As Japan’s population ages, the demand for home-based rehabilitation is growing, particularly in rural areas where resources are limited. This study examines the clinical effectiveness and feasibility of a telerehabilitation system that uses virtual reality (VR) and multisensory feedback. The system uses visual, auditory, and vibratory stimuli to help people with stroke or age-related motor impairments recover motor function. Three previously developed systems were combined and evaluated through clinical trials involving elderly individuals and people with disabilities. Improvements in joint mobility, movement speed, and balance were observed and supported by clinical assessments and 3D motion analysis. Communication tools such as Skype® and PubNub® enabled effective real-time interaction, confirming the system’s suitability for home use. This study underscores the potential of low-cost information and communications technology (ICT)-based systems to enhance motor learning and daily functioning. While promising, challenges remain in simplifying user interfaces and assessing long-term impact. Future developments aim to incorporate AI and the Internet of Things (IoT), but broader support is needed for widespread adoption. This study examined the effectiveness of a newly developed wedge-type support device for posture retention during therapeutic horseback riding among older adults. Experiments were conducted with both skilled and unskilled riders. Skilled riders were generally able to maintain an appropriate posture even without the device, but their stability further improved when the support was applied. In contrast, unskilled riders initially showed notable postural deviations, but with the use of support, clear improvements in the alignment of the neck, trunk, and lower limbs were observed. In addition, qualitative evaluations revealed favorable ratings for both skilled and unskilled riders, with particularly remarkable improvements in the unskilled group. The usability assessment indicated high overall satisfaction, with skilled riders tending to prefer supports with smaller tilt angles, whereas unskilled riders favored those with greater tilt. These results suggest that the wedge-type support device has the potential to enhance both safety and effectiveness of horseback riding therapy in older adults. The Hokkaido Industrial Research Institute has developed an S-shaped snow shovel to reduce the physical burden of manual snow removal. Through motion analysis and muscle fatigue measurements, the bent-handle shovel was shown to improve posture and reduce muscular strain. Furthermore, usability evaluations demonstrated higher ratings compared to the traditional straight-handle shovel. Based on these findings, the S-handle shovel has been commercialized and is currently available on the market. Falls among the older adults are a leading cause of injury, disability, and loss of independence, with a particularly high incidence occurring in the home. This paper examines the role of barrier-free housing design in fall prevention through a comparative analysis of Japanese and international policies, an investigation of architectural risk factors within residences, and a case study of fall circumstances based on home visit surveys conducted by the Institute of Gerontology (IOG) at the University of Tokyo. It also introduces an augmented reality (AR) application developed collaboratively by researchers from the University of Tokyo, Osaka University, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), and the Nikken Sekkei Research Institute to visualize fall risks. Finally, the paper discusses future directions for interdisciplinary collaboration among architecture, welfare, medicine, and information technology.

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Support at Home and in the Community

  • Yasuhiro Nakajima,
  • Rika Miura,
  • Naomi Esashi,
  • Shujirou Imaeda,
  • Toshio Otsuki,
  • Toshiaki Tanaka

摘要

As Japan’s population ages, the demand for home-based rehabilitation is growing, particularly in rural areas where resources are limited. This study examines the clinical effectiveness and feasibility of a telerehabilitation system that uses virtual reality (VR) and multisensory feedback. The system uses visual, auditory, and vibratory stimuli to help people with stroke or age-related motor impairments recover motor function. Three previously developed systems were combined and evaluated through clinical trials involving elderly individuals and people with disabilities. Improvements in joint mobility, movement speed, and balance were observed and supported by clinical assessments and 3D motion analysis. Communication tools such as Skype® and PubNub® enabled effective real-time interaction, confirming the system’s suitability for home use. This study underscores the potential of low-cost information and communications technology (ICT)-based systems to enhance motor learning and daily functioning. While promising, challenges remain in simplifying user interfaces and assessing long-term impact. Future developments aim to incorporate AI and the Internet of Things (IoT), but broader support is needed for widespread adoption. This study examined the effectiveness of a newly developed wedge-type support device for posture retention during therapeutic horseback riding among older adults. Experiments were conducted with both skilled and unskilled riders. Skilled riders were generally able to maintain an appropriate posture even without the device, but their stability further improved when the support was applied. In contrast, unskilled riders initially showed notable postural deviations, but with the use of support, clear improvements in the alignment of the neck, trunk, and lower limbs were observed. In addition, qualitative evaluations revealed favorable ratings for both skilled and unskilled riders, with particularly remarkable improvements in the unskilled group. The usability assessment indicated high overall satisfaction, with skilled riders tending to prefer supports with smaller tilt angles, whereas unskilled riders favored those with greater tilt. These results suggest that the wedge-type support device has the potential to enhance both safety and effectiveness of horseback riding therapy in older adults. The Hokkaido Industrial Research Institute has developed an S-shaped snow shovel to reduce the physical burden of manual snow removal. Through motion analysis and muscle fatigue measurements, the bent-handle shovel was shown to improve posture and reduce muscular strain. Furthermore, usability evaluations demonstrated higher ratings compared to the traditional straight-handle shovel. Based on these findings, the S-handle shovel has been commercialized and is currently available on the market. Falls among the older adults are a leading cause of injury, disability, and loss of independence, with a particularly high incidence occurring in the home. This paper examines the role of barrier-free housing design in fall prevention through a comparative analysis of Japanese and international policies, an investigation of architectural risk factors within residences, and a case study of fall circumstances based on home visit surveys conducted by the Institute of Gerontology (IOG) at the University of Tokyo. It also introduces an augmented reality (AR) application developed collaboratively by researchers from the University of Tokyo, Osaka University, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), and the Nikken Sekkei Research Institute to visualize fall risks. Finally, the paper discusses future directions for interdisciplinary collaboration among architecture, welfare, medicine, and information technology.