Home【Research Keywords】
Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Sensory Processing, Child Maltreatment, Parenting Programs, Public Health Nurse Workforce Development, Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Medical-Engineering Collaboration, Social Determinants of Health, Social Capital, Disaster Mental Health, Nudge, SDGs
【Recent highlights】
We conduct research on health and psychosocial challenges across the life course, focusing on children, families, and older adults in community settings. We have conducted epidemiological studies, including mental health research following the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake, to clarify post-disaster health issues. We also use virtual reality (VR), eye-tracking, and AI to visualize sensory characteristics and behavioral patterns in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Our research aims to translate these findings into community-based nursing interventions, including parenting programs and maternal mental health support.
【Major Papers of the Laboratory】
・Ide-Okochi A, et al. Assessment of sensory processing issues in children with neurodevelopmental disorders and experiences of maltreatment. Children. 2024;11(2):216.
・Ide-Okochi A, et al. Gender differences in psychological distress and sociability among older adult survivors of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake. Tohoku J Exp Med. 2024.
・Ide-Okochi A, et al. Pediatric dentists’ perspectives of children with special health care needs in Japan: developmental disabilities, phobia, maltreatment, and multidisciplinary collaboration. BMC Pediatr. 2021;21(1).
【Education】
We develop the ability to understand health challenges across the life course and to design support from the perspective of community residents. Based on public health nursing, students learn to support diverse populations and conduct community assessment grounded in the social determinants of health. Through community-based practicums, students gain practical understanding of nursing roles in real-world settings. At the graduate level, students develop the ability to analyze community health challenges and translate them into research. They conduct studies using epidemiological, qualitative, and mixed methods, and explore novel assessment approaches using VR, eye-tracking, and AI. We emphasize research that can be applied to community-based nursing practice, including parenting support, maternal mental health, post-disaster health, and care for vulnerable populations. We also promote international collaborative research and support international students.
【Research】
・Visualization of sensory processing and everyday difficulties in children with neurodevelopmental disorders using VR, eye-tracking, and AI
・Research on child maltreatment, parenting support, and maternal mental health
・Epidemiological studies on post-disaster mental health and social determinants of health
・Research on support for socially vulnerable populations, including older adults living alone and self-neglect
・Evaluation of social capital and community-based nursing practice
・Workforce development of public health nurses and improvement of community nursing practice
【Photo explanation】A scene of sensory assessment using a VR classroom in children with neurodevelopmental disorders
【Photo explanation】International research and educational exchange with invited overseas researchers through the Sakura Science Program
