Objectives: In an ultra-aged society, the increasing number of elderly individuals requiring nursing care because of complications and disabilities poses a significant challenge for healthcare providers, along with a decline in the quality of life (QoL). Therefore, investigating the underlying causes and establishing effective preventive measures is imperative. Sarcopenia, characterized by a reduction in muscle strength throughout the body, can negatively impact QoL because of declining physical function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThermotherapy is expected to assist in the prevention of arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular disease in individuals with spinal cord injuries. This study aimed to investigate the impact and underlying mechanisms of whole-body heat stress on cardiac function in patients with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) and healthy controls using head-out hot water immersion (HHWI). Eight male patients with complete motor CSCI and nine healthy controls were recruited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Acute stroke often leads to dysphagia. In the oral stage of dysphagia, there is a potential for immediate benefit from using a palatal augmentation prosthesis (PAP). We investigated whether our quickly fabricated, simple, and expedited version of PAP would result in an immediate improvement in swallowing function after an acute stroke.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Soc Determinants Health Health Serv
July 2024
Unemployment and inequality are growing concerns that disproportionately affect people with disabilities. We compared unemployment rates and barriers to labor market participation for persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) as an exemplary case of disability with different socioeconomic positions and from a cross-national perspective across 20 countries worldwide. We showed that persons with SCI have much higher unemployment rates than the general population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExercise increases the serum level of interleukin-6 (IL-6), which in turn stimulates the production of various inflammatory cytokine antagonists, such as interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). Individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) are at high risk of inflammatory conditions. This study compared the effects of wheelchair half marathon on the immune system of male athletes with CSCI and those with thoracic/lumber spinal cord injury (SCI).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCompared with land-walking, water-walking is considered to be beneficial as a whole-body exercise because of the characteristics of water (buoyancy, viscosity, hydrostatic pressure, and water temperature). However, there are few reports on the effects of exercise in water on muscles, and there is no standard qualitative assessment method for muscle flexibility. Therefore, we used ultrasound real-time tissue elastography (RTE) to compare muscle hardness after water-walking and land-walking.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe evaluated the effectiveness of a high-intensity preoperative resistance and endurance training program in improving physical function among patients scheduled for total knee arthroplasty. This non-randomized controlled trial included 33 knee osteoarthritis patients scheduled to undergo total knee arthroplasty at a tertiary public medical university hospital. Fourteen and nineteen patients were non-randomly assigned to intervention and control groups, respectively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFControl of cutaneous circulation is critically important to maintain thermoregulation, especially in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) who have no or less central thermoregulatory drive. However, the peripheral vasoconstrictor mechanism and capability have not been fully investigated after CSCI. Post- and presynaptic sensitivities of the cutaneous vasoconstrictor system were investigated in 8 CSCI and 7 sedentary able-bodied (AB) men using an intradermal microdialysis technique.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFErgometer exercise was considered a new loading method that can be used for participants who are unable to assume the core strengthening exercise posture commonly used to strengthen the erector spinae and multifidus. This study aimed to investigate with healthy participants whether arm and leg ergometers could be used for core strengthening exercises and whether different exercise sites would affect the results. The study was conducted with 15 healthy adult male participants aged 20-35 years.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Since the enactment of the long-term care insurance (LTCI) act in 2000, the number of LTCI users has increased annually. However, evidence regarding what is being carried out as rehabilitation treatment under LTCI is lacking. In this study, a scoping review was performed to bridge this knowledge gap.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTrial Design: How body position affects unilateral spatial neglect (USN) is unclear. This cluster randomized trial aimed to examine the effects of different positions (supine, sitting, and standing) on USN in stroke patients.
Methods: Twenty stroke patients (hemorrhage [n = 11], infarction [n = 9]) who were right-handed, had left hemiplegia due to right hemisphere damage that occurred within the last 2 years, and were in a state of arousal with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15 were included in the study.
Study Design: Experimental study.
Objectives: To compare lipid profiles during moderate-intensity exercise between persons with cervical spinal cord injuries (SCI) and able-bodied controls (AB).
Setting: Wakayama Medical University, Japan.
Early mobilization decreases the likelihood of negative outcomes for acute-phase inpatients. Adverse events occurring during intensive care unit rehabilitation have previously been reported; however, no study has reported the incidence rates for adverse events during the acute rehabilitation phase. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of severe adverse events during acute-phase rehabilitation and evaluate them in detail.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To follow up patients with spinal cord injuries with subdermal low-echoic lesions in the ischial region for abnormalities after 1 year.
Design: A retrospective cohort study.
Setting: A Japanese rehabilitation center.
Purpose: We aimed to investigate whether out-patient rehabilitation with the same concept as physiatrist and registered therapist operating rehabilitation (PROr) would improve activities of daily living in out-patients with chronic cerebrovascular disorder and whether the improvements were related to the frequency and/or time of therapy.
Methods: Out-patients with chronic cerebrovascular disorder, who visited a clinic affiliated with a university hospital for at least a month between April 2010-September 2020, were retrospectively selected. Changes in the functional independence measure (FIM) from the first visit to the 12 month were calculated.
Recently, it was reported that children recovering from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) developed multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), which causes severe inflammation in multiple organs of the body. Because MIS-C is a new disease, the pathophysiology and prognosis are unknown. Owing to a lack of studies on this subject, we herein provide information on rehabilitation for children with MIS-C.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis retrospective cohort study aimed to examine the rehabilitation effect of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the intensive care unit (ICU) under mechanical ventilation and included ICU patients from a university hospital who received rehabilitation under ventilator control until 31 May 2021. Seven patients were included, and three of them died; thus, the results of the four survivors were examined. The rehabilitation program comprised the extremity range-of-motion training and sitting on the bed's edge.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPatients with severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) are at high risk of developing ICU-acquired weakness and disuse syndrome. Although their medical management may include prolonged deep sedation for pulmonary protection and ventilator management, we aim for early mobilization of these patients with COVID-19. We present the case of a 71-year-old man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and COVID-19 pneumonia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRationale: There have been a few reports on the early rehabilitation of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and none on the effectiveness and adverse events of early mobilization for mechanical ventilation patients (other than COVID-19) during deep sedation. This report indicates that sitting without adverse events is possible in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia during deep sedation with muscle relaxation.
Patient Concerns: A 65-year-old man with a history of diabetes mellitus, lacunar infarction, and Parkinson's disease was admitted to a local hospital for pneumonia due to COVID-19.
Background: After the emergence of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), cluster infections occurred at several rehabilitation facilities in Japan. Because rehabilitation is necessary for deconditioned COVID-19 patients, preventing cluster infections and providing rehabilitation while protecting therapists were also essential in the Wakayama region.
Webinar: The rehabilitation medicine department and division of Wakayama Medical University Hospital, which consists of physiatrists and registered therapists, proposed that the Wakayama Physical Therapy Association hold an urgent webinar for therapists in the Wakayama region.
Low preoperative physical function in cancer patients is associated with postoperative complications; however, there have been no reports on the benefits of in-hospital preoperative rehabilitation on preoperative physical function in patients with pancreatic cancer. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantitatively determine the effects of preoperative in-hospital rehabilitation provided under the supervision of a physiotherapist, on preoperative physical function in patients with pancreatic cancer. The study subjects were 26 patients (15 males, 11 females; age 71.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF[Purpose] Previous studies have demonstrated a link between core body temperature and interleukin-6 production. Recent studies have reported that 20 minutes of head-out immersion in hot water (42°C) increased serum interleukin-6 levels in young males. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of head-out immersion in hot water (42°C) on serum interleukin-6 levels in seven elderly (66-75 years old) and eight young males (21-32 years old).
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