Noritaka Kawashima
National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities
Papers
4
Total Citations
40
H-Index
3
About
Noritaka Kawashima is a leading researcher in human motor control and neurorehabilitation, whose work bridges the gap between spinal neurophysiology and assistive robotics. His primary research areas include spinal reflex modulation, robot-assisted gait training, and the development of novel therapeutic devices for movement disorders. Kawashima’s major contributions center on understanding how sensory inputs—such as movement-related afferent feedback and electrical nerve stimulation—shape spinal circuit excitability during passive stepping. For instance, his 2016 study on transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation during robot-assisted stepping (22 citations) revealed how afferent inputs modulate spinal reflexes, offering insights for optimizing rehabilitation protocols. His 2015 work on electrical nerve stimulation’s effect on reciprocal inhibition (10 citations) demonstrated that targeted stimulation can enhance spinal inhibitory pathways, a finding with direct implications for spasticity management. Additionally, his 2014 investigation of velocity-dependent H-reflex suppression (6 citations) clarified how movement speed alters spinal reflex gain. Beyond basic science, Kawashima has pioneered an aquatic exercise device for gait disorders (2014, 2 citations), showcasing his commitment to translating neurophysiological principles into practical rehabilitation tools. His work is foundational for designing more effective, evidence-based interventions for individuals with spinal cord injury or stroke.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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