Developmental changes in lower limb joint ranges of motion in Japanese children aged 6-15 years.

Background: Assessing lower limb ranges of motion (ROMs) is crucial for diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal and neurological disorders in children. Although prior studies examining decline in flexibility among school-age children suggest potential age-related changes in lower limb ROMs, this hypothesis remains unproven. Therefore, in this study, we aim to examine age-related differences in lower limb ROMs among school-age children.

Reliability of a Self-Administered Performance Evaluation Tool Based on the Modified Barthel Index.

Background: Accurately assessing Activities of Daily Living (ADL) is crucial for evaluating patient independence, yet there is a lack of standardized tools suitable for large-scale surveys, particularly those that are self-administered. We aimed to validate the reliability of the self-administered Performance Evaluation Tool based on the modified Barthel Index (PET-MBI).

Methods: In this study, 53 patients and 18 occupational therapists were included to determine the inter-rater and intra-rater reliabilities via questionnaires.

Educational effectiveness of remote training with smart glasses for impression-taking.

Purpose: To compare the educational outcomes of remote instruction (RI) in impression-taking using smart glasses with those of face-to-face instruction (FI) and paper-based self-learning (SL) and analyze the educational effects, aiming to develop a remote clinical training strategy.

Methods: Participants were recruited from among the dental residents who were trained in the first-year clinical program at the university hospital in 2023. The participants were divided into three groups as the original skill level was equal, and the groups were assigned RI, FI, printed guidance, and SL.

Association between muscle quality and nutritional status among community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study.

Decline in muscle quality is associated with poorer health in community-dwelling older adults. Although there is evidence that malnutrition is associated with the decline of muscle quality in older adults, few analyses have considered important factors related to muscle quality. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between muscle quality and nutritional status in community-dwelling older adults, taking into account muscle mass, muscle strength, and amount of physical activity.