高齢者の視機能とビジュアルトレーニング効果

本研究では高齢者における視機能を調査するとともに, 視機能を向上させるビジュアルトレーニング(VisualTraining: VT)の効果を検討した. 視機能調査の対象は運転免許センター来所者および交通安全講習参加者である高齢者43名, 健常大学生62名とし, 視機能としてKinetic Visual Acuity (KVA), Dynamic Visual Acuity (DVA), Eye/Hand coordination (E/H), Contrast Sensitivity (CS)を測定した. 高齢者に対しては個人的要因を聴取し, 要因有群と無群に分類した. また, デイケア利用高齢者24名をVT実施群(12名)・非VT実施群(12名)に無作為に分類し, KVA, DVA, E/HのVT効果を検討した. その結果, 高齢者の全ての視機能は若年者と比べ有意に低下していた. また, 運転習慣有群は無群に比べ, KVAが有意に高値を示した. VT実施群においては, KVAが有意に改善したが, DVA, E/Hは変化しなかった. 以上の結果から, 加齢に伴い視機能は低下するものの, KVAは運転習慣やVTにより維持・改善されることが示唆された.

The purpose of this study was 1) to evaluate the visual function in elderly people and 2) to examine the effects of visual training on the visual function in elderly people. Forty three elderly subjects and sixty two college students participated in this study and the following visual functions were examined: kinetic visual acuity (KVA), dynamic visual acuity (DVA), eye/hand coordination (E/H), and contrast sensitivity (CS). In addition, elderly subjects were subdivided into two groups according to their individual factors. On the other hand, another twenty four elderly subjects were randomly divided into the visual training and untraining groups. The training group performed KVA, DVA, and E/H trainings three times per week for four weeks. The results showed that all visual functions measured in this study declined with age. KVA in the regular driving group was significantly higher than that in no driving group. In the training group KVA was significantly increased, but DVA and E/H were not significantly changed. Although the visual functions decline with age, the results suggest the possibility that regular driving and/or visual training can improve KVA.