Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

DOI： 10.1016/j.clnu.2022.10.013

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：English  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：FOUNDATION REHABILITATION INFORMATION  

Objective: To determine the cut-off values for knee extensor strength on the paretic and non-paretic sides and both sides combined for identifying independence in gait in chronic stroke survivors.
Design: Cross-sectional study. Patients: Sixty chronic stroke survivors. Methods: Functional Independence Measure (FIM) gait scores were measured, and the participants were allocated to the independent group (FIM gait score 6 or 7) or the dependent group (FIM gait score 1-5). Knee extensor strength on the paretic and non-paretic sides was measured using a handheld dynamometer.
Results: Eighteen stroke survivors were allocated to the independent group and 42 to the dependent group. The receiver operating characteristic curve analyses revealed that the cut-off values for knee extensor strength were 0.46 Nm/kg (sensitivity 83% and specificity 67%; area under the curve (AUC) 0.816) on the paretic side, 0.65 Nm/kg (sensitivity 89% and specificity 55%; AUC 0.738) on the non-paretic side and 1.31 Nm/kg (sensitivity 83% and specificity 74%; AUC 0.811) for both sides combined.
Conclusion: These cut-off values could help to identify stroke survivors who are no longer independent in gait because of decreasing knee extensor strength on the paretic and non-paretic sides.

DOI： 10.2340/16501977-2279

Web of Science

Authorship：Lead author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：WILEY  

Aim: The objectives of the present study were to examine the relationships between intramuscular fat, muscle strength and gait independence, as well as to clarify the intramuscular fat characteristics of dependent older women.
Methods: A total of 25 older women who were unable to walk with or without assistance (dependent group), 22 frail older women (frail group) and 22 healthy older women (healthy group) participated in the present study. The frail participants could walk independently, but showed three or more of the following characteristics: slowness, weakness, weight loss, exhaustion and low physical activity. Outcome measures were quadriceps intramuscular fat determined by ultrasound echo intensity, and quadriceps muscle strength of the dependent, frail and healthy groups. In addition, the degree of gait independence (functional independence measures gait score) was assessed in the dependent and frail groups.
Results: Echo intensity in the dependent group was significantly negatively correlated with muscle strength and the functional independence measure gait score (correlation coefficients -0.635 and -0.344, respectively). Furthermore, echo intensity in the dependent group was significantly higher than in the healthy group. There was no significant difference in echo intensity between the dependent and frail groups.
Conclusions: The present results suggest negative relationships between intramuscular fat and muscle strength, and intramuscular fat and degree of gait independence in dependent older women. In addition, dependent older women have more intramuscular fat than healthy older women.

DOI： 10.1111/ggi.12869

Web of Science

Authorship：Lead author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE  

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of long-term self-massage at the musculotendinous junction on hamstring extensibility, stiffness, stretch tolerance, and structural indices.
Design: Single-blind, randomized, controlled trial.
Setting: Laboratory.
Participants: Thirty-seven healthy men.
Intervention: The right or left leg of each participant was randomly assigned to the massage group, and the other leg was assigned to the control group. The participants conducted self-massage at the musculotendinous junction for 3 min daily, five times per week, for 12 weeks.
Main outcome measures: Hamstring extensibility, stiffness, stretch tolerance, and structural indices were measured by a blinded examiner prior to the massage intervention and after 6 and 12 weeks of intervention.
Results: The maximum hip flexion angle (HFA) and the maximum passive pressure after 6 and 12 weeks of intervention in the massage group were significantly higher than prior to intervention. The visual analog scale (for pain perception) at maximum HFA, the stiffness of the hamstring, and the structural indices did not differ in either group over the 12 week period.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that long-term self-massage at the musculotendinous junction increases hamstring extensibility by improving stretch tolerance. However, this intervention does not change hamstring stiffness. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1016/j.ptsp.2016.01.003

Web of Science

Authorship：Last author  

Authorship：Last author  

Authorship：Corresponding author  

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between nutritional status assessed by the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (MNA-SF) and activities of daily living (ADL) after 1 year and changes in ADL among community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: This study included 95 community-dwelling older adults using outpatient rehabilitation (74.7% female). ADL was assessed using the Barthel index (BI), and the MNA-SF was used to assess nutritional status. Multiple regression analysis was performed with the BI after 1 year as the objective variable and MNA-SF, age, sex, updated Charlson comorbidity index, number of medications, body mass index, Food Intake Level Scale (FILS), and baseline BI as independent variables. Logistic regression analysis was performed with improvement or deterioration in ADL as the objective variable. RESULTS: The results of multiple regression analysis with BI after 1 year as the objective variable indicated that baseline BI, FILS, and MNA-SF were significant variables (R2 = 0.835). The results of the logistic regression analysis with ADL improvement/deterioration as the objective variable indicated only MNA-SF as a significant variable (odds ratio: 0.663 [95% CI: 0.528-0.923]). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the MNA-SF was related to changes in ADL and ADL after 1 year among community-dwelling older adults.

DOI： 10.1080/21551197.2023.2259820

PubMed

Authorship：Last author  

Authorship：Corresponding author  

Authorship：Corresponding author  

Authorship：Last author   Language：Japanese   Publisher：Japanese Society of Physical Therapy  

<b>Objectives</b>: This study aimed to examine the relationship between intramuscular non-contractile tissue of the quadriceps and swallowing ability in elderly inpatients with pneumonia.

<b>Methods</b>: Forty-seven elderly inpatients with pneumonia were included. Swallowing ability was assessed using the Food Intake Level Scale (FILS). The echo intensities of the ultrasound images were used to assess the intramuscular non-contractile tissue of the quadriceps. The mean echo intensities of the right and left quadriceps were analyzed. A higher echo intensity indicated greater amounts of intramuscular non-contractile tissue. We used multiple regression analysis to identify the factors that were independently associated with FILS. Echo intensity and muscle thickness of the quadriceps, subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh, age, sex, length of hospital stay, Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) score, C-reactive protein level, updated Charlson comorbidity index score, and number of medications were independent variables.

<b>Results</b>: The echo intensity (standardized partial regression coefficient: <b>–</b>0.386; p = 0.034), GNRI (standardized partial regression coefficient: 0.529; p = 0.014), and subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh (standardized partial regression coefficient: 0.339; p = 0.043) were significantly and independently associated with FILS (R² = 0.484).

<b>Conclusions</b>: Our results suggest that the amount of intramuscular non-contractile tissue of the quadriceps is more strongly related to swallowing ability than muscle mass in elderly inpatients with pneumonia.

DOI： 10.15063/rigaku.11978

Language：English  

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of action observation treatment (AOT) on gait ability in patients with subacute to convalescent stroke. Sixteen patients with subacute stroke were divided into a control group (n = 8) and AOT group (n = 8) when admitted to the convalescent ward. The control group received a conventional rehabilitation only. In addition to conventional rehabilitation, the AOT received AOT for 3 months (30 min per day 5 times per week). The AOT involved observing the action of another subject in a comfortable gait situation from the front, sides, and back via video and conducting the actual action. All participants were assessed during the main-assessment period, which included a baseline (i.e., when admitted to the convalescent ward) and 1, 2, and 3 months after baseline. The sub-assessment period at 2 and 3 months after baseline was conducted with participants who could walk independently. The main outcomes of the main-assessment and sub-assessment periods were Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC) and the 10-m walk test (10MWT), respectively. With respect to the FAC, we used a split plot design analysis of covariance to test the interaction between assessment time and group. There was no significant interaction between assessment time and group in FAC. However, a significant improvement of the 10MWT in the sub-assessment period was observed in the AOT group, but not the control group. Our results indicate that AOT may be an effective therapy for patients with subacute to convalescent stroke who can walk independently.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jocn.2020.03.031

PubMed

Authorship：Last author  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

The observation of walking improves gait ability in chronic stroke survivors. It has also been suggested that activation of the mirror neuron system contributes to this effect. However, activation of the mirror neuron system during gait observation has not yet been assessed in sub-acute stroke patients. The objective of this study was to clarify the activation of mirror neuron system during gait observation in sub-acute stroke patients and healthy persons. In this study, we sequentially enrolled five sub-acute stroke patients who had undergone gait training and nine healthy persons. We used fMRI to detect neuronal activation during gait observation. During the observation period in the stroke group, neural activity in the left inferior parietal lobule, right and left inferior frontal gyrus was significantly higher than during the rest period. In the healthy group, neural activity in the left inferior parietal lobule, left inferior frontal gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, left superior temporal lobule and right and left middle temporal gyrus was significantly higher than during the rest period. The results indicate that the mirror neuron system was activated during gait observation in sub-acute stroke patients who had undergone gait training and also in healthy persons. Our findings suggest that gait observation treatment may provide a promising therapeutic strategy in sub-acute stroke patients who have experienced gait training.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jocn.2018.09.035

PubMed

Authorship：Last author   Language：Japanese   Publisher：The Society of Physical Therapy Science  

[Purpose] To investigate the change in intramuscular fat in the quadriceps of stroke patients in a convalescent rehabilitation ward. [Participants and Methods] Two stroke patients in a convalescent rehabilitation ward participated in this study. Intramuscular fat in the quadriceps of the paretic and non-paretic limbs was measured using transverse ultrasound imaging at admission and 3 months later. [Results] Intramuscular fat of both patients decreased after a 3-month hospital stay [case A (paretic side: −2%, non-paretic side: −12.1%); case B (paretic side: −30.7%, non-paretic side: −25.1%)]. The participants' Functional Independence Measure and Fugl-Meyer lower extremity scores after 3 months stay were higher than those of admission. [Conclusion] Intramuscular fat in the quadriceps of stroke patients in a convalescent rehabilitation ward may decrease after a 3-month rehabilitation program together with improvement of lower limb function.

DOI： 10.1589/rika.34.135

CiNii Books

Other Link： http://id.ndl.go.jp/bib/029531119

Authorship：Last author   Language：Japanese   Publisher：The Society of Physical Therapy Science  

[Purpose] To determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for motor-FIM gain in post-acute rehabilitation ward patients with motor disorders. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 102 post-acute rehabilitation ward patients were studied. Motor-FIM gain was calculated by deducing the admission score from that at 30 days after it. As an external index for FIM-based evaluation, the Global Rating of Change (GRC) Scale, in which patients report the levels of changes in their conditions, was used. Patients with GRC scores from –1 to 1 were classified as the Small Change Group (based on changes in their ADL), and their mean score was adopted as the MCID. [Results] The mean motor-FIM gain in the Small Change Group was 14.6. [Conclusion] Post-acute rehabilitation ward patients with motor disorders may begin to realize improvements in their ADL when they gain a motor-FIM score of 14.6.

DOI： 10.1589/rika.33.235

CiNii Books

Other Link： http://id.ndl.go.jp/bib/029018189

Authorship：Last author   Language：Japanese   Publisher：The Society of Physical Therapy Science  

[Purpose] The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of home exercise involving mild to moderate ratings of perceived exertion and outpatient rehabilitation on the physical performance of a patient with sub-acute dermatomyositis. [Participants and Methods] The subject was a female in her 50s (time since disease onset: 89 days) with a creatine phosphokinase value of 43 IU/L when outpatient rehabilitation began. The patient performed outpatient rehabilitation, 40–80 minutes per session, 1–2 times per week, and home exercise 5–6 times per week. The home exercise load had a modified Borg scale score of 2–4, corresponding to mild to moderate ratings of perceived exertion. [Results] Skeletal muscle mass index, muscle strength of the knee extensors, the five times sit-to-stand test, and maximum walking speed were all improved by the intervention. [Conclusion] Home exercise involving mild to moderate ratings of perceived exertion and outpatient rehabilitation may improve physical performance in sub-acute dermatomyositis.

DOI： 10.1589/rika.33.997

CiNii Books

Other Link： http://id.ndl.go.jp/bib/029415452

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：University of Tokushima  

To accurately and rapidly screen for higher brain dysfunction, we developed a screening test named the “higher brain dysfunction screening test” (HIBRID-ST). Previous studies have reported a decrease in higher brain function with age. However, whether HIBRID-ST can detect a decrease in higher brain function in healthy persons remains unclear. We aimed to assess the usefulness of HIBRID-ST for evaluating higher brain function in healthy persons. We recruited 60 persons without physiological abnormalities and divided them into six equal groups based on their age (20s−70s). HIBRID-ST addresses orientation, short-term memory, word recall, situational awareness, visual short-term memory, and graphic replication and includes the Trail Making and Kana-hiroi tests. There was a significant negative correlation between the participants’ age and their total HIBRID-ST score (ρ = −0.68, p &lt
0.01). The total HIBRID-ST score of participants in their 70s was significantly lower than that of participants in their 20s−60s
the total HIBRID-ST score of participants in their 60s was significantly lower than that of participants in their 20s−50s. Our findings show that HIBRID-ST accurately detects an age-related decline in higher brain function. Further studies are needed to examine the usefulness of HIBRID-ST in patients with higher brain dysfunction.

DOI： 10.2152/jmi.64.280

Scopus

PubMed

Language：Japanese  

CiNii Books

Other Link： http://search.jamas.or.jp/link/ui/2016084541

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

Presentation type：Symposium, workshop panel (nominated)