We screened patients with chronic respiratory disorders for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremities using ultrasonography. These patients require pulmonary rehabilitation because of their physical disabilities and the reduction in their activities of daily living (ADL). The average soleus vein diameter, which is the reported source of most DVTs, was 6.1±1.5 mm in the control group, 6.8±2.1 mm in the home oxygen therapy (HOT) patients, and 7.0±1.6 mm in the non-HOT patients. The soleus vein diameters in the HOT and non-HOT patients were significantly greater than in the control group (p=0.003). The prevalence of calf DVTs in the HOT patients was significantly higher than in the non-HOT patients (14.3 % vs. 2.0 %, p=0.027). Therefore, patients with chronic respiratory disorders are at greater risks of developing DVT. Furthermore, it appears that not only the deterioration in ADL but also the presence of respiratory disorders and a hypoxic state may influence the onset of DVT in HOT patients. Chronic respiratory disorder is thought to be one of the risk factors for DVT. Therefore, preventive measures, such as ultrasonographic screening examinations, daily living guidance, and physical therapy, are important for patients with chronic respiratory disorders.

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Clinical rehabilitation in patients after a cerebrovascular accident or a head injury is sometimes hampered by the onset of emotional disorders, particularly during the initial period of convalescence. Sodium valproate (VPA) is used not only as an antiepileptic drug but also as a mood stabilizer in clinical psychiatric practice. We used VPA for treating emotional disorders, thereby increasing the effectiveness of rehabilitation in a convalescent setting. We administered VPA to 7 patients with higher brain dysfunction to treat their emotional disorders from August 2006 to April 2007 in the convalescent rehabilitation ward (60 beds) of Yamaguchi Rehabilitation Hospital. We used the Japan Stroke Scale-Emotional Disturbance Scale (JSS-E) to evaluate the patient's mental condition and the Barthel Index (BI) to assess the effect of rehabilitation. The JSS-E scores showed significant improvement after VPA administration. The BI scores also showed improvement. These scores indicate that VPA was effective in treating emotional disturbances and in improving patient's activities of daily living. Thus, we showed that VPA can be useful in treating emotional disorders during convalescent rehabilitation.

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Application of Robotic Technology for Rehabilitation Medicine : An Overview…Kazuo ABE 19

The Dynamics of Lower Limb Exercise in Patients with Neurological Disease and the Plasticity in the Cortex…Yoshiyuki ASAI 22

Robot Technology for Supporting Human Mobility…Hiroshi KOBAYASHI 28

Humanoid Robot ASIMO…Toru TAKENAKA 37

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