[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationships between the chest and abdominal circumferences, and the thickness of the transversus abdominis during breathing. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 11 healthy adult females. The chest circumference, the abdominal circumference, and the thickness of the transversus abdominis during respiratory exercise were measured with the elastic strain sensor C-STRETCH and an ultrasonic diagnostic device. [Results] The amount of change in the chest circumference did not correlate with the difference in the thickness of the transversus abdominis. However, the amount of change in the abdominal circumference was significantly positively correlated with the change in the thickness of the transversus abdominis. [Conclusion] This study showed that abdominal circumference could be used to infer the muscle thickness of the transversus abdominis.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to identify the optimum setting position of the grip, by investigating the effect of the difference in the direction of the angle between the grip and shaft of a T-cane on the dynamic stability of the wrist joint, in order to develop a T-cane that does not cause pain in the wrist joint. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 18 males and 2 females. We assumed that, during T-cane use, the tenodesis function would functionally stabilize the wrist joint. The grip angle was changed from perpendicular (to the shaft) to angled by 5°, and eight positions (increments of 45° from 0° to 360°, with the shaft as the axis) were evaluated. The usability of the T-cane was evaluated by measuring the muscle activities of the extensors and flexors and sway at three points. [Results] We found that, when the grip was set in a position such that the wrist was dorsiflexed, forearm extensor activity decreased, and sway did not significantly change. [Conclusion] We concluded that the low-load position of the grip could be adjusted based on wrist radial/ulnar flexion.

[Purpose] We investigated the intra-rater reliability of ultrasound measures of supraspinatus and infraspinatus echo intensity. [Participants and Methods] The subjects were 30 healthy male adults and measurements were made using an ultrasound device. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and measurement error by 95% confidence intervals of minimum detectable change (MDC₉₅) were obtained for the same and different days. Bland-Altman analysis was used to determine the presence of systematic errors. [Results] For measurements on the same day, the ICC (1,1) was 0.96 for the supraspinatus and 0.97 for the infraspinatus. MDC₉₅ was 9.3 for the supraspinatus, and 7.2 of the infraspinatus. For measurements on different days, the ICC (1,2) was 0.97 for the supraspinatus and 0.98 for the infraspinatus. MDC₉₅ was 7.6 for the supraspinatus and 5.9 for the infraspinatus. There were no systematic errors in either the same day or the different day measurements. [Conclusion] Ultrasound measures of supraspinatus and infraspinatus echo intensity are reliable for both same day and different day measurements.

[Purpose] To clarify care dependency (CD) prevention supporters’ feelings and thoughts about their support activities, dividing them into 3 groups based on their motivation for such activities after training: already committed, active, and passive. [Participants and Methods] A questionnaire survey was conducted, involving CD prevention supporters, and 126 with valid responses were analyzed. Their feelings and thoughts about support activities described in a free-description style were examined by quantitative text analysis and organized as a co-occurrence network diagram to visualize the characteristics of the 3 groups. [Results] The already committed group was characterized by a strong sense of community belonging. They desired to enjoyably participate and to have others close to them also participate in self-help/mutual aid activities. The active group confused CD prevention and caregiving, and experienced a mental conflict about support activities. The passive group tended to be anxious about themselves, while some of them had their own idea of CD prevention activities, and were conscious of it. [Conclusion] In CD prevention supporter training, it may be necessary to support trainees, with variations in the structure of participation motives taken into account.

[Purpose] This study investigated changes in academic motivation due to the knowledge construction jigsaw method. [Participants and Methods] The subjects were 33 senior-year students of a physical therapist training school. The knowledge construction jigsaw method was carried out for 4 weeks. The academic motivational questionnaire (External regulation, Introjected regulation, Identified regulation, Intrinsic motivation) was used to compare academic motivation pre- and post- the knowledge construction jigsaw method. In addition, a mock test was used to divide the subjects into a high-academic grade group (high group), a medium-academic grade group (medium group), and a low-academic grade group (low group), and a pre-study time questionnaire was conducted post the knowledge construction jigsaw method. [Results] A negative correlation was found between the amount of change in the items of External regulation and the results of the mock test. The amount of change in the items of Identified regulation was significantly higher in the medium group than in the low group. The amount of change in the items of Intrinsic motivation was significantly higher in the high group. [Conclusion] It was found that the characteristic of academic motivation in the high and medium groups was psychological desire triggering learning behavior.

[Purpose] This study compared the muscle thickness and brightness on ultrasound images of sprinters with and without a history of low back pain. [Participants and Methods] A total of sixteen male sprinters were divided into two groups based on a history of low back pain. Short-axis views of the right side rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, transverse abdominis, and lumbar multifidus muscles were taken using an ultrasound imaging system. To measure muscle brightness, an area was selected that included as much of the muscle as possible, without any bone or surrounding fascia. [Results] The muscle thickness of the rectus abdominis and multifidus was significantly lower in the low back pain group. [Conclusion] The muscle thickness of the rectus abdominis and lumbar multifidus may be related to a history of low back pain in sprinters.

[Purpose] To become a physical therapist, one must attend a training school, attend various lectures, and memorize many terms, and this requires efficient memorization. Therefore, we studied the effects of two different methods, in which nonsense words were presented visually, on recall. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 15 university students. They were shown one set of 10 words for 5 minutes. In the control condition, all 10 words were constantly displayed for 5 minutes, and in the intervention condition, one word was erased every 30 seconds. After repeating this procedure with 7 sets, the number of participants who could recall all 10 words, the number of sets in which the participants could recall all 10 words, the number of words correctly answered, and the number of words recalled after 24 hours were compared between the two conditions. [Results] The number of sets in which all words were recalled was significantly lower for the intervention condition, but the number of words recalled was significantly higher. The number of words recalled at 24 hours was significantly higher for the intervention condition. [Conclusion] The results suggest that erasing words one by one is more effective for memorization of visual presentation than displaying all the words all the time.

[Purpose] To investigate the factors, before and at admission, related to 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) at hospital discharge of patients with acute minor stroke. [Participants and Methods] We statistically analyzed the association between 6MWD at discharge from hospital and pre-admission and admission factors that might be related to 6MWD which were extracted from the medical records of 63 patients with acute minor stroke. [Results] 6MWD at discharge from hospital was significantly negatively correlated with age, and significantly positively correlated with work status and the mini-mental state exam (MMSE) score. In addition, multiple regression analysis revealed that work status was a factor associated with 6MWD at discharge. [Conclusion] The results suggest that 6MWD at hospital discharge is associated with work status before admission in patients with acute minor stroke.

[Purpose] To compare the effectiveness of closed (CKC ex) and open (OKC ex) kinetic chain exercises for throwing injuries of the shoulder. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 42 (23 pitchers and 19 fielders) right-handed male baseball players diagnosed with throwing injuries of the shoulder, and the rates of those unable to perform CKC ex and OKC ex due to pain among all players were examined. Furthermore, 19 players, who were able to perform both exercises, were divided into 2 groups (CKC: 10; and OKC: 9), and performed one of the 2 exercises to compare the muscle-strengthening effect between them. [Results] The rate of those unable to perform CKC ex was significantly lower than that for OKC ex, and both produced the same muscle-strengthening effect. [Conclusion] The results support the effectiveness of CKC ex as a rotator cuff exercise intervention that is feasible from the acute phase, when OKC ex is difficult due to intense pain.

[Virtual Reality in Medicine and Medical Education] The introduction of virtual reality into education has begun, but it is rare in the field of physiotherapy education. [Introduction of VR Education] Virtual reality has the potential to solve challenges in physiotherapy education. [Development and Issues] We have created VR teaching materials that, with minimal preparation, allow simulation of clinical experience. Issues related to implementation costs, video editing skills, and new teaching methods were raised. [Suggestion] To facilitate the introduction of VR, the distribution of teaching materials using existing services, creation of teaching materials that can be viewed on learners’ existing terminals, and simple goggles are suggested.