This study aimed to compare electroencephalographic (EEG) activity between high- and low-motor learning groups (n = 10 each) during observation of, preparation for, and execution of a motor learning task. The subjects performed a ball rotation task in which two balls were rotated clockwise with the right hand. Each trial started with a rest period (5 s), subjects then observed the task action on a computer screen (30 s), this was followed by another rest (5 s), preparation for performing the action (5 s), and finally action execution (30 s); five trials were performed. The number of rotations during execution and EEG activities during observation, preparation, and execution were recorded. The EEG data of the high-motor learning group were compared with those of the low-motor learning group and were analyzed using exact low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (eLORETA). The left sensorimotor and parietal areas of the high-motor learning group showed a greater decrease in the alpha-2 (10.5-12.0 Hz) and beta-2 (18.5-21.0 Hz) rhythms than those of the low-motor learning group during all three phases of the trials. The study results suggest that the decreases in the alpha-2 and beta-2 rhythms in these areas during observation, preparation, and execution are associated with motor skill improvement.

[Purpose] We investigated the effect of active individual muscle stretching (AID) on muscle function. [Subjects] We used the right legs of 40 healthy male students. [Methods] Subjects were divided into an AID group, which performed stretching, and a control group, which did not. We examined and compared muscle function before and after stretching in the AID and control groups using a goniometer and Cybex equipment. [Results] A significant increase in flexibility and a significant decrease in muscle strength output were observed in the AID group after the intervention. [Conclusion] These results suggest that AID induces an increase in flexibility and a temporary decrease in muscle output strength.

Massage therapy is widely used as a complementary therapy in the elderly. Here, we investigate the effect of hand and foot massage therapy on psychological factors and electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in elderly people requiring long-term care. We included 12 elderly people requiring long-term care, who were randomly divided into two groups (A and B). Group A received hand massage and group B received foot massage, both for 15 min each. After 1 week, group A received foot massage and group B received hand massage, both for 15 min each. We assessed emotions and mood states with a Likert scale after each massage and resting-state EEG activity was measured before and after each massage. Our results showed that both hand and foot massage led to a high degree of pleasant, relaxed, and refreshed feelings. Moreover, resting-state alpha activity significantly increased in the left insular cortex after hand massage (p < 0.05), and in the right and left posterior cingulate cortex after foot massage (p < 0.05). This study suggests that hand and foot massage therapy modulate psychological factors and EEG activity in elderly people requiring long-term care.

ObjectivesPathological pain such as phantom limb pain is caused by sensorimotor incongruence. Several studies with healthy participants have clearly indicated that dysesthesia, which is similar to pathological pain, is caused by incongruence between proprioception and/or motor intention and visual feedback. It is not clear to what extent dysesthesia may be caused by incongruence between motor intention and visual feedback or by incongruence between proprioception and visual feedback. The aim of this study was to clarify the neurophysiology of these factors by analyzing electroencephalograms (EEGs).MethodsIn total, 18 healthy participants were recruited for this study. Participants were asked to perform repetitive flexion/extension exercises with their elbows in a congruent/incongruent position while viewing the activity in a mirror. EEGs were performed to determine cortical activation during sensorimotor congruence and incongruence.ResultsIn the high-frequency alpha band (10–12 Hz), numeric rating scale scores of a feeling of peculiarity were significantly correlated with event-related desynchronization/synchronization under the incongruence and proprioception conditions associated with motor intention and visual feedback (right inferior parietal region; r=−0.63, P<0.01) and between proprioception and visual feedback (right temporoparietal region; r=−0.49 and r=−0.50, P<0.05). In these brain regions, there was a region in which incongruence between proprioception and visual feedback and between motor intention and visual feedback caused an increase in activity.ConclusionThe present findings suggest that neural mechanisms of dysesthesia are caused by incongruence between proprioception associated with motor intention and visual feedback and, in particular, are a result of incongruence between proprioception only and visual feedback.

In this study, we aimed to (1) translate the English version of the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire (KVIQ), which assesses motor imagery ability, into Japanese, and (2) investigate the reliability and validity of the Japanese KVIQ. We enrolled 28 healthy adults in this study. We used Cronbach’s alpha coefficients to assess reliability reflected by the internal consistency. Additionally, we assessed validity reflected by the criterion-related validity between the Japanese KVIQ and the Japanese version of the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-Revised (MIQ-R) with Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the KVIQ-20 were 0.88 (Visual) and 0.91 (Kinesthetic), which indicates high reliability. There was a significant positive correlation between the Japanese KVIQ-20 (Total) and the Japanese MIQ-R (Total) (r = 0.86, p < 0.01). Our results suggest that the Japanese KVIQ is an assessment that is a reliable and valid index of motor imagery ability.

[Purpose] This study evaluated the influence of vibratory stimulation-induced kinesthetic illusion on brain function after stroke. [Subjects] Twelve healthy individuals and 13 stroke patients without motor or sensory loss participated. [Methods] Electroencephalograms were taken at rest and during vibratory stimulation. As a neurophysiological index of brain function, we measured the μ-rhythm, which is present mainly in the kinesthetic cortex and is attenuated by movement or motor imagery and compared the data using source localization analyses in the Standardized Low Resolution Brain Electromagnetic Tomography (sLORETA) program. [Results] At rest, μ-rhythms appeared in the sensorimotor and supplementary motor cortices in both healthy controls and stroke patients. Under vibratory stimulation, no μ-rhythm appeared in the sensorimotor cortex of either group. Moreover, in the supplementary motor area, which stores the motor imagery required for kinesthetic illusions, the μ-rhythms of patients were significantly stronger than those of the controls, although the μ-rhythms of both groups were reduced. Thus, differences in neural activity in the supplementary motor area were apparent between the subject groups. [Conclusion] Kinesthetic illusions do occur in patients with motor deficits due to stroke. The neural basis of the supplementary motor area in stroke patients may be functionally different from that found in healthy controls.

Background: Hand massage is recommended for leg swelling with circulatory disturbance because sitting or standing for hours leads to occupational leg swelling and increases the risk for development of chronic venous disease. Furthermore, studies have revealed that hand massage improves emotion and mood. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the effects of hand massage on occupational leg swelling and resting-state electroencephalographic (EEG) activity.Methods: This study was designed as a randomized cross-over study. Eighteen healthy women who work in a sitting or standing position were included in this study and were randomly divided into 2 groups (A and B). First, group A received hand massage to their right leg, and group B received machine massage to their right leg, for 15 minutes each. After 2 weeks, group A received machine massage to their right leg, and group B received hand massage to their right leg, for 15 minutes each. Lower leg volume, restingstate EEG activity were measured before and after each massage. Moreover, the emotion and mood states were measured after each massage.Results: Lower leg volume was significantly reduced after hand and machine massages (p < 0.05). The degree of pleasant, relaxation and refreshing was significantly higher after hand massage than after machine massage (p < 0.05). Resting-state alpha activity after hand massage significantly increased in the left anterior cingulate cortex compared with resting-state alpha activity after machine massage (p < 0.05). Conclusion:This study suggests that hand massage attenuate occupational leg swelling and increases the resting-state alpha activity in the left anterior cingulate cortex.

Flow visualization analysis was applied to the Baylor/Miwatec centrifugal artificial heart to evaluate its fluid dynamic characteristics regarding antithrombogenicity. An eccentric vortex was found both in the upper and the lower gaps of the impeller, which is supposed to be caused by the eccentric inlet port. Therefore, one-way flow toward the outlet is formed and washes the pivot. The combination of an eccentric vortex and a pivot bearing that is washed is unique to the Baylor/Miwatec pump. For the male pivots exposed to periodic wash, the minimum shear rate around the bottom pivot was estimated to be 650/s, which is higher than the threshold for thrombus formation shown by other studies. The wall shear rate at the impeller bottom surface was found to be larger in the top contact mode than in the bottom contact mode.