Basic Research on Execution Function Tasks and Development of Fall Screening Devices Using Small Sensors

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19772
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 58080:Gerontological nursing and community health nursing-related
• Research Institution: International University of Health and Welfare
• Principal Investigator: Matsuda Kensuke 国際医療福祉大学, 福岡保健医療学部, 准教授 (40549961)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 実行機能 / 加齢 / 姿勢制御 / 転倒 / 高齢者 / 認知機能

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to investigate the ability of young adult women, older women, and older women at risk of falling to maintain their posture on stable surfaces, unstable surfaces, and unstable surfaces while performing executive function tasks. Postural control was quantitatively assessed using a center-of-gravity sway meter and angular velocity sensors. Compared with younger adults, older adults and at-risk older adults showed decreased executive function and increased postural sway under unstable conditions. The cumulative angles of the hip and knee joints were increased in older adults and at-risk older adults when an executive function task was performed on an unstable surface. These findings provide novel insights into the reduced cognitive work required to compensate for postural　regulation and increased instability and activation of hip strategies for postural maintenance via age-related deficits in executive function.

Free Research Field

リハビリテーション科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、特に高齢者の転倒リスクという観点から加齢、認知機能、姿勢制御の複雑な関係を強調した。不安定条件で実行機能課題を実行した場合、高齢者とリスク高齢者では、股関節と膝関節の累積角度が増加した。これらの知見は、姿勢調節を補う必要な認知プロセスの減少と、加齢に伴う実行機能低下による姿勢維持のための不安定性と股関節戦略の活性化に関する新たな知見を提供した。股関節戦略の増加により転倒リスクも上昇、特に筋肉量減少を伴うリスク高齢者ではその傾向が顕著であった。様々な年齢層と認知的要求に渡る立位姿勢制御戦略の調査により、姿勢不安定性の根底にあるメカニズムと転倒予防への影響に関する貴重な知見を提供した。