[Purpose] This study investigated changes in center of pressure (COP) location while standing after a spine mat intervention with 90° of shoulder abduction, 90° of shoulder external rotation, 90° of elbow flexion, and 90° of forearm rotation of both upper limbs. [Participants and Methods] A total of 108 elementary school children were divided into spine mat, spine mat without upper-limb positioning, and bed groups. The COP location in the standing position and spinal alignment were measured before and after spine mat use. [Results] COP location shifted significantly anteriorly in the spine mat group after (41.0 ± 11.2%) versus before (35.3 ± 8.2%) the intervention. Significant differences were noted in lumbar lordosis and sacral tilt angles in the spine mat versus other groups. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the spine mat intervention with modified upper-limb positioning shifts the COP location anteriorly.

[Purpose] The effects of peripheral vision training for fall prevention on postural control and attention function were examined. [Participants and Methods] Fifty-two healthy adults subjects were randomly divided into an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group received peripheral vision training plus dynamic balance exercises (SEBT), whereas the control group received only dynamic balance exercises (SEBT). Each exercise lasted 30 seconds and the exercises were performed in a total of four sessions over two weeks. [Results] Significant within-group differences were found in the two groups for static balance, dynamic balance, and distributive attention function. However, no significant differences were found between the two groups. The questionnaire results showed significant differences in the intervention group compared to the control group in “achievement of static balance”, “enjoyment”, and “concentration and persistence”. [Conclusion] Peripheral vision training works to promote a subjective sensation in balance control and is a low-cost training method accessible to a wide range of people.

[Purpose] To confirm the reliability and validity of an anticipatory socialization index created for physical therapy students. [Participants and Methods] We conducted a web survey of 304 physical therapists with a management title and experience of supervising novice physical therapists in medical/care facilities. The study items were basic attributes and 35 items of the anticipatory socialization index. [Results] Twenty-eight items were finally selected, with the following 5 factors identified: ＜knowledge necessary for job performance＞, ＜knowledge necessary for physical therapy practice>, ＜ability necessary for smooth work performance＞, ＜ability to manage physical condition＞, and ＜understanding of workplace functions＞, which confirmed the reliability and validity of this index. [Conclusion] The use of the anticipatory socialization index to assess physical therapists led to the identification of 2 characteristic factors, ＜knowledge necessary for physical therapy practice＞ and ＜ability to manage physical condition＞, which were not reported when using an organizational socialization assessment scale.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of hip training on the one-leg jump landing motion of high school female basketball players. [Participants and Methods] The subjects were 12 players in high school girls’ basketball clubs. The measured items were hip joint strength, knee joint strength, lower limb joint angle during the one-leg drop jump landing operation, lower limb joint moment, and the maximum floor reaction force value. After the initial measurements, hip training was performed for 8 weeks and the measurements were taken again. [Results] Hip flexor strength and hip abductor strength significantly improved after the training. Hip extension moments and hip abduction moments and knee extension moments and knee valgus moments during the landing motion, and the maximum ground reaction force significantly decreased. [Conclusion] Hip training may improve the alignment of female high school basketball players during jump landing motion and decrease the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury.

[Purpose] To clarify trends in physical therapy research using text mining as a basis for promoting the effective use of this technique in physical therapy. [Participants and Methods] A literature search was conducted using the Ichushi database and 2 key words, “physical therapy” and “text mining”, to examine the year of publication, research area, sample size, software, and analysis method, as well as the way of presenting the results. [Results] Many papers analyzed open-ended survey responses in the field of education. These papers had small samples, used the same software, and often used word frequency analysis and co-occurrence network analysis. Some of them presented the results as they were output by the computer. [Conclusion] In physical therapy research, it may be efficient to use text mining for analysis of open-ended survey responses.

[Purpose] To elucidate the clinical characteristics related to the ability of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients to stand up, and to determine the threshold of lower limb muscle strength. [Participants and Methods] Thirty-six PD patients were classified into two groups based on their ability to stand up. Their clinical characteristics were compared using univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses, and the optimal cut-off value for lower limb muscle strength was calculated. [Results] The severity of gait, posture, bradykinesia, and isometric knee extension strength-to-weight ratio were associated with difficulty in standing up. Multivariate analysis revealed that the only significant association was the isometric knee extension strength-to-weight ratio. The optimal cut-off value for distinguishing the ability to stand up was 0.28 kgf/kg. [Conclusion] Treatment programs including lower limb muscle strengthening may improve the ability to stand up by compensating for PD symptoms.

[Purpose] The effects of a knee brace on hip and ankle angles and floor reaction force during walking were investigated. [Participants and Methods] The hip flexion-extension, adduction-abduction, ankle dorsiflexion-plantar flexion angles, and floor reaction forces of 12 healthy adults were measured during walking. The swing and stance phases of the walking cycle were divided into three phases, respectively, and the effect of the knee brace was evaluated. [Results] In the stance phase, wearing the knee brace increased the hip flexion angle in the early phase, and ankle dorsiflexion angle in the early and late phases. In the swing phase, the hip abduction and ankle dorsiflexion angles were significantly increased by the knee brace. The floor reaction force during stance phase was significantly lower when wearing the knee brace. [Conclusion] When the knee joint is immobilized, compensatory movements occur at the hip and ankle joints in order to complete walking motion, while the amount of weight bearing during the stance phase decreases.

[Purpose] We report the case of a patient whose ADL declined due to progressive disuse, and it became difficult for the patient to live at home. In addition to physical therapy, the introduction of appropriate welfare equipment reduced the burden of nursing care on the family. [Participant and Methods] The subject was a 90-year-old woman. She suffered a right-side femoral transverse fracture, and her disuse progressed during hospitalization and treatment. [Results] The introduction of the Hug welfare equipment enabled the patient to continue to live safely at home. [Conclusion] While it is important to provide physiotherapy to those who need care at home, it is also necessary to consider the introduction of welfare equipment that reduces the burden of both caregivers and those who need care.

[Purpose] We report the home-visit rehabilitation for a patient who continued to live at home while his symptoms gradually progressed and his ADL declined after the onset of Parkinson’s disease (PD). [Participant and Methods] The patient was a male in his 70s, diagnosed with PD (Hoehn & Yahr stage III) in 2010, whose home nursing and home rehabilitation started in 2020. [Results] The introduction of home-visit rehabilitation and appropriate welfare equipment maintained the patient’s physical functions and facilitated regular opportunities to go out enabling the patient to continue to live at home. [Conclusion] The role of home-visit rehabilitation is to maintain patients’ motor functions and their ability to perform activities of daily living. However, it is also important to adopt an approach aimed at psychological stability through social life by enabling opportunities to go out.