【Purpose】This study investigated the time-course changes in patients with contracting periarthritis of the shoulder after multiple radial pressure wave (RPW) irradiations. 【Subjects and Methods】 Eight patients with periarthritis contractures and a mean age of 62.6 years underwent RPW in eight shoulders. The irradiation conditions were 3.0-4.0 bar, 10 Hz, and 2,000 shots once a week for eight irradiations. Evaluations were performed before RPW irradiation (initial evaluation), the week following the end of 4 irradiations (interim evaluation), and the week following the end of 8 irradiations (final evaluation). The evaluation items included shoulder joint range of motion (ROM) and pain assessment (VAS, 0-100 mm). 【Results】The changes in ROM (initial, intermediate, and final evaluation) were 115.0°, 132.5°, and 137.5° in flexion; 100.0°, 130.0°, and 160.0° in abduction; and improvements of 48.0 mm, 17.0 mm, and 17.0 mm in VAS.【Discussion】 The ROM and VAS values improved after multiple sessions of RPW irradiation. This improvement may result from improvements in intermuscular gliding, degeneration of free nerve endings, and inhibition of regeneration. 【Conclusion】 RPW irradiation improved ROM and VAS in patients with contracted periarthritis of the shoulder.

Objective: Recently, the effects of radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy (rESWT) on spasticity have been reported. However, the effects of stimulus intensity on the factors of spasticity are not clear. This study investigated the effects of different intensities of rESWT on muscle flexibility and spinal motoneuron excitability, which are factors related to spasticity in healthy subjects. Methods: Twenty-one healthy subjects were assigned to the high-intensity, low-intensity, and sham groups. The displacement of the gastrocnemius muscle tendon junction and the soleus H-reflex were measured before and after stimulation. Results: The displacement of the muscle-tendon junction was significantly increased after stimulation in the high-intensity group. There was no statistical change in the soleus H-reflex. Conclusion: High-intensity rESWT increases muscle flexibility but does not affect spinal motoneuron excitability. High-intensity stimulation may be appropriate for increasing peripheral tissue flexibility.

We have developed a small magnetic stimulator employing a rotating permanent field, called a spinning permanent magnet (SPM). The SPM device is designed for peripheral wear on the arm or leg and delivers subsensory stimulation (below the threshold of conscious perception). Established research demonstrates that peripheral magnetic stimulation above the motor threshold can modulate corticospinal excitability through ascending inputs. However, the effects of subsensory threshold peripheral magnetic stimulation remain unclear. In this study, we investigate the modulatory impact of SPM stimulation on the extensor carpi radialis (ECR) muscle of the right forearm in 10 healthy adults. Participants received two conditions: real stimulation with the SPM device and sham stimulation emulating the device’s application. Motor-evoked potentials, indicative of corticospinal excitability, were recorded in the right ECR following stimulation. Although no significant differences were observed between the two conditions and before and after stimulation, the small sample size in this study makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. Further research is needed. While low-intensity magnetic stimulation and static magnetic fields have shown promise in pain management, blood circulation, and autonomic nervous system modulation, further research should explore the effects of SPM on anatomical structures beyond central neuromodulation.

This study explored students’ perceptions and interest in electrophysical agents through an analysis of free response surveys using text mining. A total of 126 students enrolled in electrophysical agents programs at technical colleges and universities participated, providing insights into their perceptions and understanding of electrophysical agents. The results showed that many students recognized the importance of electrophysical agents, particularly their role in pain management and functional recovery. However, we identified challenges in areas like understanding contraindications, operating treatment devices, and applying appropriate criteria for therapeutic interventions. There were individual differences in the understanding of contraindications, suggesting the existence of both well-informed and less-informed groups. In particular, a lack of understanding was likely to lead to anxiety and a sense of difficulty. Therefore, it is important to promote learning that not only organizes basic knowledge but also deepens the understanding of underlying mechanisms.

This study investigated the effects of intrinsic foot muscle strengthening on foot alignment in individuals with flatfoot. Sixteen individuals with flatfoot participated in this study and underwent neuromuscular electrical stimulation with blood flow restriction targeting the intrinsic foot muscles. The intervention was conducted three times per week for eight weeks. Evaluations were conducted before and after the intervention, measuring the toe grip strength, the cross-sectional area of the abductor hallucis muscle, the Arch Height Index in both seated and standing positions, and the medial longitudinal arch kinematics during the stance phase of gait. The results revealed significant increases in toe grip strength and the cross-sectional area of the abductor hallucis muscle following the intervention. Additionally, the time required for medial longitudinal arch height to reach the minimum value during the stance phase of gait was significantly decreased. No statistically significant changes were observed in the Arch Height Index under seated and standing positions. These findings suggest that strengthening of intrinsic foot muscles using neuromuscular electrical stimulation with blood flow restriction may influence the foot kinematics during the stance phase of gait in individuals with flatfoot.

Objective: Belt electrode skeletal muscle electrical stimulation (B-SES) is primarily applied to lower limb muscles, but its effect on transversus abdominis muscle (TrA) contraction remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the effects of B-SES on muscle thickness (MT) changes of TrA with those of conventional pad-type electrode neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM).Subjects and Methods: Nineteen healthy male participants underwent B-SES, pad-type electrode NMES, and ADIM while in the supine position. The MT of the external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and TrA were measured at rest and during contraction using ultrasound imaging. The MT difference for each muscle was calculated by subtracting the resting MT from the contracted MT. The percentage of the MT difference for TrA was determined by dividing the MT difference of TrA by the total MT difference. The percentage of the MT difference for TrA was compared between the three tasks.Results: The percentage of the MT difference for TrA in ADIM was significantly higher than that in pad-type electrode NMES. In contrast, the percentage of the MT difference for TrA in B-SES was not significantly different for any of other tasks.Conclusions: This study suggests that ADIM may be more effective than pad-type electrode NMES for muscle contraction of TrA. However, it is still unclear whether B-SES can be used as an alternative to ADIM.