By NANAMI WATANABE/ Staff Writer
August 19, 2022 at 06:30 JST
Koichi Yamamoto, a development official at Mikasa Inc., poses in Katsuragi, Nara Prefecture, on July 4. (Nanami Watanabe)
KATSURAGI, Nara Prefecture--Nara Medical University has teamed with socks maker and seller Mikasa Inc. to develop gloves designed for patients with Parkinson’s disease and athletes to strengthen the muscles of their fingers.
The handwear is woven in a way that its back side becomes smaller so that the wearer’s fingers are constantly pulled. Donning them will allow users to improve their manual functions unconsciously through daily-life motions.
A team of the university’s researchers had subjects suffering from Parkinson’s disease, marked by muscular rigidity and other conditions, wear the gloves as an experiment for five days. They were then compared with patients who did not wear the gloves.
Though no muscle improvement was reported for those not wearing the handwear, grip strength and other indicators increased among glove wearers. The wearers’ fingers’ ability to pinch objects apparently rose dramatically, in particular.
The longer the patients wore the gloves, the more their muscle strength increased, according to the scientists.
“We were looking to create something to heighten patients’ quality of life,” said Tomoo Mano, an associate professor of rehabilitation medicine at the university, who is part of the team.
Patients normally undergo rehabilitation programs, such as gripping balls and other kinds of training, to regain their hand functions. Such actions are different from those required in daily life.
Wearable training tools are mostly made of metal, so donning them usually makes patients feel uncomfortable, unlike with the gloves.
Based in Yokohama, Mikasa produced the brainchild in its works in Katsuragi. A specialized technology of Shima Seiki Mfg. Ltd. in Wakayama was adopted to make seamless gloves with a wholegarment flat knitting machine.
Mikasa is applying for permission to put the gloves on the market as a Category III medical equipment maker and retailer.
Upgrades are being added. Mikasa is holding discussions with a thread wholesaler to increase the handwear’s air permeability and other features.
“I am deeply impressed that the product I developed is proving helpful for people plagued by illness or injuries,” said Koichi Yamamoto, a Mikasa official involved in the gloves’ creation.
Nobel laureate raises concerns about Japan’s research climate
October 7, 2021
Nobel laureate Yamanaka plans to fully commit to iPS cells work
March 23, 2022
Nobel winner Honjo wins huge settlement with drug giant
November 13, 2021
Nobel laureate Yamanaka to retire as director of iPS cell center
December 8, 2021
Japanese wins Ig Nobel for ‘smartphone zombie’ study
October 28, 2021
New health crisis: Many skip cancer checks over virus fears
February 5, 2021
Visit this page for the latest news on Japan’s battle with the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Cooking experts, chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life.
Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors.
The Asahi Shimbun aims “to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” through its Gender Equality Declaration.
Let’s explore the Japanese capital from the viewpoint of wheelchair users and people with disabilities with Barry Joshua Grisdale.
