This study investigated whether diabetic neuropathy（abbreviated hereafter as DPN） impairs the accuracy of lower extremity joint positional sensation. Twelve diabetic patients (2 males and 10 females) aged 65 years or older who were undergoing continuous exercise therapy. Action potential amplitudes were measured using the DPN check in all patients to diagnose DPN. The joint position sense was measured in the knee joint of the non-dominant leg. The target angle (knee joint in 60°extension) was set, held for 5 seconds, and then the angle was reproduced. The reproduced angle and the deviation from the set angle were then calculated. In the group with DPN, both the reproduction angle and the deviation angle tended to show greater deviation from the set angle, but no statistically significant difference was observed. The results suggest that abnormal joint position sense is a symptom of DPN. Since the joint position sense may be used as a test for DPN in the future, it is necessary to investigate the relationship between the abnormal joint position sense and the duration of diabetes and the degree of impairment of the DPN.

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While studies abroad have reported on the reliability of grip strength measurements in children and the grip strength characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), these findings have not been verified in Japanese children with ASD. It has been noted that children with ASD often struggle to concentrate during measurements due to difficulties with motor coordination, imitation, sustained attention, and understanding of the purpose of the task. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a grip strength measurement method that incorporates visual supports to help children with ASD understand the purpose of a task and approach it with a clear understanding of what to expect, and to verify its reliability. The participants were 13 children with ASD (8.5 ± 1.7 years old), including nine with ASD alone and four with ASD and other co-occurring neurodevelopmental disorders. Two examiners independently conducted the measurements using a Smedley grip dynamometer. During the measurement, animal stickers were placed at the target values (2.5, 5, 10 kg), and needle movement was visually displayed to motivate the children. After confirming understanding of the procedure through practice, maximum effort measurements were taken twice on each hand, alternating sides. After conducting the measurement, the value was presented, and children were praised if the target was reached. Inter-examiner reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC (2,1)) for relative reliability. The Bland-Altman method was applied to evaluate absolute reliability, including systematic error, standard error of measurement, and the Minimal Detectable Change (MDC).The mean value of grip strength (SD) was 12.3 (3.2) kg for Examiner 1 and 12.5 (2.9) kg for Examiner 2, showing no significant difference. ICC = 0.98 (95% CI = 0.93-0.99) indicated excellent reliability, and the MDC was 1.2 kg. The Bland-Altman analysis revealed no evidence of a fixed or proportional error (P＞0.05).The measurement of grip strength using visual supports demonstrated excellent reliability for children with ASD.Providing a clear explanation before measurement and visual motivation were thought to help maintain concentration and the understanding of the measurement process. Future studies should address larger sample sizes and psychological and environmental factors.

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This exploratory study investigated whether a cooperative learning program influences self-efficacy and perceptions of occupational therapy among 32 first-year occupational therapy students. Pre- and post-intervention data were collected using the General Self-Efficacy Scale and free-text responses to “What is occupational therapy?”, and conceptual changes were visualized through text mining. Total General Self-Efficacy Scale scores and the proactiveness subscale score increased significantly, and the free-text content shifted from a method-focused view centered on “training/tools” to a collaborative support perspective of “thinking together with clients,” as reflected in changes in salient terms and cooccurrence structures; therefore, given the difficulty and high stress of understanding occupational therapy due to its complexity, these findings suggest that a program in which students themselves explore what occupational therapy is and engage in cooperative learning may improve self-efficacy and change perceptions of occupational therapy, indicating the potential effectiveness of the educational intervention; however, this study warrants controlled studies given the single-group pre-post design.

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Various physical exercises aimed at preventing frailty are carried out at community gatherings. Among these, ankle dorsiflexion exercises are often performed, with the most common method being to hold onto the back of a chair while standing and perform dorsiflexion on both sides simultaneously for about 10 seconds. However, the conventional method tends to induce hip flexion at the same time, suggesting that dorsiflexion may not be sufficiently effective.To address this, a resident-led program was conducted over two months for participants in Hatsuratz, incorporating a modified method of performing dorsiflexion exercises on one leg at a time with the hip joint flexed at 30 degrees, as determined from the results of a preliminary survey. The program resulted in significant improvements in both ankle dorsiflexion angle and dorsiflexion strength. The proposed method, performed with the hip flexed at 30 degrees from the starting position, reduced compensatory hip movements and expanded the ankle joint cavity. This was due to the lower leg forming an obtuse angle with the plantar surface, which is thought to have increased the dorsiflexion range during exercise. The expanded range likely increased the resistance from the antagonist muscles to dorsiflexion, leading to improved muscle strength. In the future, as the number of rehabilitation professionals in mountainous and hilly areas declines, it will become increasingly necessary for residents to practice frailty prevention together. Exercise methods that can be effectively performed in group settings, such as the ankle dorsiflexion exercise described in this study, are expected to become increasingly important.

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In light of the declining birthrate and aging population, the municipalities in Kochi Prefecture have experienced a decrease in regional revitalization in recent years. The same trend has been observed in Tosa City, where our university is located. In response to the situation in Tosa City, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Kochi Rehabilitation Professional University established the Job Support Center, aiming to foster an inclusive community. The Job Support Center embodies the concept of a community-inclusive society as envisioned by occupational therapists, providing a space where people of all generations and abilities-from children to university students, the elderly, and those with disabilities-can participate in the community without difficulty, with a central focus on supporting people through jobs they can engage in. The Job Support Center facilitates games for children, the sale of vegetables grown by the elderly, the utilization of eco-bags made by facility residents, the sale of artistic works, and light refreshments.The center’s visitor count exceeded 100 after one year of practice in the 2024 fiscal year, confirming its contribution to regional revitalization. The Job Support Center facilitated social participation for diverse groups, including university students, the elderly, and facility residents, by supporting a proactive lifestyle. Moving forward, the center aims to continue providing opportunities for social participation through job-related activities.

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We propose a novel method, requiring no expensive specialized equipment, to evaluate trunk rotation and upper limb strength. By combining a digital ratchet wrench and foot load measurement device＜s＞,one can simultaneously measure trunk rotation torque and center of gravity (COG) displacement in free-standing patients adopting stances typical of activities of daily living (ADL) including work environments.Preliminary experiments measured 14.9 Nm maximum torque during trunk rotation. Future work aims to quantify the relationships between torque values, trunk rotation, and upper limb strength, to determine metrics for correlations with COG variance.Our main goal is to elucidate the causal relationship between trunk stability and upper limb force exertion. By analyzing features of COG, we aim to determine how the trunk maintains stability during upper limb movements and evidence of the impact of trunk stability on upper limb motor performance.The evaluation method developed in this study is expected to contribute to several fields.Work improvement and injury prevention: By quantitatively clarifying the features of physical load associated with task performance, this research may inform safer work postures and load reduction strategies to enhance work productivity and reduce occupational injury risk.Rehabilitation and training: To inform treatment of patients with chronic lower back pain, athletes, and general training, quantifying trunk rotation and associated upper limb strength and analyzing COG movement patterns can lead to personalized and effective intervention programs. COG trajectory data shows potential for novel rehabilitation training for patients with hemiplegia, Parkinson's disease, pusher syndrome, and unilateral spatial neglect.Through these endeavors, this research aims to establish a robust foundation contributing to diverse fields including sports,rehabilitation, and occupational science.

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