Development of a multi-sensory stimulation therapy device for the realization of tailor-made neurorehabilitation

The brain and the body are inextricably linked and therefore inevitably impact on one another. Despite this, medical treatments tend to separate the mental and the physical. Professor Takayuki Kodama, Kyoto Tachibana University, Japan, is a neurophysiological researcher who believes that it is important to understand what is occurring in the brain at a structural and mental level in order to effectively treat conditions. His research is geared towards improving recovery and quality of life for people with brain dysfunction, including those who have been involved in serious accidents or surgery, as well as the ageing population. Specifically, he is shedding light on the neurophysiology behind brain dysfunction and the process of physical therapy in order to improve the effectiveness of treatments. At the Kodama lab, researchers are combining the latest understanding of brain activity with new virtual and augmented reality in the quest to develop innovative new treatments. A key focus for the lab is better understanding the link between mental and physical health. The researchers will utlise this knowledge to assist people with brain dysfunction with their recovery - both physical and mental. At present, Kodama and the team are engaged in a deep exploration of the relationship between the degree of detailed sensorimotor dysfunction and the ability to generate body movements. They will apply this to the development of an optimised tailor-made rehabilitation system that matches the disorders of sensorimotor function and body representation.