Picture Sound Book with Ninja-Essence Targeting Older People Affected by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Accident: Development and Evaluation Before-after Pilot Clinical Trial
Abstract
Kashiko Fujii and Minoru Kadota
Health and well being are critical concerns for the older people affected by the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power accident, particularly those who experienced evacuation. This study investigates the feasibility of utilizing a picture sound book infused with Ninja elements to sustain or enhance physical well being among this demographic. A pre–post intervention study was conducted to assess the efficacy of the picture sound book among returnees and evacuees after the lifting of evacuation restrictions. A total of 29 participants took part in the study, divided into returnees and evacuees groups, both of whom were provided with the tool. Analysis of pre–post changes involved descriptive statistics, including Fisher’s exact test and t-test. Significant improvements were observed in both groups, particularly in left and right hand-grip strength, maximum phonation time among participants regularly engaging in exercise, and in activities related to swallowing exercises and vocal practices (p < 0.013 and 0.033). Furthermore, 16 out of 29 participants reported enjoyment of the program. These results suggest promising avenues for further investigation with larger sample sizes, indicating potential for enhanced outcomes.