2024 Volume 61 Issue 1 Pages 51-55
Osteoporosis, frequent urination, and dysphagia, which are increased in the late elderly, are associated with a decline in the level of activities of daily living. Analysis, evaluation, and control of the autonomic nervous system functions that support daily living will lead to development of effective tools to maintain the health of the elderly. We have been studying the mechanisms of somato-autonomic reflexes associated with activities of daily living. We have found that gentle stimulation of the skin, contraction of skeletal muscles, and mechanical stimulation of pharyngeal mucosa, modulates autonomic nervous system activity via somatosensory nerves, thereby modulating cardiovascular, endocrine, and skeletal muscle functions. In this paper, we would like to introduce our recent findings on somato-autonomic reflex mechanisms and discuss their application to the medical and nursing care of the elderly.
