Study of the effective methods of microcurrent electrical stimulation for prevention of joint contracture

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K19420
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Prefectural University of Hiroshima
• Principal Investigator: SATO Yuta 県立広島大学, 保健福祉学部(三原キャンパス), 助教 (30819313)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 関節拘縮 / 関節固定 / 電気刺激 / 骨格筋

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to investigate the preventive effect of different methods of applying microcurrent electrical stimulation for joint contracture caused by joint fixation and unweighting hind limbs. In particular, we investigated stimulation methods such as stimulation intensity, stimulation time, and stimulation frequency. The results of this study indicated that microcurrent electrical stimulation has preventive effect for joint contracture caused by joint fixation and unweighting hind limbs.

Free Research Field

理学療法学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

臨床のような非荷重を伴う関節不動により生じる関節拘縮では，関節不動のみで生じる関節拘縮と比較し，骨格筋の伸張性低下が強く生じ，関節拘縮が悪化する．このような関節拘縮では従来のような関節拘縮の予防方法ではかえって悪影響をおよぼす可能性がある．また有効とされる筋収縮を伴う電気刺激も筋疲労が生じることを否定できない．そこで本研究では筋収縮を伴わない微弱電流療法が関節拘縮の予防に与える影響を明らかにすることとした．これにより，最小限の電気刺激条件にて関節拘縮の予防を行うことができる可能性がある．その結果，関節拘縮の治療に要する時間が短縮し，患者の健康寿命の延伸，医療費の削減にも貢献できると考えられる．