[Objective] To examine the effect of press tack needle (PTN) treatment on muscle soreness after triathlon race in a placebo (P) -controlled study.
[Method] Subjects were 149 healthy triathletes randomly divided into 2 groups, PTN group and P group. PTN and P were placed on the L 3 to S 2 dermatome area (BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26 and BL32) only during the race. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure muscle soreness at 6 points (Quads, Hamstrings, Calves, Tibialis anteriors, Glutes and lower back). Measurements were obtained before the race (PRE), after the race (POST1), and on the day after the race (POST2) to evaluate the effect of PTN treatment.
[Results] Each VAS score was increased on POST1 compared to that on PRE (p<0.01) for both groups. With PTN treatment, VAS scores were decreased on POST2 compared to those on POST1 except for Glutes (p<0.01, p<0.05), and had recovered to the PRE-race condition. In the P group, VAS score of the hamstrings was decreased on POST2 compared to that on POST1, while VAS scores were significantly higher than those on PRE for Quad, Hamstrings, and Calves.
[Conclusion] It is suggested that PTN stimulation during triathlon race suppresses delayed-onset muscle sore-ness.

[Purpose] This report examines the immediate effect of acupuncture treatment for subjective symptoms in competitive sailors.
[Method] The investigation was performed in the conditioning room at the national sports festival. Acupuncture treatment was performed for lumbago (n=108), dorsal pain (n=72). Acupuncture treatment was performed only on the area where players complained of pain. The variety of chief complaints, number of chief com-plaints, and visual analog scale (VAS) score were used for the investigation. Significance of differences in VAS score was compared by t-test.
[Result] There were numerous chief complaints involving lumbago, followed in orderby dorsal pain, and othercomplaints. Acupuncture treatment decreased the VAS score fbr lumbago (n=108) from 52.3±215mm to 21. 5±16.4mm. Dorsal pain (n=72) was also decreased from 48.0±18.7mm to 18.5±15.2mm. These values were both significantly different at p<0.01.
[Discussion] Acupuncture treatment was effective for lumbago, and dorsal pain of competitive sailors. As a result, it was suggested that the acupuncture treatment is an effective condition adjustment methods.

[Objective]To investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture in the control of lower back pain of sailors that participated in the National Sports Festival of Japan to assess whether or not acupuncture can be used as a pre and post race treatment.
[Methods]The study was conducted at the National Sports Festival of Japan sailing games. The focus was on sailor's complaints of lower back pain. Acupuncture treatment for lower back pain was executed pre and/or post race, and the respective therapeutic effect was evaluated. Acupuncture was executed by several techniques and on several points of the lower back.
The depth of insertion was the most critical criteria and must be shallow. The insertion depth of the study was approximately 5 mm.
Acupuncture points were chosen by the therapist. The insertion point was selected based on characteristics such as tenderness and induration of tissue. As needed, the dermis was stimulated continuously utilizing the acupuncture needle. The effect of acupuncture treatment was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
[Results]Lower back pain in sailors was alleviated by acupuncture and decreased by a VAS value (p < 0.01). The result was the same in pre and/or post race patients. Organic disease was confirmed in 19.0%of the patients. Both lumbar disc herniation and isthmic spondylolisthesis were diagnosed. There were no adverse events.
[Conclusion]Acupuncture was an effective treatment method and as such can be used as a method of treatment of sailors at pre or post race. However, to attain the maximum efficacy, the depth of the needle insertion must be shallow.

[Objective] This study examined the effect of press tack needle (PTN) treatment onshoulder stiffness.
[Method] A total of 53 volunteers with shoulder stiffness were randomly divided into 2 groups, the press tack needlegroup and placebo (P) group. The points stimulated by PTN or P were a maximum of 4 tender points around the shoulder treated for 3 days. Evaluation of the effect was based on the consciousness of shoulder stiffness and visual analog scale (VAS) estimating the grade of the shoulder stiffness. The evaluations were done in prior to treatment (Pr), immediately after treatment (Post 1), and 3 days after treatment (Post 2).
[Result] As a result, the number of the volunteers reporting awareness of stiff shoulder after 3 days decreased to 12 of28 persons in the PTN group, 23 of 25 in the P group. There was a significant difference between the 2 groups (p<0.01). The VAS value decreased in the PTN group from 52.5±20.7 (Pr) to 40.5±22.4 (Post1), to 342±19.7 (Post2), while in the P group from 55.2±17.5 (Pr) to 46.5±19.7 (Post1) to 45.9±21.7 (Post2). There were significant differences between Pr and Post1 (p<0.05), and between Pr and Post2 (p<0.01) in PTN group.
[Conclusion] It was suggested that PTN stimulation on the tender points improved shoulder stiffness.

[Purpose]The purpose of this paper is to examine whether or not the Press Tack Needle (PTN) treatment enhances the recovery process from muscle fatigue which assists in the therapeutic exercise rehabilitation process. By using the PTN, this paper investigates the recovery effect of the fatigued muscle. Randomized controlled trials were used to compare outcomes.
[Method]Twenty-nine healthy male adults were chosen as subjects. However, crossover study was used to compare the PTN group and the sham group. After two sets of arm curl exercises with isotonic contraction at 10%weight of maximum voluntary contraction, the decrease percentage of exercise repetition was calculated. A PTN or sham was inserted at the posterior cervical region using the double masking method. After the intervention of the PTN or sham needle, the subjects were asked which intervention was inserted into them. A Kappa statistics value was used to evaluate the validity of the sham group and a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to determine the upper arm fatigue.
[Result]The Kappa statistic value was 0.17. The decrease percentage of the exercise repetition of the PTN group was 35.4±20.1%, and of the sham group was 45.1±11.1%. The PTN group indicated a significantly smaller percentage than the sham group (p<0.01). Both groups showed no difference in Upper arm fatigue.
[Conclusion]The PTN seems to help in recovery from muscle fatigue. It is thought that by inserting the PTN, somato-automomic reflex was induced to promote the increase of blood flow in to the muscle. Faster recovery of physical function of the patient can be possible as well as the improvement of QOL. In conclusion, this investigation showed that the PTN treatment method can be useful in assisting in therapeutic exercise rehabilitation.

Association between smoking prevention education for elementary and junior high school students and the modification of their parents' smoking behavior — Can child education change parental behavior?
Introduction : This study aimed to investigate an association between a smoking prevention education program for elementary and junior high school students, and the subsequent behavior modifications of their parents.
Methods : Preventative education programs for smoking were provided to four elementary and three junior high schools in Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. We encouraged participating students to discuss the knowledge derived from the education sessions with their families. One month after completing the program, questionnaires were distributed to the parents of the students to investigate whether they had modified their smoking behavior as a result of what they had learnt from their children.
Results : Two questionnaires were distributed to each of 1109 families, and 1427 valid responses were received. Analysis showed that 794 parents had been informed about tobacco use from their children (55.6%) and 271 parents had modified their smoking behavior (19.0%) as a consequence. This included smoking cessation, decreasing tobacco consumption, and smoking avoidance in the presence of their children. Behavior modification was significantly correlated with the knowledge they had derived from their children based on the preventative smoking education program (odds ratio = 3.3 ; 95% CI : 2.4-4.6).
Conclusion : Implementation of an education program for smoking prevention focused on elementary and junior high school students can lead to modification of smoking behavior in both students and their parents, respectively.