Bulletin of the Japanese Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics
Online ISSN : 1884-0566
Print ISSN : 0910-4720
ISSN-L : 0910-4720
Volume 32, Issue 1
Displaying 1-14 of 14 articles from this issue
  • Yukihiro OGAWA, Junji KATSUHIRA, Jyunichirou KANEKO, Kazuya MAEDA, Mas ...
    2016 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 41-44
    Published: January 01, 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: January 18, 2017
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    We recently developed a spinal orthosis, the Trunk Solution (TS), in which joints provide the resistive force. A previous study reported that application of a TS prototype increased pelvic forward tilt and abdominal muscle activity. However, the study only reported the effect of TS on shallow abdominal muscles, not on deep abdominal core muscles such as the transversus abdominis, which plays a role in maintaining spinal stability. The purpose of this study was to examine the thickness of the transversus abdominis as the main effect and compare this between with and without TS in conditions of resting expiration and maximal expiration supported by deep core muscles. The thickness of the transversus abdominis significantly increased with the use of TS. In addition, the transversus abdominis muscle was thicker under maximal expiration than under resting expiration. No significant difference in tendency was observed between with and without TS, but a significant difference in expiration was observed with the change in transversus abdominis activity.

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  • Kazuki KIMURA
    2016 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 45-49
    Published: January 01, 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: January 18, 2017
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    The gait during clearance becomes abnormal at the time of its disappearance due to a disturbance in the sensation of the leg. To address this, an auditory feedback device that uses a foot switch to compensate for the lack of feeling was developed. The equipment can be set up to generate the Japanese syllable names “I (Do)”, “II (Re)”, and “III (Mi)” as well as provide feedback when a sound occurs, at the time of plantar grounding. The reliability of the foot switch was examined in this study, and it was found that the intraclass reliability was that of a 21.3±0.4 year-old person, when investigated on 27 healthy persons (13 men and 14 women) comprising 54 legs. The interclass reliability achieved was that of a 21.2±0.4 year-old person when investigated on 14 healthy persons (7 men and 7 women) comprising 28 legs. The foot switch was stuck on the heel and first-toe ball, and one step time and the plantar grounding time for six walking cycles were measured at a comfortable speed, after which the reliability of the device was examined. The intraclass and interclass reliability values demonstrated high correlation coefficients equal to or greater than 0.800. The usability and reliability of the developed auditory feedback equipment were verified through this study.

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  • Masahide ENDO, Masashi HASHIMOTO, Shiho SHINOHARA, Haruo KODAMA, Yoshi ...
    2016 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 50-52
    Published: January 01, 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: January 18, 2017
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    In patients with hemiplegia caused by stroke, the use of a knee ankle foot orthosis is important. However, there is sometimes hesitation in prescribing a knee ankle foot orthosis due to various reasons. If an ankle foot orthosis can easily be converted to an ankle foot orthosis, the use of the orthosis can be adapted to various intended purposes. Based on this concept, we have developed a knee ankle foot orthosis that is easily convertible to ankle foot orthosis. When this orthosis is used by a patient, the orthosis can be used as a knee ankle foot orthosis during training, and as an ankle foot orthosis during daily life, allowing independent daily living using a wheelchair. In addition, since the orthosis can be used as a knee ankle foot orthosis or an ankle foot orthosis depending on the state of paralysis, cut-down was smoothly conducted allowing the patient to be discharged from hospital with an ankle foot orthosis.

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  • Toshiko HIRASHIMA, Emi NAKAGAWA, Hiroteru OUCHI, Mie TENDA, Toru FUTAM ...
    2016 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 53-55
    Published: January 01, 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: January 18, 2017
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    The molded-type bucket seating system is often prescribed for serious handicapped children in Japan. A portion of the bucket seat can be attached to or removed from various frames easily. However, there has been no frame for an electric wheelchair until now. Therefore, we made frames for an electric wheelchair for practice, in order to promote the wide use of electric wheelchairs. The first case involves a patient who was found to have spinal muscular atrophy at the age of 1 year. Since the age of 2 years, he had been moving by using a manual attendant-controlled wheelchair with the molded-type bucket seating system, and he learned to move by himself as he grew older. We made two frames (small and big) for an electric wheelchair as an object for practice in which molded-type bucket seats can be carried. As he mastered electric wheelchair operation by using the frame for practice, he passed the driving test and acquired his very own electric wheelchair. He can now go to a desired place by himself, and his sphere of activity has widened. For physically handicapped children with a good intellectual level, early introduction of an electric wheelchair is desirable. The introduction of frames for practice contributes to the wide use of electric wheelchairs.

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  • Yasufumi SAKAI, Syoji OKUMURA, Akihito UNO, Makio SANO, Hisamitsu SUGA ...
    2016 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 56-58
    Published: January 01, 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: January 18, 2017
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    We attempted to incorporate a sprint switch for computer operation or operation of a simplified one-input device for the multi-input controller of an electric wheelchair used by patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The sprint was made of thermoplastic resin, and the position and angle of the switch were finely adjusted. To prevent infiltration of sweat and dirt from the hand into the switch, which is a cause of false operation, a polypropylene processed switch cover was constructed. In the present trial, two switching operations can be performed by a single hand (three switching operations by two hands). This device not only allows power ON/OFF switch and mode switch of the wheelchair as well as moving posture change switches, but also permits operation by computer. There was no need to ask the carer every time to switch the plug from the computer to the electric wheelchair, thus reducing the mental stress of the patient.

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  • Hiroaki KIMURA
    2016 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 59-64
    Published: January 01, 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: January 18, 2017
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    X-ray imaging is a basic diagnostic imaging for orthopedic disease. Professionals (such as prosthetists, orthotists, and physical therapists) involved in the brace therapy should understand X-ray imaging to discuss the adaptation and course of the brace therapy. Previously X-ray photographs were under the management of doctors, bit everyone can view the X-ray photographs in the electronic medical records now. There are many textbooks about X-ray imaging in which diseases requiring an X-ray diagnosis and brace therapy are shown. Along the recent trend, a guideline for the recommended degree of treatment is shown. This paper will help in daily practice.

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