Effects of stepping exercise with single-tooth sandals on medial longitudinal arch and sole surface temperature / 体力科学

Single-tooth sandals under new development have special material and shape characteristics. Exercises with single-tooth sandals can increase pressing stimulus on the soles of the feet, thereby suppressing a decline in medial longitudinal arch and elevating sole surface temperature. This study thus aimed to examine the effects of exercise with single-tooth sandals on medial longitudinal arch and sole surface temperature. Sixteen young adults (23 ± 5 years) participated in 20 min of stepping exercise on the spot. They randomly put on a regular normal sandal (N conditions) or a single-tooth sandal (Z conditions) on each left and right side. Before and after exercise, medial longitudinal arch and sole surface temperature were assessed by digital caliper and straightedge and thermography, respectively. No significant differences in baseline parameters were observed between N and Z conditions. After exercise, arch height and arch height ratio significantly reduced in N conditions, but not in Z conditions. Central sole surface temperature in Z conditions also increased significantly, and the changes in surface temperature were significantly higher in Z conditions than in N conditions. Therefore, these findings suggest that exercise with single-tooth sandals has a positive effect on a suppressing decline in medial longitudinal arch and an elevation in sole surface temperature.

Effect of Coix-seed Reactive Derivatives(CRD) on Cold Sensitivity of Female Hands and Feet: A Randomized Controlled Trial / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

We evaluated the effect of Coix-seed Reactive Derivatives (CRD) on cold sensitivity of female hands and feet. Ninety females were assigned randomly to 3 groups and CRD(2g/day, 4g/day or placebo) was administrated for 8weeks. Significant improvement of cold sensitivity was observed in both the 2g/day and 4g/day groups. It was speculated that a naringenin and a quercetin as active ingredients of adlay hull may play a critical role in ameliorating effect on blood flow.

Background factors of chemical intolerance and parent-child relationships

BACKGROUND@#Chemical intolerance is a widespread public health problem characterized by symptoms that reportedly result from low-level exposure to chemicals. Although several studies have reported factors related to chemical intolerance in adults, the impact of family members has not been reported. In the present study, we investigated the background factors related to chemical intolerance in family members and parent-child relationships.@*METHODS@#We distributed a self-reported questionnaire to 4325 mothers who were invited to visit the Kishiwada Health Center in Kishiwada City, Osaka, between January 2006 and December 2007 for the regular health checkup of their three-and-a-half-year-old children.@*RESULTS@#The prevalence of chemical intolerance in the 3-year-old children was almost one eighteenth of that reported by their mothers. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that cold sensitivity [odds ratio (OR), 1.89; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04-3.44], past bronchial asthma (OR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.46-5.53), and any past allergies (OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.36-3.60) were significantly associated with chemical intolerance in the mother. The presence of indoor cat during childhood (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.08-3.69) was significantly associated with chemical intolerance in the mother; however, the association was weak compared with cold sensitivity and past asthma and allergies. The current chemical intolerance of the mother was significantly associated with allergic rhinitis (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.19-4.53), bronchial asthma (OR, 3.66; 95% CI, 2.00-6.69), and chronic bronchitis (OR, 3.69; 95% CI, 1.04-13.03) in her 3-year-old child.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The results suggest that inherent physical constitution and childhood housing environment are associated with a risk of acquiring chemical intolerance. Children of mothers with chemical intolerance have a possible risk of respiratory hypersensitivity or inflammation. Further investigation is recommended to determine the inherent physical constitution and background environmental factors associated with the risk of acquiring chemical intolerance. The impact of having mothers with chemical intolerance on the health of children also requires further study.

Treating Excessive Cold Sensitivity ("Hiesho") with Acupuncture Therapy / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

A 29 year-old female patient with excessive cold sensitivity (“hiesho”) was regularly treated with acupuncture therapy. She complained of symptoms from autumn to winter, and her symptoms were also susceptible to changes in temperature. From the oriental medical diagnosis, we found that she exhibited “oketsu” and “suitai”. The effects of acupuncture therapy were comprehensively assessed by the Oketsu score, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) thermograms, etc. We also examined the influence of temperature and menstrual periods on cold sensitivity.<BR>After five months of this therapy (eight times), the Oketsu score and VAS showed a decrease. In addition, this therapy held to elevate the skin temperatures of extremities. It was noted that the temperarure, rather than the menstrual periods, had a stronger influence on VAS. These results were that the acupuncture therapy was effective against the cold sensitivity.

Cold-sensitive Benign Focal Amyotrophy Confirmed by Electrodiagnostic Study: A case report

Benign focal amyotrophy (BFA) is a limited form of anterior horn cell disease with variable benign clinical appearance. Clinical symptoms of cold-sensitive BFA have been described but electrodiagnostic workup on these symptoms has not been done. A 28-year-old man suffering from cold-sensitive weakness and coordination disturbance of a hand underwent electrodiagnostic study while the subject was exposed to the cold. According to this study, the BFA with cold sensitivity may be classified as one type of BFA which can be confirmed by electrodiagnostic study.