The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of different feedback methods of lumbar stabilization exercises on trunk muscles and low back pain. 21 subjects with low back pain performed lumbar stabilization exercises for 4 weeks. Subjects were randomly assigned to three groups according to the type of feedback: a control group, a weight band group, and a trunk harness group. Pain intensity of low back pain, JOABPEQ, motor control test, hip flexor muscle strength, and abdominal muscle thickness were measured before, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks after the intervention. As a result, all groups showed significant improvement in the questionnaire results, and the trunk harness group showed significant improvement in pain intensity and motor control test. The results of this study indicate that the effects of varying the feedback during lumbar spine stabilization exercises are variable. The results also suggest that exercise therapy using the trunk harness may contribute to the improvement of motor control function and the reduction of pain.

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 Background: Flatfoot can cause musculoskeletal disorders. There are two exercises for flatfoot: the short foot exercise(SFE)and toe curl exercise(TC). This study aimed to clarify the effective intervention for flatfoot by comparing the medial longitudinal arch and the activities of foot muscles during SFE and TC.  Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited participants with a foot posture index 6 more than 7. We assessed the medial longitudinal arch, pennation angle of the flexor hallucis longus, and abductor hallucis activity during the SFE and TC. A blinded assessor marked the first metatarsal head, navicular tuberosity, and calcaneus to assess the medial longitudinal arch. Images of the medial longitudinal arch during the SFE, TC, and static conditions were obtained using a digital camera. The pennation angles of the flexor hallucis longus during SFE, TC, and static conditions were measured by ultrasonography. Abductor hallucis activity during the SFE and TC was measured using surface electromyography. Mixed-model repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni collection were used to assess the medial longitudinal arch and pennation angle of the flexor hallucis longus. A paired t-test was conducted for the electromyography of the abductor hallucis.  Result: Fifteen participants underwent the assessments. In the medial longitudinal arch assessment, there was a significant difference between SFE and static condition(p = 0.001, 95% confidence interval[CI]: 2.22-9.38; effect size[d]: 0.97). In the pennation angle of flexor hallucis longus, there was a significant difference between TC and static condition(p ‹ 0.001, 95% CI: 2.36-7.81, d: 1.13), and SFE and TC(p = 0.001, 95% CI: 2.22-9.38, d: 0.97). SFE showed significantly greater abductor hallucis activity than TC(p ‹ 0.001, 95% CI: 31.0-68.1, d: 1.5).  Conclusion: These results suggest that SFE, which contracted the abductor hallucis, may be more effective for flatfoot.

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The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship of touch between mothers and their children during infancy and toddlerhood with the mother-child relationship. This study used a scoping review. The literature search was conducted in May 2023, using an AND search for “touch between parents and children ” and “parent-child ”, sourced from the Ichushi-Web, CiNii, and Medical Online. It covered original articles published between 2004 and 2023. The study focused on the typical development of children in infancy and toddlerhood. From the literature identified, we extracted content that showed the relationship between touch and the mother-child relationship. Of the articles identified in the search, 26 articles were included in the analysis. Fifty concept items showing the relationship between touch and the mother-child relationship were extracted. They were divided into six categories. (1) Two items related to the influence of parenting cooperation on touch. (2) Two items related to the influence of mothers' own factors on touch. (3) Twenty-four items related to the influence on the mothers themselves. (4) Six items related to the effects on mothers' feelings toward their children. (5) Eleven items were related to effects on mothers' child-rearing (decrease in anxiety and stress about child-rearing, increase in self-efficacy in child-rearing, etc.). (6) Five items were related to the impact on attachment and interaction between mother and child. It is clear that touch between mother and child during infancy and toddlerhood is diverse. Furthermore, there were multifaceted effects on the mother-child relationship and on the mothers. Therefore, it was suggested that touch between mother and child during infancy and toddlerhood is important. On the other hand, a gap was identified as insufficient research on interactive touch between mother and child during toddlerhood and research focusing on attachment and mother-child interaction.

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This study was conducted to determine the standard criteria for the introduction of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) practice for Occupational Therapists in a recovery rehabilitation unit and the issues associated with IADL implementation. The subjects were 900 occupational therapy department managers from member wards of the Kaifukuki Rehabilitation Ward Association, and a total of 251 responses were received. Using a free-form questionnaire, we surveyed occupational therapists' perceptions of the criteria for introducing, and problems associated with, IADL practice; the results were analyzed using text mining. We identified 6 categories of the introduction criteria and 9 categories of the problems associated with the implementation of IADL practice. Further research to verify the validity of the introduction criteria and solve the problems associated with IADL practice implementation is needed.

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