Purpose: It has been reported that the range of movement of the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) is reflected by the measurement of the patellar tendon-anterior tibial angle (PTTA). In this study, we examined the reliability and reproducibility of the measurement of PTTA using ultrasonography in healthy subjects.

Method: PTTA was measured bilaterally using ultrasonography of the knee flexion angle at 0 degree, 45 degree, and 90 degree in 25 healthy subjects (50 knees). The probe was placed on the anterior knee and the angle between the patellar tendon and the anterior tibia was measured at each flexion angle. The difference in PTTA at each knee flexion angle was compared. Intra-rater reliability also was evaluated.

Result: PTTA was significantly different among all knee flexion angles (p < 0.001). The PTTA decreased as knee flexion increased. The intra-rater reliability evaluated by the ICC (1.3) was 0.97–0.98 for all PTTAs, indicating good reproducibility.

Conclusion: The evaluation by PTTA is highly reproducible. Therefore, the amount of IFP movement can be measured based on the PTTA measurement using ultrasonography.

Purpose: To examine the effects of early mobilization within 24 hours after onset on a motor function and progressive cerebral infarction of Branch atheromatous disease (BAD) in lenticulostriate arteries (LSA).

Method: We studied patients with BAD in LSA in our hospital between 2014 and 2018. We classified them into Early group and Normal group and compared them in age, gender, BMI, risk factors of stroke, medical history of stroke, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) before onset, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), of lower limbs during hospitalization and discharge, Barthel Index (BI), Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC), presence or absence of progressive cerebral infarction, time from onset to start of standing, systolic blood pressure before and after getting out of bed, terms and times of rehabilitation.

Result: 17 patients are in the Early group and 13 patients are in the Normal group. FMA of lower limbs at discharge is high in both of them, and that of the Early group is significantly higher than that of Normal group. No significant difference was observed in BI at charge, between two groups. In the Early group, rate of patients who acquire a smooth walking ability is higher than in the Normal group. In progressive stroke there is no significant difference between two groups.

Conclusion: It was suggested that getting out of bed within 24 hours of onset in patients with BAD in the LSA region may lead to safe and improved motor function and walking ability. In the future, it will be necessary to carry out further research in consideration of research design and sample size.

Purpose: To determine whether body composition, physical function, activities of daily life (ADL), quality of life (QOL), and physical activity of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) differ according to the degree of dyspnea.

Method: The subjects were 25 patients with stable COPD. The measures were body composition, muscle strength, exercise tolerance, nutrition, ADL, quality of life, cognitive function, and physical activity. Patients were divided into two groups: those with mild dyspnea (modified Medical Research Council [mMRC] scale 0 to 1); and those with severe dyspnea (mMRC scale 2 to 4).

Result: There were 10 patients in the mild dyspnea group and 15 in the severe dyspnea group. Lower extremity muscle mass, trunk muscle mass, Skeletal Muscle Mass Index, incremental shuttle walk test distance, Nagasaki University Respiratory ADL questionnaire scores, number of steps in a day, walking time, each Ex amount, activity time over 3 metabolic equivalents, and weekly Ex amount were significantly higher in the mild dyspnea group. COPD Assessment Test and St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire scores were significantly lower in the mild dyspnea group.

Conclusion: COPD patients with severe dyspnea showed lower muscle mass, exercise tolerance, ADL, QOL, and less physical activity.