Objective：To evaluate the reliability and concurrent validity of the Walking LEVEL Scale (WaLS) in patients hospitalized in a Convalescent Rehabilitation Ward (CRW).

Design：The WaLS was used as an assessment scale to categorize the walking ability of patients in a CRW.

Subjects/Patients：A total of 103 patients in a CRW were included in the study.

Methods：Retest and inter-rater reliability were evaluated by using the WaLS to assess patients by the same rater and by two independent raters using the weighted kappa coefficient. Spearman correlation was used to assess the correlation between the WaLS and FIM-walk item scores and the WaLS and FAC scores (i.e., concurrent validity).

Results：The retest and inter-rater reliability of the WaLS (weighted kappa coefficient) was 0.989 (p＜0.01) and 0.951 (p＜0.01), respectively. The WaLS scores were also significantly correlated with the FIM-walk item (p＝0.916, p＜0.01) and FAC scores (p＝0.919, p＜0.01)．

Conclusion：The WaLS was found to demonstrate good reliability and concurrent validity in patients hospitalized in CRW.

Objective：Studies on upper extremity functional interventions for patients with spinal cord infarction are limited, and the effectiveness of the interventions for upper limb paresis in such patients have not been elucidated. This case report describes evidence-based spinal cord injury interventions that improved upper extremity function in a patient with spinal cord infarction.

Methods：A man in his 60s presented with mild right hemiplegia because of right anterior spinal artery infarction in the C5 medullary segment. Upon admission, the patient had an American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale of D, lacked cognitive impairment, and demonstrated independence indoors with ambulation. The intervention included a combination of robotic therapy and electrical stimulation, adherence-enhancing behavioral strategies (Transfer Package), and typical occupational therapy. We recorded the following upper extremity functional scores：①Active Range of Motion of the shoulder, ②Passive Range of Motion of the shoulder, ③Manual Muscle Test, ④Grip strength, ⑤Pinch strength, ⑥Action Research Arm Test, ⑦Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function, and ⑧Motor Activity Log.

Results：After intervention therapy for 39 days, upper extremity function and the degree and quality of arm use in daily activities improved.

Conclusion：These results suggest that evidence-based interventions for spinal cord injury could improve upper extremity function and the degree and quality of arm use in daily activities in patients with cervical spinal cord infarcti.

Osmotic demyelination syndrome is a pathological condition that leads to electrolyte imbalances and rapid correction, resulting in pseudobulbar palsy, quadriplegia, and altered consciousness. Approximately 33-55％ of affected patients experience residual functional impairment. Herein, we describe a case of a patient with osmotic demyelination syndrome who developed locked-in syndrome during the disease course, underwent rehabilitation treatment, and achieved complete remission without sequelae.

The patient was a 47-year-old man who was admitted to hospital A owing to weakness in the lower extremities and dysarthria. He had severe hyponatremia and received sodium correction. However, on hospital day 9, dysarthria redeveloped and involuntary finger movements were noted. Osmotic demyelination syndrome was suspected based on the findings of magnetic resonance imaging of the head and clinical course, leading to his transfer to hospital B. Steroid pulse and rehabilitation therapies were initiated at hospital B. By the 19th day of symptom onset, his limb and facial muscle paralysis progressed, leading to locked-in syndrome. Thereafter, the patient was transferred to hospital C, where he received physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and eating training, markedly improving his physical functions. He was discharged from hospital C, 4 months after the symptom onset, with limited range of motion of the fingers and weakness of the extremities and continued to receive outpatient rehabilitation treatment. His symptoms improved further, and 1 year after the onset of symptoms, he returned to work without any sequelae.

A 31-year-old woman infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) at 33-weeks pregnant was subject to cesarean delivery due to a worsening respiratory condition. On the fourth day of illness, the patient was placed on a ventilator, with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment initiated on the ninth day. Passive range of motion (ROM) training started on the day 33 of illness. She was weaned off ECMO on day 55 of illness and taken off of the ventilator on day 8. The tracheostomy tube was replaced with a speech cannula on day 87 of illness, at which time the patient began to complain of pain during passive ROM training. Plain X-ray photography and computed tomography (CT) showed ossification around the bilateral shoulder and hip joints, as well as on medial thighs, accompanied by an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) value of 942 U/L. She was subsequently diagnosed with heterotopic ossification, after which passive ROM training was changed to protective ROM training, in addition to treatment with indomethacin farnesyl and etidronate disodium. The patient was transferred to our hospital on day 122 of illness for the purpose of continuing rehabilitation. On day 155 of illness, ossification decreased on the medial thighs, according to CT. She was able to walk independently indoors and was discharged home on day 181 of illness. This case demonstrates the importance of checking the ALP levels and palpating the periarticular area in patients infected with SARS‑CoV‑2 before initiating passive ROM training, as well as being aware of any pain experienced during training. In the case of any abnormalities, assessing the ossification around the joints of extremities by imaging examination is a priority.

Congenital myotonic dystrophy is the most severe form of inherited myotonic dystrophy, presenting with generalized muscle weakness, breathing problems, and feeding difficulties. We report a patient with congenital myotonic dystrophy who began rehabilitation early in the neonatal intensive care unit. The mother had myotonic dystrophy and experienced no complications during pregnancy. The patient was born at a gestational age of 38 weeks and 1 day, weighing 2712 g, with an Apgar score of 1/4, and was diagnosed with congenital myotonic dystrophy. Marked generalized hypotonia and respiratory compromise were observed from birth, and the patient was orally intubated and managed with a ventilator. Rehabilitation to promote sensory-motor development was started 13 days after birth. Initially, generalized muscle hypotonia and prominent limitation of joint range of motion were observed. Therefore, joint range of motion exercises, positioning, and rehabilitation of the sensory-motor system were conducted first, while monitoring circulatory and respiratory status. After weaning from the ventilator, feeding evaluation was started on the 123rd day of life. In collaboration with physicians and nurses, feeding volume was increased stepwise to safely introduce oral feeding. The infant gradually became capable of oral intake and was discharged from the hospital on the 160th day of life. In this report, we demonstrated that rehabilitation intervention for infants with congenital myotonic dystrophy from the time of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit contributed to improved motor development, initiation of oral feeding, and smooth discharge.

Introduction：Intracranial hemorrhage after severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with increased mortality and unfavorable patient outcomes.

Case：A man in his 60s with independent activities of daily living (ADL) was diagnosed with COVID-19, and placed on a ventilator on Day (D)-3 and VV-ECMO on D-5. On D-23, an emergency craniotomy was performed for a left acute subdural hematoma. The patient was weaned from VV-ECMO on D-27. On D-33, sitting was initiated. On D-36, the patient was weaned from the ventilator and began exercise therapy. The Glasgow coma score (GCS) was E2V1TM4. Basic movement as assessed by the Functional Status Score for ICU (FSS-ICU) and Barthel Index (BI), was 3 and 0 points, respectively. On D-40, wheelchair use commenced. He began standing with a long leg orthosis on D-50, and began walking on D-53.

On D-67, the patient transferred to a convalescent hospital. His GCS was E4V4M6. Generalized cognitive decline and motor paralysis were noted. The right upper limb, hand, and lower limb were assessed as Brunnstrom recovery stage IV, V, and V, respectively. The patient's grip strength was 11.9 kg [right] and 18.3 kg [left]. His knee extensor strength was 0.13 kgf/kg [right] and 0.19 kgf/kg [left]. The FSS-ICU, walking speed, and BI were 21 points, 0.17 m/sec, and 40 points, respectively. The patient was discharged on D-240.

Discussion：The Early Mobilization and Rehabilitation Expert Consensus reports that early mobilization and active exercise can improve ADL at discharge. Our patient was weaned from VV-ECMO as soon as possible and practiced standing and walking with a long leg orthosis, resulting in a better outcome.

Anti-signal recognition particle myositis (ASRPM) is a steroid-resistant disease that develops in approximately 5-8％ of patients with dermatomyositis, polymyositis, or other types of myositis. It restricts the patient's activities of daily life (ADLs), mainly owing to muscle weakness of the trunk and proximal lower extremities. We report a case of ASRPM treated at a Kaifukuki rehabilitation ward (KRW；a type of inpatient rehabilitation ward in Japan). A female ASRPM patient in her eighties underwent treatment at the KRW twice, with an interval of 18 months between treatments. During each hospital stay, concentrative and graded exercise therapy was performed under continuous administration of steroid and tacrolimus hydrate. The severity of ASRPM was evaluated using periodic measurement of creatinine kinase (CK) levels. After each KRW treatment, the patient gained the ability to walk and perform instrumental ADLs to live alone. The details of exercise therapy for ASRPM and the management of ASRPM and steroid-induced osteoporosis and its complications (for e.g., lumbar compression fracture) are also discussed.

Objective：An inertial sensor-based motion capture system for rehabilitation therapy is feasible due to its simple measurement methods. However, a standard value must be used to evaluate or diagnose pathological gait kinematically. This study aimed to set a standard value by determining the averaged spatial-temporal parameter (STP) and range of motion (ROM) during gait in healthy participants.

Methods：This study included 177 healthy individuals, who were grouped into six groups according to gender (male and female) and age (young, middle, and old). All participants walked under two speed conditions (NORMAL or FAST) and the gait was captured with an inertial sensor-based motion capture system. Eight types of STP and fourteen types of ROM were calculated.

Results：Of the 132 variables (22 variables × 2 sexes × 3 ages), 123 variables for NORMAL and 112 variables for FAST followed the normal distribution. A main effect of age on walking velocity for FAST was noted but not for NORMAL. The middle and old ages depended on an increased cadence for maintaining walking velocity. Ankle and hip ROMs in the old were smaller than that in the young, and these differences were demonstrated more so during the FAST condition. There were gender differences in hip ROMs (men had greater internal-external rotation and women had greater flexion-extension).

Conclusion：The standard value can be determined from variables in gait assessment, for young to elderly, and gender-specific.

We report a case of intractable complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). The pain improved with regional anesthesia and physical therapy.

A 24-year-old man with hemophilia A, developed throbbing pain from his left foot to the ankle, with no identifiable cause. No organic abnormalities were observed. He diagnosed with CRPS at the pain clinic and admitted to the hospital 10 months after symptom onset for physical therapy with regional anesthesia under clotting factor replacement therapy. Spinal anesthesia was administered on the first and second day of hospitalization, and plantar load stimulation and ankle stretching were performed in the operating room. Subsequently, sciatic nerve blocks and continuous epidural blocks were given, and plantar contact training, ankle joint ROM training, and parallel bar walking training were conducted with cognitive behavioral therapy. Sciatic nerve blocks were continued after discharge. Ninety-five days after onset, the patient was re-admitted for physical therapy, and ROM exercises, partial weight bearing, and gait training together with sciatic nerve blocks and cognitive-behavioral therapy. On discharge following re-admission, the pain improved. The patient walked using one crutch. One year later, the pain further improved, and the patient walked independently.

The combination of regional anesthesia, physical therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy created a virtuous cycle of pain relief, improved physical functions, and prevented withdrawal from catastrophizing, ultimately leading to overall improvement.

Purpose：This study aimed to clarify the conditions necessary for patients with a proximal femoral fracture in the convalescent ward to return home using a decision tree analysis. This study included 181 patients who were discharged from the convalescent ward between January 2018 and June 2022.

Methods：Patients divided into two groups：home vs. facility according to the outcome. Basic characteristics, FIM at admission, and MMSE at admission were compared using the unpaired t-test, χ² test, and Mann-Whitney U test, and a decision tree analysis was performed.

Results：The decision tree analysis based on functional independence measures (FIM) on admission and toileting activities, etc. found that discharge was difficult (return home rate：9.7％-28.6％) when the problem-solving aspect of the FIM on admission was less than 4 points.

Conclusion：When discharging patients with a proximal femoral fracture from the hospital, it is important to consider a combination of problem-solving in the admission FIM and toileting activities.