Tohoku University Hospital served as the research office for two projects of Kampo medicine treatment: an observational study and a randomized controlled study on Coronavirus Disease 2019 led by the Japanese Society for Oriental Medicine. We review the practical operations together with the results of a questionnaire survey conducted after the completion of the studies, and discuss issues and areas for improvement in the management of the multicenter research office. Questionnaire 1 surveyed the participants’ impressions and opinions of the implementation system and responses at the research-sharing facilities, as well as future issues. Comments on observational studies were dichotomized into “no particular problems” and “difficulties.” In the randomized controlled trial, most respondents answered, “It was difficult to understand the administrative procedures for specific clinical research.” Questionnaire 2 surveyed the status of clinical research support staff, their impressions and opinions of being entrusted with the work, and future issues. We were able to collect opinions about impressions, issues, and areas for improvement from a variety of perspectives. Looking back at the summary of the questionnaire survey and the practical experience, smooth promotion of research is expected through appropriate research planning and system construction, as well as improvement of research support skills.

OBJECTIVES: One of the important risk factors of falling is decreased muscle mass and muscle strength. Recently, there has been an increasing concern on the role of vitamin D in muscle strength and physical activity. Aim of our study is to examine the relationships between vitamin D status and muscle mass and muscle strength in middle-aged healthy adults. METHODS: Subjects were 40 healthy volunteers aged 42.0 ± 10.6 years old. Evaluation was made for serum vitamin D₃ metabolites including 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ [25(OH)D₃] and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [24,25(OH)₂D₃] concentrations, lower limb muscle strength, and dietary intake by food frequency questionnaire. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and appendicular skeletal mass index (ASMI) was calculated as skeletal muscle mass/squared height. RESULTS: 70% of the subjects had vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency (serum total 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL), and female subjects had significantly lower serum total 25(OH)D level compared with males. Vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency group had significantly higher body fat, lower SMI and muscle strength, probably reflecting higher percentage of female subjects. Serum vitamin D₃ metabolites levels were significantly correlated with whole and site-specific ASMI, and lower limb muscle strength, except for the correlation between serum 24,25(OH)₂D₃ concentration and lower limb muscle strength. In addition, serum 25(OH)D₃ level was a positive significant predictor for both ASMI and lower limb muscle strength, while serum 24,25(OH)₂D₃ level was not their significant predictor. CONCLUSIONS: Serum 25(OH)D₃ level was significantly correlated with both skeletal muscle mass and lower limb muscle strength.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Accidental Falls ; Adipose Tissue ; Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Body Composition ; Calcifediol* ; Female ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Lower Extremity* ; Male ; Motor Activity ; Muscle Strength* ; Muscle, Skeletal* ; Risk Factors ; Vitamin D ; Vitamins

OBJECTIVES: Sarcopenia, decreased muscle volume and muscle weakness in the elderly is a serious risk of various adverse outcomes. Current diagnostic procedure for sarcopenia includes gait speed, grip strength, and percentage of skeletal muscle volume. However, lower leg muscle strength decreases much faster than grasp power, and we have evaluated the usefulness of its measurement using a recently developed instrument (Locomoscan). METHODS: Forty-three institutionalized elderly subjects were evaluated for their anthropometrical parameters, body composition, grasp and lower leg muscle strength, and gait speed. They were categorized into 2 groups; gait speed equal to or higher than 0.8 m/s and that below 0.8 m/s. RESULTS: Leg muscle strength per body weight was significantly greater in those with their gait speed equal to or higher than 0.8 m/s, whereas there was no significant difference in other parameters. Receiver operator characteristics analysis has shown that leg muscle alone significantly predicted the greater gait speed. CONCLUSIONS: Lower leg muscle strength can be useful for predicting gait speed.
Aged* ; Body Composition ; Body Weight ; Gait* ; Hand Strength* ; Humans ; Leg* ; Muscle Strength* ; Muscle Weakness ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Sarcopenia