Longitudinal Changes in Factors Associated with Walking Independence at Hospital Discharge in Patients with Stroke: A Retrospective Study.

: Patients with stroke usually have long-term residual gait disability. However, temporal changes in factors associated with gait independence in these patients at the time of hospital discharge have not been clarified. This study aimed to determine changes over time in factors associated with gait independence in patients with stroke at the time of hospital discharge.

Association between Subjective Cognitive Complaints and Sleep Disturbance among Community-Dwelling Elderly Individuals in Japan.

Subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) are a crucial modifiable risk factor for dementia. There is increasing interest in the association between SCC and sleep disturbance; however, the effects of sleep disturbance on SCC development among community-dwelling elderly individuals in Japan remain unclear. We aimed to cross-sectionally investigate the association between SCC and sleep disturbance, with adjustment for multiple factors related to cognitive decline, among 241 community-dwelling elderly persons without cognitive impairment.

Dominance of attentional focus: a comparative study on its impact on standing postural control in healthy younger and older adults.

Introduction: Attentional focus is a phenomenon in which shifting the focus of attention alters performance of standing postural control. It can be categorized as internal focus (IF), which directs attention to the body parts, or external focus (EF), which directs attention to the external environment. Although attentional focus that improves standing postural control in younger people exhibits individual dominance, the dominance of attentional focus in standing postural control in older adults remains ambiguous.

Occupational low back pain among Japanese caregivers: A large-scale cross-sectional study.

Background: Caregivers in Japan experience a high prevalence of low back pain (LBP), with age, sex, individual pain experiences, and central sensitization symptoms potentially influencing its chronic progression.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of LBP among caregivers, as well as its relation to age and sex, and explore work status, psychological factors, and central sensitization symptoms as contributing factors to chronic LBP (CLBP).

Methods: A large-scale cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1214 caregivers in 35 geriatric healthcare facilities.

Central Sensitization-Related Symptoms and Influencing Factors on Health-Related Quality of Life among Frail Older Adults in Senior Day Care Centers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The recent increase in the number of frail older adults has led to increased attention being paid to care services in communities such as senior day care centers. Maintaining health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in frail older adults is important for managing long-term care. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively explore the impact of physical, mental, and cognitive factors, particularly central sensitization-related symptoms (CSSs), on the HRQOL among frail older adults in senior day care centers.

Relationship between Subjective Grip Strength and Physical Functioning among Community-Dwelling Older Women.

This study investigated the relationship between subjective grip strength and physical function in community-dwelling older women. Subjective grip strength was assessed using a questionnaire, and physical function and body composition were compared between groups with strong and weak subjective grip strength. Additionally, the two groups were compared in those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and those with normal cognitive function, respectively.

[Association between depressive tendencies and oral diadochokinesis in the older adults in private residential nursing home].

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between depressive tendencies and oral diadochokinesis (ODK) in 24 older adults living in a private residential nursing home. ODK is an indicator of the oral function.

Methods: Depressive tendencies were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale 5, with scores of two or higher indicating probable depression.

Subgroup characteristics in care workers with low back pain: cluster analysis-based severity of central sensitivity syndromes and low back pain.

Purpose: This multicentre, collaborative, cross-sectional study aimed to explore the characteristics of subgroups based on central sensitivity syndromes (CSSs) and low back pain (LBP) severity. Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between the classified subgroups and work status among the care workers.

Patients And Methods: In 660 care workers, we assessed LBP intensity, pain duration, pain sites, CSS (using the central sensitization inventory-9), psychological factors (using the pain catastrophizing scale and pain self-efficacy questionnaire), and work status (interference, amount of assistance, frequency of assistance, and work environment).

The Influence of Physical, Mental, and Cognitive Factors on Health-Related Quality of Life among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Focus on Central Sensitization-Related Symptoms.

Most older adults wish to maintain independence in their familiar communities. However, many experience pain and pain-related disabilities which reduce their health-related quality of life (HRQOL), leading to increased hospitalizations and mortality. This study aimed to determine the impact of physical, mental, and cognitive factors, particularly central sensitization-related symptoms (CSS), on the HRQOL of community-dwelling older adults.

Validating Knee Varus Alignment Measurements Using Markerless Motion Capture.

This study aimed to determine the validity of specific knee varus alignment measurement methods. We measured the femorotibial angle (FTA) using radiography and optical motion capture and validated the FTA measurement using markerless motion capture. The subjects included 34 legs of 19 patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Effects of Robot-Assisted Activity Using a Communication Robot on Neurological Activity in Older Adults with and without Cognitive Decline.

Robot-assisted activity (RAA) using a communication robot (RAA-CR) has been proposed as a tool for alleviating behavioral and psychological symptoms accompanying dementia (BPSD) in patients with cognitive decline. This study aimed to clarify the effects of differences in cognitive function among older adults on changes in active brain areas induced by RAA-CR. Twenty-nine older adults were divided into a cognitive decline group ( = 11) and a control group ( = 18).

Effects of neurofeedback on standing postural control task with combined imagined and executed movements.

Introduction: Motor imagery (MI) is a method of imagining movement without actual movement, and its use in combination with motor execution (ME) enhances the effects of motor learning. Neurofeedback (NFB) is another method that promotes the effects of MI. This study aimed to investigate the effects of NFB on combined MI and ME (MIME) training in a standing postural control task.

Effects of θ High Definition-Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex on the Dominance of Attention Focus in Standing Postural Control.

Attention focus affects performance in postural control while standing, and it is divided into internal focus (IF) and external focus (EF). Each individual has a predominant attention focus, and research has revealed that the dominance of attention focus may be an acquired trait. However, the impact of non-invasive brain stimulation on attention-focus dominance remains unexplored in the current literature.

Effects of neurofeedback training combined with transcranial direct current stimulation on motor imagery: A randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Neurofeedback (NFB) training and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have been shown to individually improve motor imagery (MI) abilities. However, the effect of combining both of them with MI has not been verified. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of applying tDCS directly before MI with NFB.

Repetitive Peripheral Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Motor Imagery Changes Resting-State EEG Activity: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation is a novel non-invasive technique for applying repetitive magnetic stimulation to the peripheral nerves and muscles. Contrarily, a person imagines that he/she is exercising during motor imagery. Resting-state electroencephalography can evaluate the ability of motor imagery; however, the effects of motor imagery and repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation on resting-state electroencephalography are unknown.

Effects of Insole with Toe-Grip Bar on Barefoot Balance and Walking Function in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The maintenance and improvement of balance and walking function in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) is essential. Toe dysfunction in patients with PD is related to balance and walking. Recently, insoles have been developed to improve toe function, but their effects on the physical functions of patients with PD remain unclear.

Gait Characteristics of Dynapenia, Sarcopenia, and Presarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Japanese Older Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Age-related decline in skeletal muscle mass and function are risk factors for reduced walking ability. This study aimed to understand the characteristic gait parameters of presarcopenia (low muscle mass only), dynapenia (low muscle function only), and sarcopenia (low muscle mass and function), which have differing skeletal muscle characteristics. Skeletal muscle mass, grip strength, and gait parameters (walking speed, cadence, step length, step width, gait angle, foot angle, stance time, swing time, and double stance time) were evaluated in 307 older Japanese women.

Reliability and validity of the Japanese movement imagery questionnaire-revised second version.

Objective: Developing a Japanese version of the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-Revised Second Version (MIQ-RS) is essential for widespread evaluation and treatment based on motor imagery in physically disabled persons and patients in rehabilitation. This study aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-Revised Second Version (MIQ-RS), which assesses motor imagery ability, by translating it into Japanese.

Results: This study enrolled twenty healthy participants (10 men and 10 women, mean age 21.

Associations of Central Sensitization-Related Symptoms with Low Back Pain-Related Factors and Work Status in Caregivers.

Low back pain (LBP) is associated with psychological factors and central sensitization-related symptoms (CSSs). The relationship between CSSs, LBP-related factors, and work status in caregivers remain unclear. This multicentre, collaborative, cross-sectional study aimed to determine the association between CSS severity, LBP-related factors, and work status in caregivers with LBP.

The relationship between children's somatotypes, motor examination results, and motor skills: assessing 6- to 10-year-olds.

[Purpose] Childhood motor disorders and obesity are major health problems and concerns in children today. We performed a physical examination to test the motor system and motor ability of elementary school children based on their body types. [Participants and Methods] The obesity levels of 161 elementary school students aged six to ten were calculated based on the gender, age, and standard weight for each height category to classify them into somatotype groups, and analyze the relationships among the results of four motor examination items, Physical Fitness Test, and body composition analysis for two groups.

Reliability of muscle thickness and echo intensity measurements of the quadriceps: A novice examiner.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the reliability of muscle thickness (MT) and echo intensity (EI) of the quadriceps muscles using ultrasound imaging for a novice examiner.

Methods: Sixteen healthy adult women were included in the study, and images of the rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis were obtained on the same day and after one week by an examiner who had not performed an experiment on the measurement of ultrasound imaging. The measurers who analyzed all images were completely blind to the subject's name and date and order of measurements.

Dominance of Attention Focus and Its Electroencephalogram Activity in Standing Postural Control in Healthy Young Adults.

Attention focus changes performance, and external focus (EF) improves performance compared to internal focus (IF). However, recently, the dominance of attention focus, rather than the effectiveness of unilateral EF, has been examined. Although the positive effects of EF on standing postural control have been reported, the dominance of attention focus has not yet been examined.