Characteristics of longitudinal changes in quality of life and associated factors in patients post cardiac and thoracic aortic surgery: insights from a prospective cohort study.

Background: Although quality of life (QOL) is an outcome of postoperative cardiac rehabilitation (CR), its course and related factors from postoperative hospitalization to the post-discharge period have not been adequately investigated. Additionally, the EuroQol-5Dimension-5Level (EQ-5D-5L) index score has not been characterized over the same period. We aimed to characterize QOL changes assessed by the EQ-5D-5L, over the period from hospitalization to 1 year post-discharge, in patients post-cardiac and thoracic aortic surgery, and investigate the factors associated with these temporal changes.

Relationship between Corticospinal Excitability While Gazing at the Mirror and Motor Imagery Ability.

Mirror therapy (MT) helps stroke survivors recover motor function. Previous studies have reported that an individual's motor imagery ability is related to the areas of brain activity during motor imagery and the effectiveness of motor imagery training. However, the relationship between MT and motor imagery ability and between corticospinal tract excitability during mirror gazing, an important component of MT, and motor imagery ability is unclear.

Difference between the Effects of Peripheral Sensory Nerve Electrical Stimulation on the Excitability of the Primary Motor Cortex: Examination of the Combinations of Stimulus Frequency and Duration.

Peripheral sensory nerve electrical stimulation (PES) excites the primary motor cortex and is expected to improve motor dysfunction post-stroke. However, previous studies have reported a variety of stimulus frequencies and stimulus duration settings, and the effects of these different combinations on primary motor cortex excitability are not clear. We aimed to clarify the effects of different combinations of stimulus frequency and stimulus duration of PES on the excitation of primary motor cortex.

Sex differences in serum levels of 5α-androstane-3β, 17β-diol, and androstenediol in the young adults: A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry study.

Animal experiments have consistently shown that estrogen receptor β (ERβ)-selective ligands have antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. In humans, endogenous ligands for ERβ include 5α-androstane-3β, 17β-diol (3βAdiol) and androstenediol (Δ5-diol). We determined, for the first time, the exact serum levels of 3βAdiol and Δ5-diol in young healthy volunteers using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Effects of occupational therapy on improvements in the handwriting ability of the adult non-dominant hand: An exploratory randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Occupational therapy often involves handwriting acquisition practices that include the non-dominant hand when improvements in the dominant hand function are not possible because of trauma or stroke. This study explored whether character tracing and using a pegboard can effectively improve the handwriting of the non-dominant hand.

Methods: A randomised controlled trial involving 60 healthy university students aged ≥18 years was conducted.

Decreased activities of daily living at discharge predict mortality and readmission in elderly patients after cardiac and aortic surgery: A retrospective cohort study.

Recently, activities of daily living (ADL) were identified as a prognostic factor among elderly patients with heart disease; however, a specific association between ADL and prognosis after cardiac and aortic surgery is not well established. We aimed to clarify the impact of ADL capacity at discharge on prognosis in elderly patients after cardiac and aortic surgery.This retrospective cohort study included 171 elderly patients who underwent open operation for cardiovascular disease in a single center (median age: 74 years; men: 70%).

Effects of peripheral nerve stimulation on paralysed upper limb functional recovery in chronic stroke patients undergoing low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and occupational therapy: A pilot study.

Objective: Upper limb paralysis, which is a sequela of stroke, limits patients' activities of daily living and lowers quality of life. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of peripheral nerve stimulation on hemiparetic upper limb functional recovery in chronic stroke patients undergoing low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and occupational therapy.

Methods: The subjects were chronic stroke patients who participated in a two-week inpatient programme including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and occupational therapy.

The prevalence and course of neuropsychiatric symptoms in stroke patients impact functional recovery during in-hospital rehabilitation.

Background: Neuropsychiatric symptoms are common after stroke and are distressing symptoms. They may persist after the acute event and negatively impact rehabilitation, functioning, and patients' quality of life.

Objectives: To elucidate the prevalence and course of neuropsychiatric symptoms in stroke patients during rehabilitation, we prospectively investigated the trajectory change of neuropsychiatric symptoms and the association between these symptoms and functional recovery.

Cerebral Hemodynamics During a Cognitive-Motor Task Using the Limbs.

: Antagonistic tasks are cognitive-motor task trainings. Intervention programs involving antagonistic exercise tasks are being employed to help prevent falls and reduce the need for nursing care in older populations. Meanwhile, the effects of such tasks on blood flow in the brain remain obscure.

Effects of liaison between physiotherapists and occupational therapists for home-visit rehabilitation: preliminary study.

[Purpose] Home-visit rehabilitation is used to restructure patients' home lives and involves comprehensive intervention. In Japan, liaison between physiotherapists and occupational therapists occurs, but impact of this cooperation is unclear. The present study aimed to investigate therapeutic efficacy of this liaison.

Relationship of Malnutrition During Hospitalization With Functional Recovery and Postdischarge Destination in Elderly Stroke Patients.

Aim: Malnutrition during hospitalization affects the functional recovery and postdischarge destinations of elderly stroke patients. However, insufficient studies exist about nutritional status during hospitalization in the acute stroke phase in this population. This study determined factors of nutritional status changes during hospitalization in elderly patients in the acute phase of stroke, and investigated the relationship between nutritional status changes and improved activities of daily living and postdischarge destination.

Functional outcomes of inpatient rehabilitation in very elderly patients with stroke: differences across three age groups.

Background As the population continues to age rapidly, clarifying the factors affecting the prognosis in very elderly stroke patients is essential to enhance the quality of their rehabilitation. Objectives To compare the functional recovery of elderly stroke patients classified into three age groups and to identify the predictors of functional recovery in the very elderly following acute inpatient rehabilitation. Methods Observational study: We collected data on 461 stroke patients in the neurology and neurosurgery ward and classified them into three age groups (65-74, 75-84, and ≥ 85 years).

Factors associated with multidimensional aspect of post-stroke fatigue in acute stroke period.

Background: Post-stroke fatigue (PSF) is a frequent and distressing consequence of stroke, and can be both acute and long lasting. We aimed to investigate multidimensional aspects of acute PSF and to determine the clinical factors relevant to acute PSF.

Methods: We collected data of 101 patients admitted to the hospital for acute stroke.

Longitudinal functional changes, depression, and health-related quality of life among stroke survivors living at home after inpatient rehabilitation.

Aim: This study investigated changes in functional status in home-dwelling stroke survivors 1-3 years after inpatient rehabilitation. It also examined the factors associated with longitudinal functional changes and health-related quality of life.

Methods: Survey evaluations were conducted at the homes of 27 stroke survivors.

Long-term outcome in stroke survivors after discharge from a convalescent rehabilitation ward.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term mortality, daily living activities, social activity, and symptoms of depression, in post-stroke patients discharged to their homes from a convalescent rehabilitation ward, and to determine the relationship between demographic variables and long-term outcome.

Methods: This study included 252 consecutive stroke patients (140 men; mean age, 72.4 ± 10.

Factors associated with functional recovery and home discharge in stroke patients admitted to a convalescent rehabilitation ward.

Aims: This study aimed to determine the predictive factors for functional recovery and home discharge in stroke patients receiving in-hospital rehabilitation.

Methods: This study included a consecutive series of 174 stroke patients (average age 73.0 ± 10.

Evaluating the quality of life of people with dementia in residential care facilities.

Aims: Our purpose was to compare recipient and caregiver perception of the quality of life (QoL) of people with dementia in residential care facilities and to identify the factors associated with their perception of QoL.

Methods: Residents' QoL was evaluated by both the patient and the caregiver, using the Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease and several other indices.

Results: The correlation between the self-rated QoL score and the staff-rated QoL score was low.