[Objective] This study was aimed at investigating whether catastrophizing and kinesiophobia might be involved in the disability disorders of patients with chronic neck pain. [Methods] This cross-sectional study included 99 participantswithchronic neck pain, of whom 35 had a traumatic onset and 64 had a non-traumatic onset. The participants completed the questionnaires on Neck Disability Index (NDI), pain intensity, pain duration, Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK). Differences in ordinal data between the groups were determined using the Mann-Whitney U test. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis (stepwise method) was used for examining the relative contribution of each variable to disability. [Results] The traumatic group had significant symptoms for a shorter duration of pain as compared with the non-traumatic group. The multiple regression analysis revealed that the NDI can be significantly predicted by catastrophizing and pain intensity. [Conclusions] This study suggests that in the patients with chronic neck pain, catastrophizing was associated with disability, regardless of traumatic or non-traumatic onset.

This study aimed to verify the reproducibility and validity of a new scale (Rhombus Test; RT) to assess dynamic balance function. The RT and the following physical performance indices were implemented among 144 community-dwelling elderly women: one-leg standing time, timed up and go test (TUG), 5 m fastest walking time, 30- sec chair stand test (CS-30), quadriceps muscle strength, and foot gripping force. To test the reproducibility of the RT, 60 of the participants performed the RT twiceonthesame day. The participants were divided into low, normal, and high RT score groups. The intraclass correlation coefficients were larger than 0.9, suggesting the excellent reproducibility of the RT. Moderate significant correlation coefficients ranging from ǀ0.43 ǀto ǀ0.54 ǀwere obtained between RT and three physical performance indices (TUG, 5 m fastest walking speed, and CS-30). The low RT score group demonstrated significantly poorer outcomes on various physical performance indices than did the normal and high RT score groups. These results suggest that the RT has high reproducibility and validity, and that it is an excellent indicator of decreased physical function among elderly participants. In conclusion, the RT is considered suitable for the evaluation of dynamic balance disability in the elderly.

To clarify the characteristics of infant gait when walking at normal and maximum gait speeds, gait analysis was performed involving 50 preschool children (boys: 16,Girls: 34). There were no sex differences in any gait parameter. The gait speed, cadence,and stride and step lengths significantly increased, and the stance, double-support, and swing phases markedly shortened when walking at their maximum compared with normal gait speed. The cadence (d=1.84) and temporal factors (d=1.51~1.88) showed larger effect sizes than distance factors (d=0.74~0.81). Furthermore, the normal gait speed was significantly correlated with 6 parameters: the cadence, stride and step lengths, and the durations of the stance, double-support, and swing phases, while the maximum gait speed was only correlated with 4 parameters: the cadence, the durations of the stance, doublesupport, and swing phases. Based on the results, it may be unnecessary to consider sex differences when evaluating infant gait. The usefulness of strategies to increase the step and stride lengths for improved gait was also suggested.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of light touch contact using T-cane to postural stability under the conditions simulated physical function of the elderly. The subjects were seventeen healthy adults. There were three conditions: static standing (Cond-A), static standing with goggles to simulate the elderly and cooled the sole of foot (Cond-B), and its condition with T-cane under loading less than 500g (Cond-C). The center of gravity recorder was used, and measurements were root mean square and velocity of center of pressure in three conditions. In the statistical analysis, repeated measurement variance analysis was used for the comparison of three conditions and the Bonferroni method was used for multiple comparisons. In the results, for root mean square,Cond-A and Cond-C were lower than Cond-B. For velocity, Cond-A and Cond-C were lower than Cond-B. It was suggested that the decrease of the postural sway by light touch contact with T-cane.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of moment arm of the muscle on the myoelectric activity. [Methods] The subjects included 104 upper-limbs of 52 healthy young adult males. They held the weight in 3 different positions (25, 70, 120 degrees) of elbow flexion since the previous studies reported that the 70 degrees of the elbow flexion became the longest moment arm of the biceps brachii muscle,and 25 and 120 degrees had nearly same moment arm. We measured the myoelectric activity on the biceps brachii muscle, then calculated IEMG of the interval during subjectsʼholding the weight for 1 second, and normalized with a value of maximum contraction (%IEMG). For the statistical analysis, repeated measure analysis of variance was applied as well as Bonferroni method for multiple comparisons. [Results] The %IEMGin70degrees showed the significant low value in comparison with 25 or 120 degrees.The%IEMG in 120 degrees was significant lower than one in 25 degrees. [Conclusion] This study suggested that it was necessary to consider the influence of the difference in moment arm of the muscle when physical therapists interpreted the value of myoelectric activity of the muscle.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the laterality of flexibility and muscle strength in high school baseball players with shoulder or elbow injury. [Methods] Subjects were 76 high school baseball players participated in the medical check in Kyoto. Measurement outcomes were judgment of elbow and shoulder injury, range of motion, and muscle strength. Laterality of flexibility and muscle strength was calculated by subtracting non-throwing side from throwing side. Student T-test was used to analyze difference positive and negative group with each injury. The significance level was set at 5%. [Results] Laterality of shoulder internal rotation angle in positive group with shoulder injury was lower compared to negative group (p<0.05). Laterality of shoulder external rotation angle in positive group with elbow injury was lower compared to negative group (p <0.05). [Conclusion] It was suggested that the analysis of laterality in shoulder rotation angle might be helpful to predict shoulder or elbow injury in high school baseball players.

We experienced a case with severe pain at low back or pelvic girdle pain,which was alleviated instantaneously by using a belt-like device to apply compression on the pelvis. The structural characteristics of the pelvic compression device and instantaneous reduction of the symptom suggested that the pain was originated from the sacroiliac joints. It may be useful to distinguish the pelvic girdle pain from low bac painwiththe other causes.