Medical Frontiers

In Japan, the development of meticulously lifelike medical simulators is helping students and professionals practice and perfect procedures, and enhancing the quality and safety of health care.

We usually exercise our muscles for better strength and fitness. In Japan, researchers have found that working muscles can also help treat or prevent a wide range of illnesses. 2 effective methods are in use at Japanese medical facilities. One, called slow training, has the same impact on muscles as a hard workout, and helps patients with diabetes control their blood-sugar levels. The other method, called "kaatsu training", has proven helpful in rehabilitation, even for patients weakened by illness. We also introduce simple exercise for extending the core muscles.

Headaches affect people around the world, and many rely on painkillers to deal with them. But in Japan, a new treatment that doesn't rely on medication is attracting attention. It uses a daily diary that helps patients identify things that trigger headaches, and any patterns in their symptoms. We also explain how some headache sufferers are finding relief by going to the dentist. And we share some yoga exercises that can keep headaches at bay.

On this special episode, we focus on a small, human-like robot developed by a Japanese scientist. Researchers are studying how it can help people who are socially isolated, connect with others. A German researcher explores whether the robot can be used to benefit elderly people living alone. In Japan, a nursing facility is using it as a conversational companion for people with dementia. And in Italy, a robotics engineer and a psychiatrist have been looking at how it can be used as a communication tool for autistic children.

Today's sedentary lifestyle can lead to chronic pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders and back. But experts say treatment should go beyond these areas, because sometimes our discomfort is due to hidden causes. What's more, stiff shoulders can be a sign of a life-threatening illness, so the condition shouldn't be ignored. We'll take a close look at some surprising causes of stiff shoulders and treatment options. And we'll learn how to ease shoulder aches and pains with karate techniques.

Research has revealed that we have numerous biological clocks that each operate on an approximately 24-hour cycle. If those clocks go out of sync, we may face an increased vulnerability to various kinds of diseases. We focus on how understanding your circadian rhythm is used to discover more effective ways to prevent or treat illnesses, such as meal plans to adjust our body clocks and cancer treatments with fewer side effects. We also learn about what food items to eat and when, to prevent obesity and get a good night's sleep.

The "gut flora", an ecosystem of bacteria and other microorganisms in the intestines, plays an important role in human health. Researchers say improving the balance of the gut flora can boost our immunity. In Japan, medical experts give premature babies bifidobacteria to strengthen their weak immune systems. Japanese hospitals give patients drinks rich in so-called "good" bacteria to fight infections after cancer surgery. We'll also share some exercises to keep the intestines in good shape.

A cutting-edge treatment developed in Japan helps patients' bodies grow new blood vessels. Complications from diabetes and other diseases can compromise blood flow to the extremities. If this causes the cells to die, amputation can become necessary. In a clinical trial now in progress, injecting patients with cultured cells taken from their own blood has halted necrosis and saved limbs. In this episode, we'll also share some simple exercises for activating blood vessels and promoting better circulation.

This 2-part series on "Regenerative Medicine" shows how it is possible to replace lost or damaged body parts by using human cells. Surviving a disease such as cancer can leave scars, both physical and emotional. Whether it's due to a mastectomy or radiation therapy, scars are hard to avoid. Fat-derived stem cells can help patients return close to their original state, providing peace of mind. We also look at the benefits of using oil to balance the amount of fat in a body.

This 2-part series on "Regenerative Medicine" shows how it's possible to replace lost or damaged body parts by using human cells. Cell sheets can be used to restore damaged organs, making them functional again. For instance, they can be transplanted to a patient's cloudy cornea to help restore eyesight. Japanese researchers have also developed new technology to regenerate injured knee cartilage using cell sheets. We share some tips on how to relax our eyes to prevent them from aging prematurely.

Tumors or other abnormalities deep inside the brain can be difficult to treat through conventional surgery. If left alone, they can result in breathing problems and other life-threatening complications. On this program, we explore an advanced tool called gamma knife radiotherapy that allows doctors to target and neutralize such growths with precisely concentrated doses of radiation. We also share breathing techniques developed in Japanese Zen Buddhism that reduce stress by promoting the secretion of serotonin.

Working long hours, worrying about financial problems, looking after the elderly and children… Modern lifestyle can be a recipe for exhaustion. Japanese researchers are trying to find the root causes of fatigue and ways to treat it. They've discovered that components found in foods such as chicken and fish are highly effective. And clinics in Japan that specialize in treating fatigue are using advanced research to help patients. We'll also share exercises and tips for restful sleep.

A Japanese hospital has introduced an advanced system for cooking and delivering 200 kinds of dishes suited to individual patients' conditions and tastes. Unlike typical hospital food, these meals are appetizing and tasty, and they help speed recovery. And a doctor and a pharmaceutical company have developed a way to soften meat and other foods while keeping their original shape. It's easy to chew, and helps elderly people maintain a balanced diet. We'll also share cancer-fighting recipes.

A new drug developed in Japan that destroys cancer cells by boosting the immune system shows potential for transforming treatment. Success stories include patients who couldn't be treated through conventional means, and who had given only months to live. On the other hand, the medication is expensive, it doesn't work for everyone, and there is the risk of side effects. We examine the drug's potential and its challenges. And we share tips for enhancing immunity through better lymphocyte circulation.

Some people lose the ability to speak following surgery for cancer of the mouth or throat. With the help of technologies developed in Japan, they can communicate again using their own voice. One device uses recordings of a patient's voice before surgery to produce speech. And patients who have had part of their tongue removed can learn to speak again using an artificial tongue. We'll see how these technologies improve quality of life, and share exercises for a healthy and beautiful voice.

In the field of elderly care, the Japanese government is promoting the introduction of robots capable of communicating. These "communication robots" have the potential to transform elderly care in Japan, where the population is rapidly aging. In a nationwide experiment, researchers found the robots encourage seniors to stay active, and help prevent feelings of isolation. The experiment also showed how communication robots can help caregivers monitor seniors and meet their needs.

Researchers in Japan are developing new medications by tapping into the rich resources of the sea. They've used a type of marine sponge to make a drug that's now used worldwide to treat breast cancer. A substance in crab shells has been found to help wounds heal faster. It's already being used on animals, and holds promise for treating atopic dermatitis in humans. Oceans have been called Earth's final frontier. Scientists believe they may yield yet more revolutionary medicinal substances.

Conventional wisdom says that cognitive functions decline with age. But a leading Japanese neuroscientist and his team have shown that simple brain-training exercises such as reading aloud and solving basic math equations can help elderly people retain or even sharpen their mental skills. Their findings point to a new path for preventing and treating dementia. We'll also explore how nutrition and exercise can help slow down aging.

A treatment method that overturns a common sense of the medical community that "the brain cell does not regenerate" has been developed in Japan, and its practical application is imminent. The key to the treatment are "stem cells", which regenerate various body tissues on a daily basis. Japanese researchers have discovered that stem cells, which have been thought to be absent in adult brains, actually exist in small numbers. A therapy that stimulates brain stem cells in an innovative way and regenerates the brain is entering the final phase of a clinical trial.

Cataract and glaucoma are eye diseases that progress by aging. Both are severe diseases that can cause blindness, but in Japan, unique treatment methods and causes are being investigated. For cataracts, the world is paying attention to a Japanese doctor who has devised an innovative surgical method which is in just over 3 minutes. And distinctive research is progressing at Japanese universities as to what kind of ingredients can delay the progression of glaucoma. How can we save people from blindness? Explore with us the forefront of Japanese ophthalmic medical care.

The latest episode of Medical Frontiers is part of a special series which looks at superfoods around the country. This time we visited Oita Prefecture, where fewer people have died from colorectal cancer over the past 10 years than anywhere else in the country. Research has found that's due to 3 foods the locals eat regularly that help maintain gut health: kabosu citrus fruit, shiitake mushrooms and onions. We'll look at the part these superfoods play in the local diet, share the latest findings on their key components and bring you some healthy, delicious recipes using them.

An innovative heart procedure developed by a Japanese doctor is attracting attention around the world. Known as the "Ozaki method", it makes it possible to reconstruct defective heart valves using a patient's own tissue. It's more cost-effective than using valves made of man-made materials or animal tissue, and patients don't need to worry about additional surgery to replace worn valves or take special medication. The procedure has saved many lives, including children's.

Periodontal disease affects more people worldwide than any other illness, according to the Guinness World Records. It destroys gum and bone, eventually causing teeth to fall out. Periodontal disease may also be linked to life-threatening illnesses, such as pneumonia and diabetes. One drawback of standard treatments is that it's difficult to restore damaged tissue. But a drug developed in Japan regenerates gum and bone, and saves teeth. We'll also look at ways to maintain good oral hygiene, even when disaster strikes.

Rheumatoid arthritis has been considered incurable, but a Japanese hospital that has taken a team-based approach to treatment is making advances. A pioneering study tracking 6,000 patients for nearly 2 decades has shown the efficacy of reduced drug dosages. It also reveals a dramatic increase in rates of remission. Further, surgeons at the hospital are using an innovative procedure that not only saves damaged joints, but also preserves patients' mobility.

Up to 75% of people will experience a foot problem sometime during their lives, according to British podiatrists. Even minor foot or leg trouble can lead to serious complications -- some requiring amputation. The risk is higher for people with diabetes and the elderly. At a Japanese medical center, a team of experts including orthopedic and vascular surgeons, a physician specializing in diabetes, a physical therapist, and a prosthetist is tackling the issue. Find out how they're working to help patients, and save limbs.

We bring you a special episode, celebrating the award of this year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to Tasuku Honjo, Distinguished Professor at Kyoto University. His basic research has led to the development and clinical applications of Opdivo, a groundbreaking new anti-cancer drug that works with immune cells. It has given hope to many cancer patients, and surprised clinical specialists. We'll explore what innovation Opdivo has brought to cancer treatment, and what challenges remain.