Establishment of new rehabilitation methods to prevent finger motor dysfunction in patient with cervical spondylotic myelopathy

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K19344
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: Date Shota 広島大学, 医系科学研究科(保), 助教 (30866869)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 頚髄症 / ウェアラブルセンサ / 手指 / 定量化 / リハビリテーション / ハンド / 整形外科 / 作業療法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To quantitatively evaluate the impairment of fine motor skills in patients with cervical myelopathy (CM), a small wearable sensor was attached to the fingers to investigate motor parameters during grip and release movements. The results showed that patients with CM showed a decrease in the number of grip and release, a decrease in movement speed, and an increase in the time required to switch between finger flexion and extension compared to healthy subjects. In addition, the results of pre-postoperative evaluation of the grip and release movements of patients with CM showed an increase in the number of grip and releases and speed of movement, but no change in the time required to switch between movements. In conclusion, the characteristics of hand movements in patients with CM were quantitatively clarified, and basic knowledge was obtained for the early detection of disability and proposal of exercise methods to prevent the progression of symptoms.

Free Research Field

リハビリテーション学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では，術前頚髄症患者の手指運動の特徴をウェアラブルセンサを用いて定量化した．また，術前から術後における手指運動機能の経時的変化も評価することが可能となった．これらの結果は，頚髄症患者の手指運動障害の基礎的知見となり，運動の特徴に合わせた運動法の提案やリハビリテーション介入法の開発に貢献できる．