【Introduction】 The utilization of mental rotation (MR) tasks in rehabilitation has garnered considerable attention as a modality for motor imagery intervention. To optimize the impact of interventions employing MR tasks, it is imperative to contemplate interventions tailored to the motor imagery proficiency of each individual. Hence, meticulous assessment of individual disparities in motor imagery ability is indispensable for this purpose. This study aimed to clarify the relationships between MR tasks and hand motor skills and previous activity habits. 【Subjects】 Seventy university students were included in this study. 【Methods】 After conducting a survey of past activity habits (specifically, activity type and duration), MR task performance and hand motor skills were assessed. MR tasks were executed utilizing the Recognise application on an iPhone, while manual dexterity was evaluated employing the Purdue Pegboard Test. 【Results】 Thirteen participants had participated in activities necessitating manual dexterity, twelve had participated in activities involving whole‐body coordination, and thirty‐three had participated in both categories of activities. No significant correlation was observed between MR task performance and hand motor skills. In contrast, in the group comparison based on activity habits, participants in the longer activity history group performed significantly better on the MR task than those in the shorter activity history group. 【Conclusion】 The results of this study showed that there was a difference in MR task performance depending on the time spent on the activity previously. This suggests that a detailed understanding of individual factors, such as activity habits, may help to determine which of them are more important when introducing MR tasks and adjusting their level of difficulty.

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【Introduction】The importance of orthotic therapy has been reported in rehabilitation after peripheral nerve paralysis of the upper limbs. The authors developed an orthosis, MfHAH, utilizing electromyography. The aim of this study was to assess the proficiency of upper limb function, grip strength, and satisfaction with the orthosis MfHAH. 【Methods】To evaluate the proficiency of upper limb function, the relative change rate was calculated from the number before and after, considering changes of ＜5% as proficient, and the number of proficient times was summed up. Grip strength was evaluated using a touch sensor. Satisfaction before and after proficiency was evaluated using the Japanese version of the System Usability Scale (SUS). 【Results】For proficiency in upper limb function with MfHAH, the first and second attempts, as well as the second and third attempts, showed a significant difference compared to those when not wearing the orthosis (p＜0.05). The relative change rate for the third and fourth attempts was significantly different between with and without MfHAH (30.9±13.0% versus 2.4±5.3%, respectively; p＜0.05). No significant difference was observed between with and without MfHAH from the fourth attempt onwards. Proficiency in upper limb functions did not show a significant difference from the fourth attempt onwards. There was no significant difference in the grip strength without MfHAH. The satisfaction with MfHAH significantly improved after improvement in proficiency compared to the initial attempt (p＜0.05). 【Conclusion】MfHAH is an effective orthosis with controllable gripping characteristics and high satisfaction, although it requires a certain amount of time to master. Furthermore, it is believed that the use of MfHAH in patients with peripheral nerve disorders may lead to an improvement in the quality of life.

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【Introduction】Measuring distances between body landmarks, joint angles, and postural alignments from the body surface is crucial in physical therapy assessment. However, certain body parts pose challenges for such measurement, making it difficult to obtain objective values. To address this, we developed a method using an ultrasound imaging system and a three‐dimensional motion analyzer to measure distances and angles. In this study, we assessed the reliability of our measurement method in a model prior to measurements on humans. 【Methods】The measurement object consisted of iron balls of 2‐mm diameter, affixed to an acrylic plate. An ultrasound imaging system was employed to capture images of all iron balls. Simultaneously, a three‐dimensional motion analyzer recorded the spatial coordinates of three markers attached to the ultrasound probe. The spatial coordinates of iron balls were determined based on the ultrasound images and the spatial coordinates of the markers. Subsequently, the distance between the two iron balls and the angle formed by the three iron balls were calculated. Two examiners conducted seven measurements each, and the reliability of each examiner’s measurement was assessed using descriptive statistics. 【Results】The distance and angle values measured by both examiners closely matched the set values, with minimal variation in the measurement. 【Conclusion】In the study’s measurement environment, the proposed method for measuring distances and angles using an ultrasound imaging system and a three‐dimensional motion analyzer was found to be reliable. Future research should explore the reliability and clinical application of this measurement approach in humans.

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【Introduction】The concept of “body representation” is implemented in the physical therapy field, but its definition and practical methods of utilization have not been clarified. This study designates the human body as an autopoietic system from a neurophenomenological view and determines the definition and methods of utilization of the body representation concept in physical therapy.【 Characteristics of body representation】This study defines the characteristics of body representation as follows: I. The distinction becomes apparent. II. The process is in flux. III. The temporal and spatial integration of various senses involving individuality occurs. IV. body representation is recognized as intense. V. Mutual interaction of the body and environment occurs. VI. Body representation possesses duplicity of being apparent and inapparent. VII. Body representation serves a behavioral adjusting function.【Integration】The clinical development of physical therapy implies sharing and adjusting the body representation between a therapist and a patient. The implication of the neurophenomenological view may expand the possibility of physical therapy development both logically and practically.

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【Introduction】 In the present study, secondary text‐mining tools analysis of open‐ended responses to questions about innovations in the operation of dementia cafés in the Fact‐Finding Survey was conducted to identify ideas for stimulating participation in the cafés and securing volunteers. 【Methods】 We examined the free responses to the following questions in the Fact‐Finding Survey: “How to create an atmosphere to facilitate participation,” “How to make it possible for those who cannot participate to participate,” “How to operate the program continuously,” and “How to develop personnel on the management side, and recruit collaborators.” Text‐mining tools analysis was performed to determine the frequency of word occurrence. In addition, we referred to the source text for each concept that had a high frequency of word occurrence and described the source text with the highest number of expressions. 【Results】 The concepts with high frequency of word occurrence in each free response in decreasing order of frequency were “participants,” “staff,” “free,” “atmosphere,” “transportation,” “participation,” for securing human resources, and “staff,” “volunteers,” “holding,” “courses,” and “participation,” for promoting participation. 【Discussion】 Ideas for creating an atmosphere in which staff and visitors to the dementia cafés can participate proactively and enjoyably and for securing volunteers at the cafés on an ongoing basis are discussed. It was found that having opportunities for health‐oriented learning through community interaction would help create a positive atmosphere. In addition, it was considered that having learning opportunities about dementia at dementia cafés would be effective in securing volunteers on an ongoing basis.

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