These results suggest that dual task balance training in elderly people improves their dual task performance during standing postural control.

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This observational study investigated the relationship between balance, mobility and falls in 72 hemiplegic stroke inpatients, with the aim of developing a model for predicting fall risk. Fall history was recorded by interview, balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and activities of daily living were evaluated using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Variables differing between fallers and non-fallers were identified, and a stepwise regression analysis was performed to identify a combination of variables that effectively predicted fall status. Fallers (occasional and repeat; n = 27) had a shorter time from stroke onset, lower FIM scores on admission and discharge, lower BBS and Mini-Mental State Examination scores, a greater age and longer length of hospital stay compared with non-fallers (all differences were significant). A logistic model for predicting falls showed that BBS at admission was significantly related to falls, with fallers having lower BBS scores at admission (cut-off

In this study, we performed 6-minutes walking tests using a portable gas analyzer in patients with post-stroke hemiparesis, and examined the effects of ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) application on the walking ability and energy expenditure during walking. The subjects were 18 patients with post-stroke hemiparesis, who were admitted to the rehabilitation care unit of our rehabilitation center, and could walk. We performed 6-min walking tests with and without AFO application in these patients, and examined the walking distance and velocity, oxygen consumption (VO2), and heart rate (HR) during walking. The oxygen consumption per meter (VO2m −1 ) and physiological cost index (PCI) were determined as the efficiency of kinetic energy. The difference in the VO2 during walking was not significant between application and non-application of the AFO, but the differences in the walking distance and velocity and the VO2m −1 and PCI were significant. It was suggested that improvement of the walking ability and reduction of energy expenditure during walking were possible in motion-impaired patients with post-stroke hemiparesis by AFO application.

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Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the structure of activities of daily living and their characteristics based on the relationship with their difficulty levels and the gaps between the actual activity level achieved in daily living (performance ADL) and the potential activity level that can be performed under supervision (capability ADL).[Subjects] The subjects of this study were 255 stroke patients.[Methods] Performance ADL and capability ADL were evaluated using the functional independence measure, and the scores were converted to an interval scale by Rasch analysis to compare item difficulty and gaps.[Results] Scores of performance ADL were lower than those of capability ADL. The gaps between capability ADL and performance ADL on admission had not decreased at the time of discharge. ADL items could be categorized into three difficulty levels of high, moderate and low by interval scales. Some ADL items tended to develop gaps, while others did not. The correlation between difficulty level and the gap was extremely low, and ADL items of higher difficulty did not always have greater gaps. [Conclusion] We confirmed that the improvement of capability ADL precedes that of performance ADL in the process of ADL improvement.

Abstract.[Purpose] We investigated postoperative improvements in the knee joint function of 121 patients (17 males, 104 females) who received total knee arthroplasty (TKA). [Subjects and Methods] The evaluation criteria were: knee joint flexion range of motion, knee joint extension strength and flexion strength, pain in the knee joint, score on The Japanese Orthopedic Association knee criteria of "pain" and "ability to ascend and descend stairs", and 6-minute walking distance. The time points for the evaluations were: prior to surgery, at the time of discharge, 3 months postoperative, 6 months postoperative, and 1 year postoperative. In addition, the level of satisfaction 1 year after the operation was also assessed.[Results] In the results, 6-minute walking distance and ability to ascend and descend stairs were significantly better at 3 months postoperative than before surgery. Knee joint range of motion at 3 months postoperative had improved to its preoperative status, and was significantly improved at 1 year postoperative. Knee joint extension strength at 3 months postoperative had recovered to its preoperative status, and was significantly improved at 6 months postoperative. Knee joint pain was significantly ameliorated at the time of discharge compared to before surgery. Knee joint pain had completely disappeared in approximately 30% of patients by 1 year after surgery, and 90% of patients were satisfied with the results of their surgery. Nevertheless, many of the patients still complained of knee discomfort from TKA.[Conclusion] The results of this study show that knee joint pain was reduced at the time of discharge, and that 6-minute walking distance and ability to ascend and descend stairs were significantly improved at 3 months postoperative. Moreover, these results suggest that there are improvements in knee joint extension strength after 6 months, and in knee joint range of motion at 1 year postoperative. The results show that knee joint function after TKA improves over the year after surgery.

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