Objective: To assess factors associated with changes in blood pressure during early mobilization protocol for patients with acute ischemic stroke who were treated with mechanical thrombectomy. Design: Retrospective observational study. Method: We analyzed patients with acute ischemic stroke who were treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT group, n=60) and patients who received conservative medical management (control group, n=60) matched by age and National Institute Health of Stroke Score at admission from April 2009 to July 2014. The proportion of patients with prominent blood pressure change during an early mobilization protocol was compared between the MT group and control group. Factors associated with prominent blood pressure change were also analyzed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Result: The deviation in blood pressure response was much more significant in the MT than control group (13.3 vs. 1.7%, p<0.016). Logistic regression analysis showed the interval from admission to being able to sit in a wheelchair associated with prominent changes in blood pressure (odds ratio, 1.604; 95% confidence interval, 1.196-2.150; p<0.002). Conclusion: Our results showed that prominent changes in blood pressure during an early mobilization protocol can occur easily in patients with acute ischemic stroke after mechanical thrombectomy.

Purpose: To elucidate the relation between certain preoperative physical parameters and walking with a limp after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and determine whether it is possible to predict the walking ability of patients 6 months after THA. Methods: The subjects of this study comprised 74 female patients who had undergone unilateral THA. Before surgery, the hip abductor and knee extensor strengths were measured, the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the gluteus medius and rectus abdominis muscles were measured, and the Timed Up and Go test was conducted. The patients were then divided into two groups according to gait observation results 6 months postoperatively: walking without a limp (n=37) and walking with a limp (n=37). Results: The discriminating criteria between the two groups were age (61 years), CSA of the gluteus medius muscle (2000 mm²), and CSA of the rectus abdominis muscle (340 mm²). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, the gluteus medius muscle was the only significant predictor of limping after THA (β=1.64, R2=0.19, p<0.01). Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that preoperative atrophy of the gluteus medius is an useful indicator for predicting walking with a limp 6 months postoperatively.

[Purpose] This study aimed to elucidate the actual state of powered wheelchair (PWC) prescription for preschool children with disabilities in Japan, and also to determine the approximate number of preschool children with disabilities who would potentially benefit from PWC use. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 318 facilities providing rehabilitation for disabled children in Japan were enrolled in the study. A questionnaire about PWC use for preschoolers was mailed to the facilities. Each study items were analyzed employing the Fisher's exact test. [Results] Of the 318 facilities, consent to participate in this study was obtained from 108 (return rate: 34.0%). After PWC provision, many facilities reported improvement in quality of life indices for preschool children with disabilities. It was revealed that there were 6 preschool children from 2 to 6 years of age with disabilities who might acquire a means of independent locomotion through PWC provision and thereby experience improved quality of life. [Conclusion] There was no negative comment from the facilities studied about the prescription and provision of PWC for preschool children with disabilities.

Background: It is important to acquire fundamental movement skills during childhood. Throwing is a representative manipulative skill required for various intrinsic factors. However, the relationship between intrinsic factors and throwing ability in childhood is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate intrinsic factors related to the ball throwing distance of Japanese elementary school children. Methods: Japanese elementary school children from grades 1-6 (aged 6-12 years; n=112) participated in this study. The main outcome was throwing ability, which was measured as the ball throwing distance. We measured five general anthropometric parameters, seven physical fitness parameters, and the Roberton's developmental sequence for all subjects. The relationships between the throwing ability and the 13 parameters were analysed. Results: The Roberton's developmental sequence was the best predictor of ball throwing distance (r=0.80, p≤0.01). The best multiple regression model, which included sex, handgrip strength, shuttle run test, and the Roberton's developmental sequence, accounted for 81% of the total variance. Conclusions: The development of correct throwing technique reflects throwing abilities in childhood. In addition to the throwing sequence, enhancement of grip strength and aerobic capacity are also required for children's throwing ability.

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify which cognitive and physical factors are associated with the need for toileting assistance in stroke patients and to calculate cut-off values for discriminating between independent supervision and dependent toileting ability. Method: This cross-sectional study included 163 first-stroke patients in nine convalescent rehabilitation wards. Based on their FIM^® instrument score for toileting, the patients were divided into an independent-supervision group and a dependent group. Multiple logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic analysis were performed to identify factors related to toileting performance. The Minimental State Examination (MMSE); the Stroke Impairment Assessment Set (SIAS) score for the affected lower limb, speech, and visuospatial functions; and the Functional Assessment for Control of Trunk (FACT) were analyzed as independent variables. Result: The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the FIM^® instrument score for toileting was associated with the SIAS score for the affected lower limb function, MMSE, and FACT. On receiver operating characteristic analysis, the SIAS score for the affected lower limb function cut-off value was 8/7 points, the MMSE cut-off value was 25/24 points, and the FACT cut-off value was 14/13 points. Conclusion: Affected lower limb function, cognitive function, and trunk function were related with the need for toileting assistance. These cut-off values may be useful for judging whether toileting assistance is needed in stroke patients.

Objective: This study investigated the effectiveness of a specific exercise approach (SEA) or modifiable heel lift (MHL) to improve functional leg length discrepancy (LLD) after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods: The study was a randomized controlled trial with a PROBE (prospective, randomized, open, blinded-endpoint) design trial. Patients (n=33) with both functional and perceived LLDs, 1 week after THA, were randomized to the SEA, MHL, or control groups. Patients in the SEA group performed 2 weeks of exercises to improve hip contracture and lumbar scoliosis. Patients in the MHL group used an insole-type heel lift to correct functional LLD. The control group received normal postoperative care, comprising standard rehabilitation after THA. The primary outcomes were functional LLD, measured by a block test, and patient-perceived LLD at 3 weeks after the surgery. Secondary outcomes included the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) at 3 weeks after the surgery. Results: The functional LLDs (mean ± SD) for the SEA (3.3 ± 3.1 mm) and MHL (2.2 ± 2.1 mm) groups were significantly smaller than for the control group (6.4 ± 4.0 mm). The degree of patient-perceived LLD differed significantly between the SEA and the control groups (p=.005). Conclusions: SEA and MHL use, during early post-operative recovery, can produce relevant changes in functional LLD after THA.

Background: Pelvic tilting is performed to improve lumbopelvic flexibility or retrain the motor control of local muscles. However, few studies investigated the activity of local muscles during pelvic tilting. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate muscle activity during anterior and posterior pelvic tilting. Method: Twelve healthy males (age, 22.6 ± 1.4 years) participated. Fine-wire electrodes were inserted into the bilateral lumbar multifidus (MF) and transversus abdominis (TrA). Surface electrodes were used to record activity of the bilateral rectus abdominis, external oblique, and erector spinae (ES), and the unilateral right latissimus dorsi, gluteus maximus, semitendinosus, and rectus femoris muscles. The electromyographic activities during anterior and posterior pelvic tilting in a standing position were recorded and expressed as a percentage of the maximum voluntary contraction (%MVC) for each muscle. Results: The activities of the bilateral MF (right: 23.9 ± 15.9 %MVC, left: 23.9 ± 15.1 %MVC) and right ES (19.0 ± 13.3 %MVC) were significantly greater than those of the other muscles during anterior pelvic tilting. The activity of the left TrA (14.8 ± 16.4 %MVC) was significantly greater than that of the other muscles during posterior pelvic tilting. Conclusions: The results suggested that the MF and ES are related to anterior pelvic tilting. The activity of the TrA, which was classified as a local muscle, was greater during posterior pelvic tilting. This study indicated that local muscles such as the MF and TrA may be related to pelvic tilting.

Background: The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) may help users to overcome some obstacles to evidence-based physiotherapy. Understanding the extent to which Japanese physiotherapists access research evidence via the PEDro website may suggest strategies to enhance evidence-based physiotherapy in Japan. Objectives: To quantify usage of PEDro in Japan, to compare this to usage in other countries, and to examine variations in PEDro usage within Japan. Design: An observational study of PEDro usage with geographic analysis. Methods: Data about visits to the home-page and searches of the database were recorded for 4 years. These data were analysed by each region of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, each country in the Asia Western Pacific region, and each prefecture in Japan. Results: From 2010 to 2013, users of PEDro made 2.27 million visits to the home-page and ran 6.28 million searches. Usage (ie, number of searches normalised by population) was highest in Europe, followed by North America Carribean, South America, Asia Western Pacific, and Africa. Within the Asia Western Pacific region, population-normalised usage was highest in Australia, then New Zealand and Singapore. Japan ranked 10 among the 26 countries in the region. Within Japan, the highest population-normalised usage was in the Nagano, Kumamoto and Aomori prefectures, which was ten-fold higher usage than in some other prefectures. Conclusions: Although Japan has higher PEDro usage than many other countries in the Asia Western Pacific region, some prefectures had very low usage, suggesting that evidence-based practice may not be being adopted uniformly across Japan.