Report on “Radiation Disaster Recovery Studies”
Course Radioactivity Social Recovery Course
Name Nobuaki Moriyama○Regarding “Radiation Disaster Recovery Studies”(Describe your thoughts, the process you engage in and your research progress
regarding Recovery from Radiation Disaster)Since enrolling in the Phoenix Leader Education Program at Hiroshima University, I
have accumulated a variety of knowledge through classes, lectures, symposia, andfieldwork. Initially, I learned the basics of radiation such as what it is and its effect onhuman health. Afterwards, I studied how the radiation disaster caused by theFukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power plant accident impacted affected areas andsurvivors.
The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident raised issues pertaining to thedirect and indirect impacts of radiation on human health. A previous study reported
that although the internal and external exposure levels of local residents after the
Fukushima accident were too low to cause concern regarding a direct effect on health,deteriorating chronic conditions (e.g., increased prevalence of diabetes) persisted after
the disaster. Although various potential causes could explain deteriorating health, there
is no consensus on the cause.
Meanwhile, authors found that evacuated people in temporary housing were likely tolead sedentary lifestyles in their living environment. As previous studies suggested,physical inactivity may be a risk factor for non-communicable diseases and frailty inolder people. If the physical activity of older evacuees in temporary housing decreases,
then this is a serious health-related problem to be solved. Therefore, the author waseager to conduct a study focusing on the level of physical activity of older survivors aged
65 years or older, as detailed below. Based on the results of this study, the authors
identified a low level of physical activity in observed evacuees residing in temporary
housing in the City of Minamisoma as a factor of deteriorated physical performance.
Consequently, the author recognized the importance of initiating countermeasures topromote health among fragile individuals against a low level of physical activity inunfamiliar and challenging circumstances. Currently, I am continuing with a support
activity for older evacuees living in temporary housing that aims to encourage them toengage in more habitual physical activity to lead healthy lives in the future.

In conclusion, learning about “Radiation Disaster Recovery Studies” motivated me toconduct a continuous study and local activities on the spot. At present, the author has
found a job opportunity in which I can conduct the abovementioned activity incooperation with colleagues with various academic backgrounds.
○Title of Doctoral Thesis
Effect of residence in temporary housing after the Great East Japan Earthquake on
the physical activity and quality of life among older survivors○Summary of Doctoral Thesis（Describe so as to be easily understood, by relating it to “Radiation Disaster RecoveryStudies”）
Introduction
In the present study, we aimed to clarify the impact of residence in temporary housing
on physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL), as well as physicalperformance as a result of lower physical activity among older evacuees residing in
temporary housing after the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE).
Methods
The authors collected data from residents who had been evacuated to temporary
housing after the GEJE (temporary housing group) and residents who had continued tolive in their own houses (control group). Data were measured from December 2, 2014 toJanuary 22, 2015 in Kashima ward, Minamisoma City. In this study, physical activity
was assessed by the number of walking steps determined using a triaxial accelerometer,
mobility function through the Timed Up-and-Go test, muscle strength by the grasping
power test, and HRQOL by the Medical Outcome Study Short-form 36 v2™ (SF-36v2™).
Results
In total, 64 subjects (19 men and 45 women) were included in the temporary housinggroup and 64 subjects (33 men and 31 women) in the control group. The number of steps
walked daily was significantly lower in the temporary housing group than in the control
group for both men (p < 0.05) and women (p < 0.01). The TUG test duration was
significantly longer in the temporary housing group than in the control group for bothmen and women (p < 0.01). Grip strength was significantly lower in the temporary
housing group than in the control group for men (p < 0.01), although no significant
difference in this value was observed for women in both groups. The TUG test duration
showed a significant negative correlation with the number of steps walked daily for men(r = -0.702, p < 0.01), but not women (r = -0.261, p = 0.083) in the temporary housinggroup. Grip strength was correlated with the number of steps walked daily for both men(r = 0.569, p < 0.01) and women (r = 0.315, p < 0.05) in the temporary housing group.
Regarding HRQOL, the bodily pain score was higher for women (but not men) in thetemporary housing group compared to that for the control group (p < 0.01). However, noother scores significantly differed for men and women between the groups.
Discussion
The number of steps walked daily in the temporary housing subjects was 33% lower
than that in the control group for both men and women. Loss of connection with theirlocal communities and the physical environment of the surrounding area may be major
factors influencing this low level of physical activity. Regarding mobility function andmuscle strength in the temporary housing group, except for mobility function in women,a significant correlation was observed between steps walked daily and these variables.
On the other hand, HRQOL did not differ significantly between the groups, although
the bodily pain score differed among women. Possible reasons include less frequent
exposure to events that could cause pain than those in the control group, and the effectof relief measures on pain. Based on our findings, we suggest that residents in
temporary housing be encouraged to improve their level of physical activity so that they
can prevent deterioration of mobility function and muscle strength and the subsequent
onset of diseases related to inactivity.
Conclusions
We found that residents in temporary housing were less physically active and had
lower mobility function and muscle strength than older people residing in their ownhouses. Although HRQOL did not decrease in the temporary housing group, support for
older evacuees should focus on maintaining their level of physical activity.
○Other theses published in academic research journals
・Title of thesis: Physical activity of elderly persons living in temporary housing in an
affected area of the Great East Japan Earthquake
・Joint authors: Nobuaki Moriyama, Yukio Urabe, Noriaki Maeda, Shuichi Onoda,and Tomoyoshi Oikawa