This paper reports a case in which sensory discrimination tasks performed using the nonparalyzed and paralyzed upper limbs, in this order, effectively reduced pain in the latter. [Participant and Methods] The patient was a 40-year-old female with a complaint of pain at rest in her right upper limb 6 months after left cerebral hemorrhage. As various symptoms such as allodynia were present, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type 1 was determined to be the cause of the pain. The therapeutic approaches included: a tactile discrimination task using balls that varied in hardness, surface roughness, and size; and a hot-cold discrimination task using water of different temperatures. The patient performed these tasks for 30 minutes each day for a period of 1 week, with her non-paralyzed upper limb first, and then with her paralyzed upper limb. [Results] The patient's correct answer rate was higher than when she used only her paralyzed upper limb. Within 1 week of intervention, her right upper limb pain at rest was reduced. [Conclusion] The results support the effectiveness of sensory discrimination tasks also using the non-paralyzed upper limb when it is difficult to perform these tasks with the paralyzed upper limb only.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the motions related to the trunk and pelvis during the buttocks release phase of the standing up motion. [Participants and Methods] Fifteen healthy male subjects were asked to stand up and the changes in joint angles were measured using image analysis software. [Results] Anterior pelvic tilt, knee joint extension, and anterior tilt of the lower leg increased in the early and late phases of buttocks release. In addition, anterior trunk tilt and thoracolumbar transitional flexion increased in the early phase, and posterior trunk tilt and hip extension increased in the late phase. The movement patterns were divided into 16 patterns. [Conclusion] The results suggest that thoracolumbar transitional flexion plays a significant role in anterior trunk tilt during the early phase of buttocks release, and hip extension plays a significant role in posterior trunk tilt during the late phase. Furthermore, the results also suggest that knee joint extension with ankle dorsiflexion is largely responsible for anterior pelvic tilt.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the extent of shoulder internal rotation measured in the extended position of the shoulder could be a good indicator of hand-behind-back motion ability. [Participants and Methods] We measured internal rotation with the shoulder in extension in 26 healthy adults (average age, 25.2 ± 2.5 years). Internal rotation was measured passively in the supine position at 30° of shoulder extension. Additionally, a hand-behind-back motion was performed, and the hand-behind-back distance was measured. The relationship between the angle of internal rotation with the shoulder in extension and handbehind-back distance was evaluated using Pearson's product-moment correlation. The level of significance was set at 5%. [Results] The angle of internal rotation with the shoulder in extension and the hand-behind-back distance correlate significantly. [Conclusion] Internal rotation with the shoulder in extension is a good indicator of handbehind-back motion.