Health Promotion and Developmental Science

Professor Toshio KOBAYASHI, MD, PhD.

Our education and research targets are various health-related phenomena, including health promotion, nursing administration, international health, occupational health, and environmental health. Various kinds of health-related professionals gather together and discuss health-related phenomena. Our current research themes include: 'Risk management and stress management' , 'Epidemiology in lifestyle-related disease and health promotion' , ' Health care systems in developing countries' , 'Co-operation among public health, occupational health, and school health' , 'Physiological and biochemical analysis of health behaviors'.

Health Informatics

Professor Masayuki KAKEHASHI, PhD, DSc.

The mission of our laboratory is to find out and establish useful information on health-related factors in health promotion. To achieve this mission, health-related socio-economic data and outcome data are collected and analyzed using mathematical models and statistical methods. The actual research topics include: analysis and prediction of infectious disease spread, relationship between the incidence of coronary heart disease and weather conditions, questionnaire survey study on health promotion, and study of medical expense and related factors.

Fundamental Nursing

Professor Yukiko MIYAKOSHI, RN, NM, PHN, MA, PhD.

The principle and fundamental nursing study, offers basic knowledge and skills for professional clinical nursing practices - specifically, history, theory, concepts, service and care delivery systems, administration, education of nursing, and, understanding human beings as an object of nursing, based upon the actuality of assessing outcomes of nursing care.
Therefore, the area of research and education covers a wide range in health sciences and nursing, such as: the influence of common nursing care and skills upon the human body and health behaviors, by using techniques from physiology, biochemistry, and human engineering, from various angles, the development of more effective nursing-intervention methods for all people, and the improvement of educational methods for students.

Midwifery and Maternal-Newborn Nursing

Professor Kyoko YOKOO, RN, NM, MN, PhD

Our team is making developments, and is achieving good results in the fields of clinical research and nursing practice. For this purpose, we cooperate and collaborate with many medical institutions, such as University Hospital, Prefectural Hospitals, and home-visiting nursing stations.
Our main study subjects include the following:
"Pain management for high risk neonates" , "Developmental support systems for infant care in the community" , "Neonatal nursing standardization" , "Development of Midwifery continuing education programs" , "Analysis of clinical nursing ethics" , "Ethnography of childbearing and childrearing" and "Narrative-based nursing of high-risk pregnancies(infertility and genetics)."

Maternal and Child Health Care

Professor Yoshito TANAKA, MD, PhD

We are concerned with the health promotion of children and their families, and are carrying investigations forward, in the fields of chronic illnesses and disabilities, child maltreatment, developmental disorders, and pediatric oncology.

Nursing Care for the Adult

Professor Michiko MORIYAMA, RN, MSN, PhD.

Research and Education: In order to improve patients' outcomes, QOL, and self-care level, we collaborate and conduct research studies with hospitals, clinics, and companies in Japan, and the world, in areas of Adult Nursing (Medical/Surgical Nursing from Acute to Terminal), Chronic Illness Disease Management, and Medical Delivery System, based on Outcome Management /Outcome Research methods. We also conduct research and nursing practice studies in the areas of Family Nursing, and Cancer Nursing (Psychooncology).

Health Care for Adults

Professor Tsuyoshi KATAOKA, MD, PhD

Our laboratory is involved in basic, and clinical studies, mainly using patients in the perioperative period, and cancer patients, as subjects.
Prevention of infection, trauma care, and palliative medicine are also important issues for our research. Graduate students are encouraged to acquire the latest information, and to carry out original and individual research. We are also carrying out studies in collaboration with other laboratories and researchers in our university, and with clinicians.

Geriatric Health Science

Professor Masaki INOUE, MD, PhD.

Our groups study various problems of older adults. Postgraduates have already researched the following subjects: 1) Japanese ways of thinking about advance directives; living will to project their wishes about medical treatment into the future of incapacity, 2) pathophysiology to reduce the risk of falling, and, 3) the management of PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrectomy) to prepare methods for providing nutritional support to patients with dysphagia.
We are also carrying out studies in gastric acid secretion, using 24-intragastric pH-metry, and, are investigating the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and inflammation of the gastric mucosa.

Gerontological Rehabilitation Nursing

Professor Toshio KINJO, RN.

The main themes of our research are the development of nursing methods for the living functional disorder at large, which is frequently experienced by the disabled elderly, and is very likely to have a large influence on QOL.
Especially, research focusing on the concrete nursing method, the management/educational method, etc, about urinary incontinence or eating disorders, is performed to achieve development of rehabilitation nursing methodology aimed at improvement in QOL of the disabled elderly.

Health Care and Nursing Development Study at Home and Community

Professor Mitsu ONO

In Community Nursing, we provide education to people with varying health status in our community, in order to further improve their health status and QOL. The main topics of research are prevention of elderly abuse, family support, home care management, and home care for the elderly with dementia.

Health Care and Nursing Development Study at School and Community

Professor Hiroe TSUSHIMA, RN, EM, PhD.

The main themes of our research are developmental research about medical care, and collaboration with Yogo-teachers and nurses for mentally and physically handicapped children in schools. In addition, we study support of pubertal health, in cooperation with the local community.

Anatomy and Histology

Professor Seiichi KAWAMATA, MD, PhD.

Beautifully elaborated structures of tissues, organs, and bodies, reflect sophisticated functions of these constituents. Using light and electron microscopy, we explore and seek better understanding of structure and function. The musculoskeletal system, and peripheral nerves, are the main fields in our studies. However, people who want to investigate other tissues and organs are also welcomed to join us.
Subjects of our interest are the processes and mechanisms of muscle injury, regeneration, atrophy, and hypertrophy. Subcutaneous connective tissue, and peripheral nerves, are also studied in relation to muscle function.

Sports Rehabilitation Research Science

Professor Yukio URABE , PhD, PT, AT, MA.

Our research are focus on sport injury prevention, rehabilitation methods, and creating new equipment for sport rehabilitation. For example, ACL injury prevention and rehabilitation method after reconstruction, ankle injury, low back pain prevention, as well as shoulder injury treatment. We will propose a new strategy for the concept of sport rehabilitation.

Biomechanics

Professor Koichi SHINKODA, RPT, PhD.

We analyze kinetic and kinematic components and properties of every day activities performed by healthy people, and also by people with disabilities. Some activities studied include gait (walking and running) and sit-to-stand movement, which are the most common of human movements. We use instruments such as 2D and 3D video systems, force platforms, accelerometers, and others, to collect and analyze the motions.
The findings of our research, which is based on biomechanical data analysis, are applied to improve the quality of life of people who have restricted freedom of motion, as well as for rehabilitation, by developing new therapeutic exercises. We are also involved in developing proactive strategies for health promotion, and preventing physical injuries and disabilities stemming from repetitive motion.

Health and Sports Medical Sciences

Professor Tsutomu INAMIZU, MD, PhD.

It is known well in our current society that our daily habits, particularly our lack of exercise, are the major cause of health-related problems. Sometimes, if it is not conducted in the proper manner, exercise can itself be of harm to our bodies. Our program is focused on education and research in the field of sports medicine. Our aspect is particularly focused on exercise prescription from an immunological point of view, in order to retain and advance health, and create better conditioning for non-athletes, as well as athletes.

Rehabilitation Medicine for the Elderly and People with Physical Disabilities

Professor Yoshiko TOBIMATSU, MD, PhD.

Main themes:
1.research about QOL for people with physical disabilities
2.research on disability structure (relationship between factors influencing the life of people with physical disabilities)
3.research for prosthetics and Orthotics
4.research on the mechanism of development of joint contraction under spastic paralysis ( the animal experiment)
5.research about the mechanism of muscle hypertrophy under an exercise ( the animal experiment)
6.research on spinal cord injury (the animal experiment).

Bio-Environmental Adaptation Sciences

Professor Louis YUGE, PhD, MSc, RPT.

Our research focuses on:
1) CVA (cerebrovascular accident) - effects of physical therapy for patients with hemiplegia,
2) Bio-reaction (cells and tissues) to physical stimuli, such as microgravity, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, etc.,
3) Space flight adaptation syndrome, especially bone and muscle molecular biology,
4) Cartilage, muscle, bone, and nerve regeneration medicine methodology, especially stem cell culture in microgravity and physical stimuli,
5) Balance and coordination for hemiplegia patients (constraint-induced movement therapy).

The mission of our laboratory is to create and establish useful techniques related to new findings in people with disabilities. To achieve this mission, human-biology-related morphological, molecular, and physiological data are collected and analyzed using newly developed methods. The actual research subjects include undifferentiated stem cells in culture, simulating microgravity for use in regeneration medicine. Bone, muscle, nerve, and blood regeneration are used for induced-form mesenchymal stem cells, and hematopoietic stem cells, to better understand diseases and disability in rehabilitation medicine and physical therapy. We also analyze the central nerve system using MEG (Magnetoencephalography) and neural stem cell therapy.
We will participate in the International Space Station (ISS) program for culture myoblasts and stem cells in space, in 2008, sponsored by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and NASA. We are also collaborating with other researchers: Institute Pasteur (Paris), University of Texas (NASA research group), Chinese Stem Cell Therapy Institutes, and with researchers and clinicians in our university. We welcome you to join our laboratory if you have curiosity about why and how we adapt to the environment, on EARTH, and in SPACE.

Integrative Physiology

Professor Kanji MATSUKAWA, PhD.

The human body has complex living systems that are so wonderfully organized and coordinated by the central nervous system. The purpose of this laboratory is to study “the logic of life in humans” and to find out a way to apply “the logic of life” to clinical rehabilitation sciences. We are attempting integrative approaches to fundamental physiological problems, including molecular, cellular, tissue, and whole body levels. The specific themes that we are currently investigating are:
1) Autonomic control of the cardiovascular adaptation to exercise,
2) Coordination and integration of the autonomic, cardiovascular, and motor systems,
3) Coordination and integration of the autonomic, cardiovascular, and sensory systems,
4) Higher brain function responsible for autonomic and cardiovascular regulation,
5) Autonomic innervation of skeletal muscle and its physiological function.

Human Behavior Science of Occupational Therapy

Professor Hideki MIYAGUCHI, PhD, MS, OTR.

We examine human behavior as an occupational being, from various angles. To do better occupational therapy based on theory and practice, we research how human behavior is related to physical impairment, cognitive impairment, social psychological factors, and the environment. Our research themes are analysis of theory of occupational behavior, mechanisms of human behavior, and development of assessment forms and intervention methodology.

Applied Science of Occupational Therapy

Professor Hajime SHIMIZU

Our course includes the following:
Our main purpose is to examine the many aspects of the therapeutic effects of "Occupation", and to expand clinical findings and scientific knowledge. A diversity of research projects and methods is advocated. The backgrounds and disciplines of our institute's staff are manifold. Presently, we are investigating activity analysis, therapeutic function of sheltered workshops, and occupational intervention for traumatic brain injury.

Rehabilitation of Locomotor System Dysfunction

Professor Tsuneji MURAKAMI, MD, PhD.

The purpose of our research and education is to study the following:
-3-D Kinesiology analysis of nerve, and muscle activity,
-MEG (magnetoencephalography) and EMG analysis of motor/nerve disability (paralysis),
-Hand therapy,
-Rehabilitation of sports injuries,
-Rehabilitation for people with RA (rheumatoid arthritis),
-Studies of balance and coordination in prevention of falls in the elderly.

Psychosocial Rehabilitation

Professor Hitoshi OKAMURA, MD, PhD

We aim to establish psychosocial rehabilitation methods for maintaining or improving quality of life (QOL) of subjects. To achieve the objective, we are planning and conducting the following studies:
1. Study on cancer rehabilitation,
2. Study on rehabilitation for elderly people with or without dementia,
3. Study on rehabilitation for patients with mental disability.

Control Science for Body and Life Function

Professor Hirohisa YAMAKATSU, MS, OTR.

Our ultimate goal is to establish occupational therapy as a science. We research widely on physical dysfunction. Our main research areas are:
(1) The evaluation and treatment of physical dysfunction in occupational therapy,
(2) The effects of activities and occupation on clients, and
(3) Giving support to clients in activities of daily living.