Longitudinal changes following the introduction of socially assistive robots in nursing homes: a qualitative study with ICF framework and causal loop diagramming.

Background: Socially assistive robots introduced in nursing care settings have multidimensional psychological impacts on care recipients and caregivers. This study aims to explore the longitudinal changes induced by socially assistive robots, focusing on a chain of human behaviors.

Methods: In this qualitative study, nine participants from two nursing homes who had experience in manipulating socially assistive robots were interviewed in a semi-structured focus group using a topic guide to explore the changes in care recipients and caregivers.

Applying a Motivational Instructional Design Model to Stroke Rehabilitation: A Feasibility Study on Occupational and Swallowing Therapies.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of poststroke interventions using a motivational instructional design model with occupational therapy (OT) and swallowing therapy (ST) and the model's potential physical and mental health effects.

Design: An open-label, single-arm, feasibility study on the Attention, Relevance, Confidence, and Satisfaction model.

Setting: Two convalescent rehabilitation wards.

Transvaginal resection of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the rectum: a case report.

Background: The most common curative treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) is local excision. For rectal GISTs, however, local excision is difficult because of the anatomical features of the rectum. The optimal surgical approach is still under debate, and less invasive methods are desired.

An evaluation of rehabilitation students' learning goals in their first year: a text mining approach.

Introduction: Qualitative information in the form of written reflection reports is vital for evaluating students' progress in education. As a pilot study, we used text mining, which analyzes qualitative information with quantitative features, to investigate how rehabilitation students' goals change during their first year at university.

Methods: We recruited 109 first-year students (66 physical therapy and 43 occupational therapy students) enrolled in a university rehabilitation course.

Development of the Japanese version of the stroke stigma scale: a validity and reliability assessment.

Background: The stigma perceived by many post-stroke persons hinders their social lives. A scale to measure stigma is needed to identify social problems related to stigma, and to evaluate effectiveness of interventions.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop a Japanese version of the Stroke Stigma Scale (SSS-J), and confirm its utility by examining reliability and validity.

Influence of motivation on rehabilitation outcomes after subacute stroke in convalescent rehabilitation wards.

Background: The motivation for rehabilitation is important in encouraging stroke patients to participate in rehabilitation; however, its relationship with outcomes is not well known. In addition, changes in patient motivation during hospitalization have not been examined.

Aim: To examine the relationship between motivation and rehabilitation outcomes for subacute stroke patients and to investigate the changes in motivation.

A method for evaluating time-resolved rheological functionalities of fluid foods.

We have developed an effective method for evaluating time-resolved rheological functionalities of swallowed foods using ultrasonic spinning rheometry (USR). USR can obtain variations over time in the rheological properties of fluids despite the fluids being in heterogeneous and nonequilibrium conditions. In addition, USR can evaluate time variations of shear-thinning property changing in a few seconds.

Development and validation of new evaluation scale for measuring stroke patients' motivation for rehabilitation in rehabilitation wards.

Objective: This study aimed to develop the Motivation in stroke patients for rehabilitation scale (MORE scale), following the Consensus-based standards for the selection of health measurement instruments (COSMIN).

Method: Study participants included rehabilitation professionals working at the convalescent rehabilitation hospital and stroke patients admitted to the hospital. The original MORE scale was developed from an item pool, which was created through discussions of nine rehabilitation professionals.

Cognitive Function is a Predictor of the Daily Step Count in Patients With Subacute Stroke With Independent Walking Ability: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: To investigate the physical, cognitive, and psychological factors related to daily step count in patients with subacute stroke.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: A subacute rehabilitation ward with 160 beds.

Motivation for Rehabilitation in Patients With Subacute Stroke: A Qualitative Study.

Motivation is essential for patients with subacute stroke undergoing intensive rehabilitation. Although it is known that motivation induces behavioral changes toward rehabilitation, detailed description has been lacking. Motivation can be intrinsic or extrinsic; however, it is unclear which type of factors mainly motivates patients' daily rehabilitation.

New portable voice guidance device for the manual wheelchair transfer: a pilot study in patients with hemiplegia.

Purpose: Older and/or cognitively impaired patients require verbal guidance to prevent accidents during wheelchair operation, thus increasing the burden on caregivers. This study aimed to develop a new portable voice guidance device for manual wheelchairs and examine its clinical usefulness.

Method: We developed a portable voice guidance device to monitor the statuses of wheelchair brakes and footrests and automatically provide voice guidance for operation.