The Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University (UNHAS), once again held an international scientific event in the form of a guest lecture. The event featured Prof. Yukio Mikami, MD, PhD, Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Associate Director of Hiroshima University Hospital, as well as a member of the Japanese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine.
The guest lecture, which carried the themes “Early Mobilisation in Acute Phase Rehabilitation Setting” and “Locomotive Syndrome”, took place on Tuesday, 9 September 2025, from 10:00 to 12:30 WITA at Prof. Misbahuddin Adnan Auditorium, Faculty of Medicine, UNHAS. In his presentation, Prof. Mikami emphasised the importance of early mobilisation immediately after injury or post-surgery, with thorough assessment to ensure patient safety. According to him, early mobilisation provides many benefits, including improving body function and quality of life—benefits that cannot be achieved if patients are left on total bed rest. He even described physical exercise as one of the “best medicines” for patients.
In addition, Prof. Mikami discussed the concept of Locomotive Syndrome (Locomo), namely the decline in mobility due to dysfunction of locomotive organs such as bones, joints, muscles, and the nervous system. Introduced in Japan in 2007, this concept emerged as a response to the growing elderly population. Prof. Mikami stressed the importance of community-based early detection and the role of physical exercise, both to prevent healthy individuals from developing Locomo and to keep Locomo patients from progressing to more severe stages that require intensive care.
This activity is also part of an ongoing collaboration between the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, UNHAS, and Hiroshima University, which has been established since 2024. The collaboration includes visiting lectures, resident exchange, and faculty staff exchange, aiming to strengthen academic networks and enhance the quality of education and rehabilitation medicine services in both institutions.
The event was also attended by the Vice Dean for Publication, Community Service, and International Affairs of the Faculty of Medicine, UNHAS, Prof. Dr. Rina Masadah, Sp.PA., M.Phil., DFM; Head of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dr. Husnul Mubarak, Sp.KFR, NM(K), FEMG; and Head of the Study Program in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dr. Yose Waluyo, Sp.KFR, MS(K). Faculty staff, residents, and participants from various related fields were also present.
The activity concluded with an interactive discussion session that was met with great enthusiasm, reflecting the significance and relevance of early mobilisation and locomotive syndrome, particularly in advancing medical services in Indonesia.
