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BackgroundPervasive games aim to create more fun and engaging experiences by mixing elements from the real world into the game world. Because they intermingle with players’ lives and naturally promote more casual gameplay, they could be a powerful strategy to stimulate physical activity among older adults. However, to use these games more effectively, it is necessary to understand how design elements of the game affect player behavior. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate how the presence of a specific design element, namely social interaction, would affect levels of physical activity. MethodsParticipants were recruited offline and randomly assigned to control and intervention groups in a single-blind design. Over 4 weeks, two variations of the same pervasive game were compared: with social interaction (intervention group) and with no social interaction (control group). In both versions, players had to walk to physical locations and collect virtual cards, but the social interaction version allowed people to collaborate to obtain more cards. Changes in the weekly step counts were used to evaluate the effect on each group, and the number of places visited was used as an indicator of play activity. ResultsA total of 20 participants were recruited (no social interaction group, n=10; social interaction group, n=10); 18 participants remained active until the end of the study (no social interaction group, n=9; social interaction group, n=9). Step counts during the first week were used as the baseline level of physical activity (no social interaction group: mean 46,697.2, SE 7905.4; social interaction group: mean 45,967.3, SE 8260.7). For the subsequent weeks, changes to individual baseline values (absolute/proportional) for the no social interaction group were as follows: 1583.3 (SE 3108.3)/4.6% (SE 7.2%) (week 2), 591.5 (SE 2414.5)/2.4% (SE 4.7%) (week 3), and −1041.8 (SE 1992.7)/0.6% (SE 4.4%) (week 4). For the social interaction group, changes to individual baseline values were as follows: 11520.0 (SE 3941.5)/28.0% (SE 8.7%) (week 2), 9567.3 (SE 2631.5)/23.0% (SE 5.1%) (week 3), and 7648.7 (SE 3900.9)/13.9% (SE 8.0%) (week 4). The result of the analysis of the group effect was significant (absolute change: η2=0.31, P=.04; proportional change: η2=0.30, P=.03). Correlations between both absolute and proportional change and the play activity were significant (absolute change: r=0.59, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.77; proportional change: r=0.39, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.64). ConclusionsThe presence of social interaction design elements in pervasive games appears to have a positive effect on levels of physical activity. Trial RegistrationJapan Medical Association Clinical Trial Registration Number JMA-IIA00314; https://tinyurl.com/y5nh6ylr (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/761a6MVAy)

BackgroundDecrease of dual-task (DT) ability is known to be one of the risk factors for falls. We developed a new game concept, Dual-Task Tai Chi (DTTC), using Microsoft’s motion-capture device Kinect, and demonstrated that the DTTC test can quantitatively evaluate various functions that are known risk factors for falling in elderly adults. Moreover, DT training has been attracting attention as a way to improve balance and DT ability. However, only a few studies have reported that it improves cognitive performance. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to demonstrate whether or not a 12-week program of DTTC training would effectively improve cognitive functions. MethodsThis study examined cognitive functions in community-dwelling older adults before and after 12 weeks of DTTC training (training group [TG]) or standardized training (control group [CG]). Primary end points were based on the difference in cognitive functions between the TG and the CG. Cognitive functions were evaluated using the trail-making test (part A and part B) and verbal fluency test. ResultsA total of 41 elderly individuals (TG: n=26, CG: n=15) participated in this study and their cognitive functions were assessed before and after DTTC training. Significant differences were observed between the two groups with significant group × time interactions for the executive cognitive function measure, the delta-trail-making test (part B−part A; F1,36=4.94, P=.03; TG: pre mean 48.8 [SD 43.9], post mean 42.2 [SD 29.0]; CG: pre mean 49.5 [SD 51.8], post mean 64.9 [SD 54.7]). ConclusionsThe results suggest that DTTC training is effective for improving executive cognitive functions. Trial RegistrationJapan Medical Association Clinical Trial Registration Number: JMA-IIA00092; https://dbcentre3.jmacct.med.or.jp/jmactr/App/JMACTRS06/JMACTRS06.aspx?seqno=2682 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6NRtOkZFh).

In this study, a novel rat model of knee joint adhesion was developed, and its formation was analyzed quantitatively over time. Thirty-nine Wistar rats were randomly divided into intact control (n = 3) and experimental (n = 36) groups. The latter was equally divided into three groups according to the experimental intervention: fixed with deep bending of the knee joint (group I), fixed after incision of the capsule (group II), and fixed after exposure of the patellofemoral joint to artificial patellar subluxation (group III). All rats were subdivided according to their joint immobilization period (1, 2, or 4 weeks). Thereafter, the limited range of motion of the knee joint with (limited knee range of motion) and without (limited knee joint intrinsic range of motion) skin and muscles were measured. The lengths of adhesions of the anterior knee joint and posterior capsules were evaluated histologically. The limited intrinsic range of motion of the knee joint was found to be increased in groups II and III compared to that in group I 4 weeks after immobilization. Adhesions were confirmed within 1 week after immobilization in groups II and III. The length of the adhesions in group III was significantly longer than in other groups at 2 weeks and remained longer than in group I at 4 weeks. This model may contribute to the assessment of the adhesion process and development of new therapeutic avenues following trauma or surgical invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Lumbopelvic pain (LPP) is a very common cause of discomfort during pregnancy, but its etiology remains unclear. The association between abdominal muscle thickness and LPP in pregnant women has not been studied extensively, despite the significant abdominal changes that occur during pregnancy. This study aimed to examine the relationship between abdominal muscle thickness and LPP in pregnant women. Methods: In this study, 49 pregnant women in their second trimester participated. The intensity of LPP was assessed using a numerical rating scale. Ultrasound imaging was used to measure the thickness of abdominal muscles, including the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis muscles. Participants were classified into two groups, the LPP group and non‐LPP group, and the abdominal muscle thickness was compared between the two groups. The statistical significance level was set at P <.05. Results: There were 24 and 25 participants in the LPP and non‐LPP groups, respectively. Internal oblique (IO) thickness was significantly thinner in the LPP group than in the non‐LPP group (5.4 ± 0.2 mm versus 6.1 ± 0.2 mm; P =.042). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that IO thickness was significantly associated with LPP (odds ratio, 0.516; 95% confidence interval, 0.284–0.935; P =.019). Conclusions: This study suggested that LPP in second trimester pregnancy might be related to IO thickness. Further longitudinal studies are needed to understand the role of this muscle as an LPP risk factor for pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]