Systems and methods of transcutaneous vibration to synergize with or augment a treatment modality

Abstract

Systems and methods disclosed herein relate to augmenting a treatment modality. A method of providing stimulation therapy to a user may include generating transcutaneous vibratory output comprising one or more variable parameters, subjecting the user, in conjunction with the transcutaneous vibratory output, to a treatment modality, wherein the one or more variable parameters of the transcutaneous vibratory output comprise at least one of a perceived pitch, a perceived beat, a perceived intensity, an envelope, or a base tone, and at least one of selecting or modifying the one or more variable parameters of the transcutaneous vibratory output to augment the treatment modality.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of providing stimulation therapy to a user, the method comprising:
 generating transcutaneous vibratory output comprising one or more variable parameters;   subjecting the user, in conjunction with the transcutaneous vibratory output, to a treatment modality, wherein the one or more variable parameters of the transcutaneous vibratory output comprise at least one of a perceived pitch, a perceived beat, a perceived intensity, an envelope, or a base tone; and   at least one of selecting or modifying the one or more variable parameters of the transcutaneous vibratory output to augment the treatment modality.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment modality comprises at least one of a psychotherapy, a pharmacological therapy, a mindfulness activity, a medical treatment, a hospitalization, a surgery, an inpatient procedure, or a physical therapy. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the treatment modality or the transcutaneous vibratory output is selected to achieve a target state of the user. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating data indicative of a condition of the user with a biometric sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the transcutaneous vibratory output or the treatment modality is based on the data indicative of the condition of the user. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the step of at least one of selecting or modifying the one or more variable parameters of the transcutaneous vibratory output to augment the treatment modality is based on the data indicative of the condition of the user. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, multiplicatively combining a sine wave-shaped envelope generated using the perceived beat with a wave pattern generated using the perceived pitch to produce the transcutaneous vibratory output. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein multiplicatively combining is in accordance with the relationship: [sin(2.0 * π * freq_perceived_pitch * t)] * [sin(π * freq_perceived_beat * t)]. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, concomitantly applying a sensory stimulation. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the sensory stimulation comprises at least one of a visual stimulation, an olfactory stimulation, a sound stimulation, a light stimulation, or a taste experience. 
     
     
         11 . A method of treating a subject comprising:
 providing a treatment modality based on at least one condition or target state of the subject;   concomitantly applying a transcutaneous vibratory output to a portion of a body of the subject; and   selecting or modifying the transcutaneous vibratory output to augment the treatment modality.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the treatment modality comprises at least one of a psychotherapy, a pharmacological therapy, a physical therapy, a medical treatment, a hospitalization, a surgery, an inpatient procedure, or a mindfulness activity. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising, assessing a condition of the subject. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising, selecting at least one of the transcutaneous vibratory output or the treatment modality based on an assessed condition of the subject. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising, selecting a sensory stimulation based on an assessed condition of the subject and concomitantly applying the sensory stimulation to the subject. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the sensory stimulation comprises at least one of a visual stimulation, an olfactory stimulation, a sound stimulation, a light stimulation, or a taste experience. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the transcutaneous vibratory output comprises a perceived pitch and a perceived beat. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the perceived pitch or perceived beat is at least one of selected or modified based on the treatment modality and the target state of the subject. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising, multiplicatively combining a sine wave-shaped envelope generated using the perceived beat with a wave pattern generated using the perceived pitch to produce the transcutaneous vibratory output. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein multiplicatively combining is in accordance with a relationship comprising:
   [sin(2.0*π*freq_perceived_pitch* t )]*[sin(π*freq_perceived_beat* t )].