Observations of cold-induced vasodilation in persons with spinal cord injuries.

Study Design: Acute experimental study.

Objectives: Cold-induced vasodilation is a local mechanism of protection against frostbite in non-injured persons. We assessed whether an increase in skin blood flow (SkBF) during local cooling (LC) was observed in individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) and if the response patterns differed between region levels or sites.

Renal and Endocrine Responses to Arm Exercise in Persons with Cervical Spinal Cord Injury.

The aim of this study was to assess renal functions and endocrine responses to arm exercise in persons with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) under euhydrated conditions (free drinking of water), and to determine the physiological effects of exercise on renal function in these subjects. Eleven CSCI individuals (spinal lesions between C6 and C8, American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale A) and nine able-bodied (AB) persons rested for 30 min before performing 30 min arm-crank ergometer exercises at 50% of their maximum oxygen consumption, followed by 60-min of rest/recovery. Urine and blood samples were collected before and immediately after the exercise and recovery period.

Quantification of catecholamine neurotransmitters released from cutaneous vasoconstrictor nerve endings in men with cervical spinal cord injury.

Control 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.

Surface electromyographic activity of the erector spinae and multifidus during arm- and leg-ergometer exercises in young healthy men.

Ergometer 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.

Effects of Combination of Functional Electric Stimulation and Robotic Leg Movement Using Dynamic Tilt Table on Walking Characteristics in Post-Stroke Patients with Spastic Hemiplegia: A Randomized Crossover-Controlled Trial.

Background: Spastic hemiplegia causes slow and unstable walking in post-stroke patients. Dynamic tilt table with robotic leg movement (DTTRLM) is safe and effective in improving walking. Functional electric stimulation (FES) improves walking speed in post-stroke patients with spastic hemiplegia.

Serum concentrations of ketones increase after hand-ergometer exercise in persons with cervical spinal cord injuries: a preliminary prospective 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.

Differences in Muscle Fatigability of Vastus Medialis between Sexes Using Surface Electromyographic Power Spectral Analysis in Healthy Adults.

Objectives: With a relatively high percentage of type I fibers in the vastus medialis (VM), its fatigability may be more sensitive to the effects of muscle activity in the quadriceps. However, sex-related differences in the muscle fatigability of the VM remain unknown. The purpose of the present study was to assess the differences in fatigability of the VM between healthy adult men and women.

Evaluation of severe adverse events during rehabilitation for acute-phase patients: A retrospective cohort study.

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.

Lipid metabolism after mild cold stress in persons with a cervical spinal cord injury.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Objectives: To compare lipid metabolism in individuals with a cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) and able-bodied (AB) persons in response to mild cold stress.

Settings: Laboratory of Wakayama Medical University, Japan.

New portable device for continuous measurement of sweat rate under heat stress during field tests.

We have developed a portable method to measure sweat rate (SR) under heat stress during field tests. We randomly divided 15 males and 17 females (23-78 yr) into a group, equation group (EG) to determine an equation to convert a unit of SR (mmHg) by the portable method to that (mg·min·cm) by the ventilation method, and another group, validation group (VG) to validate the equation. Since we repeated measurements twice in three subjects, we randomly assigned the two measurements to one of the two groups and analyzed the results in 18 and 17 subjects for EG and VG, respectively.

Three-week exercise and protein intake immediately after exercise increases the 6-min walking distance with simultaneously improved plasma volume in patients with chronic cerebrovascular disease: a preliminary prospective study.

Background: Blood volume (BV) is a critical factor for physical endurance in chronic stroke patients, while hypervolemia can worsen hypertension in these patients. This prospective study assessed whether rehabilitation combined with protein supplementation immediately after each exercise for 3 weeks would improve plasma volume (PV) and BV as well as physical endurance without worsening hypertension.

Methods: Ambulatory patients with chronic cerebrovascular disease who received a 3-week rehabilitation program with high protein jelly (intervention group [PG]; n = 8; 10-g protein) or protein-free jelly (control group [CG]; n = 8) consumed within 30 min after each exercise.

Dose-response Rehabilitation Organized By Pror In Out-patients With Chronic Cerebrovascular Disorder: A single-center retrospective cohort study.

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.

Serum and plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration are elevated by systemic but not local passive heating.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a key role in neuronal adaptations. While previous studies suggest that whole-body heating can elevate circulating BDNF concentration, this is not known for local heating protocols. This study investigated the acute effects of whole-body versus local passive heating on serum and plasma BDNF concentration.

The acute effect of dopamine infusion on lipid and cytokine concentrations in persons with a cervical spinal cord injury-a pilot study.

Study Design: Acute experimental study.

Objectives: To investigate the acute response of markers of lipid metabolism and interleukin (IL)-6 to dopamine infusion in people with a cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI).

Setting: Laboratory of Wakayama Medical University, Japan.

An Urgent Webinar for Therapists Working in Local Facilities by Physiatrists and Therapists in a Regional Core Hospital during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

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.

The prevalence of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow and ulnar nerve dislocation in recreational wheelchair marathon athletes.

Background: Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow is an entrapment neuropathy, while ulnar nerve dislocation might also be involved in its incidence and severity. Wheelchair marathon athletes may be at an increased risk for Ulnar Neuropathy. However, there is a paucity of research into the prevalence of Ulnar Neuropathy and ulnar nerve dislocation in this population.

Increased serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor following wheelchair half marathon race in individuals with spinal cord injury.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has beneficial effects on metabolism as well as the peripheral and central nervous systems. The aim of this study was to assess the response of serum BDNF concentration ([BDNF]s) to wheelchair half marathon race in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Prospective observational study.

Mobilization within 24 hours of new-onset stroke enhances the rate of home discharge at 6-months follow-up: a prospective cohort study.

Background/objective: Previous research indicates a better improvement of functional independence measure (FIM) at discharge in acute-stroke patients who received physiatrist and registered therapist operating rehabilitation (PROr) within 24 hrs compared with those who received after 24 hrs was reported. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to determine whether PROr provided within 24 hrs for new-onset stroke patients affects home-discharge rate at 6 months later.

Methods: Acute new-onset stroke patients admitted to our hospital and received PROr ( = 227) and were conducted into 3 categories based on the time until starting PROr; within 24 hrs (very early mobilization; VEM;  = 47), 24-48 hrs (early mobilization; EM;  = 77) and >48 hrs (later mobilization; LM;  = 103).

Relationship between ultrasonographically low-echoic lesions under the skin, wheelchair sitting time, and interface pressure on ischial region in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury.

To determine the relationship between physical findings, wheelchair sitting time, and interface pressure on ischial region in subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI). Cross-sectional study. Rehabilitation center in Japan.

Countdown before voluntary exercise induces muscle vasodilation with baroreflex-mediated decrease in muscle sympathetic nerve activity in humans.

We examined whether a countdown (CD) before voluntary cycling exercise induced prospective vascular adjustment for the exercise and, if so, whether and how muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) was involved in the responses. Young men performed voluntary cycling in a semirecumbent position ( = 14) while middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity (; Doppler ultrasonography), heart rate (HR), arterial pressure (AP; finger photoplethysmography), oxygen consumption rate (V̇o), oxygen saturation in the thigh muscle (; near-infrared spectrometry), cardiac output (CO; Modelflow method), and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were measured (). Another group underwent the same exercise protocol but used only the right leg ( = 10) while MSNA (microneurography) was measured in the peroneal nerve of the left leg ().

Effect of coronary artery bypass grafting on blood pressure response to head-up tilting.

Blood pressure response to head-up tilt (HUT) in 7 healthy subjects and 9 patients before and after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was measured during supine and 15-min 60° HUT. Stroke volume (SV) and ejection fraction (EF) were assessed by echocardiography. Baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) in patients before CABG were similar to healthy subjects.

The inflammatory response to a wheelchair half-marathon in people with a spinal cord injury - the role of autonomic function.

This study investigates the relationship between autonomic function and the inflammatory response to a wheelchair half-marathon in people with a spinal cord injury (SCI). Seventeen wheelchair athletes with a cervical SCI (CSCI, N = 7) and without CSCI (NON-CSCI, N = 10) participated in a wheelchair half-marathon. Blood was taken prior, post and 1 h post-race to determine the concentrations of adrenaline, noradrenaline, extracellular heat shock protein 72 (eHsp72) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).

Effects of repetitive exercise and thermal stress on human cognitive processing.

Cognitive performances may improve after acute moderate exercise, but not after prolonged and/or heavy exercise. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of environmental temperature during exercise on human cognitive processing. Fifteen healthy males performed four bouts of a 15-min cycling exercise with a 10-min rest between each bout, and event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded in five sessions during somatosensory Go/No-go paradigms (i.