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Abstract Background Forefoot structure is important to understand some foot problems such as hallux valgus and metatarsalgia. Ultrasonography (US) is a highly portable, noninvasive, low cost, and fast imaging method, especially when compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and radiography. As the use of US for evaluating forefoot bony structure has not been validated, except for the presence of synovitis, erosions and bursitis within the forefoot in people with inflammatory arthritis, the purpose of this study was to determine whether US is a reliable method for evaluating forefoot structure. Methods Sixty feet (30 women, age = 40.1 ± 11.8 years) were examined by US and CT to assess agreement with CT and repeatability of US evaluation of the 2nd metatarsal head height, length between the medial sesamoid bone and 5th metatarsal head, transverse arch height, transverse arch index, sesamoid rotation angle, and area under the transverse arch. The measurement data were evaluated for agreement with CT using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC)3, 1, Pearson correlation coefficient, and Bland-Altman plot, and with ICC1, 1 for repeatability. Results The ICC3, 1 values of 0.78–0.89, Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.78–0.90, and Bland-Altman plots showed almost perfect agreements between the US and CT method for all parameters, except the area under the transverse arch (AUTA). The ICC1, 1 also showed perfect agreements (0.84–0.92) between two sets of US measurements in all parameters. Conclusions The US evaluation of forefoot structure in the coronal plane showed good agreement with CT and repeatability of two ultrasonograms in adult women. This reliable evaluation method of forefoot structure can contribute to a quick clinical assessment screening for risk factors of foot problems such as hallux valgus and metatarsalgia. However, because of some limitations such as a lack of inter-observer reliability, more research is needed to validate US evaluation of forefoot structure. Trial registration The current study (trial registration number: R0297) was approved by the Ethical Committee for Human Experiments of Kyoto University ( http://www.ec.med.kyoto-u.ac.jp ) on December 3, 2015. The first participant in this study was enrolled on November 17, 2015 and retrospectively registered.

Aim: The purpose of this prospective cohort study is to examine whether cognitive decline is an independent predictor of new long-term care insurance (LTCI) requirement certifications in Japan. Methods: A total of 5,765 community-dwelling older Japanese adults who, at baseline, were independent in terms of their activities of daily living participated in this study and were followed up for 18 months. The outcome measure was the number of new LTCI requirement certifications during the 18-month period of the study. We collected demographic information through questionnaires and assessed cognitive skills with the Cognitive Performance Scale (CPS). The participants were divided into 3 groups according to CPS scores (0, 1, and 2 or greater). Results: During the 18-month period, 399 subjects (6.9%) became newly certified for LTCI services. In a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, older participants with a CPS score of 1 (adjusted HR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.08-1.77) and 2 or greater (adjusted HR: 2.27, 95% CI: 1.74-2.96) were significantly more likely to receive an LTCI certification compared to those with a CPS score of 0. Conclusions: Cognitive decline is an independent predictor of new LTCI requirement certifications and the severity of cognitive decline in elderly adults is positively associated with receiving an LTCI requirement certification in Japan.

Context: The functional movement screen (FMS) is an assessment tool for movement dysfunction, which is utilized to reduce the risk of injury. Although the relationship between the FMS composite score and injuries has been extensively studied, the association between FMS scores and injuries in only collegiate basketball players remains unknown. Objective: To examine the relationship between the FMS score and injuries in basketball players. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: University research laboratory. Participants: Eighty-one male college basketball players (average age, 20.1 ± 1.3 years) participated. Main outcome measures: The FMS composite score was calculated from seven movement tests. The incidence of injuries over a one-year period prior to the test day was determined based on a questionnaire. Individuals were categorized into two groups: Injury (with a serious basketball-related injury resulting in the loss of practice and game time for at least four weeks) and Non-injury groups. Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests were used to evaluate group differences in the composite FMS and seven movement scores, respectively. Furthermore, the scores significant on univariate analyses were submitted to a multivariate logistic analysis, adjusting for participant characteristics. Results: The composite FMS scores of the two groups were not significantly different (p=0.378). Among the seven tasks, only the deep squat (DS) and hurdle step (HS) showed significant group differences (p=0.028; p=0.001, respectively). The multivariate logistic analysis revealed that DS (odds ratio [OR], 6.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-34.01; p=0.027) and HS scores (OR, 25.80; 95% CI, 1.81-368.73; p=0.017) were significantly associated with injuries, even after adjustment for participant characteristics. Conclusions: DS and HS scores may be associated with injuries in basketball players. Further research should be conducted to confirm that these two scores can predict the incidence of injuries in basketball players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]