Objective: To examine the factors associated with the life-space of older adults requiring support or with mild care.

Methods: A total of 52 users of day-care services were assessed using the Life-Space Assessment (LSA), physical function tests, fear of falling, the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6), the presence or absence of hobbies and household roles, subjective and objective quality of life (QOL) evaluations, and the Kihon Checklist (KCL). Participants were divided into high and low LSA score groups based on their LSA scores, and comparisons were made between these groups. Furthermore, the relationships between LSA scores and each factor were analyzed.

Results: Compared to the high LSA score group, the low LSA score group demonstrated significantly lower walking speed, social function, availability of public transportation, and objective SF-8 scores. Conversely, they exhibited significantly higher Timed Up and Go (TUG) test scores, fear of falling, and KCL scores. LSA scores were positively correlated with walking speed, LSNS-6, and SF-8 subscales for physical functioning, role physical, and physical component summary. Negative correlations were observed with TUG and KCL scores.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that life-space in older adults requiring support or with mild care is associated with physical function, social function, environmental factors, and objective QOL.

Purpose: This study examined the association between walking speed and physical activity in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 80 community-dwelling older adults (75.0±5.9 years, 73.8% female) who had taken part in a physical fitness test that was held in the community. Statistical analysis was conducted with the use of multiple regression analysis, including walking speed as the dependent variable and physical activity as the independent variable. Variables that could be considered covariates were adjusted for confounding.

Results: The results of multiple regression analysis showed that walking speed was associated with high physical activity (standardized coefficient β = 0.37, p = 0.002).

Conclusions: It has become clear that it is necessary to assess physical activity to maintain walking speed. Further research is needed, but it is possible that the high physical activity will lead to the maintenance and improvement of walking speed.

Objective: This study aimed to calculate the Minimal Important Change (MIC) for the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, 2-step test, and Five Times Sit to Stand Test (FTSST) in home-visit rehabilitation users with frailty.

Methods: A total of 142 frailty subjects were assessed at the start of the study and after 3 months. Using the Global Rating of Change scale as an anchor, MIC values were calculated based on three methods: MIC determined using Receiver Operating Characteristic curves (MIC_ROC), MIC predicted from a regression model (MIC_pred), and MIC adjusted for the improvement rate (MIC_adj).

Results: MIC_adj was considered the most appropriate MIC value. The cutoff values were 5.8 s for TUG, 0.13 cm/cm for the 2-step test, and 5.9 s for FTSST.

Conclusion: This study identified the MIC values for TUG, the 2-step test, and FTSST in frail home-visit rehabilitation users.

Objective: The objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the factors associated with depressive symptoms during discharge in elderly patients with musculoskeletal disorders who were admitted to a convalescent rehabilitation ward and a community-based comprehensive care unit.

Methods: One hundred and forty patients aged 65 years or older with musculoskeletal disorders who were admitted to a convalescent rehabilitation ward and a community-based comprehensive care unit participated in this study. Demographic and anthropometric data, depressive symptoms, musculoskeletal pain, physical function, cognitive function, psychological status, nutritional status and sleep status were recorded during discharge. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with depressive symptoms.

Results: Out of the 136 participants, 55 (40.4%) exhibited symptoms of depression during discharge. Lower exercise self-efficacy and poor nutritional status were factors that were found to be independently associated with depressive symptoms. These associations remained significant even after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index and comorbidities.

Conclusion: The finding of this study suggests that assessments focusing on exercise self-efficacy and nutritional status may be beneficial for preventing depressive symptoms at discharge in elderly patients with musculoskeletal disorders admitted to a convalescent rehabilitation ward and a community-based comprehensive care unit.

Objective: We examined whether providing guidance to patient's family was associated with returning home among severe patients at the time of admission to a convalescent unit.

Methods: This study was a retrospective observational study of severe patients who were admitted to a convalescent unit. The severe patients were divided into two groups according to whether or not guidance for the patient's family was provided, and the proportion of returning home were compared. Also, we examined whether providing guidance to the families of severe patients was associated with returning home using multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results: We identified 154 eligible patients (Guidance group, N=119; Non-guidance group, N=35). The guidance group had a higher proportion of returning home than the non-guidance group (76.5% vs. 45.7%). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, guidance group was independently and significantly associated with returning home.

Conclusion: Providing guidance to the families of severe patients was closely related to their returning home. It was suggested that this could increase the proportion of severe patients who can return home.