Preoperative inspiratory muscle weakness as a risk factor of postoperative pulmonary complications in patients with esophageal cancer.

Objective: We examined whether preoperative inspiratory muscle weakness (IMW) is a risk factor for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in patients with esophageal cancer who underwent subtotal esophagectomy.

Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study enrolled patients with esophageal cancer who underwent a scheduled subtotal esophagectomy between June 2020 and May 2022. Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) was measured as inspiratory muscle strength using a respiratory dynamometer, and we defined IMW as MIP < 80% of the predicted value.

Early Pulmonary Rehabilitation with Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in a Patient with Acute Exacerbation of Rheumatoid Arthritis-associated Interstitial Lung Disease: A Case Report.

Introduction: Early implementation of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been reported to prevent muscle atrophy and physical functional decline in patients requiring mechanical ventilation. However, its effect in patients with acute exacerbation of interstitial lung disease (ILD) remains unclear. We herein report our experience using the NMES combined with mobilization in a patient with an acute exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis-associated ILD (RA-ILD) requiring mechanical ventilation.

Preoperative inspiratory muscle training in a patient with lung cancer and comorbid chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory sarcopenia: A case report.

Introduction: Sarcopenia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). Preoperative inspiratory muscle weakness is also a risk factor for PPCs. Sarcopenia and COPD are often associated with inspiratory muscle weakness.

Utility of a wearable robot for the fingers that uses pneumatic artificial muscles for patients with post-stroke spasticity.

Unlabelled: Mita M, Suzumori K, Kudo D, Saito K, Chida S, Hatakeyama K, Shimada Y, Miyakoshi N. Utility of a wearable robot for the fingers that uses pneumatic artificial muscles for patients with post-stroke spasticity. Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2022; 13: 12-16.

Accuracy of Heart Rate and Respiratory Rate Measurements Using Two Types of Wearable Devices.

Objectives: Wearable devices such as fitness trackers have become popular in the healthcare field. Tracking heart rate and respiratory rate, in addition to physical activity, may provide an accurate picture of daily health. We believe that a combination of two types of devices can simultaneously measure and record physical activity, heart rate, and respiratory rate.

Association between global sagittal malalignment and increasing hip joint contact force, analyzed by a novel musculoskeletal modeling system.

Patients with adult spinal deformity have various standing postures. Although several studies have reported a relationship between sagittal alignment and exacerbation of hip osteoarthritis, information is limited regarding how spinopelvic sagittal alignment changes affect hip joint loading. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sagittal spinopelvic-lower limb alignment and the hip joint contact force (HCF) using a novel musculoskeletal model.

Development of a Rehabilitation Robot Combined with Functional Electrical Stimulation Controlled by Non-disabled Lower Extremity in Hemiplegic Gait.

Objective: We developed a rehabilitation robot to assist hemiplegics with gait exercises. The robot was combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the affected side and was controlled by a real-time-feedback system that attempted to replicate the lower extremity movements of the non-affected limb on the affected side. We measured the reproducibility of the non-affected limb movements on the affected side using FES in non-disabled individuals and evaluated the smoothness of the resulting motion.

Impact of pulmonary rehabilitation on postoperative complications in patients with lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Given the extent of the surgical indications for pulmonary lobectomy in breathless patients, preoperative care and evaluation of pulmonary function are increasingly necessary. The aim of this study was to assess the contribution of preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) for reducing the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: The records of 116 patients with COPD, including 51 patients who received PR, were retrospectively analyzed.

The impact of high-frequency magnetic stimulation of peripheral nerves: muscle hardness, venous blood flow, and motor function of upper extremity in healthy subjects.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of high-frequency peripheral nerve magnetic stimulation on the upper limb function. Twenty-five healthy adults (16 men and 9 women) participated in this study. The radial nerve of the non-dominant hand was stimulated by high-frequency magnetic stimulation device.

3D body segment oscillation and gait analysis for vestibular disorders.

Objective: To investigate the patterns of gait and locomotion in three dimension space in patients with vestibular disorders.

Methods: A 3D motion analysis system was employed to evaluate locomotor pattern and body's oscillation during gait under different conditions (normal, slow, fast speeds walking with eye open and normal speed walking with eyes closed) of nine patients with vestibular disorders. Twenty-one markers placed on the subject to record kinematics and locomotions of the head, spine and pelvis segments while walking.

Clinical results of rehabilitation for accessory nerve palsy after radical neck dissection.

Conclusions: Occupational therapy significantly improves shoulder range of motion in patients with accessory nerve palsy after radical neck dissection, but it has limited effects on the associated pain.

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of occupational therapy rehabilitation for patients with accessory nerve palsy.

Patients And Methods: The occupational therapy group involved 35 shoulders of 29 patients with accessory nerve palsy after radical neck dissection; the control group included 10 shoulders of 9 patients who did not receive occupational therapy.

Hybrid functional electrical stimulation with medial linkage knee-ankle-foot orthoses in complete paraplegics.

We have previously restored ambulation in paraplegics by performing hybrid functional electrical stimulation (FES) with medial linkage knee-ankle-foot orthosis (MLKAFO). The most common MLKAFO (hinge-type MLKAFO) has the hypothetical axis that is lower than the physiological hip joint position, resulting in slow velocity and short step length. A new MLKAFO (sliding-type MLKAFO), which uses sliding medial linkages, has been developed to correct the axial discrepancy of the hinge-type MLKAFO that causes limited hip joint excursion.

Grasping power by means of functional electrical stimulation in a case of C6 complete tetraplegia.

Grasping power (GP) by means of functional electrical stimulation (FES) was measured in a case of C6 complete tetraplegia. This was compared with GP by means of the dynamic tenodesis effect, the flexor hinge splint and the GP of normal female. Palmar grasp strength by means of FES was approximately 16% of the control group and 2.

Occupational therapy for accessory nerve palsy after radical neck dissection.

The subjects in this study were ten patients with accessory nerve palsy after radical neck dissection. All the primary diseases that accounted for radical neck dissection were malignant tumors located at the head or neck. Every patient received occupational therapy and underwent evaluations before and after the therapy.