Tohoku Fukushi University

This study investigates how dynamic psychological mechanisms—particularly self-efficacy—can enhance user engagement in community-based digital systems. We combine a multi-agent simulation and a 121-day field experiment to compare system designs with and without psychological adaptation. In the simulation, agents with adaptive self-efficacy formed larger social networks and exhibited more gift-giving behavior. In the real-world setting, three staged interventions—a gift reimbursement scheme, social rankings, and a step prediction contest—were introduced to stimulate motivation. Results show that while the effect of extrinsic incentives declined over time, user participation remained stable, suggesting partial internalization of motivation. The study provides empirical evidence for integrating psychological constructs into digital community design and offers a framework for measuring motivational impact beyond short-term reward effects.

Large language models can provide personalized feedback within web-based self-care support tools. This study investigated the impact of ChatGPT feedback, which provided advice aimed at improving the concreteness and realism of the user's goals, in a self-care support tool based on solution-focused brief therapy. Participants were randomly assigned to the ChatGPT group (n = 92) or the control group (n = 82). The tool comprised eight components: problem definition, miracle question, goal setting, machine learning model-based feedback on goals, ChatGPT feedback (ChatGPT group), goal re-setting, exception question, and ideas for problem solving. Our findings indicated that the self-care support tool was effective, improving solution building, positive affect, the level of realization of the ideal life, and problem severity in both groups. The additional effect of incorporating ChatGPT feedback was demonstrated only for problem severity. These results suggest that self-care support tools are effective, with ChatGPT feedback providing an added benefit for problem severity.

Alemtuzumab is a monoclonal antibody directed against CD52 on T and B lymphocytes and is used to treat lymphoproliferative disorders including chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). This postmarketing surveillance, as mandated by the Japanese health authorities, investigated the safety and effectiveness of alemtuzumab in Japanese patients receiving alemtuzumab for relapsed/refractory CLL. This was an observational, prospective study conducted in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders who received alemtuzumab in routine clinical practice in Japan between March 2015 and June 2023. Follow-up was for 24weeks after alemtuzumab administration. Endpoints were adverse drug reactions (ADRs), objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), and factors associated with safety and effectiveness. Safety was evaluated in 179 patients with lymphoproliferative disorders (112 males and 67 females; median age 68years) and effectiveness in 95 with relapsed/refractory CLL. Overall, 138 patients (77.1%) developed an ADR (most commonly cytomegalovirus [CMV]-related events [37.4%]), 100 (55.9%) developed serious ADRs (most commonly CMV-related events [31.3%]), and 93 (52.0%) developed grade≥3 ADRs (most commonly decreased platelet count [13.4%]). Of 95 patients with relapsed/refractory CLL, 39 (41.1%) had an ORR (15 complete and 24 partial responses). At 24weeks, PFS and OS rates were 55.5% and 70.0%, respectively. The ORR was significantly associated with Rai classification, performance status, and treatment days or duration. This prospective postmarketing surveillance study confirms the effectiveness and manageable safety profile of alemtuzumab for Japanese patients with relapsed/refractory CLL.

Abstract BackgroundDay care services provide various activities, including rehabilitation, to maintain and improve physical function and social participation of older people. However, the relationship between rehabilitation participation and emotional changes in older adults with dementia who use day care services is not well understood.MethodThe participants were 157 older adults living in the community who used day‐care services. Users with MMSE scores less than 10 at the initial and one‐year evaluation were excluded. Other assessments were the Geriatric depression scale‐15 (GDS‐15), the Apathy evaluation scale (AES) and the Short physical performance battery (SPPB). Rehabilitation participation was averaged over three consecutive days of use using the Pittsburgh Rehabilitation Participation Scale (PRPS), with the group with a PRPS greater than 4 points divided into two groups: good and poor rehabilitation participation groups. MMSE, GDS, AES and SPPB scores were compared using Wilcoxon’s rank sum test at the initial and one‐year follow‐up.ResultThe age of the participants was 83 ± 7 years and 43/114 were men/women. When further divided into three groups according to MMSE score (≥24, 20‐23 and 19‐10), the good rehabilitation group with an MMSE score of 19‐10 had a significantly higher AES score (p<0.001) and a significantly lower SPPB score (p = 0.016).ConclusionAmong older adults with dementia using day care services, the group with good participation in rehabilitation was suggested to be at risk of increased apathy and reduced lower limb motor function after one year.

A reduced knee extensor moment (KEM) in the involved limb and asymmetry in the KEM during landing tasks are observed after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). There is limited information about the association of kinetic and kinematic parameters with the KEM during landing after ACLR. This study investigated the association of the anterior-posterior center of pressure (AP-COP) position, vertical ground reaction force (VGRF), and lower limb joint angles with the KEM during landing in female athletes following ACLR. Cross-sectional study. Twenty-two female athletes who underwent ACLR performed a drop vertical jump at 7.9 (1.7)months after surgery. We evaluated the KEM, AP-COP position, VGRF, and sagittal plane hip, knee, and ankle angles using a 3-dimensional motion analysis system with force plates. The peak KEM in the involved limb was significantly smaller than that in the uninvolved limb during landing (1.43 [0.33]N·m/kg/m vs 1.84 [0.41]Nm/kg/m, P = .001). The VGRF in the involved limb was significantly smaller than that in the uninvolved limb (11.9 [2.3]N/kg vs 14.6 [3.5]N/kg, P = .005). The limb symmetry index of the KEM was predicted by that of the VGRF (P < .001, R2 = .621, β = 0.800). The KEM was predicted by the AP-COP position in the involved limb (P = .015, R2 = .227, β = 0.513) and by the VGRF in the uninvolved limb (P = .018, R2 = .213, β = 0.500). No significant correlation was noted between the KEM and the lower limb joint angles. The AP-COP position and VGRF were associated with the KEM during landing. Evaluating the VGRF and AP-COP position, not the lower limb joint angles, may contribute to understanding the KEM during double-leg landing after ACLR in the clinical setting.

『年報村落社会研究』（以下、村研年報）は、本学会の最も重要な成果物として年に1回発刊されてきた。村研年報のメインとなる「共通テーマ」は、学会の研究蓄積をふまえつつ、新たな研究の方向性を打ち出すために毎年設定され、本大会のテーマセッションでの発表を経て原稿化される。

BackgroundUpper and lower extremity muscle strength can be used to predict health outcomes. However, the difference between the relation of upper extremity muscle and of lower extremity muscle with physiological factors is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between physiological data and muscle strength, measured using grip and leg extension strength, among Japanese adults.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of 2,861 men and 6,717 women aged ≥ 20 years living in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. Grip strength was measured using a dynamometer. Leg extension strength was measured using a hydraulic isokinetic leg press machine. Anthropometry and physiological data, including blood pressure, calcaneal ultrasound bone status, pulmonary function, carotid echography, and blood information, were assessed. We used a general linear model adjusted for age, body composition, and smoking status to evaluate the association between muscle strength and physiological factors.ResultsGrip and leg extension strength were positively associated with bone area ratio, vital capacity, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, and estimated glomerular filtration rate, and negatively associated with waist circumference and percentage body fat mass in both the sexes. Diastolic blood pressure was positively associated with grip strength in both the sexes and leg extension strength in men, but not women. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol and red blood cell counts were positively associated with grip and leg extension strength in women, but not men. In both the sexes, pulse rate, total cholesterol, and uric acid were consistently associated with only leg extension strength, but not grip strength. In women, glycated hemoglobin demonstrated negative and positive associations with grip and leg extension strength, respectively.ConclusionsGrip and leg extension strength demonstrated similar associations with anthropometry, pulmonary function, and estimated glomerular filtration rate, but the associations with the other factors were not always consistent.

This phase II clinical trial evaluated feasibility and tolerability of 90-minute rituximab infusion and a concentration of 4mg/mL rituximab infusion in Japanese patients with previously untreated follicular lymphoma or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Treatment was rituximab with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone. In cycle 1, rituximab at a dose of 375mg/m2 (4mg/mL) was administered at the standard infusion rate stipulated in the package insert. On confirmed tolerance of rituximab, patients received 90-minute infusion in second and subsequent cycles. The primary endpoint was incidence of grade 3 or higher infusion-related reactions during 90-minute rituximab infusion in cycle 2 of rituximab with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone. All 32 patients (median age 61.5years, 16 males, 24 with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma) completed the prescribed six or eightcycles of treatment. One patient withdrew consent after cycle 1, and another developed grade 2 erythema and continued receiving 4mg/mL at the standard infusion rate for cycle 2. The remaining 30 patients received 90-minute rituximab infusion; 28 (93.3%) completed cycle 2 at the scheduled infusion rate and dosage. No grade 3 or higher infusion-related reactions were associated with a concentration of 4mg/mL rituximab dose or 90-min rituximab infusion in cycle 2. The most common infusion-related reaction symptoms were pruritus, hypertension and oropharyngeal discomfort. During the study, toxicities and adverse events were as expected, with no new safety signals. High-concentration dosing (4mg/mL) and 90-minute infusion of rituximab are feasible and tolerable in Japanese patients with previously untreated follicular lymphoma or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. JapicCTI-173 663.

p-Hydroxyamphetamine (p-OHA) is an active metabolite of amphetamine (AMPH) and methamphetamine (METH), and can be detected in the brain for a relatively long period after high-dose administration of AMPH in rodents. p-OHA may be involved in the abnormal behavior observed during the withdrawal period after a chronic administration of AMPH or METH. Therefore, the author investigated the effect of an intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of p-OHA on the changes of locomotor activity and prepulse inhibition (PPI) in the acoustic startle response in rodents. The i.c.v. administration of p-OHA significantly increased locomotor activity in mice. This effect was prevented by a pretreatment with a dopamine (DA) uptake inhibitor. Furthermore, local infusion of p-OHA into the nucleus accumbens (NAc) significantly increased locomotor activity in rats. Together these results suggest that dopaminergic systems in the rodent NAc may play important roles in p-OHA-induced locomotor activity. Next, the author tested the effects of the i.c.v. administration of p-OHA on PPI in mice. p-OHA induced PPI disruptions that were significantly improved by the pretreatment with a typical or an atypical antipsychotic, D2 or D4 receptor antagonists, respectively. p-OHA-induced PPI disruptions were also improved by a serotonin (5-HT)2A receptor antagonist, a 5-HT synthesis inhibitor or a 5-HT neurotoxin. These results suggest that p-OHA-induced PPI disruptions were mediated by DA and 5-HT release and subsequent stimulation of D2, D4 and 5-HT2A receptors. Our recent series of reports indicate that the study of p-OHA may provide new insights into drug abuse as well as psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.

Roller massage has been recognized as an effective intervention for managing various conditions. However, data on the effects of roller massage on the dynamic mechanisms of the myofascial and soft tissues of the lower back are limited. This study aimed to examine the effect of the self-myofascial release of the lower back on myofascial gliding, lumbar flexibility, and abdominal trunk muscle strength using a roller massager. This crossover study included 24 college athletes who underwent three interventions—roller massage, static stretching, and control (rest). Before and after the intervention, lumbar and fascial gliding were evaluated using ultrasonography. Long-seat anteflexion (lumbar flexibility) and abdominal trunk muscle strength were assessed. The movement velocities of the subcutaneous tissue and the multifidus muscle over time were calculated using echo video analysis software, and gliding was estimated using the cross-correlation coefficient between the velocities. Gliding, lumbar flexibility, and abdominal trunk muscle strength showed significant intervention-by-time interactions. Roller massage significantly improved gliding, lumbar flexibility, and abdominal trunk muscle strength. The self-myofascial release of the lower back using a roller massager improved the lumbar/fascia gliding, lumbar flexibility, and abdominal trunk muscle strength compared to static stretching.