Mechanism of Sleep Induction and Facilitation by Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K11545
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59030:Physical education, and physical and health education-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Kishi Akifumi 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科(医学部), 特任講師 (70748946)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 睡眠 / 非侵襲的脳刺激

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to determine whether galvanic vestibular stimulation has an effect on sleep onset and facilitation. Sleep was evaluated by polysomnographic recordings consisting of electroencephalography, electrooculography, and electromyography. The experiment was designed so that after the acclimation condition, the Stimulation and Sham conditions were performed in random order. Data analysis suggested that current stimulation of appropriate intensity to the vestibular systems had a sleep induction and facilitation effect in healthy young adults. In addition to these studies, we proposed a conceptual model of sleep dynamics in humans as a basis for sleep manipulation research using noninvasive brain stimulation and quantification of individual differences in sleep dynamics.

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Free Research Field

睡眠科学、教育生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究で得られた成果は、睡眠覚醒に関わる脳ダイナミクスの制御が可能であることを示唆するとともに、良質な睡眠の獲得に資する新たな技術開発につながる点で学術的・社会的意義を有するものと考えられる。