JPTS Award

2022 JPTS Award

Honorable Mention Award 2022

Effects of assigning physical therapists exclusively to the acute-phase stroke patient ward

J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 34: 225-229, 2022

Yuichi Nishikawa, RPT, PhD¹⁾, Kazuhiko Hirata, RPT, MSc²⁾, Yoshihiro Ito, RPT, MSc²⁾, Kazuyuki Ueda, RPT, BSc²⁾, Hiroaki Kimura, MD, PhD³⁾

1. Faculty of Frontier Engineering, Institute of Science & Engineering, Kanazawa University: Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
2. Division of Rehabilitation, Department of Clinical Practice and Support, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
3. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan

Excellent Paper Award 2021

Correlates of improvement in the care need levels of older adults with disabilities: a two-year follow-up study

J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 33: 466-471, 2021

Yuta Hayashi¹⁾, Shinnosuke Hato¹⁾, Hiroyuki Shimada²⁾

1. Tsukui Corporation: 1-6-1 Kamioooka-nishi, Konan, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 233-0002, Japan
2. Center for Gerontology and Social Science, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Japan

Excellent Paper Award 2020

Comparison of foot kinematics and the morphology of intrinsic musculature of the foot using a foot-type classification based on function

J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 32; 238-242.2020

Shintarou Kudo, RPT, PhD^{1, 2)}, Kodai Sakamoto, RPT²⁾, Takeshi Shirakawa, RPT³⁾

1. Department of Physical Therapy, Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences: 1-26-16 Nanko-kita, Suminoe-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 559-8611, Japan
2. Graduate School of Health Sciences, Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences, Japan
3. Department of Rehabilitation, AR-Ex Medical Group Toritudai Orthopedics Clinic, Japan

Excellent Paper Award 2019

Effects of sudden unexpected mechanical perturbation training aimed at the primary prevention of inversion ankle sprain on reactiveness of ankle movement and cortical activity in normal young adults

J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 31: 242-249, 2019

Kaori Ohta, RPT, MS^{1, 2)}, Teiji Kimura, RPT, PhD³⁾

1. Graduate School of Medicine, Shinshu University: 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto City, Nagano 390-8621, Japan
2. Omachi Municipal General Hospital, Japan
3. School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Shinshu University, Japan

Excellent Paper Award 2018

Relationship between advanced glycation end-product accumulation in the skin and pulmonary function

J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 30: 413-418, 2018

Kubo A^{1, 2)}, Kato M²⁾, Sugioka Y³⁾, Mitsui R³⁾, Fukuhara N³⁾, Nihei F¹⁾, Takeda Y⁴⁾

1. Anti-Aging Center, Ginza Hospital, Japan
2. Department of Shizuoka Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Science, Tokoha University:
   1-30 Mizuochi-cho, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka 420-0831, Japan
3. Department of Clinical Laboratory, Ginza Hospital, Japan
4. Department of Internal Medicine, Ginza Hospital, Japan

According to recent studies, the level of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) increases with age and is higher in smokers and COPD patients. AGEs increase inflammation by binding to receptors for AGE (RAGE), which are present on cell surfaces in tissues. Therefore, AGE accumulation may play a role in the pathogenesis of COPD by increasing inflammation. Recently, AGEs assessed by skin autofluorescence (SAF) could help in the rapid evaluation of AGE accumulation in clinical settings. The aim of this study was to verify the relationship between SAF and pulmonary function in younger and elderly people with normal spirometry results. This study revealed that FEV/FVC was greatly influenced by SAF than aging factor. SAF could measure without any efforts for subjects so that SAF might be one of the useful methods to assess pulmonary function in case of mental disorder, unconsciousness patient or dementia. It is unique idea to apply SAF to assess pulmonary function without effort. Besides, this study was well-designed that inclusion and exclusion criteria were strict in order not to be affected by disease factor such as diabetes mellitus or hypertension. Although pulmonary function was affected by other confounders such as air pollution or genetic disposition, this study could be expected to develop relevance of SAF by next longitudinal study. Hence, we recommend this study as an excellent article.

Excellent Paper Award 2018

The effect of a short term conservative physiotherapy versus occlusive splinting on pain and range of motion in cases of myogenic temporomandibular joint dysfunction: a randomized controlled trial

J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 30: 1156-1160, 2018

Tamer mohamed ShouSha, PhD, PT^{1, 2)}, elSadaT Saad Soliman, PhD, PT²⁾, mohamed ahmed Behiry, PhD, PT³⁾

1. Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, UAE
2. Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt
3. Faculty of Physical Therapy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Egypt

This well-designed randomized controlled trial revealed that conservative physiotherapy could improve pain and range of motion compared to occlusive splints for patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Required sample size was adequately calculated by a power analysis. Based on the calculation, sufficient number of patients participated in this study and clinically meaningful results were obtained.  Also details of conservative physiotherapy programs were described so that readers can apply the program for the patients. However, outcome measures were only intensity of pain and temporomandibular joint opening index. If there is further study, more comprehensive assessment, such as questionnaire for temporomandibular joint disorders, should be employed to sophisticate the study. Overall, clinically meaningful results were shown in this well-designed RCT.

Excellent Paper Award 2018

Structural validity of balance evaluation systems test assessed using factor and Rasch analysis in patients with stroke

J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 30: 1446-1454, 2018

Kazuhiro Miyata, PT, MS^{1, 2)}, Satoshi Hasegawa, PT, MS^{2, 3)}, Hiroki Iwamoto, PT, MS⁴⁾, Tomohiro Otani, PT, MS⁵⁾, Yoichi Kaizu, PT, MS⁵⁾, Tomoyuki Shinohara, PT, PhD⁶⁾, Shigeru Usuda, PT, PhD²⁾

1. Department of Physical Therapy, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Science: 4669-2, Ami-Machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki, 300-0394 Japan
2. Gunma University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Japan
3. Public Nanokaichi Hospital, Japan
4. Hidaka Rehabilitation Hospital, Japan
5. Hidaka Hospital, Japan
6. Takasaki University of Health and Welfare, Japan

This study examined validity of comprehensive assessment tool for balance ability called as balance evaluation systems test. (BESTest) It is worthy that this study involved a large number of stroke patients, and analyzed detail of each parameter using Rasch analysis. This study showed that four-factor model comprising 25 items were valid and reliable for the BESTest. Even though it is difficult to assess balance and locomotive ability comprehensively, we consider that this article provides precious knowledge for clinical application in the future.

Encouragement Paper Award 2018

Age-dependent changes in dynamic standing-balance ability evaluated quantitatively using a stabilometer

J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 30: 86-91, 2018

Yasuhiro Suzuki, RPT, MS¹⁾, Shigeru Yatoh, MD, PhD¹⁾, Hiroaki Suzuki, MD, PhD¹⁾, Yuuki Tanabe, RPT¹⁾, Yukiyo Shimizu, MD, PhD¹⁾, Yasushi Hada, MD, PhD¹⁾, Hitoshi Shimano, MD¹⁾, PhD¹⁾

1. Department of Internal Medicine (Endocrinology and Metabolism), Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba: 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0031, Japan
2. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Japan
3. International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPI-IIIS), University of Tsukuba, Japan
4. Life Science Center of Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Japan
5. Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development-Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (AMED-CREST), Japan

In this study, 583 healthy subjects were measured IPS(index of postural stability) under two conditions (open eyes/hard surface OE/HS ; closed eyes/soft surface CE/SS) . IPS (OE/HS) began to decrease at middle-age (40–60 years old), and then decreased more rapidly during elderly ages (>60 years old). IPS (CE/SS) decreased linearly with increasing age. It was concluded that IPS (OE/HS) indicates comprehensive balance ability, while IPS (CE/SS) reveals balance ability. In this way, it is a very interesting study from the viewpoint of novelty and development. It is a paper that can be a criterion for evaluating the balance.

Encouragement Paper Award 2018

Immediate effects of exercise intervention on cancer-related fatigue

J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 30: 262-265, 2018

Ryutaro Matsugaki, RPT, MOH^{1, 2)}, Toru Akebi, RPT, PhD¹⁾, Hideo Shitama, RPT¹⁾, Futoshi Wada, MD, PhD³⁾, Satoru Saeki, MD, PhD⁴⁾

1. Rehabilitation Center of University Hospital, University of Occupational and Environmental Health: 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka 807-0804, Japan
2. Graduate School of Medical Science, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
3. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Japan
4. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan

In this paper, the authors study the immediately effects of exercise therapy on cancer-related fatigue in the cancer patient. Eighteen patients with cancer took part in standing-sitting and walking training which intensity was set using the Borg category-ratio scale (CR-10). They were assessed their fatigue after exercise by Cancer Fatigue Scale. The results showed that exercise therapy targeting a rating of 4 (somewhat strong) on the CR-10 can immediately reduce CRF in cancer patients. Many studies have reported that exercise therapy decreased cancer-related fatigue. However, this research shows the immediately effects of exercise therapy, setting the exercise intensity by subjective fatigue, and the effect of somewhat strong intensity exercise in patients with severe fatigue or older. This is significant for physical therapy since such way of exercise provide patients with fatigue to carry out it continuously. In these reasons, we recommend this article to a prize for encouragement article.

Encouragement Paper Award 2018

Quantitative evaluation of handwriting: factors that affect pen operating skills

J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 30: 971-975, 2018

Sho Horie, OTR, MS^{1, 2)}, Katsuyuki Shibata, OTR, PhD³⁾

1. Section of Rehabilitation, Kanazawa University Hospital: 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan
2. Division of Health Science, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Japan
3. Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Japan

This study compared pen operating skills using pressure plate between different conditions writing pressure and writing speed. It seems to be valuable that the authors quantitatively assessed skill activity such as handwriting. The study showed interesting results that a factor relating to pen operating skill was only pen pressure. The results seem to provide useful knowledge for rehabilitation to enhance finger function when a therapist instructs handwriting. We expect to compare the pen operating skills between healthy subjects and Parkinson’s disease patients with micrography in the future. Therefore, we consider this article should be included as one of the encouragement paper awards.

Excellent Paper Award 2017

Klapp method effect on idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents: blind randomized controlled clinical trial

J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 29: 1-7, 2017

Diego De Sousa Dantas, PT, PhD¹⁾, Sanderson José Costa De Assis, PT²⁾, Marina Pegoraro Baroni, PT³⁾, Johnnatas Mikael Lopes, PT⁴⁾, Enio Walker Azevedo Cacho, PT, PhD¹⁾, Roberta De Oliveira Cacho, PT, PhD¹⁾, Silvana Alves Pereira, PT, PhD¹⁾

1. Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences of Trairi, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte: Trairi Street, s/n, zip code: 59.200-000, Santa Cruz, RN, Brazil
2. Department of Public Health, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Brazil
3. Department of Physical Therapy, State University of Centro-Oeste (Unicentro), Brazil
4. Department of Public Health, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

There are a recent study reporting the prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents is about 22%. This study is a randomized controlled clinical trial that tries to clarify the effect of Klapp method on idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents. Intervention was consisted of 50 min of Klapp method 20 times. There are no significant differences between two groups after intervention but both group showed the increase of muscle strength. Even though there are some limitations, but this study may consider promising on therapeutic exercises for idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents in near future.

Excellent Paper Award 2017

Proprioceptive change impairs balance control in older patients with low back pain

J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 29: 1788–1792, 2017

Tadashi Ito, PT, PhD^1–3), Yoshihito Sakai, MD, PhD²⁾, Kazunori Yamazaki, PhD⁴⁾, Kazuma Igarashi, BSc⁵⁾, Noritaka Sato, PhD⁵⁾, Kiyoko Yokoyama, PhD³⁾, Yoshifumi Morita, PhD⁵⁾

1. Three-dimensional Motion Analysis Room, Aichi Prefecture Mikawa Aoitori Medical and Rehabilitation Center for Developmental Disabilities: 9-3 Koyaba, Kouryuji-cho, Okazaki-shi, Aichi 444-0002, Japan
2. National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Japan
3. Nagoya City University School of Design & Architecture, Japan
4. Faculty of Clinical Engineering, School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University, Japan
5. Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan

In this study, 47 subjects with low back pain and 47 control subjects were recruited to clarify the influence of vibration stimulation on posture control. Different two type of vibration gave to gastrocnemius muscle and multifidus muscle and the cross-sectional area of these muscles were properly evaluated using MRI. However, it is necessary to reconsideration about fixation of the vibration equipment and selection of equipment to evaluate the postural control. In this way, it is a very interesting study from the viewpoint of novelty and development.

Excellent Paper Award 2017

Change in hand dexterity and habitual gait speed reflects cognitive decline over time in healthy older adults: a longitudinal study

J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 29: 1737-1741, 2017

Takumi Abe, MS^{1, 2)}, Yuki Soma, PhD³⁾, Naruki Kitano, PhD⁴⁾, Takashi Jindo, PhD⁴⁾, Ayane Sato, MS¹⁾, Kenji Tsunoda, PhD⁵⁾, Taishi Tsuji, PhD⁶⁾, Tomohiro Okura, PhD⁷⁾

1. Doctoral Program in Physical Education, Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba: 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577 Japan
2. Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan
3. Department of Social Medicine, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
4. Physical Fitness Research Institute, Meiji Yasuda Life Foundation of Health and Welfare, Japan
5. Faculty of Social Welfare, Yamaguchi Prefectural University, Japan
6. Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, Japan
7. Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan

This longitudinal study, in a large sample of community-dwelling elderly Japanese, examined the relationship between physical and cognitive changes. It was remarkable that this study demonstrated particular changes in habitual walking speed and hand dexterity were significantly associated with decline in cognitive function. Very few studies have shown changes in physical function and cognitive function in such detail. We believe that this paper contributes knowledge that will inform future preventive physical therapy. Hence, we recommend this study as an excellent article.

Excellent Paper Award 2017

Effect of aquatic versus land based exercise programs on physical performance in severely burned patients: a randomized controlled trial

J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 29: 2201-2205, 2017

Ibrahim M. Zoheiry, PhD¹⁾, Haidy N. Ashem, PhD²⁾, Hamada Ahmed Hamada Ahmed, PhD³⁾, Rami Abbas, PhD⁴⁾

1. Department of Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, October 6 University, Egypt
2. Department of Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt
3. Department of Biomechanics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University: 7 Ahmed Elziat Street, Bean Elsariat, El Dokki, Giza, Egypt
4. Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Lebanon

This study revealed that an aquatic-based exercise improved physical performance compared to a land-based exercise for severely burned patients in well-designed randomized controlled trial. Although this study was single blinding design, quality of the study was high as a RCT assessed by PEDro scale. Also, power analysis was performed to assure appropriate sample size. In addition, because details of exercise programs were described, readers can directly apply those exercises in clinical settings. Thus, clinical relevance is high. However, discussing specific effects on severely burned patients makes the paper better since discussion mainly described general effects of an aquatic-based exercise. Overall, this paper was high quality RCT and results were clinically relevant.

2016 JPTS Award

2015 JPTS Award

2014 JPTS Award

2013 JPTS Award

• The Effects of Changes in Hand Position on the Electromyographic Activities of the Shoulder Stabilizzer Muscles during Push-up Plus Exercises on Unstable SurfaceSangyong Lee et al: Dept of Physical Therapy, Youngdong University
  25(1): 125-128, 2013
• Effects of Combination Therapy of Heat Stress and Muscle Contraction Exercise Induced by Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Disuse Atrophy in the RatNao Yoshida et al: Department of Locomotive Rehabilitation Science, Unit of Rehabilitation Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University
  25(2): 201-206, 2013
• Change in Tongue Morphology in Response to Expiratory Resistance Loading Investigated by Magnetic Resonance Imaging Yukio Yanagisawa et al: Department of Rehabilitation, Health Insurance Naruto Hospital
  25(6): 667-669, 2013
• The Effects of Hamstring Stretching on Leg Rotation during Knee ExtensionAtsushi Kimura: Department of Rehabilitation, Medical Education and Research Center, Meiji University of Integrative Medicine
  25(6): 697-703, 2013
• Changes in Practice Schedule and Functional Task Difficulty: a Study Using the Probe Reaction Time TechniqueKazunori Akizuki et al: Department of Rehabilitation, Misato Central General Hospital
  25(7): 827-831, 2013
• Intervention to Improve the Quality of Life of a Bottlenose Dolphin That Developed Necrosis on the Tail FlukesKeiichi Ueda: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
  25(9):1 201-1207, 2013
• Association between Femoral Anteversion and Lower Extremity Posture upon Single-leg Landing: Implications for Anterior Cruciate Ligament InjuryMasaaki Kaneko et al: Department of Sports Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University
  25(10): 1213-1217, 2013
• On the Functional Capacity and Quality of Life of Patients with Acromegaly: Are They Candidates for Rehabilitation Programs?Débora Pedroza Guedes da Silva et al: Rehabilitation Sciences Master’s Program, Augusto Motta University Center
  25(11): 1497-1501, 2013
• Change in the Mechanical Energy of the Body Center of Mass in Hemiplegic Gait after Continuous Use of a Plantar Flexion Resistive Ankle-foot OrthosisHirokazu Haruna et al: Division of Applied Electronics, Graduate School of Hokkaido Institute of Technology
  25(11): 1437-1443, 2013

2012 JPTS Award

• The Clarification of the Strategy during Sit-to-Stand Motion from the Standpoint of Mechanical Energy TransferMasaya Anan: Department of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Sciences, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hiroshima Unversity
  24(3): 231-236, 2012
• Development of a Geriatric Fear of Falling Questionnaire for Assessing the Fear of Falling of Thai EldersPunpissa Sangpring: Faculty of Physical Therapy, Mahidol University
  24(4): 359-364, 2012
• Factors Associated with the Oswestry Disability Index Score One Month after Lumbar DiscectomyKazuhiro Ishida: Department of Rehabilitation, Eniwa Hospital
  24(5): 415-421
• Efficacy of Early Physiotherapy Intervention in Preterm Infant Motor Development— A Systematic Review—Fernándes Rego Francisco Javier: Early Intervention Centre “Fina Navarro López” of Lorca City Council & Department of Physiotherapy, University of Murcia
  24(9): 933-940

2011 JPTS Award

• Differential Responses of Myogenic C2C12 Cells to Hypoxia between Growth and Muscle-Induction Phases: Growth, Differentiation and MotilityKaori Sato: Course of Health Sciences, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine
  23(1): 161-169
• Medical Accident Prevention Education in Physical Therapy Schools in JapanHideki Koeda: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe International University
  23(2): 289-301
• The Relationship Between Pulmonary Function and Physical Function and Mobility in Community-Dwelling Elderly Women Aged 75 Years or OlderTsutomu Abe: Department of Frontier Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Department of Health Science, Uekusagakuen University & Itabashi Rehabilitation Home-visiting Nursing Station
  23(3): 443-449
• The Effect of Microcurrent Electrical Stimulation on the Foot Blood Circulation and Pain of Diabetic Neuropathy Rae Joon Park: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Science, Daegu University
  23(3): 515-518
• Effects of a Fear of Falling on Patients Undergoing Surgery for a Fracture of the Proximal Femur and Factors Leading to the Elimination of that FearMasaya Koeda: Department of Rehabilitation, Kobe Ekisaikai Hospital
  23(6): 829-835
• Factors that Impact Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseRumi Kaneda: Courses of Health Sciences, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences & Department of Rehabilitation, Kirigaoka Tsuda Hospital
  23(6): 927-931

2010 JPTS Award