Search

[Purpose] The characteristics of neck and shoulder pain (NSP) in different age populations have not been sufficiently examined. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare and verify the cervicothoracic spinal alignment and neck flexor muscle endurance of young and older adult females with and without NSP. [Participants and Methods] We assessed 72 female participants (39 young participants, 33 elderly participants, 43 NSP, 29 non-NSP) aged 18-82 years who were recruited for this study. Cervicothoracic spinal alignment measurements were obtained with forward head alignment (FHA) along with the upper thoracic angle. The neck flexor endurance test was performed. [Results] There were no significant age-by-group interactions for any of the assessment variables. However, the upper thoracic angle and neck flexor muscle endurance showed significant effects in the groups. Age also had significant effects on FHA and upper thoracic angle. [Conclusion] These results suggested that the neck flexor muscle endurance was more appropriate as an evaluation tool for older adult females with NSP. It was also suggested that the cervical flexor muscle endurance and upper thoracic angle were more appropriate as evaluation tools for young adult females with NSP.

[Purpose] Increased compensatory pelvic movement is remarkable in limping patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA). However, a method of improving limping has not been established. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of two types of Nordic walking by analyzing the pelvic movement and muscle activities of adults with hip OA. [Subjects and Methods] Ten patients with OA of the hip performed Japanese-style Nordic walking (JS NW), European-style Nordic walking (ES NW), and Ordinary walking (OW), and the muscle activities around the hip joint and pelvic movements were analyzed. [Results] The pelvic rotation angle was significantly larger in ES NW than in JS NW. In the stance phase, hip abductor muscle activity was significantly decreased in JS NW compared to both OW and ES NW. In the swing phase, rectus abdominis muscle activity was significantly increased in both JS NW and ES NW compared to OW and lumbar erector spinae activity was significantly lower in JS NW than in OW. [Conclusion] JS NW style may reduce the compensatory pelvic rotation in patients with hip OA. JS NW might be better for joint protection and prevention of secondary disorders of the hip in OA patients.

Background: The purpose of the study was to investigate the longitudinal time course of quality of life (QOL) in patients under conservative care and patients who received total hip arthroplasty (THA) by comparing their QOL scores along with the rehabilitation and life style parameters. Methods: Sixty-three female patients (age 58.7±7.1 years) of hip osteoarthritis under continuous conservative treatment were surveyed 4 times in two years by SF-36v2 (a modified version of rating scale SF-36) and an additional questionnaire developed by us. Results: Six patients that received THA during period of survey were designated as the THA group. Among the remaining 57 patients, 37 patients answered all four subsequent questionnaires were designated as non-THA group. The non-THA group was further divided into the rehabilitation continuing group in the hospital (RC group; n=8) and the discontinuing group (non-RC group; n=29) from the results of the questionnaire. The scores of physical functioning at the time of the first survey were significantly lower in the THA group compared to the non-THA group (p

理学療法士（以下；PT）教育の一環として，地域住民と直接交流のできる地域活動を実施する事は非常に意義深い。学生にとって臨床現場での実習に加え，地域活動は地域住民の医療・保健・福祉の現状を理解する場としても適している。地域活動をPT教育カリキュラムの一環として組み込むために，その試行としての地域活動に学生を参加させ，学生にアンケート調査を行ったので報告する。結果，ほとんどの学生は本試みに賛同し，理由として地域高齢者との交流が持てる事を挙げた。地域活動の中で1）人と接する機会を得る，2）問題解決能力を磨く，3）理学療法への問題意識を持つ，4）主体性を持つ事の4項目を目的に行った。学生は高齢者との交流を通して，主に対人関係（接遇，意思伝達，精神的援助等）の重要性を学ぶことができ，臨床現場への応用，自己学習にも有効との事であった。以上の事から，地域活動は学生へのPT教育の一環として有用な事象になり得ることが考えられる。

Material and methods Twenty-five female patients with ASD (mean age 64.3 years) who underwent fusion surgery were included for analysis. Diagnosis was lumbar scoliosis in 10 patients, kyphoscoliosis in 11, and kyphosis in 4. Radiographic measurement of spinal alignment and CSA of lumbar trunk muscles including psoas major and lumbar extensor muscles measured by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) were evaluated. The CSAs of trunk muscles were measured at the cranial endplate of L4 vertebra for a comparative estimation of muscle size. A negative value indicated lordosis in evaluation of spinal alignment.