Mejiro University

Balance disorders are a major modifiable risk factor for falls, and balance exercises reduce fall rates. However, the effectiveness of balance exercises may depend on the relationship between the task difficulty and individual skill levels. This study aimed to explore the impact of task difficulty on the motor learning benefits of balance exercises.

A sex-stratified, randomized, and non-blinded study was conducted among 40 community-dwelling older adults assigned to either a low- or high-difficulty balance exercise group. The task difficulty was manipulated by altering the support component affixed to an unstable board. Balance performance was measured using a stability index, and functional task difficulty was assessed using the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). The experiment included a pre-test, practice trials, and post-test conducted 24 h later. Statistical analyses included analysis of variance and regression analyses to examine the impact of task difficulty on motor learning and the relationship between motor learning benefits and task difficulty.

While both groups showed improved balance performance with practice, the low-difficulty group demonstrated greater motor learning benefits at the 24-h post-test (p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed a curvilinear relationship between the performance dimension score of the NASA-TLX and motor learning benefits (y = -0.017x² + 1.843x - 26.711, adjusted R² = 0.380, p < 0.001).

In balance exercises for community-dwelling older adults, task difficulty significantly influences exercise intervention effectiveness. Our findings contribute to the development of personalized fall prevention programs that adjust task difficulty according to individual skill levels.

In many parts of the globe, regional professional societies have developed local traumatic stress organizations and have become affiliate societies of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS). At the ISTSS 40th Annual Meeting in September 2024, delegates from the ISTSS and five ISTSS-affiliate societies-Asociación Chilena de Estrés Traumático (ACET), the Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ASTSS), Deutschsprachige Gesellschaft für Psychotraumatologie (DeGPT), the Japanese Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (JSTSS), and the Korean Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (KSTSS)-gathered for a panel discussion entitled "Roles, Challenges, and Possibilities of ISTSS Affiliated Organizations Around the World: A Panel Discussion." Each panelist shared insights into their organization's structure, goals, ongoing projects, and challenges in addressing traumatic stress in their regions. These societies shared a collective need for progressing evidence-based treatments for trauma-related conditions and minimizing disparities in care provision, advocacy, and public education. The societies reported differences in health care systems, types of common traumatic events, and geopolitical and socioeconomic characteristics. Given these similarities and differences, the panel agreed on the need for enhancing collaborations within and between societies.

Since the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster (March 11, 2011), plant workers have been exposed to various traumatic events and reported experiences of insomnia. A four-year follow-up study was conducted to understand the relationship between types of perceived emotional support and insomnia among these workers.

Insomnia was assessed using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) questionnaire annually from 2011 to 2014 (four time points). A total of 1483 workers recruited in 2011 reported what gave them emotional support (a sense of purpose or perceived support from colleagues, family, or local residents) and provided at least one AIS response, resulting in 4294 observations. Mixed effects logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between each type of emotional support and insomnia over time.

Those who felt a sense of purpose towards their family had significantly elevated insomnia (β = 0.34, p = 0.03), while those perceived support from family had a significant decrease in insomnia over years (ß = -0.16, p = 0.047). These associations were most evident among older workers (≥40 years old), who exhibited an inverse association between perceived support from family and insomnia (ß = -0.48, p = 0.049).

Family-related perceived emotional support was associated with insomnia, suggesting that perception of family may increase risk of insomnia. On the other hand, perceived support from family reduced insomnia risk, particularly in older participants. Understanding the effects of different types of perceived emotional support helps assess insomnia risk, which can help guide individuals to self-coping behaviors, peer support, and specialist referrals for clinical intervention.