Position sense assistance band

Abstract

This position sense assistance band is formed of a stretchable material and is attached to a human body in order to assist the sense of position. The position sense assistance band is characterized by comprising a band body 11 that is a region in which stretchability is maintained, and a reduced-stretchability part 12 that is a region in which stretchability is reduced, the stretching force needed to extend the reduced-stretchability part 12 being at least two times the stretching force needed to extend the band body 11.

Description

Position sense support band

[0001] The present invention relates to a band that is worn on the body to aid in positional awareness.

[0002] Various efforts have been made to increase the range of motion of the body. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a specially shaped taping tape that is applied directly to joints to improve joint movement. Also, Patent Document 2 discloses clothing that has arched stitching around the joints to allow smooth movement of the skin surface and increase the range of motion.

[0003] JP 2017-18247 A International Publication No. 2012 / 140754 A

[0004] However, the taping tape of Patent Document 1 requires that the tape be applied to each joint, which can be difficult to apply by oneself depending on the location of the joint. In addition, the tape is applied to the skin using an adhesive, which can cause skin irritation.

[0005] Furthermore, the garment of Patent Document 2 requires arch-shaped stitching at each location where an increased range of motion is desired, which makes the processing complicated and time-consuming to manufacture.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a position sense assistance band as a body motion range extension device that can be easily manufactured without much effort, is easy to wear, and can expand the body's range of motion.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the position sense assistance band of the present invention is a position sense assistance band made of an elastic material and worn on the human body to assist position sense, and is characterized in that it comprises a band main body which is an area where elasticity is maintained and a reduced elasticity section which is an area where elasticity is reduced, and the extension force required to stretch the reduced elasticity section is more than twice the extension force required to stretch the band main body.

[0008] Here, it is preferable that the band main body and the reduced elasticity portion are constructed by bonding two layers of elastic fabric together, and that the application area ratio of the adhesive that bonds the fabrics together is higher in the reduced elasticity portion than in the band main body.

[0009] The reduced elasticity portion may be configured by overlaying a material having less elasticity than the band main body on the band main body.

[0010] Furthermore, the reduced elasticity portion may be configured with a knitting structure different from that of the band body, thereby adjusting the elongation force in the reduced elasticity portion.

[0011] Furthermore, it is preferable to further provide an identifier that indicates that the portion has reduced elasticity.

[0012] In addition, the band body and the reduced elasticity portions may each be provided in multiple pieces, the band body and the reduced elasticity portions may be arranged alternately, and a pair of reduced elasticity portions may be arranged in opposing positions when formed into a ring shape.

[0013] Furthermore, among the multiple reduced elasticity sections, a second reduced elasticity section may be provided which is an area with further reduced elasticity, and when formed into a ring shape, a pair of second reduced elasticity sections may be positioned opposite each other.

[0014] The position sense assist band according to the present invention makes it easier to recognize the position of the place where it is worn, thereby increasing the range of motion of the body.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a position sense assistance band according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the position sense assistance band. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the position sense assistance band is worn. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the test results of a finger-to-nose test. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the test results of a cervical rotation angle. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the test results of standing body forward bending. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the test results of standing body forward bending. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the test contents of a shoulder external rotation range of motion. FIG. 9 is a graph showing the test results of a shoulder external rotation range of motion. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the test results of a hip flexion muscle strength.

[0016] The position sense assist band according to the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0017] The position sense assistance band according to the embodiment of the present invention is a stretchy, circular band that is worn on the head or on the upper arms or thighs, which are parts of the limbs that are closer to the torso. By wearing this position sense assistance band, the range of motion of the body can be easily expanded.

[0018] The position sense assistance band is characterized by being stretchable, but by providing a region of reduced stretchability in part of the annular band and attaching it to the head, upper arm, thigh, chest, etc., the range of motion of the body can be further expanded compared to bands with uniform stretchability.

[0019] Wearing a circular band makes it easier to recognize the position of the area where it is worn, which in turn allows for a wider range of motion. Also, wearing a circular band with a reduced elasticity area makes it even easier to recognize the position of the area where it is worn, which in turn allows for a wider range of motion.

[0020] Humans have position sense (body sensation or body awareness), which is the sense that allows us to recognize where our bodies are and what posture we are in. Position sense allows us to recognize where our bodies are and what posture we are in based on information from muscles, tendons, joint capsules, skin, etc. This position sense provides the brain with the bodily information necessary for movement, and is an essential sense for movement. For example, people with brain diseases, such as stroke patients, have impaired position sense, which makes it difficult for them to move well.

[0021] The position sense assistance band is an elastic, circular band that is worn on the head or a part of the body, such as the upper arm or thigh, which is a part of the limb closest to the torso.By applying some kind of stimulation (in this case, an uncomfortable feeling caused by pressure) to the area where the band is worn, it assists position sense and allows the brain to recognize the position and orientation of the part of the body where the band is worn.

[0022] Furthermore, by providing a portion of the annular band with reduced elasticity that makes it difficult to stretch, and by wearing a band that is characterized by being stretchable, some kind of stimulation is given to a portion of the area where it is worn, making it possible to clearly recognize positional sense in a narrower area.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a position sense assistance band according to this embodiment.

[0024] The position sense assistance band 1 is an annular band made entirely of an elastic material, and is composed of a band main body 11 and a reduced elasticity portion 12. The band main body 11 is an area made of an elastic material, i.e., an area where elasticity is maintained, and the reduced elasticity portion 12 is an area configured to have lower elasticity than the band main body 11. The position sense assistance band 1 is arranged so that the band main body 11 and the reduced elasticity portion 12 appear alternately in multiple locations. Figure 1 shows an example of an annular position sense assistance band 1 in which pairs of band main bodies 11 are arranged facing each other and pairs of reduced elasticity portions 12 are arranged facing each other.

[0025] The stretchable material constituting the band body 11 may be, for example, a stretchable fabric, such as a stretchable tape or a band-shaped rubber. The stretchable material has extensibility (ease of stretching the material) in both the length and width directions. For example, a fabric having a test piece width of 2.5 cm and a stretchability of 150% in the length direction and 110% in the width direction under a load of 1.5 kg can be used. Note that 150% here refers to the stretched portion being 150% of its original length, which is 2.5 times the overall length of the band body 11.

[0026] The elasticity of the reduced elasticity portion 12 is reduced by reducing the extensibility of the reduced elasticity portion 12 compared to the band body 11. Here, the extensibility of the reduced elasticity portion 12 is reduced so that the extension force of the reduced elasticity portion 12 (the force required to extend the reduced elasticity portion 12) is at least twice the extension force of the band body 11 (the force required to extend the band body 11). Several methods can be considered for reducing the extensibility of the reduced elasticity portion 12, that is, for making the reduced elasticity portion 12 less likely to stretch than the band body 11.

[0027] For example, if the position sense assistance band 1 is constructed by bonding two pieces of fabric together, the proportion of adhesive applied to bond the fabrics together (adhesive application area ratio) can be made low in the area that constitutes the band main body 11 and high in the area that constitutes the reduced elasticity portion 12. In other words, the density of the adhesive areas between the fabrics in the band main body 11 is reduced to ensure stretchability without inhibiting the stretch of the fabric, while the density of the adhesive areas in the reduced elasticity portion 12 is increased to restrict the stretch of the fabric and make it less likely to stretch. In this way, the band main body 11 and the reduced elasticity portion 12 can be constructed by varying the density of the adhesive areas.

[0028] In addition, the stretchability and stretching force of the reduced elasticity portion 12 can be adjusted by differentiating the knitting structure of the band body 11 from the knitting structure of the reduced elasticity portion 12. In other words, the band body 11 and the reduced elasticity portion 12 may be configured to be less stretchable by changing the knitting structure of each.

[0029] Alternatively, the reduced elasticity portion 12 may be formed by overlapping more layers of fabric than the band body 11, such as by forming the reduced elasticity portion 12 with a double or triple layer of fabric. When using double or triple layers of fabric, the fabrics may be overlapped by bonding or sewing, and the overlapping fabrics may be the same or different fabrics.

[0030] The material to be attached to the area where the reduced elasticity portion 12 is formed to reduce the extensibility can be a fabric with the same elasticity as the band body 11, or a tape, strip-shaped rubber, or film with the same degree of elasticity. Also, a material with less elasticity than the band body 11 or a non-elastic material can be used.

[0031] The size of the region of the reduced elasticity portion 12 in the position sense auxiliary band 1 preferably varies depending on the part of the body where the position sense auxiliary band 1 is worn, but is preferably approximately 10 to 20% of the circumference of the position sense auxiliary band 1. For example, if the circumference of the position sense auxiliary band 1 is 40 cm, the region is preferably approximately 3 to 7 cm in length. Furthermore, the width direction is preferably approximately 30 to 100% of the width of the position sense auxiliary band 1. For example, if the width of the position sense auxiliary band 1 is 3 cm, the width is preferably approximately 1 to 3 cm. Of course, the circumference and width of the position sense auxiliary band 1 vary depending on the part of the body where the band is used and the body shape of the wearer. For example, a position sense auxiliary band 1 used on the upper arm or the like should be 2.5 cm wide, and a position sense auxiliary band used on the chest should be 5 cm wide.

[0032] In addition, the resistance to stretch of the reduced elasticity portion 12 may be adjusted by adjusting the size (perimeter or width) of the area of ​​the reduced elasticity portion 12 in the position sense assistance band 1.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the position sense assistance band.

[0034] The position sense assistance band 2 includes a reduced elasticity portion 22 and a second reduced elasticity portion 23, which are portions that are less stretchable than the band main body 21. The reduced elasticity portion 22 and the second reduced elasticity portion 23 have different stretchability, such as the second reduced elasticity portion 23 being less stretchable than the reduced elasticity portion 22. Methods for making the second reduced elasticity portion 23 less stretchable than the reduced elasticity portion 22 include changing the density of the bonding points or the knitting structure, increasing the number of overlapping fabric layers, and adjusting the size of the area of ​​the reduced elasticity portion 23, as described above. Considering the effort and cost involved in manufacturing, it is preferable to create a difference in stretchability between the reduced elasticity portion 22 and the second reduced elasticity portion 23 by adjusting the area of ​​the reduced elasticity portion 23 by making the circumference or width of the reduced elasticity portion 23 larger than that of the reduced elasticity portion 22.

[0035] The position sense assistance band 1 configured in this manner is used, for example, by being worn on the head as a head band. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the position sense assistance band worn on the head. As shown in FIG. 3, when the position sense assistance band 1 is worn on the head, the reduced elasticity portions 12, which are areas where stretchability has been reduced by reducing extensibility, are positioned on the front and back sides of the head. This allows the wearer of the position sense assistance band 1 to more easily recognize their position sense and increase their range of motion. In this case, it is preferable to attach an identifier indicating that the reduced elasticity portion 12 is a reduced elasticity portion 12 so that the wearer can recognize the position of the reduced elasticity portion 12 on the position sense assistance band 1. The identifier may be a symbol or a different color for the fabric of the corresponding portion.

[0036] Examples will be described below.

[0037] The accuracy of position sense can be checked with a test called the finger-nose test. The finger-nose test checks whether a person can accurately touch their nose with their index finger while their eyes are closed and their arms are in a horizontal position with their elbows extended. Being able to touch accurately indicates that they have an accurate grasp of their own body. This is done from three directions: right, front, and left, and accuracy is indicated by the number of times they can accurately touch the tip of their nose. Closing their eyes measures their ability to recognize where their body is in space without relying on vision, in other words, their position sense.

[0038] This finger-nose test was carried out for the following Examples 1, 2 and Comparative Example 1, and the position sense was evaluated in each case.

[0039] In Example 1, a head-worn position sense support band was created by adhesively bonding two pieces of two-way fabric with a longitudinal stretch of 150% and a transverse stretch of 110% under a 1.5 kg load. The adhesive was applied in dots approximately 2 mm in diameter. The adhesive was applied to a 58% area in the area where stretch was reduced (reduced stretch area), while the remaining area (band body) had a 14% area applied in the center and a 40% area applied at the fabric edges to prevent peeling. The band circumference was 40 cm, and the reduced stretch area was 5 cm long. The band width was 3 cm. Two reduced stretch areas were created on the position sense support band, facing each other. The force (stretching force) required to stretch the reduced stretch area 50% was 3,447 gf, while the stretching force of the other areas was 995 gf, making the reduced stretch area approximately 3.5 times stronger than the other areas. In Example 1, the stretching force required to stretch the area with reduced elasticity (reduced elasticity portion) is approximately 3.5 times the stretching force required to stretch the other portion (band body), but experiments have confirmed the effect even when the difference is two times.

[0040] The created head position sense assistance band was worn so that the reduced elasticity parts were positioned in front and behind the head, and a finger-to-nose test was performed.

[0041] Example 2 is similar to Example 1 in most respects, except that the position sense assistance band is divided into four equal parts and reduced elasticity portions are created in four locations on the front, back, left and right sides.

[0042] The created head position sense assistance band was worn so that the reduced elasticity parts were positioned at the front, back, left and right of the head, and a finger-to-nose test was performed.

[0043] As a comparative example 1, a finger-to-nose test was carried out without wearing anything on the head.

[0044] The results of the finger-nose test are shown in Figure 4 and Table 1.

[0045]

[0046] Sixteen subjects participated in the finger-nose test. As shown in Figure 4, when the head position sense assistance band was worn, the number of correct answers was significantly higher in both Example 1 and Example 2 than in Comparative Example 1, where nothing was worn on the head. This indicates that wearing a head position sense assistance band with a low-elasticity area makes it easier to recognize the position sense of the head. Looking at the results for each subject shown in Table 1, Subjects D, L, M, and N scored 0 or 1 when nothing was worn on the head, indicating very poor position sense. However, they commented that wearing the head position sense assistance bands of Examples 1 and 2 made it easier to understand the position of their head and to visualize the position of the tip of their nose. This also demonstrates the effectiveness of wearing a head position sense assistance band.

[0047] Wearing a head position sense support band makes it easier to understand head position sense. The second test will show how this affects movement.

[0048] The second test was a cervical rotation angle test, in which the range of motion of the head rotating to the right (turning the face to the right: kinematically, this is called right cervical rotation) was measured with the subject in a seated position with the trunk fixed. In the cervical rotation angle test, the position facing forward was defined as 0 degrees, and the position facing straight to the side was defined as 90 degrees.

[0049] In addition to Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 in the finger-nose test described above, as Comparative Example 2, a commercially available sweatband with the same strength around its entire circumference was worn.

[0050] The test was carried out in the order of Comparative Example 1, Example 1, Comparative Example 2, and Comparative Example 1.

[0051] To demonstrate that there is no influence of bias in the trial order, one last test is conducted on Comparative Example 1. The last Comparative Example 1 is referred to as Comparative Example 1 (second time).

[0052] FIG. 5 is a graph showing the test results of the cervical rotation angle.

[0053] Nine subjects participated. Both Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 showed significantly increased cervical rotation angles compared to Comparative Example 1, which was unattached. This proves that wearing a band-like device on the head makes position sense easier to understand and facilitates exercise. This suggests that being able to recognize the position of the head during exercise allows the subject to move their body with confidence. Because exercise is performed while constantly receiving sensory feedback, it is believed that head stimulation expanded the range of head movement. However, the statistical value (the degree of difference between Comparative Example 1 (not worn) and Examples 1 and 2) was 5.72 for Example 1 and 3.99 for Comparative Example 2, significantly greater for Example 1, indicating that Example 1 was more effective. This suggests that varying the intensity of sensory stimulation to stimulate position sense is more effective than constant stimulation.

[0054] Furthermore, taking into consideration the bias of the measurement order, Example 1 showed a significantly higher value when compared with the results of Comparative Example 1 "not worn" (second measurement). The commercially available head sweatband of Comparative Example 2 tended to be higher than "not worn" (second measurement), but the difference was not significant. This also shows that Example 1 of the present invention is effective when worn, and is more effective than commercially available products.

[0055] Next, a third test was conducted to demonstrate the effect of wearing the head position sense support band on whole-body movements including the head, rather than just the movement of the head itself. The exercise task in the third test was forward bending in a standing position. Forward bending in a standing position involves the head facing forward and then moving towards the feet, which causes a large change in head position. For this reason, it is thought that head position sense has a significant effect on the movement.

[0056] The test was carried out in the order of Comparative Example 1, Example 1, Comparative Example 2, and Comparative Example 1.

[0057] To demonstrate that there is no influence of bias in the trial order, one last test is conducted on Comparative Example 1. The last Comparative Example 1 is referred to as Comparative Example 1 (second time).

[0058] FIG. 6 is a graph showing the test results of standing forward bending.

[0059] The position of the sole of the foot was set to 0, and the direction below the sole of the foot was set to positive.

[0060] In both Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, the amount of forward bending was significantly increased compared to Comparative Example 1, where the device was not worn. In exercise where the head moves significantly, awareness of head position becomes more important. It is thought that the amount of exercise increased because it became easier to recognize the position of the head. However, the statistical value (the degree of difference between Comparative Example 1, "not worn," and Examples 1 and 2) was 5.93 for Example 1 and 3.56 for Comparative Example 2, indicating that Example 1 had a significantly greater effect.

[0061] Furthermore, compared with the results of the second measurement of Comparative Example 1, Example 1 showed significantly higher values. Comparative Example 2 tended to show higher values ​​than Comparative Example 1 at the second measurement, but the difference was not significant. From this, it can be said that Example 1 of the present invention is effective when worn, and is more effective than Comparative Example 2, which has uniform elongation.

[0062] Tests conducted so far have proven that position sense assistance bands with two or four reduced elasticity areas are more effective in assisting position sense and increasing the range of motion of the body than bands with no reduced elasticity areas at all, but tests involving forward bending in a standing position have shown that a similar effect can be achieved even when there is only one reduced elasticity area.

[0063] 7 shows the test results for standing forward bending. Example 3 is similar to Examples 1 and 2 in that the position sense assistance band had only one reduced elasticity portion, and the test was conducted by wearing the band on the head so that the reduced elasticity portion was located on the forehead.

[0064] Example 4 had the same configuration as Example 3, and the test was carried out by wearing the head so that the reduced elasticity portion was located at the back of the head.

[0065] As shown in Figure 7, the body bends better in Examples 3, 4, and 2 than in Comparative Example 1. The value for Comparative Example 1 in Figure 6 is 5 cm. Expressed numerically in accordance with Figure 6, the values ​​for Example 3 in Figure 7 are 10.9 cm, Example 4 is 8.1 cm, and Example 2 is 8.8 cm. Example 3 shows better results than Example 2, but Example 4 shows slightly worse results than Example 2. Our testing results show that there are more appropriate locations for the reduced-elasticity areas depending on the direction of body movement. To sharpen position sense, it is preferable to wear the position sense support band so that the reduced-elasticity areas are positioned to compress the appropriate areas. However, in actual exercise situations, since the body moves in various directions, it is preferable to wear a band with two or four reduced-elasticity areas, as in Examples 1 and 2. However, for training, the effect is maximized when using a band with a single reduced-elasticity area, as in Examples 3 and 4.

[0066] Tests were also conducted on the position sense assistance band when worn on different parts of the body.

[0067] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the test contents of the shoulder external rotation range of motion.

[0068] In the test for the range of motion of the shoulder external rotation, the position sense assist band of Example 5 was attached to the vicinity of the upper arm, the arm was bent 90 degrees, and the forearm and upper arm were horizontal to the ground. From this state, the forearm was rotated upward, and the maximum rotation angle was measured. Example 5 is generally the same as Example 2, except that the length of the band was 22 cm.

[0069] 9 is a graph showing the test results of the range of motion of the shoulder external rotation. As shown in Fig. 9, when no band was worn, the range of motion was 119.3 degrees, and when the position sense assist band of Example 5 was worn near the upper arm, the range of motion was 123.8 degrees.

[0070] By wearing the position sense assistance band of Example 5 near the upper arm, partial pressure is generated in the upper arm, making it easier to be aware of the pressure, and it is thought that this allows the range of motion of the arm to be used to the fullest.

[0071] As Example 6, a position sense assist band was created with the same configuration as Example 2, except that the band width was 5 cm. It was attached to the proximal thigh and a test was conducted to measure hip flexion muscle strength.

[0072] FIG. 10 is a graph showing the test results of hip flexion strength.

[0073] The hip flexion strength when no band was worn was 202.3 N·m, and when the position sense support band of Example 6 was worn, the hip flexion strength was 222.8 N·m, indicating that the thighs were able to move better.

[0074] The position sense assistance band according to the present invention has been described above based on an embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this. Various design modifications are possible as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved and the gist of the invention is not deviated from, and all of these are included within the scope of the present invention.

[0075] For example, in the above embodiment, the position sense assistance band was described as a circular band, but it does not have to be circular. For example, it may be a linear tape with hook-and-loop fasteners attached to both ends, and the hook-and-loop fasteners may be bonded together to form a circular shape when worn. In this case, the bonded portion of the hook-and-loop fastener may function as the elasticity-reducing portion.

[0076] The position sense assistance band according to the present invention is suitable as a body motion range extension device for increasing the range of body motion.

[0077] 1, 2 Position sense assistance band 11, 21 Band body 12, 22 Reduced elasticity portion 23 Second reduced elasticity portion

Claims

1. A position sense assistance band made of elastic material and worn on the human body to assist position sense, comprising a band main body which is an area where elasticity is maintained, and a reduced elasticity section which is an area where elasticity is reduced, wherein the stretching force required to stretch the reduced elasticity section is at least twice as great as the stretching force required to stretch the band main body.

2. The position sense assistance band described in claim 1, wherein the band body and the reduced elasticity section are constructed by bonding two layers of elastic fabric together, and the adhesive that bonds the fabrics together has a higher application area ratio in the reduced elasticity section than in the band body.

3. A position sense assistance band as described in claim 1, characterized in that the less elastic portion is constructed by layering a material less elastic than the band body onto the band body.

4. A position sense assistance band as described in claim 1, characterized in that the less elastic part is constructed with a knitting structure different from that of the band body, thereby adjusting the stretching force in the less elastic part.

5. A position sense assistance band as described in claim 1, further comprising an identifier indicating that the elasticity is reduced.

6. A position sense assistance band as described in claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of said band bodies and said reduced elasticity sections are provided, said band bodies and said reduced elasticity sections are arranged alternately, and when formed into a ring shape, a pair of reduced elasticity sections are arranged in opposing positions.

7. A position sense assistance band as described in claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a second reduced elasticity section, which is an area with further reduced elasticity among the multiple reduced elasticity sections, and when formed into a ring shape, a pair of second reduced elasticity sections are positioned in opposing positions.

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