shigeo tanabe

Although a posturography is commonly used for objective evaluation of static balance function, dynamic balance function is usually evaluated only with clinical scales. Simplified objective measurement systems for the evaluation of dynamic balance function need to be developed. In this preliminary study, we attempted to develop an index for the objective measurement of dynamic balance function from COP-COG data. The subjects comprised nine hemiparetic post-stroke patients and five healthy subjects. The simultaneous measurements of COG and COP were performed using a three-dimensional motion analysis system (Kinematracer, KisseiComtec, Japan) combined with force plate analysis. As indices for evaluating dynamic balance function, the latency of COP passing COG after heel contact (LCP) and the averaged |COP| -|COG| subtraction value during stance phase (ASV) were calculated. For evaluating validity of the measurement, the Berg Balance Scale, a frequently used clinical balance scale, was used. The results showed significant differences (0.13 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.29 +/- 0.23 s) between the healthy subjects and patients in LCP, and large, yet insignificant, differences (4.3 +/- 0.5 vs. 2.7 +/- 2.0 cm) in ASV. The ASV was strongly correlated with BBS. A strong correlation was observed between COG acceleration and ASV, except in one patient, who had a severe balance disorder. These results may encourage further investigation into the feasibility of COP-COG measurements for balance measurement.

【目的】対麻痺者の歩行再建において歩行補助ロボットWearable Power-Assist Locomotor(WPAL)の有用性を検討する.【対象と方法】軽介助以下の介助量で股継手付き両長下肢装具およびWPALを用いた歩行が可能な対麻痺者12名を対象とした.対象に装具およびWPALを装着し,快適歩行速度で連続歩行時間,連続歩行距離を計測すると同時に,歩行に必要な介助量をFunctional Ambulation Categories(FAC)を用いて評価した.【結果】連続歩行時間は8名,連続歩行距離は11名でWPALを用いた歩行が装具歩行を上回り,有意差を認めた.装具歩行でFACが2(軽く触れる程度の介助)または3(監視)の症例においても,WPALを用いた歩行では全例で4(平地歩行自立)であった.【結論】WPALを用いると装具より長時間・長距離の歩行が可能で,歩行に必要な介助量も少なかった.(著者抄録)