Development of a new gait rehabilitation method based on synergy theory for the older adults

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K11198
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Kansai Medical University (2021-2023); Kobe Gakuin University (2020)
• Principal Investigator: Asai Tsuyoshi 関西医科大学, リハビリテーション学部, 准教授 (50411880)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 三栖 翔吾 甲南女子大学, 看護リハビリテーション学部, 講師 (20824105) ; 福元 喜啓 関西医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (30636121) ; 為井 智也 神戸大学, 数理・データサイエンスセンター, 准教授 (40548434)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 歩行 / 高齢者 / 筋シナジー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study examined the characteristics of walking in older adults with respect to lower limb coordination. Muscle activity during walking was measured using electromyography sensors. The walking conditions were a normal walking condition and a dual-task walking condition in which individuals were asked to walk while performing a calculation. Dual-tasking is a method to assess neurological functions during walking. In the present study, two types of calculations were used: easy and difficult. The results showed that the number of modules: a muscle group composed of a number of muscles that generate lower limb movements, decreased during the difficult calculation task compared to the normal walking condition. These changes occurred before and after the timing of foot placement on the ground. These results suggested that older adults may need training to switch between left and right lower limb movements to adapt the complicated circumastances; e.g. daily life situation.

Free Research Field

リハビリテーション学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の結果から、高齢者の歩行における筋協調性が認知負荷によって影響を受けることが明らかになった。本研究は高齢者における歩行中の神経機能と筋活動の関連性を示す新たな知見を提供し、歩容異常の発生プロセスの理解を深める可能性がある。社会的意義としては、高齢者の安全な歩行を維持するためのより効果的なリハビリテーションや運動療法の設計の一助になると考える。特に、認知負荷の高い状況でも安定した歩行を可能にするための予防的介入や運動プログラムの開発が期待される。