The characteristics of circadian rhythm of autonomic nervous activity and factors in children with cerebral palsy

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K10931
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 58070:Lifelong developmental nursing-related
• Research Institution: Kwansei Gakuin University
• Principal Investigator: Matsui Gakuyo 関西学院大学, 教育学部, 准教授 (70549211)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 脳性麻痺児 / 概日リズム / 自律神経活動 / 睡眠覚醒リズム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to evaluate circadian rhythm of autonomic nervous activity and factors in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Sympathetic nerve activity was significantly higher for three days including during sleep than typical developmental children (TD). Sympathetic nerve activity was significantly higher in wake time than sleep time, which indicated presence of circadian rhythm of Sympathetic nerve activity. CP and TP had 24 hours cycle of sleep-wake rhythm. Those results suggested that well-regulated lives effected to adjust of circadian rhythm of autonomic nervous system.

Free Research Field

小児保健

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

脳性麻痺児の交感神経活動では覚醒時間帯は亢進し、睡眠時間帯は減退する概日リズムを認めた。また、睡眠覚醒行動の周期性についても24時間周期の概日リズムを示した。今回対象となった子ども達は全員が平日は毎日通園、通学をしており、規則正しい入眠覚醒時刻と生活習慣が概日リズムに形成に影響を与えた可能性がある。一方、自律神経活動と睡眠覚醒行動については定型発達児同様の概日リズムを認めたが、脳性麻痺児では交感神経活動が恒常的に亢進している可能性が示唆された。