We examine the effects of exercise using the robotic knee orthosis (RKO) for patients in the recovery phase of stroke in a randomized controlled trial design. There were 28 subjects and they were divided into two groups: the group using the RKO (RKO group) and the group not using it (conventional group). The intervention term was 10 days. Participants were evaluated three times at pre-intervention, post-intervention and one month post intervention. The evaluations measured gait speed, cadence, stride length, left-right symmetry of the step length, percentage of one-leg support period of paresis side and non-paresis side during the walking cycle, left-right symmetry of one-leg support periods, BBS and FIM. Baseline comparison, within-group comparison, and between-groups comparison were performed in the analysis. The percentage of one-leg support period of the paresis side and the left-right symmetry were significantly increased in the RKO group at post-intervention. And The percentage of one-leg support period of the paresis side were also increased at one month post intervention. It was suggested that an increasing exercise amount in the RKO group had an effect on the outcome.

We uncovered the characteristics of the soft tissues of the residual limbs in persons with transfemoral amputation using MRI analysis. Fifteen transfemoral amputees (11 unilateral amputees and 4 bilateral amputees, each with a stump length of more than 20 cm) took part in the investigation. The cross-sectional areas of muscles under the ischial tuberosity level were calculated in both of the amputated side and the intact side, and were compared. The result showed that the stumps were atrophied in all unilateral amputees, and the average of the ratio was 80.0±6.0%. The atrophy ratio of the muscles correlated to the age of the amputees and the periods from the amputation. While the gluteus maximus and the quadriceps femoris were remarkably atrophied, the atrophy of the adductor muscles was small. It is noted that the adductor longus of the stump did not atrophy after the amputation. In addition, bilateral transfemoral amputees who do not use prostheses showed a bigger atrophy of the gluteus maximus in comparison to the unilateral amputees who walk with prostheses. However, as for the atrophy of the adductor muscles, there was no difference. These results might be utilized in prosthetic training and designing of the socket.

This study aimed to investigate the methods used for donning ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) in hemiparetic stroke patients and ascertain the effect of AFO type, physical function and balance on these AFO-wearing methods. The study subjects were 26 hemiparetic stroke patients (18 men, 8 women ; mean age : 59.3±12.0 years) who could independently attach and remove AFOs. AFO-donning methods were broadly classified into three types : standing method (donning an orthosis while standing on the floor) and crossed-leg method (donning an orthosis with the legs crossed), and others. There was a significant difference in the type of orthosis between the standing method and cross-leg method. Sensation and trunk flexion function were significantly better when the orthosis was attached by the standing method. Knee-extension muscle strength and seated balance were significantly better when the orthosis was put on by the crossed-leg method. Our results suggest that the differences in the AFO type, physical function and balance may affect the AFO-donning method used by hemiparetic stroke patients.

We investigated arthralgia and the use of orthoses by middle-aged hemophilia patients. The survey subjects were 27 patients who participated in the rehabilitation meeting of a patient advocacy group. Twenty-one of the subjects were diagnosed with hemophilic arthropathy at either joint. The joint which felt the most pain was the ankle joint, the second was the elbow joint, and the third was the knee joint. There were few hemophilia patients feeling pain in the wrist joint. Four patients were using the orthoses in a situation without joint pain. Nine patients used the orthoses in a situation with joint pain. The interruption of the use of the orthoses occurred mostly with elbow orthoses and ankle orthoses. From now on, we will need to investigate the reasons for discontinuation of the use of orthoses and investigate the design of orthoses that can be used continuously.