Damgaardgraversen6937

[Purpose] Heat can prevent cartilage degeneration when applied to articular cartilage, but the size of the human knee joint makes it difficult to target cartilage during heat treatment. In this study, we aimed to establish a heat therapy method capable of safely applying heat to deep intra-articular tissues utilizing a resonant cavity applicator and to confirm the extent of cartilage heating in the human knee when using this system. [Participants and Methods] Heating experiments were carried out on the knees of healthy three volunteers using a resonant cavity applicator and a microwave diathermy system. After heat application, temperature distributions inside the knee were measured noninvasively using our measurement method based on ultrasound imaging techniques. [Results] We observed an increase in the temperature around the cartilage tissue in the knees of the volunteers using an ultrasonic thermometer; there was no increase in temperature in the overlying layers. During heating with up to 20 W of power, none of the volunteers experienced adverse reactions. [Conclusion] This study indicates the potential safety and effectiveness of the resonant cavity heat therapy system for knee osteoarthritis in a clinical setting.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between pitching weight and pitching mechanics, including ball reaction force (BRF) and temporal parameters, for the prevention of throwing injury in adult amateur pitchers. [Participants and Methods] Twenty adult male amateur pitchers (mean age, height, and body mass 26 ± 3.4 years, 1.7 ± 0.03 m, and 71.6 ± 9.5 kg, respectively) randomly pitched light (110 g) and heavy (145 g) baseballs at maximum velocity. Kinematic, kinetic, and temporal parameters were compared between the light and heavy balls. [Results] Pitching heavy balls significantly increased the BRF to 9.2 N and maximum trunk rotation angular velocity to 26.2°/sec, and decreased the ball speed to 1.4 m/sec and upper limb joint torque efficiency and shoulder internal rotation angular velocity at the moment of ball release at 250.8°/sec. Furthermore, the peak temporal kinetic parameters until ball release appeared early in the throwing of the heavy ball. [Conclusion] Adult amateur pitchers who pitched heavy balls had greater BRF; had decreased upper limb joint torque efficiency, ball speed, and arm angular velocity; and reached maximum kinetics early. Adult amateur pitchers may be at risk of throwing injuries due to throwing of heavy balls.[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate a cross-cultural adaptation of the 40-item Healthcare Provider-Patient Activation Scale (HP-PAS). [Participants and Methods] We followed a guideline for cross-cultural adaptation that recommended using two forward and backward translations. In pilot testing, participants were Japanese physical therapists who provided comments about expression readability. Two authors independently categorized each comment as either "unable to understand" or "suggestion to enhance clarity", after which Cohen κ and % agreement were used to assess agreement. We then assessed the flooring and ceiling effects, internal consistency, and Spearman ρ between the factor scores of the patient-activation-approach and non-patient-activation-approach. [Results] A total of 58 Japanese physical therapists participated in the pilot test. The agreement on comments was κ=0.44 and 86.5%. We identified the flooring and ceiling effects for most items. In addition, the internal consistency was acceptable for each factor; however, the Spearman ρ between the patient-activation-approach and non-patient-activation-approach factor scores was positive when it should have been negative. [Conclusion] We developed a Japanese version of the HP-PAS which will serve as a foundation for future studies to establish a measurement method for the magnitude of patient activation in the physical therapist population.[Purpose] The effect of physical activity on systemic inflammation remains unclear and might be negative in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lower weight. We investigated the amount of physical activity as the time spent in posture and movement and its association with systemic inflammation. [Participants and Methods] In this retrospective cross-sectional pilot study, we evaluated 11 patients with COPD (age, 73 ± 7 years; body mass index, 18.9 ± 2.9 kg/m2). A recently developed triaxial accelerometer was used to measure the time spent in posture and movement. We also evaluated body composition, physiological indexes, and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines. Single correlation coefficients were calculated as the association between physical activity and other outcomes. [Results] The walking time was 36 ± 32 min/d, and the standing time was 151 ± 118 min/d. The time spent walking significantly correlated with the fat-free mass index (r=0.73) and interleukin (IL)-8 level (r=0.76). The time spent standing significantly correlated with the C-reactive protein (r=0.80) and IL-6 levels (r=0.74). [Conclusion] These data indicate that increased physical activity is associated with higher systematic inflammation. We should consider that the systemic inflammation may have been affected by the increased physical activity of the patients with COPD and lower weight in this study.[Purpose] This study aimed to clarify the contribution of the morphology of the facet joint in spondylolysis. [Participants and Methods] A total of 68 junior athletes with lower back pain were evaluated. They were classified into groups B (bilateral spondylolysis), U (unilateral spondylolysis), and C (without spondylolysis). The same observer measured the sagittal orientation of the L4/L5 and L5/S1 facet joint angles from the axial sections, using computed tomography. Facet joint angles were statistically compared for differences among groups B, UL (the spondylolysis side in group U), UN (the normal side in group U), and C. [Results] The L4/L5 facet joint angles were significantly more coronally oriented in groups B and UL than in group C, while the L5/S1 facet joint angles showed no significant differences among the four groups. Nec-1s price [Conclusion] The results of this study suggest that a more coronal orientation of the L4/L5 facet joint may increase the point loading through the L5 pars interarticularis in extension and rotation.