Introduction Exercise therapy is effective for various diseases, but one of the problems in rehabilitation is “continuity” and preventing quitting. This study assumes that objectively tracking changes in motor skills and providing feedback may contribute to the continuity of rehabilitation. Upper limb joint moments were estimated by our program using coordinates obtained through AI-based markerless motion capture. This study aimed to visualize and provide feedback on participants’ assessments of their motor function to promote an understanding of changes in their motor function and to improve their motivation to participate in the exercise. Then, the promoting effect of the feedback is examined with a questionnaire. Methods Participants were late-stage elderly ( n  = 31) patients of a hospital's rehabilitation facilities. The four disease groups included Cerebrovascular Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Diabetes mellitus, and walking problems with Hallux Valgus. The experiment was done with a non-random assignment design. They were divided into two groups: with feedback (intervention group) and without feedback (control group), by balancing the number of participants for each disease. The intervention period consisted of 8 weeks of exercise, with a feedback report provided after 4 weeks and a follow-up after an additional 4 weeks. The original questionnaire (MEQ: Motivation in Exercise Questionnaire), comprising three questions, was used to assess motivation for exercising, self-understanding of improvements in athletic ability, and intention of continuing exercising. MEQ was administered at the start of the program and after each feedback. Changes in questionnaire scores were examined by multiple regression analysis, with explanatory variables of the kind of disease and with or without feedback. Results The t-test was performed on each partial regression coefficient, and Parkinsonism participants had significantly negative values compared to those in other disease groups ( t (26) = −2.43, p  = 0.022, 95%CI [−1.85, −0.15]). For participants other than those with Parkinson's disease, changes in questionnaire scores were analyzed using a paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. There was a tendency for scores to improve in the feedback group regarding willingness and to continue to participate in exercising. Q1 “Did participating in the exercise motivate you to participate in the exercise?” (one-sided, difference = 0.72, t (10) = 1.39, p  = 0.09, 95%CI [−0.22, inf], Cohen's d  = 0.50; 95%CI [−0.36, 1.34]). Q3 regarding motivation to continue exercising (“Do you want to continue exercising?”, (one-sided, mean difference = 0.64, t (10) = 1.47, p  = 0.09, d  = 0.43; 95%CI [−0.42, 1.27]). Q2 “Were you able to understand changes in your athletic ability?” has a smaller difference (one-sided, mean difference = 0.55, t (10) = 1.20, p  = 0.13, 95%CI [−0.28, inf], Wilcoxon Signed rank test: one-sided, V = 25.5, p  = 0.15, d  = 0.38; 95%CI [−0.47, 1.22]). Discussion As indicated by the changes in the scores of the questionnaire survey in this study, the participants' motivation to participate improved after the feedback was given; however, these positive effects had disappeared in the measurement one month later. Thus, continuous feedback more than once per month seems to be required to keep motivation to exercise.

BACKGROUND: Wearing compression socks increases mean deep venous velocity, reduces venous blood retention, and improves venous return. However, no existing studies reported their effect on arteries. Thus, we aimed to determine whether wearing compression socks decreases brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV). METHODS: We compared ba-PWV measurements in 106 participants (40 men and 66 women) under three conditions: bare feet, wearing normal socks, and wearing compression socks for 10 min. Mean arterial blood pressures (MAPs) were measured at the upper arms and ankles on both sides. Sensor cuffs were attached over socks to estimate pressures exerted on arterial walls by the socks in the condition of wearing socks. RESULTS: Tukey's honestly significant difference test showed that PWVs for the compression sock condition were significantly lower than those for bare feet (95 % confidence intervals: 0.3051-0.9478 [right], 0.3454-0.9889 [left], p < 0.0001 on both sides) and normal sock conditions (0.0126-0.6552, 0.0656-0.7092, p < 0.04 on both sides). The mean ba-PWV of the right side decreased from 10.57 m/s (bare feet) to 9.94 m/s (compression socks) [absolute difference: 0.63 m/s; relative difference: 5.96 %]. The left-sided mean ba-PWV decreased from 10.79 m/s (bare feet) to 10.11 m/s (compression socks) [absolute difference: 0.67 m/s; relative difference: 6.21 %]. We observed no significant differences in PWVs between bare feet and normal sock conditions on either side. In the compression sock condition, the difference between upper-arm and ankle MAPs while wearing socks indicated the pressure exerted on the arterial wall by the compression socks. We found significant negative correlations between ba-PWV and the estimated pressure exerted on the arterial wall at both ankles (regression analysis, F(1, 104) = 10.55, p < 0.02) [right], F(1, 104) = 12.92, p < 0.0005 [left]). CONCLUSIONS: Wearing compression socks reduced ba-PWV, indicating increased arterial compliance in lower limb arteries by applying external pressure to the arterial wall.

Cycling is a beneficial physical activity for rehabilitating individuals with lower-limb amputations and serves as a feasible leisure sport. However, the optimal bicycle configuration for cycling with a unilateral transtibial prosthesis at leisure levels has not been investigated. For saddle height at professional cycling levels, existing literature suggests utilizing the same configuration as that used by intact cyclists, where the knee reaches 25–35° at maximum extension. However, leisure cyclists tend to select lower saddle heights, and cycling with a unilateral transtibial prosthesis infers altered biomechanics during cycling practice. This study aimed to investigate the effects of cycling at different saddle heights with a simulated unilateral prosthesis. Ten able-bodied participants wore orthoses to simulate prosthetic conditions. The experimental task was performed on an ergometer at 40 W resistance, 60 rpm to simulate leisure cycling. Standard saddle height was defined as maximum knee extension of 45°. This height was used as the control condition and its trials were performed without orthoses. The variable heights were set as height percentage variations (-7%, -3.5%, 0, +3.5%, and +7%). Muscle activity, joint movement, force application to the pedals, perceived exertion, and comfort were evaluated. The -3.5% and -7% saddle heights resulted in joint movement and muscle activity levels closer to those in the control conditions, which also showed improved power symmetry between the affected and non-affected legs. In addition, the -3.5% height increased comfort level in participants. In conclusion, selecting lower saddle heights may be beneficial for unilateral transtibial amputees during leisure cycling. The optimal saddle height for this population may maintain maximum knee extension within the 37–45° range, dynamically measured on the affected side.

Leg prostheses specially adapted for cycling in patients with transtibial amputation can be advantageous for recreational practice; however, their required features are not fully understood. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the efficiency of unilateral cycling with a transtibial prosthesis and the characteristics of different attachment positions (middle and tip of the foot) between the prosthetic foot and the pedal. The cycling practice was performed on an ergometer at 40 W and 60 W resistance levels while participants (n = 8) wore custom-made orthoses to simulate prosthesis conditions. Using surface electromyogram, motion tracking, and power meter pedals, biomechanical data were evaluated and compared with data obtained through regular cycling. The results showed that power delivery became more asymmetrical at lower workloads for both orthosis conditions, while hip flexion and muscle activity of the knee extensor muscles in the sound leg increased. While both pedal attachment positions showed altered hip and knee joint angles for the leg wearing the orthosis, the middle of the foot attachment presented more symmetric power delivery. In conclusion, the middle of the foot attachment position presented better symmetry between the intact and amputated limbs during cycling performed for rehabilitation or recreation.

This study evaluated the sound insulation properties of three distinct types of earplugs: Plug type A, Plug type B (both silicone), and a form type (polyurethane foam). The experiment employed a dummy head to account for the shape of the human head and ears when testing the earplugs’ sound insulation properties against white noise and sine waves. All three types of earplugs demonstrated significant noise attenuation within the frequency range of approximately 2500-4000 Hz when exposed to white noise. In the case of sine waves at 400 Hz, the largest discrepancy was observed when comparing conditions with and without earplugs. Specifically, the difference was approximately -11.9 dB for plug type A, -6.7 dB for plug type B, and -9.5 dB for the foam type. These findings provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of different earplug types in reducing noise levels.

福祉分野では、高齢社会への対策の具体化のため、各種センサや無線通信モジュールを用いた優しい見守りシステムを始めとする、様々な電子回路応用機器の必要性が増している。特に日本においては、食料自給率や地下資源自足率が低い現状と相まって、ICT機器を用いた高齢者ケアの効率化、および健康寿命の延長化が求められている。本原稿では、この社会的背景のもと、必要な電子回路応用機器の開発のために必要な基本技術の修得を目的とした教材の開発を行った内容について報告する。これまでの福祉分野での支援機器開発、義肢装具開発に関する調査を行い、今後ますます重要視されると考えられる要素技術を取り上げた。これらをもとに、温度センサや超音波センサ、サーボモータ、LED、小型ディスプレイ、あるいは小型スピーカなど、入手の容易な市販の機器、およびマイコンを使って、各種機能を自分自身で組み立てて確認する複数の教材を開発した。これらの教材を、大学の授業における教育教材として使用したり、また近隣の小中高校の学生に対する工作教室イベントの素材として利用したりして評価を教育教材としての評価を行った。その結果、大学の福祉関係の知識を学ぶ学生に適用可能であり、またプログラム部分の説明や作成を省略すれば、小中高校生の工作教室の題材としても利用可能であることが分かった。

我が国の高齢者の生活について現状を学び、健康・福祉、生活環境など、様々な面から高齢者の社会参加を支援を考える、義肢装具学専攻 3 年次向け授業「社会参加と高齢者の福祉」の中で行った演習について報告する。2022年6月に行った最後の6コマをIoTを利用した遠隔見守りシステム製作にあて、対象者から監視だと受け取られないような方法による見守りの重要性、基礎的な電気・電子回路および温度センサと距離センサ、マイコンからWi-Fi経由でのデータ送信、IoT可視化サイトを利用した継続的計測データ の可視化を習得させ、学生に装置を持ち帰らせて3日間の計測および可視化を課題とした。その結果、最終レポート提出までを履修者27名中26名（全履修者数の96.3%）が完了し、うち24名（全提出者数の92.3%）がIoTによる遠隔見守りへの応用可能性に気づいた。義肢装具学を専攻する学生への授業実践の結果から、電子工学、通信工学が専門でない学生でも、6～7コマ程度の演習でIoT見守りシステムの制作体験はでき、計測体験結果からIoT見守りの意義に気づかせることができることの見通しが立ったと言える。

In this study, we regarded the idea that supplementary variables and Multiple Correspondence Analysis are promising for analysis and visualize complicated relations in Kansei analysis. It could merge several different information tables and then project them into a map. Applying this advantage would make the overall view of Kansei. Design elements, samples, and associated Kansei words were shown in an MCA map. Leather patterns of children’s lower leg orthotics are the objective of this Kansei evaluation. The leather surface was simulated with 3D CG with physically based rendering methods.

This study developed a method to detect knee wobbling (KW) at low knee flexion. KW consists of quick uncontrollable medio-lateral knee movements without knee flexion, which may indicate a risk of ACL injury. Ten female athletes were recorded while performing slow, single-leg squats. Using motion capture data, the ratio of the frontal angular velocity to sagittal angular velocity (F/S) was calculated. An 'F/S spike' was defined when the F/S ratio exceeded 100%. The number of F/S spikes was counted before and after low-pass filtering at different cut-off frequencies. Intraclass correlation coefficients for KW and filtered F/S spike were analysed. KWs per squat cycle showed a median (range) of 3 (2-8) times. F/S spikes before and after low-pass filtering at 3-, 6-, 10-, and 15-Hz were 51 (12-108), 2 (0-6), 3 (1-12), 5 (2-21), and 9 (3-33) times, respectively. KWs and F/S spikes on motion capture with 6-Hz, low-pass filtering were well correlated (r = 0 .76). Median percentages of valgus and varus F/S spikes were 71% and 29%, respectively. After 6Hz, low-pass filtering, the number of F/S spikes was strongly correlated with observed KWs. An F/S spike assessment may be used to objectively detect KW, including flexion and varus/valgus angular velocity.

[Objective] The purpose of this study was to detect the differences in the presence and movement of a knee wobbling phenomenon (KWP) during four squatting and landing tasks in order to establish the optimal screening task for identifying a potential indicator of ACL injury risk. [Background] KWP consists of quick and uncontrollable medio-lateral movements(valgus/varus) of the knee,which may indicate an elevated risk for ACL injury. [Materials &Methods] Ten female collegiate athletes participated in this study. Slow single leg squat(SSLS) ,single leg standing(SLS), double leg drop landing from a 30-cm box(DLB),and repeated single leg landing after jumping(RSLJ) were analyzed. Relative valgus(frontal) angular velocity divided by flexion(sagittal) angular velocity(F/S ratio) was calculated. An F/S ratio exceeding 100% was defined as “F/S spike” indicating KWP. [Results] The number of valgus and varus F/S spikes were significantly different between the four tasks (p＜.001). The median(range) of the initial knee flexion angles during SSLS,SLS,DLB,and RSLJ was 0.1(0-4.3)°,9.1(3.8-14.5)°,25.5(13.6-46.9)°,and 19.6(14.4-34.5)°,respectively(p＜.001). The median for the number of F/S spikes during each task was 4.5(0.3-7.3), 5.9(4.6-7.0), 0, and 0(0-0.5) times,respectively (p＜.001). [Conclusion] SSLS and SLS induced knee wobbling at low knee flexion angles(i.e.＜25°), which facilitated recognition of the characteristics of knee movement at low flexion angles. 膝揺れ現象は、荷重動作中に生じる制御不可能な膝関節の内外側（内外反）方向の運動であり、ACL損傷危険因子の一つとしてスクリーニングに役立つ可能性がある。本研究の目的を、4つの異なる動作間での膝揺れ現象の出現の違いを明らかにすることとした。10人の大学女性アスリートを被験者とし、低速片脚スクワット（SLSS）、片脚立ち（SLS）、30cm台からの両脚落下着地（DLB）、片脚連続ジャンプ着地（RSLJ）を3次元動作解析装置にて分析した。膝関節屈曲角速度に対する膝関節外反角速度の相対値をF/S値として算出した。F/S値の絶対値が100％を超えるとき、“F/Sスパイク”として、膝揺れ現象の存在を示した。本研究の結果、F/Sスパイクの数、動作開始時の膝関節屈曲角度に、動作間で有意な差が認められた。DLB、RSLJと比較して、SLSSは、より浅屈曲位からの動作を再現し、膝揺れ現象を検出することを可能とする。

In this study, we conducted a user experience testing using our prosthetic hand for actual myoelectric prosthetic hand users. In this report, we describe the design of the prosthetic hand and the results of user experience testing. The design of the prosthetic hand was such that it could be connected to the joint part of the socket used by the subject, and the length of the forearm part could be adjusted according to the user's physique. In the test, we grasped various objects that were assumed to be used in daily life. As the results, we succeeded in grasping a stuffed animal, stacking blocks, and pulling out tissue paper. In addition, the subjects stated that the prosthetic hand was easy to operate in terms of quick movements and that they felt less stress when regrasping. This indicates that the prosthetic hand in this study, which uses pneumatic artificial muscles to achieve quick movement speed, is useful.

In this study, we developed a pediatric forearm power prosthetic hand using miniature McKibben artificial muscles for the CYBATHLON. The prosthetic hand is used in actual daily life. The developed prosthetic hand uses a miniature McKibben artificial muscle as the actuator, and is characterized by its light weight, low manufacturing cost, and flexible joints. Because of these reasons, it is easy to control the hand for the user. We demonstrated the practicality of the prosthetic hand by playing the CYBATHLON, which is an international competition game to join the public with disabilities and technology developers. In the experiment, we modified the prosthetic hand for user testing and we conducted user tests that mimicked the tasks performed in the CYBATHLON POWERD ARM PROSTHESIS RACE. From the results, the test subject completed the task of grasping and moving objects. However, some tasks failed due to twisted fingers and too fast finger movement speed.

Nowadays, there are a lot of children who congenitally miss their limbs. Therefore development and dissemination of a powered upper limb prosthesis for children are quite important. It is necessary for the child prosthesis to be small, lightweight and flexible to ensure safety. Therefore we have focused on McKibben type artificial muscles as a driving source of the powered upper limb prosthesis. This study aims at development of the powered upper limb prosthesis using small diameter McKibben type artificial muscles. In this report, the powered upper limb prosthesis and driving system are designed and fabricated. Then fundamental performance of the developed powered upper limb prosthesis is tested.

A Prosthetic hand for children is not popular in Japan. This is because there are many problems in comparison with an adult prosthetic hand. A Prosthetic hand for children needs to be smaller and lighter. It is necessary to make it according to growth, so it is preferable to be inexpensive. These problems can be solved by using a 3D printer. Using the 3D printer makes it possible to fabricate more complicated shapes than before. We adopted Miniature McKibben actuators for the actuator. Miniature McKibben actuators works at pneumatic pressure and it can be placed in a limited space because it is very thin. We made an externally powered prosthetic hand for children using Miniature McKibben actuators and made improvements. We evaluated the performance of the improved prosthetic hand.

【目的】支柱の材質の違いによるジュエットコルセットの装着感を比較し，影響を与える因子を明らかにすること．【対象と方法】対象は2タイプのジュエットコルセット（旧型：金属支柱，新型：ポリカーボネイト支柱）を用意できた新鮮骨粗鬆症性椎体骨折患者11例（全例女性）で，平均年齢81.5歳，罹患椎体はTh8-L3であった．治療は1週間交代でコルセットを装着し，腰痛のVAS，圧迫感，装着感，軽さの実感，重さ，1日の装着時間，最終的に希望するコルセットを調査した．また静荷重試験を行った．【結果】腰痛のVASは両コルセットとも装着後は初診時に比べて有意に低下した．圧迫感，装着感，軽さの実感，重さ，1日の装着時間，希望するコルセットについては新型の方が優れている傾向にあった．また静荷重試験の側屈で新型の変位量が大きくなる傾向にあった．【考察】骨粗鬆症性椎体骨折の装具療法における装着感の改善は，装着アドヒアランスの改善になると考える．

本研究の目的は，提案する小児用動力義手を実用レベルに発展させることを目指し，把持動作に加え巧緻動作が可能であり，義手認識機能を備えた動力義手を開発することである．研究期間の前半は，巧緻動作を実現するために義手ユーザが義手を認識することを可能とする感覚フィードバックシステムの開発と，義手を操作する義手制御インターフェースの開発を行う．そして，研究期間の後半では，動力義手の操作性や耐久性などを総合的に評価し，その結果を踏まえて改良する．これらの内容により，提案する動力義手システムを実用レベルまで発展させる． 2021年度は，感覚フィードバックシステムの開発と，義手を操作する義手制御インターフェースの開発を行った．感覚フィードバックシステムの開発では，感圧センサによる把持情報の入力手法の検討と，把持情報を体にフィードバックさせる出力装置に用いる空気袋を試作した．フィードバック装置の特性評価試験結果により，印加圧力が100から350kPaで締め付けを認識しやすいことを確認した．つぎに，義手制御インターフェースの開発では，義手の指の開閉速度を制御する方法を検討し，細径マッキベン型人工筋肉の流量制御を可能とするスピードコントローラを義手前腕内部に搭載した．また，筋電センサを用いた義手の制御システムを検討して，義手前腕内部に内蔵するための制御基板を製作し，電磁弁とともに内蔵できるように義手の構造を変更した．前腕欠損女児に足して筋電センサによる義手制御システムの動作確認を実施したところ，現状のシステムでは，ライナーやソケットとセンサが干渉するため義手への装着が困難であることがわかった．また，小児は筋肉量が少なく筋電センサの測定値が不安定で，安定的に取得するための工夫が必要であることが明かとなった．

本研究では，小児用の前腕動力義手の試作と機械的な基本性能の評価を行った．アクチュエータに細径マッキベン型空気圧人工筋肉を用い，高い安全性と日常生活での実用性を備え，軽くて見た目も装飾義手と遜色がなく，人間らしい動きができる小児用前腕動力義手を開発した． また，開発した前腕動力義手を欠損児に使ってもらい，日常生活を想定したモデルケースにおいて，動力義手の操作性や耐久性などを総合的に評価した．これらの内容により，提案する義手の有用性を実証し，実用化への基盤を構築した．