In a previous study, we established reliability of a method for determining the angle of lumbopelvic sagittal alignment during active knee extension in sitting (AKEiS) using a flexible ruler and image analysis software (2-point-Method). In addition to this method, a flexible ruler can also be used to measure lumbopelvic sagittal alignment without image analysis software. This study primarily aimed to investigate the minimum number of repetitions, inter-session reliability and inter-examiner reliability of two alternative methods of measurement in a secondary analysis of our previous study. A flexible ruler was used to measure lumbopelvic curvature during AKEiS when the knee reached 10° flexion from 27 individuals with clinically tight hamstring muscles and subsequently analyzed. Lumbopelvic sagittal alignment was evaluated for the region between T12 and S2 using the maximum depth to the curvature (Max-Method) or depth to the curvature at the middle point between T12 and S2 vertebral levels (Mid-Method). It was determined that four repetitions for the Max-Method and 11 repetitions for the Mid-Method were required for the minimum number of repetitions, respectively. Inter-session reliability and inter-examiner reliability were assessed using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients and were 0.91 and 0.91 for the Max-Method and 0.90 and 0.91 for the Mid-Method, respectively. The current study suggests that the Mid-Method would not be recommended for use in the clinical setting as 11 repetitions of data sampling is required. The 2-point-Method or Max-Method may be promising but the ideal measurement method will be identified when the vaHow to cite this paper: Takasaki, H.,

The Health Sciences Evidence-Based Practice (HS-EBP) questionnaire was recently developed for measuring five constructs of evidence-based clinical practice among Spanish health professionals by applying content and construct validity investigation. The current study aims to undertake a cross-cultural adaptation of the HS-EBP into Japanese and to investigate the internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the Japanese HS-EBP among undergraduate students of nursing and physical and occupational therapies. Methods: Cross-cultural adaptation was undertaken by following Beaton's five-step process. Subsequently, the Japanese HS-EBP test-retest reliability was assessed with a 2-week interval. Participants were recruited from among third and fourth grade undergraduate students of nursing and physical and occupational therapies with clinical training experience. Results: Pilot testing included 30 participants (11 nursing students, 11 physical therapy students, 8 occupational therapy students). Consequently, we developed the Japanese HS-EBP to be understandable for undergraduate students of nursing and physical and occupational therapies. Data from 52 participants who completed test-retest reliability questionnaires demonstrated adequate test-retest reliability in the total scores of Domains 1, 3, 4, and 5 [intraclass correlation coefficients were (ICC)=0.74, 0.70, 0.75, and 0.74, respectively]; the exception was Domain 2, which had an ICC of 0.66. Internal consistency (Cronbach's α) was adequate for Domains 1-5, for which α was 0.87, 0.94, 0.86, 0.93, and 0.95, respectively. Conclusions: This study developed the Japanese version of HS-EBP and provided preliminary evidence of adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliability in most domains for undergraduate students of nursing and physical and occupational therapies.

A simple technique for generating pseudo-random optical signals suitable for correlation-based OTDR is proposed and properties of the generated signals are numerically demonstrated. Moreover, experiments of the signal generation are successfully carried out.

[Purpose] To investigate whether habitual pelvic posture and time spent sitting are primary contributing factors to performance in the active unilateral knee extension in sitting test in young people. [Participants and Methods] The participants’ ages ranged from 20 to 40 years. LUMOback, a wearable electronic device, was used to measure the proportion of the days spent in a neutral pelvic posture (posture score) and time spent sitting over a week. The lumbopelvic sagittal curvature from T12 to S2 (θ) during the active unilateral knee extension in sitting test was also assessed using a flexible ruler. A multiple regression analysis was performed with the primary independent variables of the posture score and time spent sitting, undertaking priori considerations of potential confounders of sex, and pain condition on the θ value. [Results] Eighty participants (21.7 ± 3.8 years) were enrolled in the study (24 males and 56 females). Neither the posture score nor time spent sitting statistically significantly contributed to the θ value. [Conclusion] Neither the proportion of the day spent with neutral pelvic posture nor time spent sitting detected by LUMOback was the primary contributing factor to the active unilateral knee extension in sitting test performance.