Ono K, Takahashi R, Morita K, Ara Y, Abe S, Ito S, Uno S, Abe M, Shirasaka T. Can AI predict walking independence in patients with stroke upon admission to a recovery-phase rehabilitation ward? Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2024; 15: 1-7.

Objective: This study aimed to develop a prediction model for walking independence in patients with stroke in the recovery phase at the time of hospital discharge using Prediction One, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based predictive analysis tool, and to examine its utility.

Methods: Prediction One was used to develop a prediction model for walking independence for 280 patients with stroke admitted to a rehabilitation ward-based on physical and mental function information at admission. In 134 patients with stroke hospitalized during different periods, accuracy was confirmed by calculating the correct response rate, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values based on the results of AI-based predictions and actual results.

Results: The prediction accuracy (area under the curve, AUC) of the proposed model was 91.7%. The correct response rate was 79.9%, sensitivity was 95.7%, specificity was 62.5%, positive predictive value was 73.6%, and negative predictive value was 93.5%.

Conclusion: The accuracy of the prediction model developed in this study is not inferior to that of previous studies, and the simplicity of the model makes it highly practical.

Hideshima Y, Asami T, Ichiba M, Matsuo K, Murata T. A study on the effectiveness of training in the operation of an electric mobility aid in severely mentally and physically handicapped children. Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2024; 15: 8-16.

Purpose: We examined whether operation training for children with severe mental and physical disabilities using recently developed electric mobility aids improves their skills in operating such aids and their daily activities. By doing so, we aimed to clarify the effectiveness of electric mobility aid operation training for children with severe mental and physical disabilities.

Method: Operation training and normal training using an electric mobility aid were conducted for 42 school-aged children with severe mental and physical disabilities, aged 8-18 years old. The trainee children were randomly assigned to two groups: 21 to the intervention group to receive operation training and 21 to the control group to receive general training. The intervention lasted 20 minutes/training session, with three sessions/week over a period of eight weeks. The Powered Mobility Program (PMP) and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) were used for pre- and post-intervention assessments, and SPSS was used for two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results: PMP scaled scores significantly increased (p = 0.001) in both groups, but there was no interaction effect. The PEDI scaled scores did not significantly increase in either of the two groups.

Discussion: The effects of the intervention and use of the electric mobility aid on the operating skills of children with severe mental and physical disabilities were explicitly demonstrated. Future long-term studies are required to clarify the effects of training in the operation of electric mobility aids on the subsequent development of severely physically and mentally handicapped children.