Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate changes in subjects with chronic lower back pain following lower back pain exercises and direct stretching of the tensor fasciae latae, the hamstring and the adductor magnus.[Subjects] The subjects were nine sufferers of chronic lower back pain (five female, four male) as well as eight healthy adults (six male, two female) as the control group.[Method] Exercise therapy with proven effectiveness was performed as the control intervention and direct stretching of the tensor fasciae latae, the hamstring and the adductor magnus was performed as the experimental intervention in a randomised controlled trial. Six items of evaluation pain measured on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Finger Floor Distance (FFD), maximum pelvic anterior inclination, maximum pelvic posterior inclination, pelvic range of motion and posterior lumbar flexibility (PLF) The results were compared using Student's were measured before and after the intervention. The six items of evaluation were carried out in a random order. A t-test was used and a significance level was set at below 5%.[Results] A significant improvement in VAS, FFD, maximum pelvic anterior inclination, maximum pelvic posterior inclination, pelvic range of motion and PLF were observed in the chronic lower back pain group after the experimental intervention. However, the only improvement observed after the experimental intervention in the control group was in FFD. There were no significant changes in either group after control intervention.[Conclusion] This study has suggested that direct stretching of the tensor fasciae latae, the hamstring and the adductor magnus may have an immediate effect on chronic lower back pain.

[Purpose] We investigated the characteristics of electromyographic trunk muscle activities and the relationship between the trunk muscle activities and postural sway during one-leg standing.[Subjects] Ten people (25.1 ± 4.4 years old) participated in this study.[Methods] Electromyographic trunk muscle activities and postural sway were evaluated during one-leg standing and twoleg standing.[Results] Thoracic and lumbar erector spinae and external oblique on the side of the raised leg were activated significantly more higher in one-leg standing than in two-leg standing. Lumbar multifidus and internal oblique on the side of standing leg had a tendency to be activated higher in one-leg standing. After some trunk muscle activities on the side of the raised leg and postural sway correlated significantly.[Conclusion] The results suggest that trunk muscle activities influence the balance ability during one-leg standing.

Electromagnetic (EM) pumps, which drive liquid metals by electromagnetic force for Fast Reactor, had been developed. Annular Linear Induction Pumps (ALIPs) are one of EM pumps. There are some reports in which a drop and a fluctuation of the developed pressure occurred near the top of the developed pressure and flow rate relation curve (P-Q curve). This phenomenon was reported by Gailitis, Kirillov and Araseki. They simulated it using two-dimensional (2D) code and reported that it was characterized by vortices, which were initiated by azimuthal non-uniformity of sodium flow velocity and/or magnetic field, in the liquid sodium flow. We have calculated the developed pressure of EM pump by 2D magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) code and designed an EM pump. It was found that the code simulated the developed pressure with high accuracy in normal operations. When the flow rate was lower than one in the top of P-Q curve, the developed pressure's drop and fluctuation occurred. The fluctuation would disturb the stable operation of the pump. For avoiding this phenomenon, the EM pump's design becomes sometimes too conservative. To evaluate the quantitative effect of this phenomenon and occurred conditions, we have developed a new three-dimensional(3D) MHD code. Clarification of these conditions and its phenomena will enable us to design a new structure or determine operation conditions. This paper presents the simulation results in terms of the generation of a developed pressure's drop and fluctuation occurrence. We used initial conditions which had azimuthal non-uniformity of sodium velocity to simulate vortices in the liquid sodium. Our 3D MHD code simulated the developed pressure's drop and fluctuation by vortices in radial and circumferential direction. It was confirmed that the vortices developed in the radial direction and then the vortices in circumferential direction developed.

Abstract:The effects of postoperative therapy on psychological function following endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) have not been sufficiently investigated. This study investigated the effectiveness of instruction in tendon and nerve gliding exercises and activities of daily living (ADL) as postoperative treatment for 49 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients were randomized into 2 groups (intervention and control). After surgery, tendon and nerve gliding exercises and instruction in ADL were performed only on the experimental group on the day of the surgery. All patients were examined preoperatively and again 5−13 days postoperatively. Outcomes of pain, numbness, sensation, range of motion (ROM), anxiety, ADL and quality of life (QOL) were compared between groups. Differences were seen in pain, static 2-point discrimination, ROM, anxiety, and QOL. Tendon and nerve gliding exercises and instruction in ADL after ECTR appear likely to accelerate recovery.