[Purpose] In this study, we investigated factors that contribute to improvement in impaired consciousness following cerebral infarction. [Participants and Methods] This prospective observational study included 186 patients with cerebral infarction. We investigated 21 variables including the rehabilitation status to determine factors that contribute to improvement in impaired consciousness. [Results] Improvement in impaired consciousness was correlated with age, delirium, the Japan Coma Scale score at initiation of rehabilitation, worsening, cerebral edema, and standing practice. [Conclusion] We conclude that the aforementioned factors may serve as predictors of possible improvement and that standing practice may contribute to improvement in impaired consciousness.

[Purpose] In this study, we investigated the association between the phase angle and the muscle-tendon complex in Japanese athletes and the effects of aging on this association. [Participants and Methods] The study included 61 adult male high school soccer players. Body composition was evaluated using an analyzer, and grip strength and rebound jump index were measured to evaluate muscle-tendon complex function. Study participants were categorized into two groups, and statistical analyses were performed for intergroup comparison of outcomes and to determine the correlation between the phase angle and muscle-tendon complex function. [Results] We observed significant intergroup differences in the phase angle, total body muscle mass, grip strength, and rebound jump index. Additionally, we observed a significant positive correlation between the phase angle and grip strength in adult soccer players. [Conclusion] Our results showed a correlation between the phase angle and muscle-tendon complex function in mature adult athletes but not in high school athletes. These findings suggest that the phase angle may serve as an indicator of muscle quality and overall physical condition in adult athletes. Further research is warranted to investigate the association between the phase angle and other performance measures to gain a better understanding of soccer players’ athletic abilities.

[Purpose] In this study, we investigated changes in activities of daily living and social participation over 1 year in elderly patients with stroke, who underwent home-based rehabilitation. [Participants and Methods] This 1 year, multicenter cohort study included patients aged ≥65 years with diagnosis of the first onset of stroke within 1 year. Variables recorded included the functional independence measure and performance qualifiers for “d6 domestic life” and “d9 community, social, and civic life” (social life) based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework. [Results] Of the 44 partients recruited at baseline, 19 completed the study over 1 year. We observed significant improvements in the functional independence measure-motor, functional independence measure-cognitive, and functional independence measure-total and in the performance qualifiers (“domestic life” and “social life”) of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health tool. We also observed that the functional independence measure-total scores improved over 3 months and “domestic life” and “social life” scores gradually improved over 1 year. [Conclusion] Our results showed that activities of daily living improved earlier than other variables, including social participation, which gradually improved over 1 year and that home-based rehabilitation may effectively improve activities of daily living and social participation.

[Purpose] The deterioration in the psychological states of healthcare workers may impact the quality and quantity of medical care provided to patients, leading to unfavorable treatment outcomes. Thus, we aimed to investigate the relationship between reasons for employment and the mental health status of rehabilitation technology professionals in Japan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a questionnaire to gather relevant data. [Participants and Methods] Data from 112 rehabilitation technology professionals, including physical and occupational therapists as well as speech-language pathologists, were analyzed. Questionnaires were utilized to collect data on participant characteristics, reasons for employment, virtual competence, self-esteem, burnout levels, self-compassion responses, subjective health assessments, and feelings of isolation. [Results] Multiple regression analysis indicated that the regression coefficients of the Lubben Social Network Scale-6, the World Health Organization-five well-being index, the virtual ability scale, the self-esteem scale, and the reasons for employment scale scores were −0.168, −0.191, −0.273, −0.197, and −0.329, respectively. Additionally, structural equation modeling was used to verify the goodness-of-fit indices. The burnout scale scores exhibited a satisfactory fit with the Lubben Social Network Scale-6, the World Health Organization-five well-being index, the virtual ability scale, the self-esteem scale, and the reasons for employment, as indicated by all goodness-of-fit indices. [Conclusion] This study revealed a significant association between the reason for employment and burnout tendency, which was found to be the strongest. Therefore, it is important to know the reason for employment to ascertain burnout tendencies. Conversely, as associations were also found for several adjustment variables, it is necessary to consider not only the reasons for employment but also other factors when assessing burnout tendencies.

[Purpose] We compared differences in the association between respiratory muscle strength and static and dynamic balance in sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups, for fall risk assessment. [Participants and Methods] The study included 37 participants aged ≥65 years, who were certified to receive long-term care. Inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength, hand grip strength, Timed Up and Go Test scores, and one-leg standing task scores were recorded. Pearson’s correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis were used for data analysis. [Results] Only the expiratory muscle and hand grip strength were correlated in the sarcopenia group. Expiratory and inspiratory muscle strength was correlated with both one-leg standing task scores and hand grip strength, and inspiratory muscle strength was correlated with the Timed Up and Go Test scores in the non-sarcopenia group. Multiple regression analysis revealed that expiratory muscle strength was an explanatory variable for the one-leg standing task and inspiratory muscle strength for the Timed Up and Go Test in the non-sarcopenia group. [Conclusion] Combined evaluation of expiratory muscle strength and the Timed Up and Go Test scores may be useful to assess the fall risk.

[Purpose] To verify the effects of the differences in the post-learning period on the accuracy and self-efficacy of measuring the range of passive flexion of the knee and elbow of students. [Participants and Methods] Thirty-six physical therapy students were classified into three groups (short-term, medium-term, and long-term) based on the interval since learning to measure the range of motion. Participants were asked to self-evaluate their efficacy in appropriately measuring the range of motion for knee and elbow flexion using a 10-point Likert scale. Subsequently, the flexion range of the left knee and elbow was measured using a universal goniometer and compared to the measurements obtained using an electronic accelerometer. [Results] Absolute errors in measuring knee flexion were significantly smaller in the medium- and long-term groups than in the short-term group. No other significant main effects or correlations were observed. [Conclusion] Although the accuracy of measuring the range of motion by students improved while they were in school, it did not improve sufficiently based on the joint being assessed. Furthermore, the post-learning period did not affect a student’s self-efficacy for measuring the range of motion and did not reflect its accuracy.