Abstract. Influences on dynamic balance were examined by comparing footwear with clog thongs such as slippers with clog thongs, to footwear without them such as slippers without clog thongs, leather-soled sandals, and Japanese socks. Forty three university students in good health took part in this examination. In the case of footwear with clog thongs, postural response latencies to horizontal movement of the platform were decreased when compared with that for slippers without clog thongs. In the case of footwear with clog thongs, standing strength was decreased when the platform moved horizontally, compared with that for slippers without clog thongs. Among footwear with clog thongs, in the case of Japanese socks, both latency and strength were minimal compared to slippers with clog thongs and leather-soled sandals. Therefore, it can be said that footwear with thin soles, low heels and clog thongs the most stable and the best for preventing a fall.
Purpose: To assess the effects of an information kit on stress, anxiety and depression in stroke patients' families in subacute stages of stroke. Methods: Patients admitted to a hospital with acute stroke were eligible for the study. If patients met inclusion criteria, patients and their families were approached and assessed. The information kit was either handed to the families or sent by post. Patient's functional outcome was measured using the Functional Independence Measure. The modified Caregiver Strain Index, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) were included in the families' questionnaire. All assessments were performed at 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months after stroke except SF-36 (1 month and 3 months only). Results: 14 stroke patients and their family carers, with the mean ages of 63.4 and 58.8 years respectively, were followed up. On initial assessment, families expressed mild stress, and were at risk of anxiety and depression. Even though patients showed significant functional improvement, the levels of family stress, anxiety and depression increased over time. With regard to health related quality of life, families reported lower SF-36 in comparison to the national normative data at 1 month follow up, and the scores did not change at 3 months. Conclusion: While this study sample was too small to make firm conclusions, the information kit did not affect family stress, anxiety and depression. Further investigation is required to enable rehabilitation specialists to provide more appropriate information targeted to individuals.
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