MODIFICATIONS OF CYBERNETIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CYMIS FOR CREATIVE REHABILITATION AND MUSIC EDUCATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

This paper presents outcomes of a project focused on modification of original Japanese technology called CYMIS in the middle Europe area (or other national environments outside English and Japan language area). CYMIS is a unique musical product invented in Japan on the basis of informational technologies and enables musical production for persons with severe physical disability. The research was done for applications of CYMIS in the area of creative rehabilitation (e.g. improvements in upper limbs movements were proved) as well as for musical presentation up to the level of concert performances.

CYMIS technology is considered to be spread in the Czech rep. soon due to the cooperation with Osaka Technological institute and Mukogawa Women University. The interest for CYMIS in the Czech rep. was found from the population of persons with physical disability, intellectual disability and from seniors. But the system CYMIS originally worked in the international environment of English language and there was a problem of dysfunction in the usage of CYMIS for applications in national languages environments. Original solution of this problem was found after consultations with authors of CYMIS (prof. Akazawa and prof. Okuno). This solution, which is important for international applications of this technology, are described in this paper as well as an overview of other topics for cooperation between the Czech rep. and the Japan. One goal of this cooperation is to realise some research studies focused on the usage of CYMIS in rehabilitation, education and for artistic purposes.