The effects of mechanical tactile stimulation on somatosensory cortex excitability

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K13074
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
• Research Institution: Niigata University of Health and Welfare
• Principal Investigator: Kojima Sho 新潟医療福祉大学, リハビリテーション学部, 助教 (10780330)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 機械的触覚刺激 / 脳磁図 / 体性感覚野 / 感覚機能

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We investigated the effects of MS intervention on somatosensory evoked magnetic fields (SEF), indicating somatosensory cortex excitability. This study was including 15 healthy subjects. Two types of MS interventions were used: simple MS intervention stimulated the finger using 24 pins installed in the finger pad; and complex MS intervention stimulated the finger by moving a row of 6 pins between the left and right sides on the finger pad. MS interventions were applied for 20 min to the right index finger. SEF was measured and compared before and after MS intervention. After the simple intervention, P50m of SEF by MS were observed to be significantly larger than pre-intervention. After the complex intervention, P50m were significantly smaller than pre-intervention. Our results demonstrate that MS intervention can modulate somatosensory cortex excitability and that the effects of MS intervention are related to MS patterns.

Free Research Field

神経生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は，反復的に指先を刺激すると感覚機能を担う大脳皮質領域（体性感覚野）の興奮性を変動させ，さらに，その変動は，指先刺激のパターンに依存することを明らかにした．指先刺激は，これまでリハビリテーションで用いられてきた電気刺激に比べ，安全かつ簡便であり，使用に制限が少ない．この手法を用いて，脳卒中患者などの感覚障害を改善することができれば，リハビリテーションの新たな手法として活用できると考えられる．本研究は，その可能性を示したものであり，今後さらに検討を進めることで，有効な介入手法となりうると考えている．