Effectiveness of motion-assist devices for sensorimotor learning in hemiplegic rats

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26350648
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
• Research Institution: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: KANEKO HIDEKAZU 国立研究開発法人産業技術総合研究所, 人間j情報研究部門, 主任研究員 (20356801)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: リハビリ / 学習 / エラー / アシスト / 運動感覚 / フィードバック / 脳損傷 / 片麻痺

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In recent years, rehabilitation techniques using robotic technology-based motion-assist devices have been expected. It is, however, difficult to verify their effectiveness on humans, due to differences in disability level and the level of motivation for training. We developed a rat experimental model able to evaluate the effectiveness of motion-assist devices. The number of days for the rat to learn the correct forepaw (an error rate of less than 15 %) was investigated by varying the timing of intervention and the target forepaw for intervention (on the correct response side or the incorrect response side). The results showed that such intervention influenced learning effectiveness. The learning time frame was less when intervention produced an incorrect motion than when intervention produced a correct motion. We conclude that learning effectiveness can be improved more rapidly when an external force was applied to cause neuronal activities similar to voluntary motion.

Free Research Field

神経科学