DEVICE FOR INCREASED WELL-BEING AND RELAXATION

Abstract: It is described an invention related to a device for increased well being and relaxation during exposure to electromagnetic irradiation, comprising a back pad (1), seat pad (2) and foot pad (3) wherein the back pad and seat pad are connected by a folding (4) and equipped with handles (5). The device is produced of 100 % natural rubber. The use of the device is also described.

Description: Device for increased well-being and relaxation The present invention relates to a portable assembly for providing increased well-being and relaxation. The assembly comprises a back pad and a seat pad, in addition to a foot pad, wherein all parts are made of 100% rubber. The present invention relates further to use of the assembly. Device for increased well-being and relaxation. Health problems which are connected to exposure to electrical and/or magnetical fields comprise initially of skin conditions such as itching, smarting, stinging pain, hot and burning feeling and the feeling of constrained skin. In some persons the skin may be red or red flamed and some persons may experience other types of skin affections. Symptoms from the eyes, the buccal cavity and throat and more general symptoms such as headache, loss of power, dizziness, concentration problems and pain in muscles and joints are also reported. For most persons the symptoms arise in connections with work in front of a computer screen, but other electrical equipment is also reported to be triggering factors. The initial symptoms are often mild but some persons experience increasingly more symptoms and more serious symptoms and that the symptoms appear in other connections. These health problems often lead to sick-leave and loss of functional capabilities. It is previously known several devices for protections against electromagnetic radiation. EP-A-642.807 shows a device for protections against magnetic fields. The device comprises a square pad including a group of magnetic bands. In the circumference of the device a group of cables creating an oscillatory circuit is placed. No experimental research results are however enclosed showing the efficiency of the device. EP-0627236 A2 relates to a pad, comprising at least two pads hinged together, suitable for use as a sitting pad, sleeping pad and/or foot pad. Each part contains an electromagnetic oscillating circuit. No experimental evidence demonstrating the claimed effect is enclosed. Back pads and seat pads for placing on a chair or on other sitting devices are also previously known. GB-A-2.175.803 relates to a seat pad equipped with projections, and in some of the projections magnets are located. A sitting pad can be arranged on a chair and is claimed to have therapeutic action. The publication does not mention the use of the pad together with a foot pad and neither is it mentioned a use for protection against electromagnetic irradiation. US 4 190918 relates to a hand-carryable folding cushion assembly having two cushions interconnected together by a flexible inner panel and foldable from an extended position to a position where the cushions lie in back-to- back relationship. This cushion assembly represents only a portable multipurpose cushion with possibility to carry articles in a compact and convenient manner, and no protective effect related to electromagnetic irradiation is claimed. There is therefore a need for a pad or pad assembly to be used during work in front of a computer screen or in other electromagnetic irradiation fields wherein the pad or the pad assembly protects against the health related detrimental effects of electromagnetic irradiation, and provides well being and relaxation. Thus the object of the present invention is to provide a device satisfying the above mentioned need. This object is obtained by the present invention characterized by the enclosed claims. When the present invention is used it is obtained a protection against health detrimental electromagnetic irradiation in addition to stress release in the user. This protection against the electromagnetic irradiation and production of stress relaxation may lead to relieve from muscular pain, skin irritation, allergic conditions, and the Metabolic Syndrome. The device according to the invention comprises an assembly of a back pad and a seat pad in addition to a foot pad, where all parts of the assembly are made of 100% natural occurring rubber. The back pad and the seat pad is placed in front of the back and on the seat of the chair respectively and the foot pad located in the front of the chair in such a way that the users body is in close contact with the back pad and the seat pad and the feet are resting directly on the foot pad without using shoes. The pad assembly is meant to be used all the time the person is exposed for electromagnetic irradiation or thereafter. The pad assembly should be used during work in front of a computer screen or in other surroundings wherein there is exposure to electromagnetic irradiation. Use of the pad assembly according to the invention lowers the heart rate, increases the bodily well being of the user, increases the skin temperature indicating increased skin blood flow and the user expresses lesser fatigueness and tension. The invention is in the following explained more detailed by using the figures and examples. These examples are not regarded to be limiting the invention. Figure 1 exhibits the pad assembly according to the invention. The pad assembly consists of a back pad 1 , seat pad 2 and foot pad 3. Figure 2 exhibits a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention consisting of a back pad 1 and seat pad 2 arranged in a transport cover wherein the back pad 1 and seat pad 2 are located with a folding 4 between them which is wide enough to make room for the foot pad 3 when the back pad 1 and seat pad 2 are folded together for transport purposes, and the back pad 1 and seat pad 2 are equipped with handles 5. Figure 3-22 exhibit termographic pictures of one subject taken after exposure to electromagnetical irradiation from a computer screen without using the pad assembly (figure 3-6, and figure 7- 12), and after (figure 13- 16, and figure 17-22) using the pad assembly according to the invention. The pad assembly according to the invention is illustrated in figure 1. The assembly consists of three parts, a back pad 1, a seat pad 2 and a foot pad 3. The seat pad and back pad comprise a unity, with a folding 4. This folding 4 can be combined with the cover of the rubber pads or the connection of the two pads can be arranged by bands of different sizes, wherein the size of the folding 4 must be adequate to provide room for the foot pad 3 when the assembly is folded in the carrying position. In figure 2 a preferred embodiment of the pad assembly according to the invention is illustrated, placed on and in front of the chair in correct position. The same pad assembly is on the right hand side of the figure illustrated in the carrying folded position where in the foot pad 3 is placed between the seat pad 2 and the back pad 1 , and the folding 4 allows exact room for the foot pad. Suitable arranged handles 5 make carrying of the pad assembly easy. In this preferred embodiment the pads and the folding is made of natural occurring fabrics, such as cotton. The invention is however not restricted to comprise a cover. The active principle for providing increased well being and relaxation in the described environments is made of 100% natural occurring rubber, without any additives, a material which surprisingly has shown to have a protective action against electromagnetic irradiation. In addition the material is comfortable to use as a seat pad. All pads in the assembly may or may not be equipped with magnets. As documented in the following examples the use of the pad assembly during work, such as word processing and data registering in front of a computer screen reduced the heart rate, increased the well being and reduced tension pain in the forehead in addition to increased the skin temperature compared to the same exposure without using the pad assembly. Reduction of heart rate and increased skin temperature indicated reduction of the muscular tension level which might be connected to a release of chronic increased level of strain. Chronic strain is recently combined with disorders such as hypertension, which together with hyperlipidemia increase the risk for a condition named Metabolic Syndrome. This syndrome is according to World Health Authority Giudelines a diagnosis which should be made when a patient presents with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes, and at least two of the following; abdominal obesity; hypertension, elevated serum triglycerides, decreased levels of serum HDL-cholesterol, microalbuminuria and insulin resistance. Metabolic Syndrome is recently recognized as a serious clinical condition with significant increased risks of severe cardiovascular events and increased morbidity and mortality. Thus documented effect of the pad assembly according to the invention has further implication in reducing the risk of clinical disorders such as hypertension and Metabolic Syndrome. Furthermore, the examples indicated an effect of the pad assembly according to the invention in reducing or relieving the symptoms of allergic reactions, improved the sleep quality and reduced the symptoms of musculo-skeletal disorders. According to the Norwegian Official Report, No. 20, 1995 (NOU 1995 :20) (Electromagnetic fields and health) so called hypersensitivity for electricity is the designation of a complex of health problems reported by an increasing number of people. Generally the reported symptoms are skin problems with itching, headache, fatigue and dizziness. These symptoms were reported reduced after 30 min. use of the pad assembly according to the invention. In using the pad assembly the seat pad 2 is located on the seat, the back pad 1 is located in front of the back of the chair (Figures 1 and 2) and the foot pad 3 is located on the floor in front of the chair. The subject is placed on the chair with the bottom and back in good contact with the seat pad 2 and back pad 1 respectively. The shoes should be removed from the feet which are maintained in good contact with the foot pad 3 when the assembly is used. The pad assembly should be used during the whole exposure to electromagnetic irradiation, however, positive effects have been reported after using the pad assembly only for 30 minutes. The invention will in the following be explained by the examples. Example 1. This example demonstrates that use of the pad assembly reduced the resting heart rate significantly. The subjects were performing their normal word processing work in front of the computer screen, sitting on the pad according to the invention (active pad) and a placebo pad successively. 16 persons, 4 male and 12 female, average age 39 years were included in the study. None of the subjects used blood pressure medication, and work in front of the computer screen occupied most of the working day for all of them. They all exhibited a resting heart rate of at least 64 beats per minute at the start of the experiment. Each of the subjects used two pad assemblies, the pad assembly according to the invention (active pad) and an identically looking pad assembly which was not produced of 100% natural rubber (placebo pad). The subjects were initially sitting on one of the pad assemblies for 45 minutes and then on the other assembly for 45 minutes. The succession of pad assembly used was decided by drawing lots, and the subjects did not know which pad assembly they used in each case (single blind experiment). Blood pressure and resting heart rate was measured with an automatic blood pressure apparatus immediately before the subjects were placed on the first pad assembly, and after the subjects had been sitting 45 minutes on each pad assembly. The subjects were also asked if they recognized any changes in the body while sitting on the pad assemblies, how clearly they experienced these changes and which pad assembly they thought was the active pad. The results are shown in table 1 and 3. Table 1 demonstrates that the average resting heart rate of the subjects was 80.1 beats per minute at the start of the experiment, 78.3 beats per minute after sitting 45 minutes on the placebo pad and 72.5 after sitting 45 minutes on the active pad. The difference was 5.8 beats per minute when using the active pad, a difference which was statistically significant (p=0.005). Thus the resting heart rate was significally reduced by using the active pad. Table 1. Resting heart rate (beats/min) before and after 45 min. on the pad assembly. As demonstrated in table 2 two of the subjects did not recognize any difference between the pad assemblies, one subject believed the placebo pad was the active pad, while the remaining 13 subjects believed that the pad assembly according to the invention was the active pad. This high percentage of correct hit is not regarded to be incidentally (p=0.002) Table 2 Correct identification of the pad assembly according to the invention. Fifteen subjects reported that they experienced bodily reactions while sitting on the active pad assembly according to the invention, while 1 subject experienced bodily reaction while sitting on the placebo pad. As illustrated in table 3 there was as significant difference (p<0.001) between the experiences of bodily reactions. Table 3 Did you experience any "difference in the body" while sitting on the pad assembly? When they were asked what was the typical difference the active pad was reported to produce a comfortable feeling. Thus the results demonstrate that using the pad assembly according to the invention produced lower resting heart rates during word processing in front of a computer screen, compared to using a placebo pad. Example 2. This example indicates that using the pad assembly according to the invention during word processing work in front of a computer screen reduced symptoms of muscular tension and increased the skin blood flow compared to a situation when no pad assembly was used. Experiments were performed on 4 subjects which developed annoying symptoms after exposure to a computer screen over time. These subjects had complained about pain in the forehead, eyes and neck in addition to increased irritation of the skin. In the experiments the subjects were sitting in front of an active computer screen for approximately 2 hours. All subjects developed the above mentioned symptoms after exposure. Thermographic pictures were then taken of the face/thoracal area and neck/back area into successive sessions. Figures 3- 12 represent thermographic pictures from 1 person taken in the first session (fig. 3-6) and in the second session (figures 7- 12). These pictures demonstrate muscular tension and some tendency to myalgia in addition to irritation around the eyes. The subjects were thereafter sitting on the pad assembly according to the invention in 30 minutes. All 4 persons reported considerable relief of the symptoms after this period. Again thermographic pictures were taken into successive sections demonstrating the clinical relief by using the pad assembly according to the invention. Figure 13- 16 represent the first session and figure 17-22 represent the second session. By comparing the pictures taken before and after using the pad assembly according to the invention it is demonstrated that the skin temperature is higher and more uniform after use of the pad assembly according to the invention. This indicates that the bodily tension is reduced and that the general condition of the patient is better than before. Example 3 This example indicates a relieve of allergic symptoms by using the pad assembly according to the invention. Four of the subjects described in example 1 exhibited symptoms of pollen and cat allergy, mainly in the upper respiratory tract. No one used any allergy medication. All of these subjects reported a relief of the symptoms while in one subject the symptoms disappeared for one week after using the pad assembly in accordance with the invention. Example 4 This example indicates a relief of musculo-skeletal pain by using the pad assembly according to the invention in one subject. One subject described in example 1 experienced chronic low back pain and relief of these symptoms after using the pad assembly according to the invention as described in example 1. This relief lasted for 5 days. Example 5 This example demonstrates better sleep quality by using the pad assembly according to the invention. Ten of the subjects described in example 1 exhibited insomnia characterized by several wake up periods during the night. Ten of these subjects reported uninterrupted sleep all night the night after using the pad assembly according to the invention as described in example 1 , while 1 subject reported several nights with uninterrupted sleep.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Portable assembly for providing increased well being and relaxation characterized in that the pad assembly comprises a back pad (1), seat pad (2) and a foot pad (3), wherein all pads are made of 100% natural rubber, the back pad (1) and the seat pad (2) are connected with a folding (4) which corresponds to the thickness of the foot pad (3) in that when the back pad ( 1 ) and the seat pad (2) are folded up an intermediate space is created wherein the foot pad (3) is placed. 2. Pad assembly according to claim 1 , characterized in that the assembly is equipped with handles (5). 3. Pad assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the back pad (1), seat pad (2) and foot pad (3) are equipped with magnets. 4. Use of the pad assembly according to claim 1 wherein the user secures good contact with the back pad (1) and the seat pad (2) and both feet (without shoes) are placed on the foot pad (3) for at least 30 minutes during work in front of a computer screen. 5. Use according to claim 4 wherein the user is allergic. 6. Use according to claim 4 wherein the user is highly tensed. 7. Use according to claim 4 wherein the user is hypertensive. 8. Use according to claim 4 wherein the user is diagnosed with the Metabolic Syndrome. 9. Use according to claim 4 wherein the user suffers from insomnia. 10. Use according to claim 4 wherein the user is hypersensitive against electricity. 1 1. Use according to claim 4, wherein the user suffers from low back pain.

Inventors: ROMSAAS WENCHE, ROMSAAS, WENCHE
Applicants: CARDIOTEX AS, ROMSAAS WENCHE, ROMSAAS, WENCHE
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A47C7
IPC codes: A47C1, A47C7, A61N1