In this study, we used a monofilament algometer to make measurements and examined differences in plantar sensory threshold value between gender and four points on the sole of the foot. [Subjects] The subjects were 85 young persons (47 males and 38 females) without nerve or orthopedic disorders who provided their consent after receiving an explanation of the purpose of this study. [Method] One measurer measured the plantar pressure perception threshold value of each of the subjects. Gender and positional differences were examined using two-way analysis of variance with multiple comparison, Tukey's test, as a post hoc test. [Results] No gender differences between the four points on the sole of the foot were found. The perception threshold was greatest at the center of the heel, and declined in the order of the hallux, the head of the first metatarsal and the center of the medial longitudinal arch. [Conclusion] The results reveal that the parts of the foot which have the most mechanoreceptors have the lowest perception threshold values.

Abstract. [Purpose] This research considered a practice program consisting of the use of the Chaining Method in walking with a simulated prosthetic femur; then studied the influence this practice exerts on skills in walking with a prosthetic leg. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 20 able-bodied people who had no experience of walking with a simulated artificial leg, who were divided randomly into two groups. The intervention group practiced using the Chaining Method, while the control group practiced after having been given the entire instructions all at once, each group for ten minutes. Their tasks were to walk wearing a simulated prosthetic femur.[Results] Significant differences were found between the two groups in the amount of time taken to walk before and after practice, the number of times the knee was bent, and the number of times the non-prosthetic leg strayed from the path. Also, comparing the two groups just after practice, the intervention group showed the benefit of intervention in the same evaluation items, compared to the control group.[Conclusions] The Chaining Method entails simplifying the targeted movements by segmenting them.

[Purpose] We assessed the TK-03C soft tissue stiffness meter (STSM) (Tokushukeisoku Corporation, Japan) for inter/intra-rater reliability. This device measures load and displacement simultaneously.[Subjects] Ten students from the Physical Therapy Department were the subjects.[Methods] The 10 subjects measured the surface stiffness of three elastomer samples with known mechanical properties: a polyurethane test piece and two sorbos test pieces. They each took 7 consecutive readings using the STMS at the same site on each test piece. We calculated the displacement for a load of 10 N.[Result] The overall rating reliability for all sites was high: site1, coefficient of variation (CV) (range)=5.3 (2.6-10.0); site2, CV=3.9 (2.3-6.1); site3, CV=5.0 (2.2-9.2). The intra-rater reliability of the 10 subjects was high showing an intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) (1•1) ≥0.97. The inter-rater reliability was also high; ICC(2•1)=0.96. In addition, the hardness of the three test pieces were significantly different (p<0.01).[Conclusion] It seems that this STSM is a reliable and useful device for objective quantitative evaluation of soft tissue stiffness.

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We examined the speed of the blood flow in the vena femoralis to verify the effects of an elastic stocking, intermittent air pressure and active ankle movement on the prevention of deep vein thrombosis. [Subjects] The subjects were 16 healthy men who had no history of vascular lesion. [Method] We performed a comparative study on the speed of blood flow speed in the vena femoralis among five conditions: at rest, wearing elastic stockings, intermittent air pressure, and active ankle movements of 40 or 80 times a minute. [Results] The blood flow speed was 30.7  5.2 cm/s at rest, 29.1  6.6 cm/s wearing the elastic stocking, 50.4  19.3 cm/s with intermittent air pressure, and 50.7  21.7 cm/s and 59.3  38.4 cm/s for active ankle movements of 40 and 80 times a minute, respectively. Significant differences were found between volitional movement at 80 times a minute and wearing a stocking and at rest. [Conclusion] Active movement of 80 times a minute increased the blood flow speed, suggesting that changes are not seen with external stimuli or slow muscle pumping.