Application of otolith function in the development of the rehabilitation device for patients with balance deficits

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24650326
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
• Research Institution: Nara Medical University
• Principal Investigator: WADA Yoshiro 奈良県立医科大学, 医学部, その他 (80240810)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): YAMANAKA Toshiaki 奈良県立医科大学, 耳鼻咽喉科学, 准教授 (90271204)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 人工耳石器 / リハビリテーション / めまい / 平衡障害 / 耳石器 / 傾斜感覚

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We developed the Tilt Perception Adjustment Device (TPAD) as the new rehabilitation device for patients with balance deficits. TPAD provides head tilt information by the vibration stimulus onto bilateral oral angles. The improved TPAD decreases a size and weight, receives power supply from a chargeable dry battery and uses ear hanging type vibrators. We analyzed Head Tilt Perception Gain (HTPG) before and after use of TPAD in healthy subjects and patients with balance deficits to examine the effects of TPAD. Results showed useful properties of TPAD, which reduces HTPG difference between right and left and dizziness with floating sensation.

Free Research Field

耳鼻咽喉科学、前庭生理学