The present study aimed to explore the effect of smartphone usage on low back pain (LBP) and shoulder pain (SP) in college students in a judo therapist course. From the course, 126 out of 155 students were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Smartphone usage i.e. frequency, time and application purpose were evaluated using self-reported questionnaires. Clinical characteristics including LBP and SP were also evaluated. The prevalence of LBP and SP was 18 students (14.3%) and 22 students (17.5%) respectively. The usage time of smartphones in students with LBP or SP was significantly longer than in students without LBP or SP after adjustment for confounding factors. The prevalence of game usage in students with LBP was significantly higher than in students without. In addition, 2.5 hours for LBP and 5.0 hours for SP were the thresholds of usage time for smartphone by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Smartphone usage, especially usage time, was closely associated with LBP and SP. Proper usage of smartphones is needed for reducing LBP and SP in college students in the judo therapist course.

[Purpose] We developed an educational program that encourages students from three departments −namely, Medical Technology, Radiology Science, and Physical Therapy− to learn collaboratively by working on a clinical case. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether this program was useful as an interprofessional education (IPE) program for physical therapy undergraduate students. [Participants and Methods] One hundred and seventeen third-grade undergraduates enrolled in an undergraduate program, named “Biophysical Diagnosis Workshop”. We prepared tasks based on four clinical scenarios, whereby participants had to assess a patient's biodata and clinical information to derive a diagnosis and then develop a treatment plan. The students had to confer with each other, exchange perspectives regarding their respective disciplines, and coordinate their opinions. After the workshop, we administered a questionnaire to 43 physical therapy students, seeking their subjective opinions about the usefulness of the workshop and their levels of satisfaction with the workshop. [Results] Out of the physical therapy students that responded, 97.7% answered either “yes” or “yes, to some extent” when asked whether the workshop increased their interest in other medical professions, and 97.7% reported feeling either “satisfied” or “satisfied, to some extent” by the workshop. [Conclusion] The program positively affects physical therapy students, and potentially improves their expertise in and understanding of interprofessional collaboration.

In this study, we investigated factors related to aggravation of the level of care for elderly individuals with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) requiring support, based on the A City's certification of long-term care needs survey in 2014 and 2016. We investigated the survey contents related to mental and physical function, activities of daily living (ADLs), and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) using a multiple logistic regression model. As a result, "own medications," "daily decision-making," and "handling finances" were significantly related to aggravation of the levels of care; "walking" was significantly related to maintenance of and improvements in the levels of care. Our findings suggested that to prevent aggravation of the level of care for elderly individuals with BPSD requiring support, we should prevent degradation in their IADLs, and we must support their decision-making in daily living. It was also suggested that improving walking ability leads to maintenance of and improvements in the levels of care.

In this study, we investigated the short-term change of upper limb function in 114 consecutive breast cancer patients who underwent lymph node dissection and mastectomy. Rehabilitation was performed both before and after surgery. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) was used to evaluate the disabilities. Measurements were performed prior to and three months after surgery. Three months after surgery, there were more difficulties in 18 of 23 items (disability) than before surgery, and more symptoms with 5 of 7 items (symptoms) (p<0.05). Therefore, postoperative breast cancer patients need routine upper limb function evaluation and rehabilitation, even after discharge.

Clinical data in Japan were used to examine the age at diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children in Japan. Results indicate that the mean age at diagnosis for 7779 participants was 7.3±4.3 years, the mode 3.0 years, and the median 6.0 years. The male-to-female ratio was 3:1. There were no sex differences in the age at diagnosis of any ASD. Asperger's syndrome was diagnosed at older ages than other disorders, but no clear peak was indicated for the age at diagnosis. Only childhood autism was diagnosed early in life and showed an annual trend. This study suggests the need to develop a system or tool that enables early diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome, as well as the need to develop a proper early intervention techniques and service provisions for childhood autism.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in quadriceps muscle activity between front bridges with and without upper limb support while using the distal tibia as a fulcrum. Participants were 13 healthy university students. Surface electromyography was recorded at the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis oblique, and weightbearing load on the distal tibia was measured. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test. Quadriceps activity during front bridges was significantly higher without upper limb support than with upper limb support (p<0.01), while weightbearing load on the distal tibia during front bridges was significantly lower without upper limb support than with upper limb support (p<0.01). These results suggest that front bridges without upper limb support are more effective in strengthening the quadriceps muscle.

The aim of this study is to help establish a fall prevention program by analyzing the relation between the falling experiences and the motor function of comprehensive program users. The subjects consisted of 23 comprehensive program users aged 65 and older. The motor function includes the walking speed, steps, TUG, time able to stand on one leg with eyes open, SS-5, two-step value, calf circumference, grip strength, and vibratory sensation of both medial malleoli. The subjects were divided into two groups based on a history of falling and a Mann-Whitney U Test was conducted for comparison purposes. The rate of falling among comprehensive program users was 39.1 % in this study. As a result of the group comparison, there was a significant difference in SS-5, which evaluates muscle weakness in the lower extremities. Since SS-5 was longer in the group with a history of falling, we believe avoiding muscle weakness in the lower extremities is essential for the prevention of falling. Key words: Muscle power，Fall experience，Elderly females

【Purpose】This study was examination for acute effect of non-spesific low back pain (NSLBP) relief in worker. 【Methods】Subjects were 61 male with NSLBP in manufacturing industry. The exercise for three minutes was the following two programs: a stretching for hamstrings in sitting position; anteflexion-, retroflexion- and lateroflection-exercise accompanied with rotation of the trunk. We classified two groups were non-chronic NSLBP group (continuation of low back pain was less than 3 months, n=21) and chronic NSLBP group (continuation of low back pain was more than three months, n=40). We evaluated degree of low back pain with Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) before and after exercise practice in two groups. 【Results】Low back pain was significantly decreased after exercise practice than before exercise practice between both groups (from 2.0±1.0 score to 1.2±1.2 score for non-chronic NSLBP group, from 3.1±1.6 score to 2.3±1.6 score for chronic NSLBP group). 【Conclusions】Quick combined simple exercise was able to reduce NSLBP in male worker. The present exercise program may be effectiveness for an anti-NSLBP measure in workers.

Patients with brain tumors often present cognitive impairment, which is a major cause of deterioration of quality of life. Patients with brain tumors exhibit local symptoms at the site of the brain tumor. Brain tumors with high malignancy destroy normal cells and cause cerebral edema. Cognitive function may be greatly affected. Surgery, radiotherapy, antiepileptic drugs, and rehabilitation are treatments related to cognitive impairment. In addition, because the evaluation battery and time differ among research studies conducted, systematic comparison of the effects of factors on cognitive function is difficult. Evaluating cognitive function is potentially useful for grasping the present condition of patients, determining the therapeutic effect of surgery, and furthermore detecting the progress or recurrence of brain tumor.