Abstract
[Purpose] We conducted a range of motion (ROM) exercise utilizing anatomical neck of the humerus circulation (ANHAC) for elderly patients with shoulder joint contracture, and investigated its immediate effects and suitability. [Subjects] The subjects were 15 elderly persons, 1 male and 14 females, with an average age of 86.5±7.1 years. [Method] We conducted conventional ROM exercise and ROM exercise utilizing ANHAC 30 times each. We measured shoulder joint flexion at the time of scapula fixation, and flexion, abduction, adduction, and external rotation with the scapula without fixation and abducted. [Results] After conventional ROM exercise, a significant increase was found only in flexion during scapula fixation. After the ROM exercise utilizing ANHAC, we found significant increases in all the measured items both with and without scapula fixation. [Conclusion] The results suggest ROM exercise utilizing ANHAC is a method which can effectively improve shoulder ROM.
