Meeting Report
The 20th International Meeting of Physical Therapy Science in Vietnam
The 20th International Meeting of Physical Therapy Science was held on August 7, 2016 at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
The opening remarks were presented by the Chairman of the meeting, Dr. Nguyen Dang Khoa, and also by the President of the Society of Physical Therapy Science, Dr. Hitoshi Maruyama. Dr. Maruyama stressed the importance of exchanging knowledge about rehabilitation methods and academic research between Japan and Vietnam for the mutual benefit of Asia.
Eight oral presentations and 14 poster presentations were given at the meeting. In the oral presentations, Dr. Hiroshi Nobori from Teikyo University of Science, Japan presented “Toe-Heel Load Stand Exercise Effects”. In this presentation Dr. Nobori explained the principles behind and therapeutic benefits of a device he invented. Many questions were asked by the attendees regarding the benefits of this device. University faculty members, graduate students and clinicians from Japan gave poster presentations concerning physical medicine, motor learning, and education. One presentation was made by a volunteer of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, who works at Cho Ray Hospital. It was a good opportunity to learn about international cooperation through this report.
Oral presentations are the mainstream of the presentations at meetings in Vietnam. It was the first time for many Vietnamese attendees to see a poster presentation. A Vietnamese attendee, who works in the field of rehabilitation, later said that it was inspiring to listen to oral and poster presentations from Japan. I believe that it was also a great opportunity for the attendees from Japan to answer questions about their presentations and listen to presentations from Vietnamese speakers. As Dr. Maruyama mentioned in his opening remark, by establishing a connection between Japan and Vietnam, this meeting kindled mutual inspiration and encouraged the development of our research.
In the closing remarks, Dr. Nguyen Dang Khoa, the Chairman of the meeting said, he hoped to continue holding meetings with Japan in the field of rehabilitation. In response, Dr. Maruyama committed to holding another meeting in Vietnam in the future and the meeting was concluded.
Onoda Ko
International University of Health and Welfare, Japan
Department of Physical Therapy