Japanese Students Develop Device to Measure Orthostatic Dysregulation Symptoms

Graduate students at Nagoya University in Japan have created a device to easily measure symptoms of orthostatic dysregulation. This disorder is prevalent among children and causes physical difficulties when getting up in the morning and dizziness upon standing. The team hopes the device will assist those affected in clearly communicating their symptoms, especially when needing to miss classes due to their condition.

The disorder is more common during adolescence. According to the Japanese Society of Psychosomatic Pediatrics, approximately 10 percent of junior high school students, including those with mild symptoms, are affected.

The cane-like device, named the OD Checker, allows patients to measure the severity of their symptoms at home. It presents the results in a clear manner, similar to how a thermometer displays body temperature. The device uses a sensor attached to a patient's finger to measure heart rate changes when transitioning from lying down to standing. The severity of the disorder can then be assessed based on established diagnostic criteria.

The device is intended to support individuals who frequently struggle with standing up and can also detect dizziness. The team, established in 2021, comprises students with backgrounds in medicine and electronics.

The team plans to seek private-sector support to improve the prototype and complete clinical tests. Their goal is to market the device as medical equipment. Kensuke Sumida, the team leader, aims to leverage his personal experiences as a sufferer of the condition, having experienced fainting episodes as a child. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and awareness regarding the disorder.