therapy session, and a memory to store the results of the therapy session for transmission via the network to a remote location.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the computer comprises a personal computer with input and output devices, a display, a memory and/or other data storage device.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the network comprises the internet,, a wide area network, large area network, private network, and/or telephone connections.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the computer receives protocols for analysis, treatment and/or training of the user.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the protocols are able to be updated from a remote location.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising sensors to obtain neurofeedback or biofeedback information for storage by the computer.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the sensors are brain wave sensors.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a control for transmitting the neurofeedback or biofeedback information for storage at a remote location.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a signal processor for amplifying or otherwise enhancing signals from the sensors.

19. A system to carry out therapy sessions remotely, comprising a computer to prepare and forward protocols, settings and other information for use by a remotely located user, an input to the computer to receive information representing results of carrying out of a therapy session based on such protocols, settings and other information.

20. A method of remotely carrying out a therapy session, comprising providing to a user a protocol and a setting, applying sensors to the user to detect results of operation according to the session following the protocol and setting, and recording information detected.

21. A method of remotely carrying out a therapy session, comprising downloading protocol and setting information, carrying out exercises according to the protocol and setting information, detecting the results of carrying out such exercises, and storing the detected results.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising applying sensors to the user to detect the results of carrying out such exercises.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising transmitting to a remote location the stored detected results.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising transmitting to a remote location the stored detected results for analysis at a remote location.

25. A method of carrying out a therapy session, comprising selecting and transmitting protocols and settings for protocols for storage in respective user mailboxes at a remote storage location, wherein each protocol and settings for the protocol may be unique to each user and each storage location is uniquely accessible by only that user and by a practitioner or practitioner group.

26. A method of carrying out a therapy session, comprising logging on to a network and accessing protocol and settings for protocol, based on the protocol and settings, carrying out a therapy session, and storing the results.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising transmitting the results via a network for storage at a remote location.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising validating a user's identity and authority to access such protocol and settings for protocol, which are directed for use by the user.

29. A method of monitoring therapy sessions carried out at remote locations, comprising, connecting via a network to a remotely located storage medium to access user records, selectively accessing respective mailboxes containing the respective user records at the storage medium, reviewing the user records.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising based on the review, transmitting to the respective user mailbox protocols and settings for protocols for further therapy sessions.

31. A secure system for use in remote therapy sessions, comprising a series of mailboxes selectively accessible by respective users and respective practitioners, a security to limit access to respective mailboxes to only those having authorization, network connection to receive protocol, settings, and other information from practitioners, to provide protocol, settings and other information to users, to receive data representing the results of a therapy session carried out by users according to protocol, settings and other information, and to provide practitioners security limited access to such data.

32. A computer program for carrying out a remote therapy session, comprising means to input protocols, settings of protocols, means to direct the storage of such protocols and settings at a remote locations, and means to allow review of the results of a therapy session stored at a remote location.

33. A computer program for carrying out a therapy session directed from a remote source, comprising means for retrieving protocols and settings, means for carrying out a therapy session by a user based on such protocols and settings, and means for storing data representing the results of such carrying out.

34. The computer program of claim 33, further comprising means for directing the data representing the results to a remote location.

35. A data storage medium containing the computer program of any of claims , 33 or 34.