Work of breathing and lung volume during forward leaning supported by the upper limbs.

This study compared work of breathing (WOB) and the pressure time product (PTP) to verify whether WOB and PTP decrease in the forward-leaning posture compared with erect sitting. Seven healthy adults (two females and five males) adopted three sitting postures: upright, and two forward-leaning postures of 15° and 30°. The WOB was obtained using the modified Campbell diagram, and PTP was calculated as the time integral of the area between esophageal and chest wall pressure.

Daily steps are associated with walking ability in hospitalized patients with sub-acute stroke.

Increased physical activity is required in patients with stroke that are hospitalized in the rehabilitation unit. This study investigated the association between the daily number of steps and walking independence in order to determine the cutoff value of daily number of steps that can predict walking independence in hospitalized patients with sub-acute stroke. This cross-sectional observational study included 85 stroke patients admitted to the rehabilitation unit.

Different association between physical activity and physical function according to walking independence in hospital-based rehabilitation program patients with sub-acute stroke.

Objective: To investigate the association between physical activity and physical function in ambulatory independent and non-independent patients with sub-acute stroke during hospitalization.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 107 patients with stroke admitted to a rehabilitation unit. The average daily number of steps taken was considered as physical activity.

Effects of postural differences on intrapleural pressure during chest wall compression in healthy males.

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the difference in intrapleural pressure between the supine and lateral decubitus positions during manual chest wall compression. [Participants and Methods] Eight healthy males participated in this study. The same physiotherapist performed chest wall compression on participants lying supine, and on their right and left sides.

Recovery process of respiratory muscle strength in patients following stroke: A Pilot Study.

Objective: To determine the recovery process of respiratory muscle strength during 3 months following stroke, and to investigate the association of change in respiratory muscle strength and physical functions. Additionally, we compared respiratory muscle strength with those of healthy subjects.

Method: In this prospective, observational study, 19 stroke patients and 19 healthy subjects were enrolled.

Association of Health Utility Score with Physical Activity Outcomes in Stroke Survivors.

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after stroke tends to vary across studies or across stages of stroke. It is useful to use the health utility score to compare HRQoL across studies. Physical activity after stroke also tends to vary similarly.

Reliability and validity of measuring temporal muscle thickness as the evaluation of sarcopenia risk and the relationship with functional outcome in older patients with acute stroke.

Background: Pre-stroke sarcopenia associated with poor functional outcomes. However, diagnosis of pre-stroke sarcopenia is often difficult in patients with acute stroke. Thus, we investigated the reliability and validity of measuring temporal muscle thickness (TMT) as an indicator of sarcopenia risk and its relationship with functional outcome in older patients with acute stroke.

Work of breathing during arm bracing in normal male subjects.

Objective: Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients get relief from their dyspnea by arm bracing, the mechanics of this effect are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which arm bracing affects dyspnea by measuring the work of breathing (WOB) in the arm bracing posture.

Methods: Six normal male subjects were studied in two standing postures: erect and with their arms braced.

Sarcopenia risk and diabetes mellitus are independent factors for lower limb muscle strength in older patients with acute stroke: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Lower extremity (LE) muscle strength is an important factor for functional outcome in patients with stroke. However, to our knowledge, the factors influencing LE muscle strength in older patients with acute stroke have not been studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between prestroke sarcopenia risk and comorbidities with LE muscle strength in older patients with acute stroke.

Pre-Stroke Frailty and Stroke Severity in Elderly Patients with Acute Stroke.

Objective: Frailty is a major problem in super-aged societies. Because frailty assessments are largely unstudied in acute stroke settings, few reports have evaluated the association between pre-stroke frailty and stroke severity. The aim of this study was to determine the association between pre-stroke frailty and stroke severity in elderly patients with acute stroke.

Peripheral motor nerve conduction abnormality, muscle strength, and muscle wasting in patients with acute stroke: A pilot study.

Introduction: Stroke-related muscle wasting are important therapeutic targets to reduce disability in patients with stroke. Peripheral nerve conduction impairment is one reported factor that causes muscle wasting in these patients, but muscle strength, muscle wasting, and peripheral nerve conduction abnormality have not been examined in patients with acute stroke. We therefore investigated changes in lower-leg motor nerve conduction, muscle strength, and muscle wasting in patients with acute stroke.

Non-paretic lower limb muscle wasting during acute phase is associated with dependent ambulation in patients with stroke.

Background: Muscle wasting in patients with stroke is a factor for a poor functional outcome. However, there have been few studies on the relationships between lower limb muscle wasting during the acute phase and dependent ambulation. This study examined whether lower limb muscle wasting during the acute phase is associated with the dependent ambulation status at 3 months after stroke.

Reference value of 6-minute walk distance in patients with sub-acute stroke.

Background: The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) has strong-to-moderate evidence to assess changes in walking distance for adults with neurologic conditions undergoing rehabilitation. However, the reference value of 6MWT distance according to walking ability and the cutoff value of walking independence in stroke patients in the rehabilitation unit has not been presented.

Objectives: To present the reference value of 6MWT distance depending on walking ability and determine the cutoff value of walking independence in stroke patients.

Association of Perceived Built Environment Attributes with Objectively Measured Physical Activity in Community-Dwelling Ambulatory Patients with Stroke.

There is little evidence on how perceptions of the built environment may influence physical activity among post-stroke patients. This study aimed to explore the associations between perceived built environment attributes and objectively measured physical activity outcomes in community-dwelling ambulatory patients with stroke. This cross-sectional study recruited patients who could walk outside without assistance.

Association of renal function with ambulation in mild acute stroke patients.

: Renal dysfunction has affected the functional outcome after stroke. However, the association of renal function with walking endurance after stroke is poorly understood. : This study aimed to investigate the relationship between renal function and walking endurance and speed in mild acute stroke patients.

Prestroke sarcopenia and functional outcomes in elderly patients who have had an acute stroke: A prospective cohort study.

Objectives: The association between prestroke sarcopenia and functional outcomes in patients who have had a stroke has not, to our knowledge, been evaluated to date. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of prestroke sarcopenia, and determine whether prestroke sarcopenia is associated with functional outcomes in elderly patients who have suffered an acute stroke.

Methods: We assessed prestroke sarcopenia in elderly patients with acute stroke using the SARC-F questionnaire.

Prestroke Sarcopenia and Stroke Severity in Elderly Patients with Acute Stroke.

Objective: The association between prestroke sarcopenia and stroke severity has not been evaluated previously. The purpose of this study was to determine whether prestroke sarcopenia is associated with stroke severity in elderly patients with acute stroke.

Methods: We assessed prestroke sarcopenia of elderly patients with acute stroke by using a questionnaire for sarcopenia (SARC-F).

Long-Term Effect of Promoting In-Hospital Physical Activity on Postdischarge Patients with Mild Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Although there are reports on the promotion of physical activity during hospitalization, there is no evidence that promoting in-hospital physical activity continues over time after discharge. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect of promoting in-hospital physical activity on postdischarge physical activity and self-efficacy for physical activity in patients with mild ischemic stroke.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of a post hoc analysis of a previous randomized controlled trial.

Physical Activity, Physical Function, and Quadriceps Muscle Thickness in Male Patients with Sub-Acute Stroke during Hospitalization: A Pilot Study.

Increasing physical activity (PA) is an important rehabilitation target for patients with sub-acute stroke during hospitalization in order to recover physical function and prevent stroke recurrence. However, the characteristics of low PA in stroke patients during hospitalization who were targets for increased intervention have not been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the daily number of steps and physical function and quadriceps muscle thickness (QMT) in patients with sub-acute stroke during hospitalization for convalescence rehabilitation.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is ineffective for treating quadriceps muscle wasting with ruptured aneurysm: A case report.

Introduction: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a preventive intervention for muscle wasting in patients with aneurysms during the acute phase; however, its efficacy still remains unclear. In this case study, we report the effects of NMES on quadriceps muscle wasting for a patient with ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms during the acute phase.

Presentation Of Case: A 66-year-old woman was admitted because of a ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm resulting from intracerebral hematoma with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Heart Rate Variability During Early Mobilization in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Autonomic dysfunction is one of the predictors of poor outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke. We compared the heart rate variability (HRV) during early mobilization in patients with or without neurological deterioration (ND). We enrolled 7 acute ischemic patients with ND and 14 without ND and measured their HRV in the rest and mobilization by electrocardiography.

Safety and Feasibility of the 6-Minute Walk Test in Patients with Acute Stroke.

Background: Our objective was to investigate the safety and feasibility of the 6-minute walk test in patients with acute stroke.

Materials And Methods: Consecutive patients with acute stroke, admitted to the Itami Kosei Neurosurgical Hospital from September 2016 to April 2017 were enrolled. Walking capacity was assessed by a physical therapist using the 6-minute walk test in 94 patients with acute stroke within 14 days of hospital admission.

Effect of accelerometer-based feedback on physical activity in hospitalized patients with ischemic stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of accelerometer-based feedback on physical activity in hospitalized patients with ischemic stroke.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Acute care hospital.

Quadriceps muscle thickness changes in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage during the acute phase.

Background Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a life-threatening condition that often leads to severe disability in relatively young and healthy people. This disability is physical in many aSAH survivors, so muscle dysfunction may be an important factor in the functional level of these patients. Thus, measuring muscle thickness represents a suitable method for determining muscle function in patients with acute aSAH, because the disordered consciousness often experienced during the acute phase causes active movement to be difficult for these patients.