| Project/Area Number |
18500439
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Research Field |
Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
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| Research Institution | Hokkaido Tokai University |
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Principal Investigator |
IZUMI Takashi Hokkaido Tokai University, School of Engineering, Professor (80193374)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
TANAKA Toshiaki Sapporo City University, School of Design, Professor (40248670)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2006 – 2007
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| Project Status |
Completed (Fiscal Year 2007)
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| Budget Amount *help |
¥3,930,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000)
Fiscal Year 2007: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000)
Fiscal Year 2006: ¥2,500,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,500,000)
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| Keywords | vibrotactile sensation / sensory feedback / fall-prevention / balance training / perturbation of center of gravity / postural sway analysis |
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| Research Abstract |
A postural training system aimed at fall-prevention of elderly people is proposed. A forte platform is combined with small vibration motors that convey vibrotactile information on the body sway to a user of the system. Basic studies are accomplished on how to get useful information from the recent postural sway data that tells the user of the direction and the extent of the ensuing movement to maintain postural stability.
Six specific topics of the study are argued. (1) A body movement measuring device and a force platform are combined to examine correlation aspect between postural sway and center of pressure. (2) A new software is developed for a user to do the balance training using vibrotactile cues. (3) Multiple vibrators are introduced to elicit moving images on the waist girdle or on the sole of the foot. Users can make active movements with the help of the moving images. (4) A practical procedure to put on the measuring device is determined. (5) A practical procedure to show information to users in the context of their clinical situation is proposed. (6) A new balance training method is introduced in the field of physical therapy.
Two remaining questions am also described. (a) Postural stability evaluation while walking should be confirmed. (b) Information transmission using vibrotactile sensation is subject to apply to various fields of rehabilitation. We continue research activities to elucidate those problems.
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