Profile

Purpose

The Research Institute was established in 1984 as the central institute devoted to the research and development of rehabilitation techniques in Japan. It is a unique interdisciplinary, mission oriented institute focusing on medicine, engineering, sociology, and psychology. The activities of the institute are closely related to the rehabilitation services provided by the center and the results are tested, evaluated at other branches and transferred to them. Currently the emphasis is on the development of evaluation methodologies, assistive technology and new equipment, and an efficient delivery system to meet the diverse demands of the disabled. Basic research relevant to these aims is also conducted.

History

      1979  Establishment of National Rehabilitation Center for the Disabled
      1984  Starting
                (3 Research Departments and Department of Prosthetics & Orthotics)
      1986  Establishment of Research Institute
                (5 Departments and Department of Prosthetics & Orthotics)

Organization

• Director of Research Institute
  Planning Manager
  Department of Rehabilitation for Brain Functions
  Department of Motor Dysfunction
  Department of Rehabilitation for Sensory Functions
  Department of Assistive Technology
  Department of Rehabilitation Engineering
  Department of Rehabilitation Sociology & Psychology
  Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics
  

Activities

• Purpose-oriented, interdisciplinary research based on medical,
  　engineering, sociological, and psychological sciences
  Extensive research for the promotion of rehabilitation of the
  　disabled by answering such requests as seriousness and
  　diversity of the patients
  Research on the training methods based on the extent of
  　disabilities and on the compensation methods based on disabled
  　functions
  Research on the evaluation method from the viewpoint of
  　usefulness and efficient orthotic, prosthetic tools
  Research and development of welfare equipment
  Realization of organic reunification by the feedback answer
  　toward the requests of rehabilitation training center, hospital,
  　and rehabilitation college
  Daily research activities by making living with disabled patients
  　in the center
  Pragmatic, interdisciplinary activities toward "research institute
  　opened to the disabled"