Research
Faculty Members
Center for Advanced Education and Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences Clinical Pharmacy Research and Education
Niki KazuyukiAssociate professor / Lecturer
I graduated from the Department of Pharmacy (6-year course), the University of Osaka in 2013, and obtained my Ph. D. (Pharmacy) in 2019. Currently, I am conducting multidisciplinary joint research with medical institutions such as hospitals, pharmacies, and nursing homes, as well as engineering departments, while concurrently working as a pharmacist at the Osaka University Hospital and the Ashiya Municipal Hospital. In particular, I aim to improve the quality of life of patients by using the latest digital technology for various problems in the super-aging society, such as cancer (palliative care and pharmacotherapy) and dementia.
Research theme
Devising new palliative care methods using digital technology
Patients undergoing palliative care may not be able to do the things they want to do due to multiple factors such as various symptoms and decline in physical functions. In addition, anticancer drug treatment is accompanied by stress. Therefore, I am working to improve the QOL of patients by utilizing the latest digital technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) and generative AI. In this theme, I am conducting joint research with the University of Osaka Hospital, Ashiya Municipal Hospital.
Development of digital therapy for dementia and BPSD
My research focuses on a new approach called “digital therapy,” and we are exploring whether digital technologies such as VR and generative AI can help prevent cognitive decline and the progression of BPSD. I am currently advancing this project in collaboration with practitioners across various fields, including the Graduate School of Engineering, medical institutions, long-term care facilities, other universities, and private companies.
Establishment of a new community medical and healthcare model centered on insurance pharmacies
In cooperation with Toyonaka City and the Toyonaka Pharmaceutical Association, I am building a new healthcare model in which insurance pharmacies aim to improve the health of the entire community by providing accurate and timely health information through the digital signages (electronic billboards). I am also working in collaboration with community pharmacies to expand their multifunctional roles as gateways to community healthcare.
Promoting digital transformation (DX) in pharmaceutical education
There is a need for DX in pharmaceutical education now. Therefore, I am working on the development of a new educational method that can realize efficient learning by utilizing XR (VR/AR/MR).
Representative achievements
Niki K*, Nakagawa S, Arai M, Morimoto A, Ueda Y. Effect of Immersive Virtual Reality on Chemotherapy-Related Side Effects in Patients Receiving Paclitaxel-Carboplatin With or Without Bevacizumab: 2-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res. 27:e65924, 2025.
Niki K*, Okamoto Y, Yasui M, Omae T, Kohno M, Matsuda Y. Is a Combination of Six Clinical Tests Useful as a Measure to Predict Short-Term Prognosis in Terminal Cancer Patients? A Prospective Observational Study in a Japanese Palliative Care Unit. Palliat Med Rep. 5(1):430-437, 2024.
Niki K*, Yahara M, Inagaki M, Takahashi N, Watanabe A, Okuda T, Ueda M, Iwai D, Sato K, Ito T. Immersive virtual reality reminiscence reduces anxiety in the oldest-old without causing serious side effects: A single-center, pilot, and randomized crossover study. Front Hum Neurosci. 14:598161, 2021.
Niki K*, Okamoto Y, Maeda I, Mori I, Ishii R, Matsuda Y, Takagi T, Uejima E. A novel palliative care approach using virtual reality for improving various symptoms of terminal cancer patients: A preliminary, prospective, multicenter study. J Palliat Med. 22:702-707, 2019.
In the 25th anniversary project of the Journal of Palliative Medicine (a project to select the best 30 papers in the past 25 years), my article reporting on the application of VR to palliative care was selected as the only one from Japan (TOP-CITED ARTICLES category) (2022)
