Introduction High heeled shoes have long been worn in society and they are known to cause biomechanical imbalances to not only the foot, but the whole musculoskeletal system. This study aims to show the detailed changes that happen to the shape of the transverse arch of the foot in high heels, using two different inclination degrees. Methods 68 women participated in this study. Two custom-made high heels were made with inclinations of 15 degrees and 30 degrees (cm). A weight-bearing ultrasound was used to assess the coronal view of the transverse arch in standing. ANOVA and Tuckey tests were used to compare the results between 0 degrees, 15 degrees and 30 degrees inclinations. Results The transverse arch height was slightly increased as the heel height increased (0DI-15DI: p = 0.5852 / 15DI-30DI: p = 0.395 / 0DI-30DI: p = 0.0593). The transverse arch length (0DI-15DI: p = 0.0486 / 15DI-30DI: p = 0.0004 / 0DI-30DI: p = 0.1105) and the area under the metatarsal heads (0DI-15DI: p = 0.0422 / 15DI-30DI: p = 0.0180 / 0DI-30DI: p = 0.9463) significantly decreased as the heel height increased. Discussion The main changes were viewed in the 30 degrees inclinations compared to 0 degrees inclination. When the toes are dorsiflexed in high heels, it stimulates the Windlass mechanism which in turn stiffens the plantar fascia and adducts the metatarsal heads, while the soft tissues shrink in response to loads.
Background The pandemic due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought the change of social communication. For university students, friendships considered to be important to reduce stress and mental difficulties, and a decrease in social interaction with friends may have an impact on their mental health. This study aimed to investigate the association between changes in social communication during the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health status among university students in Japan. Methods This study followed a cross-sectional observational design using an online questionnaire survey. The participants were undergraduate and graduate students in Japan. The questionnaire was distributed only once between October 12 and 31, 2020. Of the 194 respondents who agreed to participate in the study, 149 who completed their online survey were included in the analysis.The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Japanese version of the Three-item Loneliness Scale were used to assess depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Regarding social communication, participants asked the frequency of contact with friends and family by methods (in-person, phone call, and text) and the number of people who have been communicated with. Responses were also obtained for communication during the same period in the previous year to determine changes between the two periods. A multiple regression analysis was conducted for depression, anxiety, and loneliness scores as dependent variables. Results The ratios of positive for depression and anxiety were 38.3% and 34.2%, respectively. For communication with friends, changes in frequency were negatively associated with loneliness, and changes in number were negatively associated with depression and loneliness. Regarding text communication, a change in number was negatively associated with loneliness. For communication with families, a change in the number of people regarding text communication was positively associated with anxiety. Conclusion The impact of students’ communication with friends and families on their mental health may need to be considered before conducting university initiatives to prevent COVID-19.
Objectives: This study aimed to examine the factors for reducing monetary loss due to presenteeism by using a tailored healthcare web-application among office workers with chronic neck pain. Methods: The study was singlearm pre-post comparison study using secondary data of 130 Japanese office workers with chronic neck pain who used a tailored healthcare web-application (web-app) over 12 weeks. This data was obtained from BackTech Inc. (Kyoto, Japan), which manages the healthcare web-app. The primary outcome measure was the monetary loss due to presenteeism based on the quality and quantity method. Secondary outcome measures were intensity of physical symptoms measured by the Visual Analog Scale, frequency of web-app use obtained from the database, and the risk of depression score assessed by the Depression and Suicide Screen. Results: Eighty-six participants were included in the complete-case analysis. Monetary loss due to presenteeism and the risk of depression reduced, while physical symptoms improved significantly ( p< 0.01) after using the web-app. After covariate adjustment, decrease in neck pain intensity (β = 0.25, confidence interval = 2.34 to 32.66) and high frequency of web-app use (β = −0.24, confidence interval = −10.29 to − 0.63) were significantly associated with a reduction in monetary loss due to presenteeism. Conclusion: Neck pain intensity and frequency of web-app use may be important factors for reducing monetary loss due to presenteeism among office workers with chronic neck pain who used a tailored health care web-app.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.