Effectiveness of manual therapy for patients with low back pain from the perspective of physical and psychosocial factors.

[Purpose] This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the Arthrokinematic Approach (AKA)-Hakata method for patients with low back pain (LBP). [Participants and Methods] The participants were 39 patients with LBP who visited a medical facility between June 1, 2022, and November 30, 2022. The intervention period was 8 weeks, with five treatment sessions, and the patient assessments were performed using patient self-reported measures of LBP and motor function assessment.

Validating the preoperative Japanese Core Outcome Measures Index for the Neck and comparing quality of life in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament by the patient-reported outcome measures.

Purpose: This cross-sectional study serves two main purposes. Firstly, it aims to validate the preoperative Japanese Core Outcome Measures Index for the Neck (COMI-Neck) in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Secondly, it seeks to elucidate differences in preoperative quality of life (QOL) between these two cervical pathologies using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

Immediate Effects of Foam Roller and Stretching to the Lead Hip on Golfers Swing: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Golfers with decreased range of motion (ROM) of their leading hip internal rotation (IR) have increased lumbar rotation ROM and load. This study investigated the effects of foam roller (FR) applied to their leading hip muscles combined with stretching to the leading hip together with lumbar rotation ROM during the golf swing. The study design was a crossover design.

Relationship between Isokinetic Trunk Muscle Strength and Return to Sports Competition after Conservative Therapy in Fresh Cases of Lumbar Spondylolysis: A Retrospective Observational Study.

This study aimed to clarify the relationship between isokinetic trunk muscle strength and return to sporting activities in fresh cases of lumbar spondylolysis treated with conservative therapy. Patients included a total of ten men (age: 13.5 ± 1.

Loss of height predicts fall risk in elderly Japanese: a prospective cohort study.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to explore whether height loss is associated with future falls and whether the combination of height loss and fall experience is associated with future falls.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective observational study, a total of 765 individuals (354 men, 411 women) agreed to join the study. Baseline data on demographics, comorbidities, physical performance, and previous falls were assessed.

Effects of incorporating elliptical trainer exercise during rehabilitation on physical function and self-reported outcomes after total hip arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

[Purpose] To investigate the effects of incorporating elliptical trainer exercise in early rehabilitation after total hip arthroplasty on physical function and self-reported outcomes. [Participants and Methods] Participants with independent gait prior to total hip arthroplasty underwent conventional postoperative physiotherapy and were divided into two groups. The intervention group additionally underwent elliptical trainer exercise, while the control group underwent a walking program.

Determining a preventive strategy for ankle sprain injury through a questionnaire survey of coaches of junior high school basketball teams.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine a preventive strategy for ankle sprain injury through a questionnaire survey of coaches of junior high school basketball teams. [Participants and Methods] The questionnaire comprised questions concerning coaches' characteristics, prevention-related content, and collaboration with medical staff. We distributed the questionnaire to 108 coaches, of which 48 (41.

Muscle fatigue in the gluteus maximus changes muscle synergies during single-leg landing.

Introduction: Hamstring strain often occurs at the end of a match or during practice in sports activities. The gluteus maximus muscle is an important muscle for hip extension along with the hamstring. Gluteus maximus muscle dysfunction may be involved in the occurrence of hamstring strain.

Physical function characteristics in Japanese high school volleyball players with low back pain: A case-controlled study.

Low back pain (LBP) is a typical symptom in volleyball players, yet associated physical function factors have not been identified. This study purpose is to determine the relationship between LBP and physical function factors in order to identify potential factors for the management of LBP.Participants were 123 male and female volleyball players of 15- to 17-year-olds who, completed a questionnaire regarding demographic details, presence of LBP, and years of volleyball experience.

Use of malleoli as an indicator for flatfoot in patients with Down syndrome: development of a simple and non-invasive evaluation method through medial longitudinal arch.

[Purpose] Flatfoot often presents in patients with Down syndrome, and it can be diagnosed using a simple radiograph. Consequently, due to radiograph limitations, alternative non-invasive testing must be determined. Conventionally, arch height ratio can be used for evaluation of the medial longitudinal arch, where the foot is evaluated by detecting the navicular bone on the foot surface.

Influence of a Foot Insole for a Down Syndrome Patient with a Flat Foot: A Case Study.

: Patients with Down syndrome have many orthopedic problems including flat foot. Insertion of an insole for a flat foot provides support to the medial longitudinal arch; thus, insole therapy is often used to treat a flat foot. However, the influence of an insole insertion on the knee joint kinematics for a patient with Down syndrome is unknown.

Factors associated with low back pain in elite high school volleyball players.

[Purpose] To determine the relationship between low back pain and a range of demographic, environmental, and injury history factors to identify potential factors for the management of low back pain. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 123 elite high school male and female volleyball players. They answered an extensive questionnaire regarding demographic details, low back pain in the previous year, volleyball-specific movements, previous regional injuries, and years of volleyball experience.

The one-leg portion of the Stand-Up Test predicts fall risk in aged individuals: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Falls are a primary cause of physical disability in older adults, making them a major public health problem. Locomotive syndrome risk assessments have proven to be simple to administer, practical, and useful as screening tools in detecting decreased mobility in middle-aged and elderly adults. The current prospective study investigated whether these tests were associated with future falls among elderly Japanese.

Immediate effect of application of the pressure technique to the psoas major on lumbar lordosis.

[Purpose] To demonstrate immediate alteration in lumbar lordosis and the lumbar angle in each segment after the application of the mechanical pressure technique to the psoas major muscle (PM). [Participants and Methods] In all, 34 participants were assigned to either the PM pressure technique group (n=17) or control group (n=17). Three dimensional (3D) coordinates of the 12th thoracic spinous process and lumbar spinous processes were measured with a 3D digitizer in the prone position with 15° bilateral hip extension to compare the changes in lumbar lordosis and the lumbar extension angle in each segment in both the PM pressure technique group and control group.

Three-Dimensional Motion Analysis of the 2nd Cervical Spinous Process at End Range Cervical Rotation in Different Scapular Positions Using 3D Digitizer.

Objective: The study used a 3D digitizer to determine three-dimensional motion analysis of the 2nd cervical (C2) spinous process at end range cervical rotation with the scapula in different positions.

Methods: 30 healthy adults participated in this study. Different scapula positions were adopted bilaterally and positioned passively at normal resting, depression, adduction, and abduction.

Does trampoline or hard surface jumping influence lower extremity alignment?

[Purpose] To determine whether repetitive trampoline or hard surface jumping affects lower extremity alignment on jump landing. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty healthy females participated in this study. All subjects performed a drop vertical jump before and after repeated maximum effort trampoline or hard surface jumping.

Identifying elderly people at risk for cognitive decline by using the 2-step test.

[Purpose] The purpose is to verify the effectiveness of the 2-step test in predicting cognitive decline in elderly individuals. [Subjects and Methods] One hundred eighty-two participants aged over 65 years underwent the 2-step test, cognitive function tests and higher level competence testing. Participants were classified as Robust, <1.

Early embryonic development and external features of developing embryos of the caddisfly, Nemotaulius admorsus (trichoptera: Limnephilidae).

Formative processes of the blastoderm, germ disk, embryonic membranes, and germ band in the trichopteran Nemotaulius admorsus are described. Successive external changes of developing embryos are also described, chiefly on the basis of SEM data. The blastoderm is very thin, and a circular germ disk forms in its ventro-posterior region about 32 hr after oviposition.

Mesodermal organogenesis in the embryo of the primitive moth, Neomicropteryx nipponensis Issiki (Lepidoptera, Micropterygidae).

The formation of somites, coelomic sacs, splanchnic mesoderm, fat bodies, circular system, gonads, and musculature in the embryo of the primitive moth, Neomicropteryx nipponensis Issiki, is described. The following paired somites are formed: the labral, antennal, intercalary, mandibular, maxillary, labial, three thoracic, and 11 abdominal. Small but distinct coelomic cavities appear in all these somites.

Embryonic development of the alimentary canal and ectodermal derivatives in the primitive moth, Neomicropteryx nipponensis issiki (Lepidoptera, Micropterygidae).

The formation of the alimentary canal, nervous system, and of other ectodermal derivatives in the embryo of the primitive moth, Neomicropteryx nipponensis Issiki, is described. The stomodaeum is formed from an invagination in the medioposterior portion of the protocephalon. The proctodaeum arises as an extension of the amnioproctodaeal cavity.

The embryonic development of the primitive moth, Neomicropteryx nipponensis Issiki (lepidoptera, micropterygidae): Morphogenesis of the embryo by external observation.

The micropterygid moth Neomicropteryx nipponensis belongs to the most primitive suborder Zeugloptera of the Lepidoptera. During embryogenesis the small circular germ disk formed on the ventral egg surface invaginates deeply into the yolk. It finally separates from the egg periphery or rudimentary serosa, and becomes a sac-shaped germ rudiment.