Hot back-compresses are a routine part of nursing care. However, no studies exist explaining the physical changes accompanying hot compresses to the back along with the experience of “pleasure” . In order to investigate the utility of using hot back-compresses to assist in the recovery of unpleasant stress we developed the ‘pleasure property’ of hot back-compresses.
　An experimental group (n＝9) of healthy women did the Uchida-Kraepelin arithmetic stress test then received a hot towel compress of approximately 60 degrees centigrade for 10 minutes to the lumbar back (seventh cervical vertebra to the fourth lumbar vertebrae). The subjects received the sequence twice.
　The measurements were surface skin temperature (dorsalis pedis and palm), heart rate variability (HRV), skin conductance level (SCL), pleasure-displeasure scale and degree of sleepiness.
　The dorsalis pedis skin temperature (p＝.047) and pleasure-displeasure (p＝.017) had an interaction with “time” . The experimental group scored highly on dorsalis pedis skin temperature and pleasure-displeasure after hot back compress. There was significant sleepiness in the experimental group (p＝ .020). In addition, the experimental group had a significantly higher palm skin temperature during hot back compresses (p＝.008). HRV and SCL had no significance.
　It may be that skin sympathetic nerve reaction was inhibited due to hot back-compress induced pleasure and sleepiness. Therefore, peripheral skin temperature increased. The hot back compress may promote psychosomatic rest after the stress load.

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　The purpose of this study was to explore safer and effective usage of hot-water bottles filled with various temperature of water (60 and 80℃).
　To do this, we measured the change over time of temperature in the bed. Specifically we measured quantity of thermal insulation ; range of thermal insulation ; when a comfortable temperature was reached and its duration. In bottles filled with water whose temperature was 60 and 80 ℃, the temperature in the bed increased rapidly for 10 minutes from the start of the experiment. After that it decreased slowly.
　Results indicated that the temperature in the bed decreased with distance from the circumference of the hot-water bottle, as did the quantity of thermal insulation. In addition, a comfortable bed temperature (32 -34℃) was obtained by putting a hot-water bottle of 60 ℃ for 20minutes at a position of 5cm from the soles of the feet. The comfortable temperature continued for approximately 4 hours 30 minutes. With a 60℃ hot-water bottle the surface temperature of the bottle rose to a maximum of 44.5℃ and continued above 43℃ for 110 minutes, so we thought there was a risk of a low temperature scald. It is important to consider changes in bed temperature to explore safer usage of hot-water bottles.

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　Aim : The purpose of this study was to examine the QOL of family caregivers, who take care of patients with severe conditions at home, using the Schedule for the Evaluation of Quality of Life Direct Weighting (SEIQoL-DW).　Methods : 12 caregivers (female 9 ; mean［±SD］, 65.1±8.3yr) (AG) and 16 dwelling-aged persons (female 9 ; 79.1±5.1yr) (BG) consented to participate in this study. QOL was measured using the SEIQoL-DW which is semi-structure interview based. The subjects extracted the 5 most important life areas (Cues), rated their levels of satisfaction with each, and indicated the relative importance of each to their overall quality of life. Cues were measured by satisfaction level (SL), using a visual analog scale, and weighting degree (WD), using a rotation disk to find the square ratio. The SEIQoL Index was determined by multiplying SL by WD for each Cue and dividing the sum of the total by one hundred.　Results : SL was highest in the Cue “Caring” in AG and “Family” in BG. WD was highest in the Cue “Caring” in AG and “Health by Himself” in BG. The Cues in which both SL and WD were high were “Caring” , “Family” and “Love to the Spouse” in AG, and “Family” in BG. SEIQoL index was 62.6±16.7 in AG, and 71.5±19.0 in BG. There was no significant difference in SEIQoL Index between the two groups.　Conclusion : Our results indicate that BG find QOL in social activities and, on the other hand, AG believe that the important matters in life are caring, family, and showing love to the spouse, even if there is a limit to one’s recreational and social activities. Also, we suggest that QOL of AG is not low compared with that of BG.

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　Patting an infant’s back to facilitate sleep induction has been a long-held custom, and the beneficial effect of such patting has also been empirically recognized. Such patting represents rhythmic stimuli different from a massage and generates vibrations of a constant frequency. In order to verify the effect of regular rhythmic stimuli in enhancing relaxation and consciousness level, we conducted two experiments per person on 43 healthy female students. In the intervention experiment, the students laid in the right lateral decubitus position for 10 minutes and received regular rhythmic stimuli of approximately 0.33 to 0.67 Hz (around 20 to 40 times/minute) on the back, while in the control experiment, the students laid in the same position without receiving any stimuli. In regard to autonomic nervous activity, decreases in the sympathetic nervous index and heart rate were observed in the intervention experiment. Comparison revealed a significant difference between the two experiments in the BIS index at one minute after the start of the experiments. The results of evaluation based on the relaxation standard, JUMACL, and the introspection report suggested that the regular rhythmic stimuli relaxed the students. The results suggested that the stimuli calmed sympathetic nervous activity and provided a subjective relaxation effect.

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　The effect of moist heating of the lower back or lower abdominal region for a prolonged period to alleviate menstruation-associated pain was investigated in 16 young women (8 with low back pain and 8 with lower abdominal pain). Heat- and steam-generating sheets (MEGURIZUMU, Kao Corporation) were used as a hot-pack method, the visual analog scale (VAS) and Japanese version of the modified McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ) were employed for pain evaluation, and the Japanese version of the menstruation distress questionnaire (MDQ) was used for the evaluation of menstruation symptoms. Warming the lumbar or lower abdominal region with the heat- and steam-generating sheets significantly lowered the pain intensity (VAS), and MPQ and MDQ scores (p<0.05). On comparison of the effect between the hot pack-applied regions, no significant differences were noted in the VAS, MPQ, or MDQ scores or between the lower back and lower abdominal regions. The sheet was effective at both application sites and significantly reduced menstruation symptoms in the young women. In addition, the sheets did not markedly affect the skin or vital signs, suggesting that this hot-pack method is safe.

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　In gastrofiberscopy, effective pharynx anesthesia contributes to be safe and comfort for patients. Also, it is very important for a reliable daiagnosis. In daily nursing care, complaints about pain have been heard. Moreover, difficulties in inserting have been seen.
　A lot of consideration about effective pharynx anesthesia have been made in gastroenterlogical endoscopy technicians society. Shape and taste of Xylocain viscous crushed ice with flavor, favorable body position and time at the time of pharynx anesthesia were considered.
　A survey on 211 patients who received gastrofiberscopy was conducted to verify the effectiveness. As a result, the effective way to give pharynx anesthesia using Xylocain viscous crushed ice with flavor was confirmed.

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　The present study examined the influences of slope gradients and the direction of wheelchair travel on the user’s riding comfort and the helper’s physical strain during wheelchair attendant-controlled locomotion on a longitudinal slope. Fifteen pairs of young helpers and users and 17 pairs of elderly helpers and users participated in this study. The helper-subjects pushed the wheelchair during three operations : going up a slope, going down frontward and down backward at seven different slope gradients ranging from 1/25 to 1/6. During wheelchair locomotion, the speed and variations in wheelchair locomotion were monitored. After locomotion, the helpers and users subjectively evaluated their physical strain and riding comfort, respectively. On both uphill and downhill slopes, one eighth and 1/6 slope gradients were considered unsafe for elderly helpers because the helper’s subjective evaluation of “physical strain” markedly increased, and some elderly helpers could not control the wheelchair properly. In addition, steeper gradients of the slope increased the user’s subjective evaluations of “sense of insecurity” and “scary feeling” and decreased helpers “easiness of technique.” Variations in speed also increased especially when elderly helpers were managing locomotion. On steeper downhill gradients, going down the slope backward showed lower variation of the speed, compared with that going down frontward. These findings suggest that steeper gradients enhance the physical strain on the helper, especially elderly helpers, and promote the user’s riding discomfort, irrespective of whether the direction of movement is up- or downhill. On a downhill slope with a steep gradient, going down backward would be a useful technique to help steady the speed during wheelchair locomotion.

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[in Japanese]

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