In order to judge the efficacy of physical therapy (PT) for pain, this paper reviewed the physiology of pain, and explored the basis for the judgement of PT treatment for pain. Recently, the study of pain is no longer the study of pain sensation, but for the area of the bio-defensive mechanisms including analgesia, neurogenic inflammation and/or neuroimmunology.
Upon the development and the progress of the study of pain, PT treatment is clearly classified into two categories; “symptom treatment” which is aimed to obtain transient relief of pain through the facilitation of the analgesic system and “cause treatment” which is aimed to improve the cause of the pain. At the present time, PT is involved in both types of treatment, and it has been stressed that the expansion of the “cause treatment” for the cause of the pain should be considered since there is a physiologic analgesic function.

View full abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the interaction between the speed and accuracy of information processing and the characteristics of the motor tasks. Three tasks for motor learning were employed : task 1) adjusting the intensity of static muscle contraction (40%-IMEG), task 2) adjusting the intensity of grasping power (40%-MVC), task 3) positioning task (Elbow joint). In the learning session, following a short period of movement, the extrinsic KR (Knowledge of Results) was provided, and before the next trial, subjects had a rest. The interval between the start of providing extrinsic KR and the next trial (post-KR delay) was varied as between subjects factor. Post-KR delay is thought to be as the period during which subjects use KR to construct movement plans for the next trial. If the post-KR delay is too short, subjects will not have sufficient time for planning, and the learning will be prevented. From the results of this study, the minimum time needed for information processing for three tasks were : task 1) 2-4 sec, task 2) 1-2 sec, task 3) less than 1 sec. Thus it was suggested that speed and accuracy in motor information processing might be improved by the participation of the sensations for position change and superficial perceptions.

View full abstract

The purpose of this study was to consider the evaluation of the clinical practice for students by supervisors, based on the survey for physical therapy students who had studied the clinical practice. Using a mailed questionnaire method, 289 responses were obtained. The results were summarized as follows:
1) Some students thought that the important items to evaluate the clinical practice were not equivalent to those evaluated by supervisors.
2) Some students were not satisfied with the evaluation of the clinical practice by the supervisors. Especially, some students felt that the assessment of the students' attitude for clinical practice by the supervisors was not reasonable.

View full abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of passive stretch on disuse muscle atrophy. Myotendinous junction of stretched or shortened soleus muscle in rat (n = 18) was stimulated at 10 Hz, 20 minutes/day, 5 times/week for 2 weeks by means of tapping. Muscle ATPase histochemical staining, followed by morphometrical analysis, demonstrated that type 1 fiber in stretch-stimulated group had significantly larger cross-sectional areas in comparison to hindlimb suspension group. Muscle wet weight and the percentage distribution of muscle fiber type did not change significantly as a result of stimulation.
The results suggest that disuse muscle atrophy is partly prevented by passive stretch-stimulation.

View full abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the recognition of physical therapy students for the instruction of writing papers, oral presentations, patient records, and the orientation of institutional administration in the clinical training programs. Using a mailed questionnaire method, the 3rd-year physical therapy students from 10 schools of allied health in Japan were surveyed. One hundred ten responses (55%) were obtained from 8 of the 10 schools. Main results were as follows:
1) In the instruction of writing papers, about 60% of the students hoped that supervisors checked on the content of them rather than the form; before submitting papers to supervisors, over 60% of the students hoped to be instructed only when they had difficulty in writing them.
2) In the instruction of oral presentations, over 60% of the students needed supervisors' comments after a presentation the most; as a style of oral presentations, most of the students thought that a case-related presentation was effective to learn from, while a review of papers was ineffective.
3) In the instruction of filling out patient records, the students were split into those who needed the instruction in the form used and those who needed it in the content written in them; actually, however, over 60% of the students felt that the instruction of filling out patient records was insufficient for their needs.
4) Over 60% of the students were content with roughly being informed of the administration of the institution offering the program; actually about 60% of the students felt that they were not given sufficient information about it.

View full abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the physiological cost and efficiency during climbing up/down stairs with axillary crutches. Seven healthy adult males were asked to ascend/descend the escalator (gradient : 30°) using crutches of which speed was set 10 and 15 m/min, and their oxygen uptake (VO₂) and heart rate (HR) were recorded. It was found that both VO₂ and HR during climbing up stairs were higher than those during climbing down stairs. There was a significant positive correlation between VO₂ and HR throughout the experimental period. VO₂ ratio climbing down stairs to climbing up stairs with crutches became larger compared with that without crutches. The energy loss during climbing up/down stairs with crutches, particularly during climbing up stairs, was bigger compared with general physical movements, resulting in lower efficiency. It was concluded that climbing up/down stairs causes higher physiological cost and lower efficiency compared with daily physical activities. This suggests that careful consideration would be necessary for applying these movements to clinical treatment.

View full abstract

We performed the physical therapy for a rare case of Guillain-Barré syndrome who had got ill at the age of 2 years and 7 months. At the acute stage, his motor insufficiency had progressed until complete quadriplegia with neck muscle weakness. At 5th disease month, his motor function recovered completely in accordance with his chronological age.
We needed much attention to evaluate his motor function, since he was not old enough to cooperate our order. But his infancy might induce such early restoration. Our motor developmental approacluding early standing and ambulation exercise might accelerate his motivation, if any.

View full abstract

[in Japanese]

View full abstract