Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine voluntary training guidance by physical therapists for the musculoskeletal ambulation disability symptom complex (MADS) patients with pain and investigated the influences of gender, age and changes in functional measurements. Method: Thirty-one subjects diagnosed as MADS practiced voluntary training guidance by physical therapists once a month for six months. Functional performance measures such as range of motion (ROM), pain, strength, balance functions, walking ability and Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology (TMIG) Index of Competence. We evaluated changes in functional measurements and the associations between physical measurements and changes in functional measurements. Results: ROM of the hip abduction, pain and balance functions were significantly improved after six month. Regardless of gender, subjects aged below 75 significantly improved physical measurements. The changes in ROM of the hip abduction, pain and balance functions showed significant negative correlations with the initial physical performance measurements. Conclusion: It seems to be effective for the MADS patients aged blow 75 and lower physical performance with pain to voluntary training guidance by physical therapy.
