Tokoha Gakuen University

There have been many reports that words are related to perceptions associated with body motion from the perspective of cognitive science, and it is equally clear that conscious word processing affects body motion of skills. On the other hand, the effect of word usage during motion on the perception associated with physical motion of skills has not been fully clarified. The purpose of this research is to empirically verify the effects of discrimination of perceptual objects by cognitive speech acts on the reaction time of body motion based on a perceptual reaction test and brain activity in the prefrontal cortex measured using near-infrared light. As a specific method, under the setting where the control task (CT) was defined as a subject 's saying "yes (hai)" regardless of whether a red or blue circle was displayed, whereas the target task (TT) was defined as a subject 'saying "red (aka)" when a red circle was displayed and "blue (ao)" when a blue circle was displayed, 30 able-bodied subjects were instructed to press down the space key only when a red circle was displayed to verify the differences in their reaction time between the two tasks. In addition, using the Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIS) system to measure brain activity, the brain activities of the subjects were compared between the two tasks based on changes in cerebral blood flow in their prefrontal cortex. Results showed that the reaction times of all subjects were significantly slower (t (1735) = 6.57, p< .05) in TT than in CT (at 5% level), that 16 out of 30 subjects had statistically slower reaction times in TT compared to CT, a hypothesis was supported. And the right brain activity in CT tended to be more activated than that in TT. The discussion suggested that TT compared to CT involved an additional judgment to discriminate perceptual objects by cognitive speech and therefore had slower reaction times due to the additional burden on the subjects' cognitive resources.

Background: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is an alternative therapy for patients unable to perform sufficient voluntary exercises. This randomised crossover study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of home-based NMES as an adjunct to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) for improving physical function in frail older adult patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods and Results: 8 frail older adult patients with CHF underwent 8 weeks of CR supplemented with home-based NMES and 8 weeks of CR alone in random order, separated with a 4-week washout period. NMES at 50-Hz frequency was administered for 50 min/day, 5 times per week, with electrodes placed on the legs. Changes in the short physical performance battery (SPPB) score, leg strength, and the Barthel index were assessed between patients with CR with and without home-based NMES. No NMES-related adverse events were observed. CR with home-based NMES had a higher total SPPB score and 5-repetition sit-to-stand test time of 2.67 points and −10.67 s, respectively, than CR alone (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.3–5.0, P<0.05 and 95% CI −19.5 to −1.3, P<0.05, respectively). No significant leg strength or Barthel index changes were observed between CR with and without home-based NMES. Conclusions: Home-based NMES safely improved physical function in frail older adult patients with CHF.

Study Design A pilot randomized controlled trial. Objective To investigate the effects of a prehabilitation program on early postoperative outcomes in Japanese patients undergoing lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) surgery. Summary of Background Data Prehabilitation has shown promise for improving postoperative outcomes in various surgical populations. However, its effectiveness in Japanese patients undergoing LSS surgery has not been previously studied. Methods Thirty-two of 34 patients scheduled for LSS surgery (mean age: 69.3 y, 17 female) were randomly assigned to the prehabilitation group (15 patients) or control group (17 patients). The primary outcomes were the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD). The secondary endpoints were the visual analog scale (VAS) scores for back pain, leg pain, and numbness. The intervention group received a 20–30-minute educational session from a physical or occupational therapist using a pamphlet 1 month before surgery, while the control group received a pamphlet handout. Assessments were conducted 1 month before surgery (baseline); 1 day before surgery; and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Results All patients underwent preoperative educational sessions. The prehabilitation group showed significant improvements in 6MWD at 3 months postoperatively compared with the control group (446.8±48.9 m vs. 384.3±58.3 m, P =0.01, Hedges’ g=1.11). ODI scores at 1 month postoperatively were lower in the prehabilitation group (10.2±10.9 vs. 19.0±10.7, P =0.04, Hedges’ g=−0.77). Low back pain VAS at 3 months postoperatively was also lower in the prehabilitation group (12.5±14.8 vs. 27.5±20.8, P =0.04, Hedges’ g=0.75). No adverse events were reported in either of the groups. Conclusions Prehabilitation may enhance postoperative recovery and outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for LSS. Further research with a larger sample size is needed to establish the effectiveness of prehabilitation in this population.

Hand dexterity impairments in patients with stroke reduce activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life. Visuospatial ability is associated with motor learning, but this has not previously been reported in patients with subacute stroke. We aimed to investigate whether visual terminal feedback (FB) affected motor learning of hand dexterity and the relationship among visuospatial ability. Overall, 17 subacute stroke patients (age: 66.1 ± 13.8 years) with mild upper limb motor impairment were included. The experimental task was the grasping force control task. The visuospatial task was the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCFT). The experimental protocol was conducted in 2 consecutive days: day 1 consisted of a pre-test (PRE), practice, and short-term retention test (SRT), and day 2 consisted of a long-term retention test (LRT) and the ROCFT. Grasping errors were significantly decreased in the SRT and LRT than in the PRE. Furthermore, ROCFT scores (copy and recall) and LRT grasping errors were moderately negatively correlated (ρ = -0.51 and − 0.53). In conclusion, visuospatial ability is an important factor associated with motor learning in subacute stroke patients. Future studies should use visual terminal FB, and training programs for visuospatial ability should be considered in stroke rehabilitation.

Purpose] To examine the effects of a combination of static stretching (SS) and dynamic stretching (DS) on muscle function. [Participants and Methods] There were 32 healthy male participants. The hamstrings were the target muscles. Flexibility was measured using the straight leg raise test and muscle output was measured using a manual muscle force meter. The two measurements were compared before and after stretching, and between the group that first performed SS and the group that first performed DS. [Results] Flexibility improved significantly after stretching compared to the level before stretching when either SS or DS was performed first. However, there were no significant differences in muscle output or in between-group comparisons for any indicator. [Conclusion] There were no differences between the stretching techniques, suggesting that either combination of stretching may improve flexibility but with little effect on muscle output.

Background There are many factors associated with chronic pain, including changes in the nervous and musculoskeletal systems and so on. Recently, it has become clear that the gut microbiota (GM) influences these factors, and there are many reports of GM dysbiosis in patients with chronic pain. However, the relationship between pain and GM remains unclear. Our previous study reported that defecation status, which reflects GM composition, was associated with pain intensity and that this relationship was different for each pain site. Our study investigated the association between pain site and the GM composition of feces in chronic pain patients. Methods The subjects were 136 patients with chronic pain and 125 healthy controls. Patients were classified into four groups, whole body (WB) pain, lower back and lower extremity (LL) pain, headache, and upper back and upper extremity pain, based on the site of pain, and we investigated differences in GM taxonomy groups compared with healthy subject. Results Chronic pain patients had a lower alpha diversity (effect size=0.16, p=0.02). But each pain site group did not differ in alpha diversity. WB pain patients showed higher Eggerthellaceae (LDA=3.09, p<0.01) and lower Halomonas (LDA =−2.72, p<0.01). LL pain patients had increased Fusobacterium and Sellimonas (LDA=4.09,3.03 p<0.01, 0.01) but reduced Halomonas (LDA=−2.59, p<0.01), and other key taxa. Conclusion WB and LL patients may have GM compositions different from healthy controls, but larger studies are needed to confirm this.

Purpose While the dynamics of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) during high-intensity resistance exercises are well-documented, its dynamics in trunk rotation remain unclear. We aimed to determine the dynamics of torque and IAP during trunk rotation torque exertion within an individual and the relationship between peak torque and various IAP values within a group. Methods Eighteen male participants aged 22.2 ± 1.2 years, with a height of 170.5 ± 4.9 cm and weight of 67.0 ± 6.9 kg, demonstrated trunk rotation torque while IAP was measured, and the time-course dynamics and maximum values of both were measured. Maximum IAP values were also measured during the Valsalva maneuvers (VMs); IAPRMAX indicated IAP when maximum trunk rotation torque was recorded, and IAPVM indicated maximum IAP recorded during VM. Results In all participants, significant positive correlations with large effect sizes were found between trunk rotation torque and IAP time-course dynamics (P < 0.01, rs = 0.924), between maximum trunk rotation torque and IAPRMAX (P < 0.01, r = 0.594), and between maximum trunk rotation torque and IAPVM (P < 0.05, r = 0.542). Conclusion We found that the time-course dynamics of torque and IAP during trunk rotation torque exertion were nearly synchronized. Furthermore, the higher the peak torque value, the higher the IAPRMAX and IAPVM values tended to be. These results indicate that IAP is strongly implicated during trunk rotator muscle effort.

This chapter discusses weather radar networks and their use in monitoring severe storms in the northeast Indian subcontinent, mainly in Bangladesh and seven states in northeast India. This chapter focuses on two types of severe storms in the region, tornadoes and the torrential rains and flash floods. As for tornadoes that cause damage and losses in Bangladesh, the feasibility of building an operational system on their predictions in the country is discussed. It is possible to build the system by combining a technique of predicting temporal variations in latent instability of the atmosphere using a numerical model and a technique of detecting convective clouds and/or mesocyclones using weather radar observations. As for torrential rains and flash floods over the basin of the Meghna River, flowing through three countries, Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar, it is possible to detect, monitor, and predict them by combining weather radars around the basin and rain gauges in a coverage of the radars.

This study aimed to clarify the degree of utilization of off-campus and club activity instructors in high school club activities and examined its association with coaches’ health status. All club activity coaches, mostly teacher, at Japanese high schools were included. The survey items included the following: school (area, establishment, and number of students), club (type, number and sex of athletes, activity status, and aim), and coach (sex, age, teaching license, teaching career, marital status, smoking, drinking, exercise, medical history, subjective health status, K6 scale, and utilization of off-campus and club activity instructors). The proportion of utilization of off-campus and club activity instructors were analyzed. The odds ratios (ORs) of utilization of off-campus instructors and club activity instructors for good subjective health status were calculated. In addition, the ORs for a good K6 score was determined. A total of 7,892 coaches responded. Of these, 22.0% utilized off-campus instructors and 7.4% utilized club activity instructors. In athletic clubs, coaches who used off-campus instructors demonstrated superior health outcomes. Among culture clubs, the ORs were not significant. However, among athletic clubs, the ORs (95% confidence interval) of utilization of off-campus instructors for subjective health status (good/bad) and the K6 score (13-20 points/0-4 poinst) were 0.74 (0.55-0.98) and 1.68 (1.19-2.37), respectively. Longitudinal studies are needed in the future.

A relationship between decreased plantar cutaneous sensation and impaired balance function has been reported in patients with peripheral neuropathy and diabetes. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between plantar sensation and postural balance, as well as the association between plantar sensation and sarcopenia-related motor function in community-dwelling older adults. The participants included 1659 community-dwelling older adults with a mean age of 74 ± 5 years, of which 43% were male patients. Plantar cutaneous sensation thresholds were assessed using an automatic plantar sensation testing device. Postural balance was measured using one-leg standing (OLS) time. Grip strength, five-time sit-to-stand (STS) time, and normal gait speed were measured as components of muscle strength and physical function related to sarcopenia. The skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and leg phase angle were obtained using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Age, sex, body mass index, and leg phase angle, but not SMI and grip strength, were independently associated with the plantar sensation threshold. Plantar sensation threshold was independently associated with the OLS time (P = 0.001) and STS time (P = 0.001) after adjusting for potential confounders. No significant association was found between plantar sensation threshold and normal gait speed (P = 0.741). Plantar sensation was independently associated with postural balance and lower limb function in community-dwelling older adults. The assessment of plantar sensation could be useful for identifying factors contributing to poor postural balance and lower limb motor function.

Purpose While the dynamics of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) during high-intensity resistance exercises are well-documented, its dynamics and role in trunk rotation remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify the actual situation of torque and IAP during trunk rotation torque exertion and to examine the role of IAP in trunk rotation. Methods Eighteen male participants aged 22.2 ± 1.2 years, with a height of 170.9 ± 4.8 cm and weight of 67.3 ± 7.0 kg, demonstrated trunk rotation torque while IAP was measured, and the temporal variation and maximum values of both were measured. Maximum IAP values were also measured during the Valsalva maneuvers (VM); IAP RMAX indicates IAP when maximum trunk rotation torque was recorded, and IAP VM indicates maximum IAP recorded during VM. Results In all participants, significant positive correlations with large effect sizes were found between trunk rotation torque and IAP variation over time ( P < 0.01, r s = 0.924), between maximum trunk rotation torque and IAP RMAX ( P < 0.01, r = 0.594), and between maximum trunk rotation torque and IAP VM ( P < 0.05, r = 0.542). Conclusion The temporal variability of trunk rotation torque and IAP was nearly synchronized. Furthermore, greater torque exertion tended to be associated with higher IAP RMAX and IAP VM values. IAP during trunk rotation during torque exertion is believed to enhance the mechanical efficiency of abdominal wall muscle contraction through the “muscle length–tension relationship,” thereby supporting optimal torque generation. This is the preprint version of the manuscript. The final version is published in Sport Sciences for Health and can be accessed via the following DOI link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-025-01343-8

US President Richard Nixon’s decision to visit China, announced in July 1971, was an event that upended the Cold War order in East Asia, which had been marked by confrontation between the two nations. This chapter examines how Japan and the ROK began to review their respective security policies in the wake of this rapprochement and the transformation of the East Asian Cold War order. It also looks at the logic that Japan used to persuade the US and the ROK that it should continue its own exchanges with the DPRK (North Korea) despite their opposition and shows how Japan adjusted its relationship with the ROK accordingly. Several works have argued that Japan-ROK cooperation regressed as a result of the change in the regional order, but the author shows that Japan’s diminishing concern about being caught up in a conflict on the Korean Peninsula strengthened aspects of its cooperation with the ROK, as the latter channeled its energies into a competition with the DPRK for political and economic legitimacy.

Previous literature on negotiations over the reversion of Okinawa to Japan has approached the topic primarily from the perspective of Japan-US relations. In this chapter, the author revisits the subject from the standpoint of Japan-ROK security relations, shedding light on the policy coordination process whereby the security debate over Okinawa’s military base functions was narrowed down to a summary in what is known as the “Korea clause.” This clause appears in the November 1969 joint communiqué from Prime Minister Satō Eisaku and President Nixon in which they agreed to return Okinawa to Japan, and has often been depicted as the product of Cold War-style cooperation between Japan and the ROK. Yet no easy convergence has been found between the two countries’ differing positions on the issue. The author examines the negotiation process from the viewpoint of East Asian regional security, arguing that the Korea clause was more the product of a complex reconciliation of security policy interests than of cooperation.

Armed infiltrations by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) against the Republic of Korea (ROK) increased in frequency from the mid-1960s, reaching a peak in January 1968 with a raid on the presidential residence, the Blue House. This chapter examines how Japan, the ROK and the United States explored various possibilities for security cooperation, but specifically how the Japan-ROK security relationship took shape in response to this crisis. The ROK asked Japan for help augmenting the equipment of the South Korean police, and the two countries clearly explored a range of security possibilities. The chapter shows how what resulted from their responses became the template for their bilateral security cooperation in the form of economic assistance from Japan.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula soared again in April 1975 when North Korean leader Kim Il Sung visited China and made remarks suggestive of an armed unification of the Korean Peninsula, evoking memories of the 1950 Korean War and the military assistance his trips to China and the Soviet Union had garnered, and sparking fears of a possible second war. This chapter examines how Japan and the ROK responded to this new security crisis following the fall of Saigon in April of that same year and explores the impact of that response on their security relations. Drawing primarily on diplomatic records from both countries, as well as US foreign policy documents, the author highlights the gap that existed between Japan and the ROK in their perceptions of threat, and how their responses went beyond simply strengthening joint deterrence capabilities to exploring a new policy of peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.

The chapter looks at the impact on bilateral security cooperation through economic assistance of the ROK’s request that Japan assist it with its heavy and chemical industry (HCI) development policy, known as the “Four Projects”, which was established in response to the US withdrawal of troops from the ROK in the early 1970s. The author examines Japan-ROK cooperation on the Four Projects from a policy continuity standpoint using previously unexamined material. The chapter explores, first, how Japan and the ROK identified potential areas for cooperation from the angle of security cooperation through economic assistance in response to the US force reductions. Secondly, it reveals how the ROK’s requests for Japan’s cooperation changed as it sought to compromise with Japan’s responses and what impact this had on bilateral security cooperation.

This chapter provides a detailed introduction and overview of the contents and structure of the book, which aims to elucidate how Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) approached security cooperation over the period from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s, when a new order was emerging. The focal point of the volume is the Japan-ROK security relationship that came into being through a complex process in which the two countries managed and adjusted their differing perceptions of how changes in both the regional and international order affected the Korean Peninsula. It highlights their conflicting policies with respect to these developments, as well as to specific threats. The author discusses previous literature on this aspect of bilateral relations and reveals how Japan and the ROK, in seeking common ground for security cooperation, ultimately settled on economic assistance.

The last chapter provides a comprehensive summary of the volume, and reiterates significant details in the development of Japan-ROK relations during a period of turmoil and uncertainty in East Asia. Several insights are emphasized. First, Japan and the ROK took a coordinated approach to security and economic development, with Japan providing economic cooperation based on the view it would help the ROK win the South-North legitimacy competition, which would be conducive to Japan’s own security. Second, the shift in the Cold War order led Japan and the ROK to diverge in their approaches to China and the DPRK (North Korea). Rapprochement with the US had brought China onto the world stage, but Japan and the ROK differed over whether China would restrain the DPRK from military action. The changing East Asian order nonetheless compelled them to adjust their relationship, which had vacillated between the demands of security and the demands of détente. Third, no major change occurred in the two countries’ positions in East Asia, as neither had sufficient influence to change the regional order to their advantage and neither possessed nuclear weapons, which made their security reliant on their respective alliances with the US.