Effectiveness of Meniscus Root Tear Repair Versus Conservative Therapy and Adjunct Therapies: A Systematic Review.

The meniscus plays a vital role in knee biomechanics, particularly in load distribution and stability. Meniscus root tears (MRTs) compromise these functions, resulting in biomechanical alterations and knee osteoarthritis. The effectiveness of different MRT treatments is not yet well defined.

Physical Therapist-Led Initiatives for the Prevention and Improvement of Chronic Pain Among Workers: A Case Study of Hosting Workshops Based on Survey Results in a Corporate Setting.

Industrial physical therapy (IPT) interventions by physical therapists can enhance labor productivity. However, in Japan, there is a scarcity of case studies involving corporate visits, questionnaire-based data, and insights into corporate demands. Addressing this gap is vital for improving presenteeism related to chronic pain and increasing employees' health literacy, thereby advancing corporate health management.

Pilot Study on the Relationship Between Different Lower Limb Raising Velocities and Trunk Muscle Contraction in Active Straight Leg Raise.

Background/objectives: The active straight leg raise requires intricate coordination between the hip, knee, pelvis, and spine. Despite its complexity, limited research has explored the relationship between lower limb raising velocity and trunk muscle motor control during an active straight leg raise in healthy individuals. This study aimed to explore the potential effects of increased lower limb raising velocity on core muscle contractions during active straight leg raises.

Effect of galanin-like peptide on hypothalamic kisspeptin expression in female Zucker fatty rats.

Kisspeptin and galanin-like peptide (GALP) neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) are involved in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuron-mediated pulsatile luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion. Zucker fatty (ZF) rats display a leptin receptor gene abnormality and suppressed pulsatile LH secretion. ZF rats reportedly exhibit low hypothalamic GALP and kisspeptin expression, and GALP administration induces LH release in ZF rats.

Associations Between DCD Traits, Perceived Difficulties Related to ADHD, ASD, and Reading and Writing Support Needs Among Students in Higher Education: A Pilot Study.

Since the Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities was enacted in 2016, the number of students with disabilities in higher education institutions has increased significantly, creating a greater need for support. Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) often coexists with other neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and reading and writing difficulties; yet, awareness of DCD remains low. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of DCD traits among Japanese higher education students and their relationship with ADHD, ASD, and reading and writing support needs A pilot study was conducted with 77 university students (mean age: 19.

Absence of sex differences in diabetes-induced suppression of KNDy neurons in rats.

Diabetes mellitus disturbs kisspeptin-neurokinin B-dynorphin A (KNDy) neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), which regulate pulsatile luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in both sexes. However, it remains unclear whether a sex-specific association with the negative effects of diabetes on KNDy neurons exists. Therefore, we examined mRNA expression in KNDy neurons of diabetic male and female rats 7 weeks after streptozotocin (STZ) injection using histochemistry.

Continuous Support from the Same Public Health Nurse and Parental Perception and Use of Health Care Services: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Objective: Continuity is considered essential for high-quality maternal and child health care services, but studies to show this effect on parental well-being are still rare. We studied whether receiving support from the same public health nurse has a beneficial effect on parental perceptions of health care professionals and the use of childcare support services.

Methods: Maternal and child health care services were provided by different nurses in a Japanese municipality until March 2019.

[Association between financial anxiety and subjective health and physical fatigue perceptions among mothers of 18-month-old infants].

Objective　Poverty is a factor that affects children's health through its role in parental depression and stress. While the association between financial status and depression or quality of life scores of mothers has been previously reported in Japan, no study has focused on mothers' subjective health and physical fatigue perceptions. This study aimed to examine the relationship between mothers' financial anxiety and subjective health and physical fatigue perceptions.

Effectiveness of psychological intervention following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of psychological interventions in postoperative anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) compared to standard rehabilitation.

Methods: The databases searched were PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PEDro, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature, and EMBASE were searched from each database inception to May 2023 for published studies. The methodological quality was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment (RoB 2.

Research integrity in Instructions for Authors in Japanese medical journals using ICMJE Recommendations: A descriptive literature study.

Background: The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) has published Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals. These provide a global standard for writing and editing medical articles, including research integrity. However, no study has examined the research integrity-related content of Japanese medical journals' Instructions for Authors.

Relationship of total sagittal spinal alignment index of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis with physical function in community-dwelling older adults.

Background: Overall spinal curvature is evaluated by calculating the difference between the angles of lumbar lordosis (LL) and thoracic kyphosis (TK) and is expressed as LL minus TK (LL-TK). It is unclear whether LL-TK is associated with physical function in community-dwelling older adults and whether it is more relevant than TK or LL alone.

Objective: This study aimed to identify whether LL-TK is associated with physical function in community-dwelling older adults, and whether it is strongly associated than TK or LL alone.

Effectiveness of Mentorship Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Reduce Burnout and Turnover among Nurses: Intervention Impact on Mentees.

Objective: Mentoring programs can improve nurses' mental health. This study examined the effects of a staff training program based on cognitive behavior therapy for burnout in which mentors provided intervention to their mentees.

Methods: The principal investigator served as a facilitator and conducted staff training in cognitive behavior therapy.

Work-related musculoskeletal pain among physical therapists: a cross-sectional study in Kyoto and Shiga prefectures, Japan.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the actual working conditions and prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among physical therapists in Japan, and the risk factors associated with low back pain (LBP) and upper limb pain (ULP).

Methods: A cross-sectional study of physical therapists in the Kyoto and Shiga prefectures was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. The survey contents included questions regarding personal, work-related, and musculoskeletal pain factors.

Cross-cultural adaption, validity, and reliability of the Japanese version of the Central Aspects of Pain in the Knee (CAP-Knee-J) questionnaire in patients with knee pain: a validation study.

Background: Knee pain is a prominent concern among older individuals, influenced by the central nervous system. This study aimed to translate the Central Aspects of Pain in the Knee (CAP-Knee) questionnaire into Japanese and investigate its reliability and validity in older Japanese individuals with knee pain.

Methods: Using a forward-backward method, CAP-Knee was translated into Japanese, and data from 110 patients at an orthopedic clinic were analyzed.

Trends and associations between kinesiophobia and knee function from preoperatively to three and six months postoperatively in patients post-ACL reconstruction surgery.

Objective: This study aimed to clarify the relationship between the transition of kinesiophobia and knee joint function from the preoperative period to three months postoperative, the time to resume running, six months post-ACLR, and the goal time to resume sports.

Methods: 54 patients who underwent initial ACLR were included in this study. The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-11 (TSK-11) was used to assess kinesiophobia.

Challenges of using body bags for COVID-19 deaths from the healthcare provider perspective - a qualitative study.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous issues regarding end-of-life care for COVID-19 patients have been discussed. Among these issues, challenges related to the use of body bags following the death of COVID-19 patients have been suggested. This study aimed to identify the challenges faced by healthcare professionals (HCPs) when using body bags after the death of patients infected with COVID-19 in medical settings.

Relationship between respiratory muscle strength and dynamic balance in older persons requiring care or support: Focusing on the maximal single step length test and maximal double step length test as dynamic balance indices.

Background: Falls are a major health problem. The relationship between dynamic balance related to falls and respiratory muscle strength related to sarcopenia and frailty is poorly understood.

Research Question: How do dynamic balance measures, such as maximal single step length test (MSL) and maximal double step length test (MDST), and respiratory muscle strength measures, such as maximal inspiratory (PImax) and maximal expiratory (PEmax), related to the requirement for long-term care or support in older people who live in the community?

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 39 older people (17 men, 22 women) aged ≥ 65 years community-dwelling who were certified as requiring long-term care or support under the Japanese system.