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This study aimed to investigate the efect of a rehabilitation program combined with pain management targeting pain perception and activity avoidance on multifaceted outcomes in older patients with acute vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). We randomised 65 older adults with acute VCFs to either an intervention group (n = 32), involving usual rehabilitation combined with pain management that targeted pain perception and activity avoidance, or a control group (n = 33), involving only usual rehabilitation. Te usual rehabilitation was initiated immediately after admission. All patients were treated conservatively. Pain management aimed to improve the patients’ daily behaviour by increasing their daily activities despite pain, rather than by focusing on eliminating the pain. Pain intensity and psychological statuses such as depression, pain catastrophising, and physical activity levels were assessed on admission. Two weeks postadmission and at discharge, physical performance measures were assessed along with the above-given measurements. A signifcant main efect of the group was observed for the intensity of lower back pain, favouring the intervention group (F = 5.135, p = 0.027). At discharge, it was signifcantly better in the intervention group than in the control group (p = 0.011). A time-by-group interaction emerged for magnifcation of the pain catastrophising scale (p = 0.012), physical activity levels (p < 0.001), and six-minute walking distance (p = 0.006), all favouring the intervention group. Rehabilitation programs combined with pain management targeting pain perception and activity avoidance could be an efective conservative treatment for older patients with acute VCFs., Pain Research and Management, 2023, art. no. 1383897; 2023

Objective To examine whether compared with a program without increased physical activity, an intervention program with increased physical activity can prevent the development of musculoskeletal pain in community-dwelling older adults. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Japanese community. Subjects Seventy-nine older adults without musculoskeletal pain were randomized into two groups: an intervention group (n = 40) that engaged in increased physical activity and an exercise class and a control group (n = 39) that participated only in the exercise class. Methods The exercise class consisted of weekly 60-min sessions over 24 weeks. The program to increase physical activity required the participants to record their daily step counts using pedometers. The primary outcome was the development of musculoskeletal pain, and secondary outcomes were physical function, psychological status, cognitive function, and physical activity levels. Results Twenty-four weeks after the intervention, the intervention group had a significantly lower prevalence of musculoskeletal pain (12.8%) than the control group (32.4%; P = .040). A time-by-group interaction emerged for cognitive function (P = .01) and physical activity levels (P Conclusions The intervention program with increased physical activity prevented the development of musculoskeletal pain and improved cognitive function, physical activity levels, and psychological status more effectively than the program without increased physical activity. Our intervention program may be an effective pain prevention approach for older adults. Trial registration UMIN000032768; registered on June 1, 2018.

BACKGROUND: Research on the multi-faceted characteristics of persistent severe acute lower back pain (LBP) resulting from acute vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the psychological and functional status of older patients with persistent severe acute LBP after conservative treatment of VCFs. METHODS: This prospective study included women aged 50 years and older who had acute VCFs and were admitted to the hospital. Pain intensity, depression, pain catastrophizing, activities of daily living (ADL), muscle strength, and vertebral deformity were assessed on admission. At 2 and 4 weeks post-admission, physical performance tests were performed along with the above measures. RESULTS: We divided 131 participants into severe (n= 64) and mild (n= 67) groups according to their pain intensity at 4 weeks. Compared to the mild group, the severe group showed significantly higher levels of depression and catastrophizing, with significantly poorer muscle strength and endurance. There were no significant differences in ADL and vertebral deformities between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that older patients with persistent severe acute LBP resulting from VCFs tend to be depressed and pain catastrophizing. Furthermore, persistent severe acute LBP negatively impacts endurance and muscle strength but not ADL.

Although macrophage accumulation plays a key role in the development of immobilization-induced muscle fibrosis, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, we focused on the alterations of myonuclear apoptosis via cleaved caspase-3, and investigated whether these changes may be related to macrophage accumulation.Eight-week-old Wistar rats were divided into immobilization and control groups, and the soleus muscles were selected for analysis.The mRNA and protein expression of collagen and the number of CD11b-positive cells were significantly higher in the immobilized rats than in the control rats at 1 and 2 weeks. TdT-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL)-positive myonuclei counts in 1- and 2-week control rats were 0.2 ± 0.1 and 0.2 ± 0.5, whereas they were 1.0 ± 0.6 and 1.1 ± 0.5 in 1- and 2-week immobilized rats. The cleaved caspase-3 protein expressions in 1- and 2-week control rats were 0.2 ± 0.1 and 0.2 ± 0.1, whereas they were 0.5 ± 0.1 and 0.4 ± 0.2 in 1- and 2-week immobilized rats. TUNEL-positive myonuclei counts and cleaved caspase-3 protein expression were significantly higher in immobilized rats than in control rats at 1 and 2 weeks. The numbers of myonuclei in 1- and 2-week control rats were 2.8 ± 0.1 and 2.6 ± 0.4, whereas they were 2.2 ± 0.4 and 2.2 ± 0.2 in 1- and 2-week immobilized rats. The numbers of myonuclei were significantly lower in immobilized than in control rats at both time-points.Myonuclear apoptosis via the upregulation of cleaved caspase-3 might induce macrophage accumulation. These alterations are related to immobilization-induced muscle fibrosis.

Objective To investigate the role of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaMK4) in the development of joint injury in a mouse model of arthritis and patients with RA. Methods Camk4-deficient, Camk4flox/floxLck-Cre, and mice treated with CaMK4 inhibitor KN-93 or KN-93 encapsulated in nanoparticles tagged with CD4 or CD8 antibodies were subjected to collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Inflammatory cytokine levels, humoral immune response, synovitis, and T-cell activation were recorded. CAMK4 gene expression was measured in CD4+ T cells from healthy participants and patients with active RA. Micro-CT and histology were used to assess joint pathology. CD4+ and CD14+ cells in patients with RA were subjected to Th17 or osteoclast differentiation, respectively. Results CaMK4-deficient mice subjected to CIA displayed improved clinical scores and decreased numbers of Th17 cells. KN-93 treatment significantly reduced joint destruction by decreasing the production of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, Camk4flox/floxLck-Cre mice and mice treated with KN93-loaded CD4 antibody-tagged nanoparticles developed fewer Th17 cells and less severe arthritis. CaMK4 inhibition mitigated IL-17 production by CD4+ cells in patients with RA. The number of in vitro differentiated osteoclasts from CD14+ cells in patients with RA was significantly decreased with CaMK4 inhibitors. Conclusion Using global and CD4-cell-targeted pharmacologic approaches and conditionally deficient mice, we demonstrate that CaMK4 is important in the development of arthritis. Using ex vivo cell cultures from patients with RA, CaMK4 is important for both Th17 generation and osteoclastogenesis. We propose that CaMK4 inhibition represents a new approach to control the development of arthritis.

This study investigated the effects of wheel-running using the upper limbs following immobilization after inducing arthritis in the knees of rats. Forty male Wistar rats (aged 8 weeks) divided into four groups randomly: arthritis (AR), immobilization after arthritis (Im), wheel-running exercise with the upper limbs following immobilization after arthritis induction (Im+Ex) and sham arthritis induction (Con). The knee joints of the Im and Im+Ex groups were immobilized with a cast for 4 weeks. In the Im+Ex group, wheel-running exercise was administered for 60 min/day (5 times/week). The swelling and the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the knee joint were evaluated for observing the condition of inflammatory symptoms in affected area, and the paw withdraw response (PWR) was evaluated for observing the condition of secondary hyperalgesia in distant area. Especially, in order to evaluate histological inflammation in the knee joint, the number of macrophage (CD68-positive cells) in the synovium was examined. The expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the spinal dorsal horn (L2-3 and L4-5) was examined to evaluate central sensitization. The Im+Ex group showed a significantly better recovery than the Im group in the swelling, PPTs, and PWRs. Additionally, CGRP expression of the spinal dorsal horn (L2-3 and L4-5) in the Im+Ex group was significantly decreased compared with the Im group. According to the results, upper limb exercise can decrease pain in the affected area, reduce hyperalgesia in distant areas, and suppress the central sensitization in the spinal dorsal horn by triggering exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH)., Physiological Research, 70(1), pp. 79-87; 2021

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of exercise and/or educational intervention on physical activity and pain in patients with hip/knee osteoarthritis (OA) using systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: We searched randomized controlled trials that investigated physical activity and pain and compared exercise and/or educational intervention with usual care in patients with hip/knee OA in MEDLINE (PubMed), ProQuest, Scopus, and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), including all those published by April 30, 2022 and written in English. Studies that newly applied analgesics after onset of the intervention were excluded. The revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials was used to assess the methodological qualities. The random-effects model was used for meta-analysis with standard mean differences using RevMan version 5.4. The body of evidence for each study was synthesized using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Results: Twenty studies including 2,350 patients were included (7 exercise studies, 8 educational intervention studies and 5 combination studies). The meta-analysis demonstrated that there is very low evidence that combination therapy of exercise and educational intervention improve the physical activity level at the endpoint (4 articles; SMD 0.33, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.51, P = 0.03). Low evidence was observed for combination therapy reducing pain (4 articles; SMD -0.15, 95% CI -0.29 to -0.02, P = 0.03). Discussion: The current evidence indicated that combination therapy of exercise and educational intervention leads to improved physical activity and pain reduction in hip/knee OA patients, but the risk of bias in each study, especially in allocation concealment, downgraded the evidence level. These findings support the use of a combination therapy of exercise and educational intervention to promote physical activity levels in patients with hip/knee OA. Trail registration: There was no financial support for this research. The protocol was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (registration code: CRD42020205804)., PloS one, 17(11), art. no. e0275591; 2022

This study aimed to investigate whether belt electrode skeletal muscle electrical stimulation (B-SES) would improve postoperative lower limb function and walking ability in patients with diabetes who have undergone minor amputations. Diabetic patients who had undergone minor amputations were assigned randomly to a B-SES or control group. The B-SES group underwent conventional physical therapy for 20 min and B-SES for 20 min. The control group underwent only the 20-min conventional physical therapy. In both groups, rehabilitation was introduced by the physical therapists for 14 days from postoperative day 1. The outcome measures were range of motion in the ankle joint, knee extension muscle strength, ambulation status, and quality of life score. All these were evaluated before the intervention and 2 and 4 weeks after the intervention. From the 84 patients initially assessed, 32 were assigned to either the B-SES ( N = 16) or control ( N = 16) group. Preoperatively, there were no significant differences in all endpoints. The B-SES group showed significant improvement in the ankle dorsiflexion angle at 2 weeks postoperatively and knee joint extension strength at 4 weeks postoperatively. Postoperative B-SES with standard physical therapy might improve the range of motion of dorsiflexion of the ankle joint and extensor strength of the knee joint in patients with diabetes who have undergone minor amputations. B-SES is a useful tool to improve postoperative physical function in diabetic patients who have undergone minor amputations. A multicenter study is needed to determine the effective B-SES combined with regular physiotherapy for minor amputation.

Introduction This study aimed to clarify factors associated with post-stroke depression in patients with acute stroke within 2 weeks of onset. Method Eighty-eight patients with stroke were divided into post-stroke depression ( n = 49) and non-post-stroke depression ( n = 39) groups based on their Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores. We evaluated stroke severity, upper limb function, activities of daily living, frontal lobe/cognitive function, and level of apathy. Activity levels were measured using an ActiGraph GT9X Link system. Mann–Whitney U-tests were used to determine differences between the two groups. Spearman’s rank correlation and logistic regression analyses were also performed. Results The post-stroke depression and non-post-stroke depression groups exhibited significant differences in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores at admission and discharge; Functional Independence Measure exercise items, cognitive items, and total items at admission; Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores; and Apathy Rating Scale scores. Logistic regression indicated that Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores were associated with post-stroke depression. Conclusion Stroke severity, paralysis, and physical function/activities of daily living ability are associated with post-stroke depression in the acute phase. Our findings suggest that increases in physical impairment severity are associated with increased post-stroke depression risks. Rehabilitation professionals should focus on identifying post-stroke depression in early post-stroke stages.

Takako Tanaka,1,2 Minoru Okita,1 Sue Jenkins,3 Ryo Kozu1 1Department of Physical Therapy Science, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan; 2Department of Rehabilitation, Tagami Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan; 3Institute for Respiratory Health and Physiotherapy Department, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western AustraliaCorrespondence: Takako Tanaka, Department of Physical Therapy Science, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8520, Japan, Tel +81 95 819 7919, Fax +81 95 819 7919, Email tanakataka@nagasaki-u.ac.jpPurpose: The presence of pain can be associated with an exaggerated negative cognitive and emotional response, leading to worsening of existing symptoms. This study aimed to describe the multifaceted impact of chronic pain on cognition, emotional and physical health in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and to explore the clinical impact of pain.Patients and Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional multicenter study was carried out in 68 people with COPD (COPD group) and 65 community-dwelling age-matched participants (control group). Participants were assessed for the presence of chronic pain, pain location, intensity and catastrophizing, pain-related fear (kinesiophobia), anxiety and depression, physical activity, and sleep duration. The COPD group also completed assessments of dyspnea, exercise tolerance (6-minute walk distance [6MWD]), and activities of daily living (ADL).Results: The prevalence of pain was higher in the COPD group (85% vs 51%, p< 0.001). The COPD group reported pain located in neck/shoulder, upper back, thorax and upper limbs, while the control group had more pain in the lower back. Pain catastrophizing and kinesiophobia were reported by 28% and 67% vs 9% and 42%, in the COPD and control groups respectively (both p< 0.05). People with COPD and pain (n=58) reported greater dyspnea (p< 0.001), and impairment in ADL (p< 0.05), and lower 6MWD and physical activity (both p< 0.01) compared to COPD participants without pain (n=10).Conclusion: This study demonstrated that, compared to community-dwelling participants, there is a higher prevalence of chronic pain in people with COPD. Pain combined with dyspnea may impact adversely on cognitive function and lead to anxiety and depression, as well as greater impairment in exercise tolerance, physical activity, and ADL. These results suggested that it is necessary to assess the symptoms of chronic pain and inflect in chronic pain coping strategies.Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic pain, cognitive function, physical function, dyspnea

Purpose Immobilization osteopenia is a major healthcare problem in clinical and social medicine. However, the mechanisms underlying this bone pathology caused by immobilization under load-bearing conditions are not yet fully understood. This study aimed to evaluate sequential changes to the three-dimensional microstructure of bone in load-bearing immobilization osteopenia using a fixed-limb rat model. Materials and method Eight-week-old specific-pathogen-free male Wistar rats were divided into an immobilized group and a control group (n = 60 each). Hind limbs in the immobilized group were fixed using orthopedic casts with fixation periods of 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Feeding and weight-bearing were freely permitted. Length of the right femur was measured after each fixation period and bone microstructure was analyzed by micro-computed tomography. The architectural parameters of cortical and cancellous bone were analyzed statistically. Results Femoral length was significantly shorter in the immobilized group than in the control group after 2 weeks. Total area and marrow area were significantly lower in the immobilized group than in the control group from 1 to 12 weeks. Cortical bone area, cortical thickness, and polar moment of inertia decreased significantly after 2 weeks. Some cancellous bone parameters showed osteoporotic changes at 2 weeks after immobilization and the gap with the control group widened as the fixation period extended (P < 0.05). Conclusion The present results indicate that load-bearing immobilization triggers early deterioration of microstructure in both cortical and cancellous bone after 2 weeks., PLoS ONE, 17(11), art. no. e0275439; 2022

Understanding the relationship between pain and physical activity (PA) levels is beneficial for maintaining good health status. However, the impact of pain on changes in PA during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine whether PA levels pre-, during, and post-COVID-19 state of emergency differ between Japanese adults who had pain after the COVID-19 state of emergency and those who did not.Data were collected from a cross-sectional online survey conducted between October 19 and 28, 2020. The analytic sample consisted of 1967 Japanese adults aged ≥40 years who completed the online survey. Participants completed questionnaires on the presence of pain and duration of PA, defined as the total PA time per week based on activity frequency and time. Participants were asked to report their PA at 3 time points: October 2019 (before the COVID-19 pandemic), April 2020 (during the COVID-19 state of emergency), and October 2020 (after the COVID-19 state of emergency).Among participants aged ≥60 years who reported pain in October 2020, the total PA time was significantly lower than participants who did not report having pain. Furthermore, the total PA time in April 2020 was significantly lower than that in October 2019; however, no significant difference in total PA time was observed between April and October 2020. Among participants aged 40 to 59 years, no significant differences were observed in total PA times at the 3 time points between those with and without pain. In addition, the total PA time in October 2020 significantly increased compared to that in April 2020, although it significantly decreased in April 2020 compared to October 2019.This study suggests that older adults with pain have lower PA levels after the COVID-19 state of emergency.

Purpose: Immobilization of skeletal muscles causes muscle atrophy, muscle contracture, and muscle pain, the mechanisms of which are related to macrophage accumulation. However, muscle contractile exercise through a belt electrode device may mitigate macrophage accumula-tion. We hypothesized that such exercise would be effective in preventing myofiber atrophy, muscle contracture, and muscular pain. This study tested this hypothesis in immobilized rat gastrocnemius muscle. Materials and methods: A total of 32 rats were divided into the following control and experimental groups: immobili-zation (immobilized treatment only), low-frequency (LF; immobilized treatment and muscle contractile exercise with a 2 s (do) /6 s (rest) duty cycle), and high-frequency (HF; immobi-lized treatment and muscle contractile exercise with a 2 s (do)/2 s (rest) duty cycle). Electri-cal stimulation was performed at 50 Hz and 4.7 mA, and muscle contractile exercise was applied to the lower limb muscles for 15 or 20 min/session (once daily) for 2 weeks (6 times/ week). After the behavioral tests, the bilateral gastrocnemius muscles were collected for analysis. Results: The number of macrophages, the Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 mRNA expression, and the hydroxyproline content in the HF group were lower than those in the immobilization and LF groups. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of type IIb myofibers in the superficial region, the PGC-1α mRNA expression, and the range of motion of dorsiflexion in the HF group were significantly higher than those in the immobilization and LF groups. The pressure pain thresholds in the LF and HF groups were significantly higher than that in the immobilization group, and the nerve growth factor (NGF) content in the LF and HF groups was significantly lower than that in the immobilization group. Conclusion: Muscle contractile exercise through the belt electrode device may be effective in preventing immobilization-induced myofiber atrophy, muscle contracture, and muscular pain in the immobilized rat gastrocnemius muscle., PLoS ONE, 17(9), art. no. e0275175; 2022

Aim The present study aimed to determine whether measures of chronic pain are associated with social frailty in community-dwelling older adults. Methods Participants comprised 248 older adults who enrolled for community-based exercise classes. Chronic pain was defined as the presence of significant pain-related symptoms within the past month that had continued for at least 6 months. Social frailty was defined as positive responses to two of the following five questions (going out less frequently, rarely visiting friends, feeling unhelpful to friends or family, living alone and not talking with someone every day). Physical function was assessed using the Chair Stand and Timed Up and Go tests. Results A total of 55 participants (22.2%) met the criteria for social frailty. A total of 28 socially frail participants (50.9%) and 56 of the socially integrated participants (29.0%) reported chronic pain. The presence of chronic pain was significantly associated with social frailty after adjusting for age, sex and physical function measures (odds ratio 2.13, 95% confidence interval 1.01-4.48). Chronic pain was also significantly associated with three social frailty items: going out less frequently, rarely visiting friends and feeling unhelpful to friends or family. Conclusions Chronic pain was independently associated with social frailty in community-dwelling older adults. Simple assessments of chronic pain and subsequent pain management interventions might be beneficial for older people with social frailty. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 1153-1156.

Muscle dysfunction such as loss of muscle mass and decreased muscle strength is often observed in patients with hematologic malignancies. However, specific factors associated with muscle function have not been identified. The purpose of this study was to identify significant factors affecting muscle function in patients with hematologic malignancies. This was a cross-sectional, observational study. Eighty-eight inpatients with hematologic malignancies undergoing chemotherapy were recruited. Participants were evaluated for muscle thickness and isometric knee extensor strength as indicators of muscle function, physical activity, physical symptoms, psychological distress, and self-efficacy at the start date of rehabilitation. Multiple regression analysis with muscle function as the dependent variable and clinical information and other evaluation items as explanatory variables was performed. Lymphocyte count, the geriatric nutritional risk index, and physical activity were significant factors associated with muscle thickness, while physical activity and self-efficacy were significant factors associated with isometric knee extensor strength. Nutritional status, physical activity, and self-efficacy were significant factors associated with muscle function in patients with hematologic malignancies. Rehabilitation intervention focusing on improving physical activity and nutritional status should be considered necessary for enhancing muscle function in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Purpose: Belt electrode skeletal muscle electrical stimulation (B-SES) can stimulate large portions of muscles including deep sites without localisation of the stimulation area. The purpose of this study is to investigate both immediate treatment effects of B-SES and long-term treatment effects of B-SES with passive exercise on range of motion (ROM) and muscle tone of lower extremities in bedridden elderly patients. Methods: Outcome measures before and after B-SES treatment alone (4 Hz, 20 min, both lower extremities) were examined for the immediate effect. Outcome measures were: ROM and Modified Ashworth scale (MAS) of hip flexion and adduction; knee flexion and extension; and knee joint distance at position of flexion abduction in hip (distance of knee). A randomized crossover trial was conducted to examine the long-term effect of adding B-SES to passive exercise on ROM and MAS. Results and Discussion: The immediate effect study had 18 patients. ROM and MAS of 4 joint angles in 2 joints and distance of knee significantly improved after B-SES treatment. The long-term effect study had 11 patients. Friedman test revealed ROM and MAS of 4 joint angles in 2 joints and distance of knee significantly improved during B-SES intervention but not control intervention. B-SES in addition to passive stretch has a more statistically significant effect on contracture and spasticity in large portions of the lower extremities of bedridden elderly patients than passive stretching alone. Conclusions: We consider B-SES a useful tool to improve the ROM in lower extremities of bedridden patients.

Background：Diabetes-related foot lesions are a major cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations and are associated with a high re-amputation rate. Lesions can cause hindrance in activities of daily living, reduce physical function, and lower a patient’s quality of life. Physical therapy is necessary to prevent these limitations. Thus far, there has been limited investigation into the re-amputation rate in patients who have undergone physical therapy. This study aimed to elucidate modifiable risk factors for re-amputation in patients with minor amputations who were treated with physical therapy during their hospitalization.Methods：This was a retrospective cohort study of 245 consecutive hospitalized patients who presented to our Wound Care Center between January 2015 and February 2018 and received physical therapy after a minor amputation. Participants were identified from admission records to surgical and physical therapy units stored in the electronic medical records. We examined re-amputations that occurred in the ipsilateral lower extremity during the 1-year post-discharge outpatient period. The maximum follow-up period was set at 1 year. We used Cox proportional hazards analysis to examine factors affecting the risk of re-amputation.Results: Of the 129 patients enrolled, 42 patients (32.5%) underwent re-amputations during an average observation period of 6.2 months (range, 2.1 to 10.9 months). The factors associated with re-amputation were a requirement for hemodialysis, ankle dorsiflexion angle, and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) ambulation score.Conclusions: In diabetes patients with minor amputations, a requirement for hemodialysis, ankle dorsiflexion angle, and the FIM ambulation score were shown to be modifiable risk factors for re-amputation. This emphasizes that maintaining vascular endothelial function through lower limb muscle exercises for hemodialysis, improving ankle mobility, and relieving plantar pressure during walking are necessary to reduce the risk of re-amputation. Patients with these risk factors should be encouraged to participate in physical therapy.

Voluntary exercise is sufficient to protect against neuropathic pain. However, it is unclear whether voluntary exercise reduces immobilization-induced hyperalgesia. We examined the effect of voluntary forelimb exercise on immobilized-induced hyperalgesia in hind paws of rats. Wistar rats were randomly divided into the (1) both hind limbs immobilized group (IM group), (2) immobilization and exercise with nonimmobilized fore limbs group (EX group), and (3) control group. In the IM and EX groups, the bilateral ankle joints of each rat were immobilized in full plantar flexion with a plaster cast for eight weeks. In the EX group, voluntary exercise using nonimmobilized forelimbs in the running wheel was administered during the immobilization period, while hind limbs were kept immobilized (60 min/day, 5 days/week). Mechanical hyperalgesia in the hind paw was measured using a digital von Frey device every week. To investigate the abnormality of primary sensory neurons and central sensitization, the number of calcitonin gene-related peptide-positive cells in the dorsal root ganglion and the expression level of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the spinal dorsal horn were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Immobilization-induced mechanical hyperalgesia was inhibited in the EX group compared to the IM group at three weeks after immobilization. In the EX group, the number of calcitonin gene-related peptide-positive cells in the dorsal root ganglion and the expression level of calcitonin gene-related peptide were significantly decreased compared to those in the IM group. Our results therefore suggest that voluntary forelimb exercise during hind limb immobilization partially reduces immobilization-induced hyperalgesia by suppressing that the plastic changes of the primary sensory nerves that excessively transmit pain and increased responsiveness of nociceptive neurons in the spinal dorsal horn., Pain Research and Management, 2021, art. id 5592992; 2021

Background：Diabetes-related foot lesions are a major cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations and are associated with a high re-amputation rate. Lesions can cause hindrance in activities of daily living, reduce physical function, and lower a patient’s quality of life. Physical therapy is necessary to prevent these limitations. Thus far, there has been limited investigation into the re-amputation rate in patients who have undergone physical therapy. This study aimed to elucidate modifiable risk factors for re-amputation in patients with minor amputations who were treated with physical therapy during their hospitalization.Methods：This was a retrospective cohort study of 245 consecutive hospitalized patients who presented to our Wound Care Center between January 2015 and February 2018 and received physical therapy after a minor amputation. Participants were identified from admission records (to surgical and physical therapy units) stored in the electronic medical records. We examined reamputations that occurred in the ipsilateral lower extremity during the 1-year post-discharge outpatient period. The maximum follow-up period was set at 1 year. We used Cox proportional hazards analysis to examine factors affecting the risk of reamputation.Results: Of the 129 patients enrolled, 42 patients (32.5%) underwent reamputations during an average observation period of 6.2 months (range, 2.1 to 10.9 months). The factors associated with reamputation were a requirement for hemodialysis, ankle dorsiflexion angle, and ambulation Functional Independence Measure score.Conclusions: In diabetes patients with minor amputations, requirement for hemodialysis, ankle dorsiflexion angle, and functional independence measure (FIM) ambulation were shown to be modifiable risk factors for re-amputation. This emphasizes that maintaining vascular endothelial function through lower limb muscle exercises for hemodialysis, improving ankle mobility, and off-loading walking are necessary to reduce the risk of reamputation. Patients with these risk factors should be encouraged to participate in physical therapy.

Purpose: Macrophage accumulation in response to decreasing myonuclei may be the major mechanism underlying immobilization-induced muscle fibrosis in muscle contracture, an intervention strategy suppressing these lesions is necessary. Therefore, this research investigated the effect of belt electrode-skeletal muscle electrical stimulation (B-SES), a new electrical stimulation device, to the macrophage accumulation via myonuclei decrease in immobilization-induced muscle fibrosis. Materials and methods: 18 Wistar male rats were divided into the control group, immobilization group (with plaster cast fixation to immobilize the soleus muscles in a shortened position for 2 weeks), and B-SES group (with muscle contractile exercise through B-SES during the immobilization period). B-SES stimulation was performed at a frequency of 50 Hz and an intensity of 4.7 mA, muscle contractile exercise by B-SES was applied to the lower limb muscles for 20 minutes/session (twice a day) for 2 weeks (6 times/week). The bilateral soleus muscles were used for histological, immunohistochemical, biochemical, and molecular biological analyses. Results: The number of myonuclei was significantly higher in the B-SES group than in the immobilization group, and there was no significant difference between the B-SES and control groups. The cross-sectional area of type I and II myofibers in the immobilization and B-SES groups was significantly lower than that in the control group, and the cross-sectional area of type I myofibers in the B-SES group was higher than that in the immobilization group. However, Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 mRNA expression in the immobilization and B-SES groups was significantly higher than those in the control group. Additionally, the number of macrophages, IL-1β, TGF-β1, and α-SMA mRNA expression, and hydroxyproline expression was significantly lower in the control and B-SES groups than those in the immobilization group. Conclusion: This research surmised that muscle contractile exercise through B-SES prevented immobilization-induced muscle fibrosis, and this alteration suppressed the development of muscle contracture., PLoS ONE, 16(5), art. no. e0244120; 2021

Severe acute pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may cause delay in muscle strength and functional recovery, and it is a risk factor for chronic postoperative pain. Although pharmacological approaches are the typical firstline to treat acute pain; recently, nonpharmacological approaches such as exercise have been increasingly applied. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of a rehabilitation program involving isometric quadriceps exercise with auditory and visual feedback to improve the short-term outcome after TKA. Sixty-two patients, planning a primary unilateral TKA, were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 31) involving isometric quadriceps exercise with auditory and visual feedback in usual rehabilitation after TKA or a control group (n = 31) involving a standardized program for TKA. Patients in the intervention group performed the isometric quadriceps muscle exercise using the Quadriceps Training Machine from 2 to 14 days after TKA instead of the traditional quadriceps sets. Pain intensity, isometric knee extension strength, range of motion, timed up and go test (TUG), 10-m gait speed, 6-minute walking distance, the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC), the hospital anxiety and depression scale, and the pain catastrophizing scale were assessed before TKA (baseline) and 1 to 3 weeks after TKA. Pain intensity significantly decreased in the intervention group than in the control group at 1 (p = 0.005), 2 (p = 0.002), and 3 (p = 0.010) weeks after TKA. Greater improvements in TUG (p = 0.036), 10-m gait speed (p = 0.047), WOMAC total score (p = 0.017), pain (p = 0.010), and function (p = 0.028) 3 weeks after TKA were observed in the intervention group. These results suggest that isometric quadriceps exercises with auditory and visual feedback provided early knee pain relief, possibly leading to better improvements in physical performance, and patient's perception of physical function in the early stages of postoperative TKA. Further studies should investigate whether this short-term effect is sustainable.

Background: Diabetic foot lesions are a major cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations; they can interfere with daily life, reduce physical function and lower a patient’s quality of life. Physical therapy is necessary to prevent such social disadvantage. Patients at high risk of reamputation may require physical therapy to prevent reamputation. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the factors that influence re-amputation in patients with minor amputations who were treated with physical therapy during their hospitalization.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 245 consecutive hospitalized patients who presented to our Wound Care Center between January 2015 and February 2018 and received physical therapy after a minor amputation. Participants were identified from admission records (to surgical and physical therapy units) stored in the electronic medical records. We examined reamputations that occurred in the ipsilateral lower extremity during the 1-year post-discharge outpatient period. The maximum follow-up period was１year. We used Cox proportional hazards analysis to examine factors affecting the risk of reamputation.Results: Of the 129 patients enrolled, 42 patients (32.5%) underwent reamputations during an average observation period of 6.2 months (range, 2.1 to 10.9 months). The factors associated with reamputation were a requirement for hemodialysis, ankle dorsiflexion angle, and ambulation Functional Independence Measure score.Conclusions: We identified a requirement for hemodialysis, ankle dorsiflexion angle, and functional independence measure (FIM) ambulation as the factors associated with reamputation in patients with diabetes who had undergone minor amputation. In the future, developing a physical therapy program that focuses on these factors could help reduce reamputations.

Background: Chronic pain is reported in 44-88% of patients with COPD and might be associated to avoidance of physical activities. A better understanding of the kinesiophobia caused by chronic pain will help inform approaches for managing pain in COPD. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether kinesiophobia caused by chronic associated to symptoms and physical functioning in COPD patients. Methods: Fifty-eight COPD patients (age 77±9 years, male 74%, FEV1 1.2±0.6L) with chronic pain according to IASP definition were included. Patients were classified into two groups using the Tampa scale for kinesiophobia (TSK), where TSK≥37 indicates kinesophobia. Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (mMRC), Pulmonary function, 6-minute walk test, leg fatigue using Borg scale, the Nagasaki University Respiratory ADL questionnaire (NRADL), International physical activity questionnaire, COPD assessment test (CAT), Pain catastrophizing scale, Hospital anxiety and depression scale were evaluated and compared between two groups. Results: 67% of patients showed TSK≥ 37. mMRC, leg fatigue and CAT were significantly higher in patients with kinesiophobia (mMRC, 2.4±1.2 vs 1.6±1.4; leg fatigue, 1.5±1.5 vs 0.2±0.7, CAT, 19.1±7.7 vs 10.1±5.4, all p Conclusion: The kinesiophobia caused by chronic pain in COPD may promote higher dyspnea and leg fatigue, more restricted ADL, lower physical activity and HRQoL.

Background: With aging, there has been an increase in the number of patients with lower limb amputations, especially in Japan. Previous studies have reported that minor amputation after limb salvage is associated with a high recurrence, with the ulcer recurring within 10.5 months. Age, wounded area, history of peripheral artery disease, and wound infection have been reported as the risk factors of recurrence. Thus far, there are no studies on the association between rehabilitation and reamputation. This study therefore aimed to examine factors predictive of reamputation in patients with diabetes who have undergone minor amputation for developing a rehabilitation program.Methods: This study included 129 patients who had undergone physical therapy between January 2015 and February 2018. The patients were assigned to the reamputation and non-reamputation groups. We retrospectively studied the patients’ medical records and compared the factors between the groups. Next, we analyzed the differences between the factors using Cox proportional hazards analysis.Results: During the follow-up period, 42 patients (35.2%) underwent reamputation. The factors associated with reamputation were hemodialysis, ankle dorsiflexion angle, and ambulation Functional Independence Measure score.Conclusions: We identified hemodialysis, ankle dorsiflexion angle, and FIM ambulation were the factors associated with reamputation in patients with diabetes who had undergone minor amputation． Future developing a rehabilitation program focusing on these factors could reduce reamputations.

Background Diabetes-related foot lesions are a major cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations and are associated with a high re-amputation rate. Lesions can cause hindrance in activities of daily living, reduce physical function, and lower a patient’s quality of life. Physical therapy is necessary to prevent these limitations. Thus far, there has been limited investigation into the re-amputation rate in patients who have undergone physical therapy. This study aimed to elucidate modifiable risk factors for re-amputation in patients with minor amputations who were treated with physical therapy during their hospitalization. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of 245 consecutive hospitalized patients who presented to our Wound Care Center between January 2015 and February 2018 and received physical therapy after a minor amputation. Participants were identified from admission records to surgical and physical therapy units stored in the electronic medical records. We examined re-amputations that occurred in the ipsilateral lower extremity during the 1-year post-discharge outpatient period. The maximum follow-up period was set at 1 year. We used Cox proportional hazards analysis to examine factors affecting the risk of re-amputation. Results Of the 129 patients enrolled, 42 patients (32.5%) underwent re-amputations during an average observation period of 6.2 months (range, 2.1 to 10.9 months). The factors associated with re-amputation were a requirement for hemodialysis, ankle dorsiflexion angle, and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) ambulation score. Conclusions In diabetes patients with minor amputations, a requirement for hemodialysis, ankle dorsiflexion angle, and the FIM ambulation score were shown to be modifiable risk factors for re-amputation. This emphasizes that maintaining vascular endothelial function through lower limb muscle exercises for hemodialysis, improving ankle mobility, and relieving plantar pressure during walking are necessary to reduce the risk of re-amputation. Patients with these risk factors should be encouraged to participate in physical therapy.

Objective The biological mechanisms of cryotherapy for managing acute pain remain unclear. Additionally, it is unknown whether the effectiveness of cryotherapy depends on the applied temperature. This study aimed to clarify the biological effects of cryotherapy and to examine the therapeutic effects of cryotherapy applied at different temperatures in rats. Methods This was an experimental study using a rat knee joint arthritis model. Thirty-five Wistar rats were randomly divided into arthritis (AR), arthritis with 5°C cryotherapy (CR-5), arthritis with 10°C cryotherapy (CR-10), and sham-arthritis control (CON) groups. Arthritis was induced by injecting a mixture of kaolin/carrageenan into the right knee joint. Cryotherapy was applied for 7 days starting the day after injection by immersing the right knee joint in 5°C or 10°C water. Joint transverse diameter, pressure pain threshold, and pain-related behaviors were assessed for 7 days. The number of CD68-positive cells in the knee joint and the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the spinal dorsal horn 8 days after injection were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Results Improvements in transverse diameter, pressure pain threshold, and pain-related behaviors were observed in the CR-5 and CR-10 groups on the 3rd day compared with the AR group. The number of CD68-positive cells and the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the CR-5 and CR-10 groups were significantly decreased compared with the AR group. There were no significant differences in all results between the CR-5 and CR-10 groups. Conclusions Cryotherapy can ameliorate inflammatory pain through reduction of synovium and central sensitization. Additionally, the effects of cryotherapy lower than 10°C are observed independent of applied temperature. Impact Cryotherapy may be beneficial as a physical therapy modality for pain and swelling management in the acute phase of inflammation. Translational human study is needed to determine the effective cryotherapy temperature for the inflammatory pain.

INTRODUCTION Referred pain in the anterior knee joint is the most common symptom in hip disease patients. The development of referred pain is considered to be related to dichotomizing peripheral sensory fibers. However, no gross anatomical findings identify any dichotomizing fibers innervating both the hip and knee joints. We dissected the femoral and obturator nerves in human cadavers to investigate the distribution of the articular branches in the hip and knee joints. Fourteen embalmed left lower limbs from 14 Japanese adult cadavers (five from females, nine from males, average age 73.8 ± 14.1 years) were observed macroscopically. The articular branches of the femoral and obturator nerves were dissected at the anterior margin of the groin toward the thigh region. After dissections of the articular nerves of the hip joints, the femoral and obturator nerves were exposed from proximally to distally to identify the articular nerves of the knee joints. The branching pattern of the articular branches in the hip and knee joints was recorded. In six of 14 limbs (42.9%), the femoral nerve supplied articular branches to the anteromedial aspect of both the hip and knee joints. These articular branches were derived from the same bundle of femoral nerve. These gross anatomical findings suggested that dichotomizing peripheral sensory fibers innervate the hip and knee joints and these could relate to the referred pain confirmed in the anterior knee joints of patients with hip disease. Clin. Anat. 31:705-709, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

AIM The present cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between frailty and chronic pain, activities of daily living (ADL), and physical activity in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS Participants were 379 older adults who attended community-based exercise classes. Outcome measures were frailty as determined by the Kihon Checklist, full pain assessment (including the sensory, emotional and cognitive aspects of pain), ADL and physical activity. These outcomes were evaluated using validated tests and instruments. Assessments were carried out before beginning the exercise classes. Outcome measures were compared for participants with and without frailty. Frailty was defined as a total Kihon Checklist score ≥7, and chronic pain as the presence of related symptoms within the past month that had continued for at least 6 months and corresponded with a numerical rating scale score of at ≥5 at the site of maximum pain. RESULTS In total, 134 (35.4%) participants met the frailty criteria; 60.4% of this group had chronic pain. The frail group had significantly worse scores for the sensory, emotional and cognitive aspects of pain, ADL and physical activity than the non-frail group (P

This study examined the aging effect on disuse muscle atrophy prevention using heat stress. Wistar rats aged 7 and 60 weeks were divided into three groups as follows: control, immobilized (Im), and immobilized and heat stressed (ImH). Heat stress was given by immersing the hindlimbs in hot water (42 °C) for 60 min, once in every 3 days and the gastrocnemius (GAS) and soleus (SOL) muscles were extracted after 14 days. Muscle-fiber types were classified using ATPase staining. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) was assessed through Western blotting. In GAS muscle of both groups and SOL muscle of 7-week-old rats, the fiber diameter of each muscle type in the ImH group significantly increased compared with that in the Im group. However, this could not be observed in the SOL muscle of the 60-week-old rats. The increased percentage of type-I fibers and variability of types I and II muscle-fiber diameter were evident in the SOL muscle of the 60-week rats. HSP70 was significantly elevated in the ImH group compared with in the Im group in both muscle types of both age groups. Thus, effectiveness of heat stress in the prevention of disuse muscle atrophy appears unsatisfactory in aging muscle fibers.

BACKGROUND Although researchers have recommended exercise training and psychosocial intervention to manage chronic pain, an effective intervention for Japanese community-dwelling older adults with chronic pain has not been established. This randomized controlled trial examined whether exercise training combined with psychosocial intervention more effectively improves pain, psychological status and physical activity than does exercise training alone in this population. METHODS We randomized 128 older adults with chronic pain to either an intervention group (n = 64) involving exercise training combined with psychosocial intervention, or a control group (n = 64) involving only exercise training. Exercise training comprised weekly 60-min sessions for 12 weeks. Psychosocial intervention involved changing participants' focus on pain using self-management education and cognitive behavioural therapy, and participants recorded their daily pain intensity and step counts. Pain intensity, psychological status and physical activity were assessed before and 12 weeks after the intervention. RESULTS A time-by-group interaction emerged for psychological status (p = 0.003) and physical activity (p

The purpose of this study was to examine the time-dependent changes in the development of joint capsule fibrosis and in the number of myofibroblasts in the joint capsule after immobilization, using a rat knee contracture model. Both knee joints were fixed in full flexion for 1, 2, and 4 weeks (immobilization group). Untreated rats were bred for each immobilization period (control group). Histological analysis was performed to evaluate changes in the amount and density of collagen in the joint capsule. The changes in type I and III collagen mRNA were examined by in situ hybridization. The number of myofibroblasts in the joint capsule was assessed by immunohistochemical methods. In the immobilization group, the amount of collagen increased within 1 week and the density of collagen increased within 2 weeks, as compared with that in the control group. Type I collagen mRNA-positive cell numbers in the immobilization group increased at all time points. However, type III collagen mRNA-positive cell numbers did not increase. Myofibroblasts in the immobilization group significantly increased compared with those in the control group at all time points, and they increased significantly with the period of immobilization. These results suggest that joint capsule fibrosis with overexpression of type I collagen occurs and progresses within 1 week after immobilization, and an increase in myofibroblasts is related to the mechanism of joint capsule fibrosis. The findings suggest the need for a treatment targeting accumulation of type I collagen associated with an increase in myofibroblasts. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:1998-2006, 2017.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the pathology and mechanism of immobilization-induced skin fibrosis in a rat joint contracture model.Rats were randomly divided into control and immobilization groups. In the immobilization groups, knee joints of the rats were immobilized for 1, 2, and 4 weeks. After each immobilization, skin was dissected. To assess fibrosis in the skin, the thickness and area of adipocytes and connective tissue fibers were measured. Myofibroblasts were analyzed by immunohistochemistry by using anti-α-SMA as a marker. Gene expression levels of type I and III collagen, TGF-ß1, and HIF-1α were measured by using RT-PCR.One week after immobilization, there was a marked increase in the area of connective tissue fibers in the immobilization group. Type I and type III collagen were significantly increased with prolonged immobilization. Higher numbers of α-SMA-positive cells were noted in the immobilized group at 2 and 4 weeks after immobilization. The expression level of TGF-β1 mRNA in the immobilization group increased after one week of immobilization. In contrast, the expression level of HIF1-α mRNA increased after 2 weeks of immobilization, and a greater increase was seen at 4 weeks after immobilization.These results suggest that immobilization induces skin fibrosis with accumulation of types I and III collagen. These fibrotic changes may be evoked by upregulation of TGF-β1 after one week of immobilization. Additionally, upregulation of HIF-1α may relate to skin fibrosis by accelerating the differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts starting at 2 weeks after immobilization.

Muscle atrophy can be caused by unloading stress such as microgravity environments or cast immobilization. Therapies for such disuse muscle atrophy and their underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Here, we investigated the therapeutic effects of local vibration stimulation on immobilization-induced skeletal muscle atrophy. A rat model was made by placing the left hindlimb in a cast for 1 week, leading to oxidative myofiber atrophy without myopathic changes in soleus skeletal muscle. Vibration stimulus (90 Hz, 15 min) to the plantar fascia of the atrophic hindlimb was performed once a day using a hand-held vibration massager after removal of a cast at the end of the immobilization period. After 2 weeks, rats were dissected, and quantitative analysis of the cross-sectional areas of soleus myofibers was performed. The results revealed that vibration induced significant recovery from disuse muscle atrophy, compared with untreated immobilized samples. Furthermore, vibration treatment suppressed the fiber transition from slow to fast fiber types compared with vibration-untreated immobilized samples. Western blotting analyses of mechanical stress-induced factors revealed that the expression of mechano-growth factor (MGF), systemic insulin-like growth factor I, and the mechanotransduction protein, Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), was decreased in untreated immobilized soleus muscle, whereas vibration stimulation restored their expression. No change in the level of phosphorylation of YAP1Ser127 was observed, leading to no change in p-YAP1/YAP1 ratio in vibration-treated immobilized soleus muscle. The results indicate that vibration stimulus is effective to restore immobilization-induced inactivation of YAP1 pathway. Phosphorylation of ERK 1/2, but not AKT, was enhanced in vibration-treated immobilized soleus muscle. Furthermore, vibration stimuli restored immobilization-induced downregulation of the paired box transcription factor, PAX7, a critical factor for regenerative myogenesis in muscle satellite cells. Our results indicate that cyclic vibration stimuli are effective in activating satellite cells and facilitate recovery from immobilization-induced oxidative myofiber atrophy through upregulation of MGF and YAP1.

Purpose. Patients with hematological malignancies often present with reduced muscle and physical functions, which are caused by the disease or related treatment. Moreover, patients with hematological malignancies rapidly develop low hemoglobin levels, and this may affect muscle and physical functions. This study aimed to identify the influence of hemoglobin levels on muscle and physical functions in patients with hematological malignancies. Methods. Using a cross-sectional study design, this study included 60 patients with hematological malignancies (mean age = 68.0 ± 10.2 years, women 56.7%) who were hospitalized for chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-related side effects and underwent examination for skeletal muscle mass (SMM), muscle strength, physical function, activities of daily living (ADLs), psychological status, and quality-of-life (QOL), including physical symptoms. Participants were divided into 3 groups according to tertiles of hemoglobin levels: low (n = 19), middle (n = 20), and high (n = 21). Evaluation items were compared among the 3 groups. Results. There was no significant difference among the 3 groups in terms of SMM. The low hemoglobin group showed significantly higher values of fatigue and dyspnea and lower values of muscle strength, ADLs, and QOL than the high hemoglobin group. Conclusions. Hemoglobin levels did not affect SMM; however, muscle weakness, decrease in physical function, physical symptoms such as fatigue and dyspnea, and decline in ADLs and QOL were observed in patients with low hemoglobin levels.

Osteoporotic fractures are common among older people, and hip fractures (HF) can be devastating. Surgery is indicated for most cases of HF, and chronic persistent postoperative pain is likely to occur. This study investigated the multifaceted factors related to persistent pain occurring during the acute phase and subacute phase of recovery after HF surgery. We conducted a prospective 8-week study of older HF patients after surgery. We evaluated pain intensity, depression symptoms, the fear of falling, pain catastrophizing, cognition and attention, the ability to perform activities of daily living, and the physical performance at 2 weeks (acute phase) and at 4 weeks (subacute phase) after surgery. Patients were divided into the light group (Verbal Rating Scale (VRS) score ?1) and severe group (VRS score ?2) according to pain intensity at 8 weeks (recovery phase) after surgery. Factors affecting persistent postoperative pain during recovery were examined using logistic regression analysis. Seventy-two patients were analyzed: 50 in the light group and 22 in the severe group. In the severe group, pain with movement and Pain Catastrophizing Scale scores were higher than those of the light group at 2 weeks and at 4 weeks after surgery. The regression analysis showed that pain with movement at 2 weeks and at 4 weeks after surgery and pain catastrophizing at 4 weeks after surgery were related to persistent postoperative pain. HF patients may have persistent pain if they continue to experience pain and catastrophize their pain during the acute phase and subacute phase after surgery., Pain Research and Management, 2020, art.no.8814290; 2020

[Purpose] To examine whether resistance training for elderly community-dwellers performed with an interocclusal splint resulted in greater lower extremity muscle strength and better balance than resistance training performed without an interocclusal splint. [Subjects and Methods] Eighty-eight elderly persons using Japanese community day centers were randomly divided into two groups: an intervention group (n=45), which performed resistance training with an interocclusal splint; and a control group (n=43), which performed resistance training without an interocclusal splint. The resistance training program comprised a 40-min session performed twice a week for 12 weeks. Outcome measures were the chair stand test (CST), timed up and go test (TUG), and one-leg standing test (OLST). Assessments were conducted before the intervention and every 2 weeks after the start of the intervention. [Results] There was a significant group × time interaction for the OLST, with the intervention group showing significant improvement from 8 to 12 weeks compared to the control group. For the CST and TUG, no significant differences were found between the two groups throughout the 12 weeks. [Conclusion] Resistance training with an interocclusal splint improved the balance ability of elderly community-dwellers more effectively than resistance training without an interocclusal splint.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of heat treatment on glucocorticoid (GC)-induced myopathy. Eight-week-old Wistar rats were randomly assigned to the control, Dex, and Dex + Heat groups. Dexamethasone (2 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously 6 days per week for 2 weeks in the Dex and Dex + Heat group. In the Dex + Heat group, heat treatment was performed by immersing hindlimbs in water at 42 °C for 60 min, once every 3 days for 2 weeks. The extensor digitorum longus muscle was extracted following 2 weeks of experimentation. In the Dex + Heat group, muscle fiber diameter, capillary/muscle fiber ratio, and level of heat shock protein 72 were significantly higher and atrogene expression levels were significantly lower than in the Dex group. Our results suggest that heat treatment inhibits the development of GC-induced myopathy by decreasing atrogene expression and increasing angiogenesis.

Aims/hypothesis: Interferon regulatory factor (IRF)4 plays a critical role in lymphoid development and the regulation of immune responses. Genetic deletion of IRF4 has been shown to suppress autoimmune disease in several mouse models, but its role in autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice remains unknown. Methods: To address the role of IRF4 in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice, we generated IRF4-knockout NOD mice and investigated the impact of the genetic deletion of IRF4 on diabetes, insulitis and insulin autoantibody; the effector function of T cells in vivo and in vitro; and the proportion of dendritic cell subsets. Results: Heterozygous IRF4-deficient NOD mice maintained the number and phenotype of T cells at levels similar to NOD mice. However, diabetes and autoantibody production were completely suppressed in both heterozygous and homozygous IRF4-deficient NOD mice. The level of insulitis was strongly suppressed in both heterozygous and homozygous IRF4-deficient mice, with minimal insulitis observed in heterozygous mice. An adoptive transfer study revealed that IRF4 deficiency conferred disease resistance in a gene-dose-dependent manner in recipient NOD/severe combined immunodeficiency mice. Furthermore, the proportion of migratory dendritic cells in lymph nodes was reduced in heterozygous and homozygous IRF4-deficient NOD mice in an IRF4 dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the levels of IRF4 in T cells and dendritic cells are important for the pathogenesis of diabetes in NOD mice. Conclusions/interpretation: Haploinsufficiency of IRF4 halted disease development in NOD mice. Our findings suggest that an IRF4-targeted strategy might be useful for modulating autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes., Diabetologia, 58(11), pp.2606-2614; 2015

We examined the effects of twitch contraction induced by lumbar spinal root magnetic stimulation on immobilization-induced limited range of motion and skeletal muscle fibrosis in rat soleus muscle.The groups included male Wistar rats (controls), rats with both bilateral ankle joints immobilized with plaster casts for 4 wks (immobilization [IM]), and rats in which twitch contraction of the soleus muscle was induced by lumbar magnetic stimulation for 4 wks of immobilization (twitch contraction [TC]). Group differences in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, collagen content as determined by hydroxyproline assay, and the expression of fibrosis-related genes as determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (hypoxia inducible factor 1α, α-smooth muscle actin, and types I and III collagen) in the soleus muscle were examined after the 4-wk-long experiment.Range of motion in the TC group was significantly greater than that in the IM group. The hydroxyproline content and the expressions of fibrosis-related genes decreased significantly in the TC group compared with those in the IM group. No significant differences were seen in the expression of transforming growth factor β mRNA.These results suggest that twitch contraction induced by lumbar spinal root magnetic stimulation may reduce immobilization-induced limited range of motion and skeletal muscle fibrosis.

Referred pain in the anterior knee joint is the most common symptom in hip disease patients. The development of referred pain is considered to be related to dichotomizing peripheral sensory fibers. However, no gross anatomical findings identify any dichotomizing fibers innervating both the hip and knee joints. We dissected the femoral and obturator nerves in human cadavers to investigate the distribution of the articular branches in the hip and knee joints. Fourteen embalmed left lower limbs from 14 Japanese adult cadavers (five from females, nine from males, average age 73.8 ± 14.1 years) were observed macroscopically. The articular branches of the femoral and obturator nerves were dissected at the anterior margin of the groin toward the thigh region. After dissections of the articular nerves of the hip joints, the femoral and obturator nerves were exposed from proximally to distally to identify the articular nerves of the knee joints. The branching pattern of the articular branches in the hip and knee joints was recorded. In six of 14 limbs (42.9%), the femoral nerve supplied articular branches to the anteromedial aspect of both the hip and knee joints. These articular branches were derived from the same bundle of femoral nerve. These gross anatomical findings suggested that dichotomizing peripheral sensory fibers innervate the hip and knee joints and these could relate to the referred pain confirmed in the anterior knee joints of patients with hip disease. Clin. Anat. 31:705-709, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of low-intensity exercise therapy (LIET) on the physical and mental symptoms and functions in patients with haematological malignancies undergoing chemotherapy. Forty-four patients hospitalised for chemotherapy performed LIET. The exercise intensity of LIET was defined as achieving

Objective. With the aim of developing a chronic pain prevention program, this randomized controlled trial examined whether exercise training combined with increased physical activity more effectively improves pain and physical activity than exercise training alone in community-dwelling older adults without chronic pain. Methods. We randomized 76 older adults without chronic pain into an intervention group n=38 involving exercise training combined with increased physical activity and a control group n=38 involving exercise training alone. The exercise training comprised weekly 60-min sessions for 12 weeks. The program to increase physical activity required participants to record their daily step counts using pedometers. Pain intensity, total number of pain sites, and physical activity were assessed before and 12 weeks after the intervention. Results. A time-by-group interaction was found for physical activity, with the intervention group showing significant improvement p, Pain Research and Management, 2018, 2132039; 2018

Purpose. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of the following physical-agent modalities for pain relief in fibromyalgia (FM) patients. Methods. We identified randomized controlled studies of adults with FM in the MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PEDro databases. The primary outcome measure was pain relief measured by a visual analogue scale (VAS), and the secondary outcome measures of interest were subjective improvements in the number of tender points, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and quality of life (QOL) scores. Results. Eleven studies were included in our review. The studies' physical-agent modalities were low-level laser therapy (LLLT), thermal therapy, electromagnetic field therapy, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). LLLT did not reduce VAS scores, but it significantly reduced both the number of tender points and FIQ score. Thermal therapy was associated with significantly reduced VAS scores, tender points, and FIQ scores. Electromagnetic field therapy was associated with significantly reduced VAS score and FIQ score. TENS significantly reduced VAS scores. Conclusion. Our analyses revealed that thermal therapy and LLLT had a partial effect on pain relief in FM patients, and this beneficial effect may have a positive influence on FM patients' health status., Pain Research and Management, 2018, art. no. 2930632; 2018

Introduction: In this study we investigated the molecular mechanism underlying muscle contracture in rats. Methods: The rats were divided into immobilization and control groups, and soleus muscles of the right and left sides were selected for analyses. Results: The levels of CD11b and α-SMA protein, IL-1β, and TGF-β1 mRNA, and type I and III collagen protein and mRNA were significantly greater in the immobilization group than in the control group at all time-points. HIF-1α mRNA levels were significantly higher in the immobilization group at 4 weeks. Moreover, HIF-1α, α-SMA, and type I collagen levels were significantly higher at 4 weeks than at 1 and 2 weeks in the immobilization group. Conclusions: In the early stages of immobilization, upregulation of IL-1β/TGF-β1 via macrophages may promote fibroblast differentiation that could affect muscle contracture. The soleus muscle became hypoxic in the later stages of immobilization, suggesting that hypoxia influences the progression of muscle contracture. Muscle Nerve 52:419–427, 2015

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a balance-training program provided by qualified care workers (QCWs) to community-based older adults attending day centers. Weekly balance training was conducted by QCWs working at day centers over a 6-month period. Fall risk factors, fear of falling, and physical function were compared between balance-training (n = 22) and control (n = 23) groups at baseline and after 6 months of intervention. Physical function assessments included the following: one-leg standing test, chair-standing test (CST), timed up-and-go test (TUGT), and a lower-extremity muscle strength test (LEST). Participants who underwent balance training significantly improved in the CST and LEST, and had reduced fear and risk of falling compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In the balance-training group, the TUGT was significantly better at 6 months than at baseline (p < 0.05). A balance-training program for community-dwelling older adults can be effectively implemented by QCWs.