A challenge of new quantitative analysis study for body sway using electromagnetic tracker

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24659745
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Otorhinolaryngology
• Research Institution: Akita University
• Principal Investigator: ISHIKAWA Kazuo 秋田大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 教授 (40151336)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): OMI Eigo 秋田大学, 医学部, 講師 (50375242) ; MITOBE Kazutaka 秋田大学, 工学(系)研究科(究院), 教授 (60282159) ; ITASAKA Yoshiaki 秋田大学, 医学部, 助教 (80223072)
• Research Collaborator: OBUCHI Kouki
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 神経耳科学 / モーションキャプチャー / 神経科学 / 足圧中心軌跡 / 前庭障害

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To have better understanding of early diagnosis of vestibular disorder, we have developed a method of measuring body sway by using a 3-dimensional electromagnetic tracker (MoCap) with comparison of force plate (FP).
As a result, the Romberg ratio of the elder and vestibular disorder subjects higher than that of younger subjects. Both inputs of vestibular and somatic sensory functioned efficiently in younger subjects compared to those of elder and vestibular disorder subjects. These implied that not only the vestibular input, but somatic input in elder and vestibular groups also depleted that caused difficulty in maintaining posture. Meanwhile, the enveloped area of elder subjects were significantly increased under eyes-closed condition when measured by MoCap but not FP, we conclude that MoCap is capable to measure changes in different point of the body and it may serve as a better test tool in recording and detecting central and peripheral disorders of individuals.

Free Research Field

神経耳科学