パンツ型おむつ履き上げ動作が高齢者の静的および動的姿勢制御に及ぼす影響

抄録

Postural balance is maintained by integrating various modes of sensory input, and creating a suitable combination of motor responses to control the position of the center of mass. This study examined the influence of diapers on static and dynamic postural control in the elderly by measuring body sway while standing and wearing diapers. On a force platform, body sway was recorded while standing for thirty seconds with eyes open and closed, and during movement while wearing a diaper, and while standing with eyes open after wearing a diaper for twenty seconds. Subjects wore 5 different diaper samples with different degrees of abdominal contractibility affecting wearing ease, or underwear. Subjective evaluation of each diaper was also noted. There was no difference between young and elderly groups in total length of body sway (LNG) and enveloped area of body sway (ENV) while standing with eyes open and closed. However, LNG and ENV during movement while wearing diapers were significantly larger in the elderly than in the young. On Pearson's analysis, changes in wearing ease correlated significantly with changes in LNG and ENV in both the young and elderly groups. Negative correlations were prominent in the elderly. Furthermore, changes in LNG during upright stance after wearing diapers correlated with changes in wearing ease in the elderly group only. These findings suggest that young and elderly people have similar abilities to maintain postural control under static conditions, but the elderly lose balance more easily while performing routine tasks. [J Physiol Sci. 2008;58 Suppl:S194]