Frontal lobe metabolism analysis using near-infrared spectroscopy, examination of recollection effect of elderly people by autonomic nerve and psychological scale

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K11466
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Fundamental nursing
• Research Institution: Shinshu University
• Principal Investigator: KOBAYASHI Chise 信州大学, 学術研究院保健学系, 准教授 (30262736)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 市川 元基 信州大学, 学術研究院保健学系, 教授 (60223088)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 回想法 / 脳代謝解析 / 自律神経機能 / 心理尺度 / 認知機能低下予防 / 高齢者

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of recollection in the elderly using quantitative evaluation of brain activity, autonomic nervous function, and psychological scale, and to clarify the difference in the effect of recollection stimulation.
It was confirmed that the amount of oxygenated hemoglobin in the frontal lobe increased and the amount of oxygenated hemoglobin decreased when the elderly remembered their childhood. As for the psychological state, it became clear that anxiety, tension, and mood state improved, and it was thought that the mood improved by recollection. It was also clarified that the autonomic nerve function becomes sympathetic dominant by the recollection. A comparison between the two groups of recollection stimuli showed a significant difference in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin in the right frontal lobe during recollection.

Free Research Field

基礎看護学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

65歳以上の高齢者において軽度認知障害を含め認知機能障害を有する人口はさらに増加すると考えられる。認知機能の障害は高齢者の自立に大きく影響するため、軽度の段階からの早期発見・治療により、進行を遅らせることが重要である。
今回2分間の回想により記憶に関連する前頭葉の脳活動が活性化され、交感神経優位となり気分を改善することが明らかになった。昔のことを思い起こす回想は比較的容易に実施できるものであることから、地域在住の高齢者に対して回想法を行うことで認知機能の低下の防止や認知機能を維持することに繋がり、高齢者の健康寿命を延伸させることができるのではないかと考えることができる。