[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between professional identity and academic motivation in physical therapy students. [Participants and Methods] Sixty third-grade physical therapy students were surveyed about their professional identity and academic motivation. [Results] The intellectual curiosity (β＝0.40), external rewards (β＝0.22), and enjoyment of youth (β＝0.22) items of academic motivation had a positive effect on professional identity, however, apathy (β＝－0.40) had a negative effect. [Conclusion] The results of this study suggest that different academic motivation factors are associated with professional identity in physical therapy students.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of number of days free breeding on ankle joint contracture. [Participants and Methods] The right ankle joint of rats was immobilized at maximum plantar flexion with hindlimb suspension, and the immobilization was removed on the 8th day. After that, rats were divided into three groups: a 7-day free breeding group, a 6-day free breeding group, and a 0-day free breeding group. [Results] There were no significant differences in the dorsiflexion range of motion of the ankle joint among the three groups on the 8th day after the removal of immobilization. On day 14, the last day of the experiment, the 7-day free breeding group showed significantly better dorsiflexion range of motion of the ankle joint than the other two groups, but there was no significant difference between the 6-day and 0-day free breeding groups. [Conclusion] Free breeding ankle joint range of motion was improved more than that of the unloaded hindlimb suspension condition. On the other hand, the free breeding condition may have overloaded the joint contractures.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of patients who were hospitalized for severe COVID-19 pneumonia and discharged from hospital after they could walk independently. [Participants and Methods] We compared 112 patients who underwent ventilator management and rehabilitation in an intensive care unit, and divided them into two groups: the independent group (76 patients) and non-independent group (36 patients) according to whether they could walk at the time of discharge. [Results] The independent and non-independent groups differed significantly in age (55.8 ± 12.3 vs. 66.7 ± 13.0), delirium (12 vs. 12 patients), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (SOFA) score (7 vs. 8), ferritin (1813 vs. 1168 ng/mL) and duration of intubation (6.1 days vs. 11.1 days). [Conclusion] Age, presence of delirium, SOFA score, ferritin, and duration of intubation were associated with the ability of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia to walk independently at discharge.

[Purpose] To clarify the relationships between nurses’ and therapists’ clinical competence levels and attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration, we examined the 2 types of professionals using the Japanese-version Assessment of Interprofessional Team Collaboration Scale II (AITCS-II-J), a scale to measure the status of such collaboration, and compared their scores, focusing on these relationships. [Participants and Methods] A total of 115 nurses and therapists working in hospitals specializing in rehabilitation were analyzed. [Results] There were no significant differences in the total AITCS-II-J score among the ladders. On the other hand, the score for each statement varied between nurses and therapists based on the ladder. [Conclusion] The results suggest that the perspective on interprofessional collaboration varies according to the profession and career ladder level. Based on this, the timing of intervention and interventional approaches to promote positive attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration should be carefully examined.

[Purpose] This study researched the relationship between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and physical activity (PA) in patients with heart disease. [Participants and Methods] Forty-eight patients (mean age 72.6 ± 6.9 years) with heart disease were included in this study. MCI was evaluated using the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J). PA was evaluated by a Fitbit inspire (Fitbit Inc.) for a week which calculated the average number of steps per day as a variable. Partial correlation analysis adjusted for age and sex was performed to analyze the correlation between the MoCA-J and PA. [Results] The mean score of the MoCA-J was 25 ± 3.6 points and that of PA was 5337 ± 2534 steps/day. The partial correlation analysis revealed a strong correlation between the MoCA-J and PA (r＝0.66). [Conclusion] Early detection of MCI is necessary for reducing the risk of dementia and improving PA.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare the post-graduate clinical ability of physical therapists who received clinical training at a medical facility with those who had it replaced with on-campus training. [Participants and Methods] The subjects were 51 physical therapists who graduated from a 4-year school in 2020. Clinical performance was measured using the Clinical Competence Evaluation Scale in Physical Therapy (CEPT). The group who received the clinical training was designated as the regular training group, and the group who received the on-campus training was designated as the alternative training group. [Results] There was no significant difference in the total CEPT score, but the alternative training group showed significantly lower values in “knowledge of clinical physical therapy” and “self learning abilities”. [Conclusion] It was found that the physiotherapists who had clinical training replaced with on-campus training tended to be disadvantaged in clinical knowledge and self learning.

[Purpose] To investigate the relationships among the Nutritional Risk Index for Japanese Hemodialysis Patients (NRI-JH), Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), motor function and Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (SMI), and to examine the usefulness of NRI-JH. [Participants and Methods] Sixty outpatients (38 males and 22 females) on maintenance hemodialysis were included in the study. Basic characteristics such as age, gender, height, dry weight, Body Mass Index, NRI-JH score, GNRI, hand-grip strength (HGS), five times sit-to-stand test, and SMI were used as assessment items. [Results] The NRI-JH score was not significantly related to any of the items, and the GNRI was positively related to SMI and HGS. [Conclusion] The NRI-JH score was not related to GNRI or motor function. A limitation of this study was the limited number of subjects. Future studies are needed to examine the associations of the NRI-JH with nutritional screening, exercise function, and SMI.

[Purpose] In after-school daycare services, understanding and sharing the goals and challenges of children with their parents and staff leads to effective support. This study aimed to clarify these goals and issues from the perspectives of parents and staff to propose rehabilitation issues. [Participants and Methods] The target group consisted of 10 parents and five staff members, and the goals and tasks of 10 children were surveyed using an open-ended questionnaire. The responses were analyzed using the open coding method, in which the contents of the open-ended statements were coded, categories were extracted, and the results were organized into short-term and long-term goals and tasks. [Results] Parents and staff members had different perceptions of short-term goals and issues, whereas many of the long-term goals and issues were related to employment for both. [Conclusion] The future rehabilitation issues included bridging the gap between parents and staff in terms of short-term goals and issues, and promoting appropriate support for children to work or go on to higher education in terms of long-term goals and issues.

[Purpose] This study observed the treatment of individuals with musculoskeletal diseases, and clarified the verbal instruction given by physical therapists. [Participants and Methods] Thirteen physical therapists and eleven inpatients participated in this study. Verbal guidance was recorded and its content was categorized into verbal instruction, feedback, and verbal reinforcement. [Results] The results show that 43.0% of verbal instruction used by physical therapists was verbal reinforcement. The percentage of internal focus of attention used by physical therapists was 69.1% for verbal instruction and 89.0% for feedback. [Conclusion] The results suggest that physical therapists may use a lot of verbal reinforcement without realizing it. Also, that internal focus of attention may be used more frequently in movement instruction in physical therapy because it is difficult to set an objective target.

[Purpose] To translate the Orthotics and Prosthetics Users’ Survey-Client Satisfaction with Device (OPUS-CSD) that is used in western countries into Japanese, and to verify the reliability and validity of this Japanese version (OPUS-CSD-J) as a basis for developing a scale available in Japan to rate orthotic/prosthetic users’ satisfaction. [Participants and Methods] Fifty-four orthotic/prosthetic users were included to examine the reliability of the created OPUS-CSD-J in terms of internal consistency based on Cronbach’s alpha for each score, and the correlation coefficient between scores from this and the System Usability Scale as a general-purpose satisfaction rating scale was calculated to examine the former’s concurrent validity. [Results] The OPUS-CSD-J was shown to have sufficient reliability and validity for prosthetic users, but not for orthotic users. [Conclusion] It may be necessary to appropriately narrow down target diseases, as well as the types and purposes of prosthetics/orthotics, and to reflect users’ opinions, in order to develop a satisfaction rating scale that fits Japan.

[Purpose] To categorize trends in symptom improvement of female patients with fibromyalgia (FM) during a 3-week inpatient exercise program (aerobic exercise, muscle strengthening exercise, etc.). [Participants and Methods] Eleven female patients with FM were the subjects. The SF-8 Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) were assessed before and after the program, and physical condition, fatigue, sound sleep, pain, enjoyment, number of steps, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, and posture (percentage of time spent sitting and standing) were measured before, during and after the program. The tendency of symptom improvement was classified into four categories based on the tendency of improvement in each item using Quantification Theory Type III analysis. [Results] Symptom improvement trends were classified into four groups: 1) sleep duration, sound sleep, and fatigue; 2) posture and PCS; 3) number of steps, MCS, and sleep efficiency; and 4) pain, enjoyment, and physical condition. [Conclusion] The present study categorized the effects of exercise therapy for female patients with FM into four types.

[Purpose] This study investigated the effect of different ways of holding luggage on the sway of the center of pressure (COP) and the upper-body center of gravity (UCOG) of community-dwelling older adults. [Participants and Methods] The subjects were 15 older adults. Holding luggage was carried out under four conditions: no possession, backpack, holding a handbag, carrying a handbag on the shoulder. COP was evaluated by measuring the total locus length (TLL) and the locus lengths (LL) in the lateral and anterior-posterior directions. The UCOG sway was evaluated by calculating its Root Mean Square (RMS) in the lateral and anterior-posterior directions. [Results] Under the three luggage-carrying conditions, the TLL, lateral and anterior-posterior LL were significantly lower than those with no luggage possession. There were no significant differences in anterior-posterior and lateral UCOG sway RMS among any of the conditions. [Conclusion] The three luggage-carrying conditions did not affect the UCOG sway, but a decrease in the standing COP sway was observed, suggesting that carrying luggage may contribute to a reduction in standing COP sway.

[Purpose] To clarify the relationship between the error value of the Functional Reach Test (FRT) estimate and history of falls in the last 6 months in elderly persons requiring long-term care. [Participants and Methods] A cross-sectional study was conducted of 31 elderly patients (14 males, age 83.1 ± 8.8 years) who used day-care services. In addition to the FRT estimation error value, basic items were extracted from medical records, and physical functions, cognitive function, and fear of falling were measured as items considered to be related to fall history. [Results] The FRT error value was identified as a factor associated with history of falls. [Conclusion] The results of the present study suggest that elderly persons requiring long-term care who have a large FRT estimate error value are at a higher risk of falling.

[Purpose] To conduct a systematic review of smartphone application measurement methods, and their validity and reliability of joint range of motion (SG) measurements. [Participants and Methods] The PubMed, Cochrane and medical databases were searched, and studies meeting the eligibility criteria were qualitatively analyzed using the Quality Appraisal of Reliability Studies (QAREL) to confirm their quality. [Results] Out of the 612 studies retrieved, 57 studies met the eligibility criteria. The quality of the studies was moderate. Thirty-seven studies used manual fixation, 16 armband fixing, and 8 image sensor-based methods. There were no studies in which all joints were measured with a single application. [Conclusion] It was clear that methodologies differed between studies even when the same application was used.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effect of prone positioning on the respiratory function of patients with the severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) which emerged in 2019. [Participants and Methods] We examined 24 COVID-19 patients who underwent mechanical ventilation at the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center from March 2020 to November 2021. The respiratory function of these patients before and after prone positioning was compared. The indices of respiratory function were the P/F ratio obtained from the blood data and peak pressure (Ppeak), positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), delta P (⊿P), and static compliance (Cstat) displayed on the graphic monitor of the ventilator. [Results] After prone positioning, significant increases in the P/F ratio and Cstat were observed. Although Ppeak, PEEP and ⊿P decreased, their differences were not significant. [Conclusion] The results of this study demonstrate that prone positioning was effective at contributing to improvement of the respiratory status of patients with severe COVID-19.

[Purpose] Due to the spread of the COVID-19 infection, off-campus clinical early exposure training became impossible. The educational effect of alternative training on-campus as an emergency measure was investigated. [Participants and Methods] The subjects were 102 first-year Department of Physical Therapy students and 8 external teachers. A questionnaire survey of the subjective learning achievement and learning content was performed. [Results] The subjective learning achievement in the affective, cognitive, and psychomotor domains were all answered positively. Experience gained was in the whole affective domain, rehabilitation in various fields, the way of communication, symptom and physical therapy of patients through videos. The experience not gained was communication with real patients, the tension and atmosphere of the medical workplace, and details of patients' condition. [Conclusion] It is important to improve the quality of on-campus education for clinical practice.