Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the factors influencing the pain intensity and disability level differ depending on the presence of neuropathic feature (NF) in patients with neck pain. We examined the differences in the factors influencing the pain intensity and disability level between the neuropathic feature (NF) and nonneuropathic feature (non-NF) groups comprising 59 outpatients with neck pain. The clinical symptoms in the NF group were more severe than those in the non-NF group, including the pain intensity, disability level, pain catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, depression, perceived injustice, and cervical range of motion. Moreover, in the patients with NF, the degree of depression correlated with the pain intensity and pain catastrophizing strongly correlated with the level of disability. This study suggested the need for interventions that consider the cognitive and psychological factors in patients with neuropathic neck pain.

【Objective】The purpose of this study was to confirm whether Walking on the sand and gravel surface decreases the impact to the lower limb. 【Methods】Twenty-four healthy subjects participated in this study. All subjects walked on flat flooring, sand, and gravel. For each walking surface, the ground reaction force during the stance phase of the gait was measured. 【Results】When the subjects walked on the sand or gravel surface, compared with the flat floor, the maximum vertical and anterior ground reaction forces in the second half of the stance phase were significantly decreased. However, the first peak of medial ground reaction forces and the vertical ground reaction forces at mid-stance were larger on sand and gravel surfaces. There were no group differences between sand and gravel conditions. 【Conclusion】The results of this study suggested that the walking on sand and gravel surface decreases the impact to the lower limb.

This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of physical and mental function among community-dwelling elderly who developed mild cognitive impairment (MCI) after 1 year. A total of 91 community-dwelling elderly persons, who were cognitively intact at baseline, participated in the study. The physical and mental functions at baseline were compared between the following two groups that were defined according to their MiniMental State Examination (MMSE) scores after 1 year: (1) MCI group, MMSE scores between 24 and 26 and (2) Non-MCI group, MMSE scores above 27. The MCI group showed significantly lowered one-leg standing time (p < 0.05). Thus, our findings suggest that oneleg standing time may serve as a useful evaluation tool for predicting the onset of MCI after 1 year in community-dwelling elderly.

[Purpose] In this study, we examined the relationships between walking with the assistance of a cart and cognitive function in the elderly. [Methods] The subjects were 28 community-dwelling elderly people with a mean age of 77.1 years. We collected their performance on three types of cognitive function tests and walking data. The walking data were collected using a five-meter walking (5W) test and a Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. For each of tests, the subjects were asked to walk using the following three walking methods: normal walking (NW), cart-assisted walking (CW), and cart-assisted walking while performing a continuous subtraction task (DT-CW). The time required to complete each path and the number of “walking interference”events in the TUG (e.g., colliding with a cone) test were measured. [Results] In the 5 W test, the walking time for DT-CW was significantly longer than that for CW. In the TUG test, the walking time for CW was significantly longer than that for NW, and the time for DT-CW was significantly longer than that for CW. Significant positive correlations were observed between the number of walking interference events in the TUG test and the degree of nursing care required and the required time for the Trail Making Test-A. [Conclusion] To evaluate cart-assisted walking ability, it is recommended that not only straight paths be used, but also more complicated paths, like in the TUG test. Reduced attentional function was related to difficulties encountered during cart-assisted walking. When the elderly with impaired attention use a cart for their daily walking, it may be necessary to practice its operation carefully.

[Purpose] The maximum strength intensity of the anterior cruciate ligament and the morphological change in collagen fibers in the early stage of joint fixation were examined. [Participants and Methods] Wistar rats were used in this study. The left knee joint was fixed in the flexed position, and the right was untreated. The rats were divided into 3 groups of 1, 2, and 4 weeks of fixation. After each fixed period, maximum strength was measured in the form of a femur - anterior cruciate ligament - tibia tensile test. In addition, the arrangement of the collagen fibers was observed using a scanning electron microscope. [Results] The maximum strength intensity significantly lowered from 1 week after fixation, and the arrangement of the collagen fibers also changed. [Conclusion] At 1 week after joint fixation, the ligament strength decreased and the collagen fiber sequence change began, suggesting that there is a relationship between both.

The “Knot Tying Test”is a newly proposed procedure for evaluating upper limb function. This study investigated the frequency of attempts of this procedure required to obtain reproducible measurements, and its correlation with available upper limb function evaluation methods. The subjects were 20 female university students (age, 20.5± 1.1 years). The Knot Tying Test (conducted 5 times), Purdue Pegboard Test, and grip measurements were performed. The measurements of the Knot Tying Test stabilized from the second measurement onward, and the intraclass correlation coefficient calculated from the 2^nd and 3^rd measurements was 0.78, thus showing good reproducibility. Moreover,the Knot Tying Test correlated significantly with the Purdue Pegboard Test, which is an indicator of upper limb dexterity (r=0.45, p<0.05). Overall, the Knot Tying Test was shown to be an evaluation indicator that shows good reproducibility after two attempts or more,and it can be used to easily measure upper limb dexterity in a short amount of time without the need for a special device or location.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the upper arm proximal circumference and arm elevation strength of the baseball player in high school. [Methods]One hundred and twenty-five baseball players in high school were the subjects of this study. Measurement outcomes were upper armproximal circumference, arm elevation strength, and judgment of shoulder injury. The relationship between the upper arm proximal circumference and arm elevation strength was evaluated using Pearsonʼs correlation coefficient in each groups with and without shoulder injury. [Results] There was significant positive correlation between the upper arm proximal circumference and arm elevation strength in baseball player without shoulder injury. On the other hand, there was no significant correlation between the upper arm proximal circumference and arm elevation strength in baseball player with shoulder injury. [Conclusion] These results showed the relationship between the upper arm proximalcircumference and arm elevation strength in the baseball player who are actively training their muscle strength, and if they have something injury in their shoulder, the relationship might be not found.