This study showed the correlation between peak cough flows (PCF) and vital capacity (VC), maximal insufflation capacity (MIC), maximum inspiratory pressure (PImax) and expiratory pressure (PEmax) and degree of back deformity in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Fifty-two DMD patients without tracheostomy participated in this study. Of 52 cases, 23 used noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV).
The unassisted PCF correlated significantly with %VC. PCF were increased significantly by applying a chest thrust after the patient was maximally insufflated to the MIC. The assisted PCF correlated best with MIC.
Pulmonary function correlated with the extent of spinal deformity. Patients with only mild scoliosis, lordosis, or kyphosis showed the best unassisted/assisted PCF.
Unassisted PCF correlated with both PImax and PEmax. Correlation coefficient of assisted PCF with PImax and with PEmax were r = 0.5083 and r = 0.2474, respectively. Assisted PCF was not affected with PEmax.

View full abstract

We developed a new mechanical cell stimulation method in which magnetic microparticles were introduced into the cytoplasm of cultured myoblasts and the cells were stretched by a magnetic field. In this study, we examined the differentiation of myoblasts from the viewpoint of their morphology, including distribution of action filaments. After exposure to the magnetic field, the cells containing magnetic microparticles became larger and were elongated along the axis of the magnetic pole. Stress fibers were formed in parallel to the direction of stretch. Since the stress fibers were formed in accordance with the direction of the applied tension, the mechanical stretch should be considered as a stimulation necessary for stress fiber formation. Myotubes were seen more frequently (p<0.001) in this group of myoblasts than in the other three groups (cells alone with no exposure to magnetic field, cells containing magnetic microparticles but no exposure to magnetic field, cells alone with exposure to magnetic field). These statistically significant differences were found on a day-by-day basis by analysis of variance. The precisely quantitative and stable stimulus induced by a magnetic field developed in the present study offers a new approach to elucidate the entire process of myoblast differentiation into myotubes.

View full abstract

We studied effects of the chest physiotherapy in patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities syndrome using the esophageal and gastric pressure balloon catheter method. Six males and two females with severe motor and intellectual disabilities syndrome (17.9 ± 6.94 years) were examined. The esophageal and gastric pressure, the transcutaneous Po₂, Pco₂, and O₂ saturation, and the heart rate were continuously monitored, and then the forced expiratory technique was carried out for 2～4 minutes. After 5 minutes, the resting expiration level of esophageal pressure, the transdiaphragmatic pressure, and the transcutaneous Pco₂ were significantly decreased, and the transcutaneous Po₂ was significantly increased. The condition was considered effective due to less contraction of respiratory muscles with the forced expiratory technique. This result suggests that the forced expiratory technique may be useful for the relaxation of muscle tonus in chest wall following expansion of thorax.

View full abstract

This study investigates the effects of differences in water level when walking on underwater treadmills on the cardiorespiratory responses of 14 healthy elderly female subjects (mean age: 62.9 years old), by comparing this with walking on conventional treadmills.
The study was conducted by randomly having the same subjects engage in walking exercise on underwater treadmills at 2.5 km/h for 10 minutes each with the water (temperature 33℃) level set at both umbilicus height (umbilicus group), and processus xiphoideus height (xiphoideus group), and on coventional treadmills (conventional group).
The results showed that all three groups had a heart rate of 60% of the maximum heart rate, and the rate of perceived exersion of 11 points, with no significant difference between the three groups. Oxygen uptake in the xiphoideus group was significantly lower than that of the conventional or the umbilicus group (p<0.05).
In comparing blood pressure prior to and following the experiment, it was found that the xiphoideus group was significantly higher in the contraction stage (p<0.05).
It was found that because underwater treadmill walking by elderly people with the water level set at xiphoideus height had the effect of increasing energy efficiency, exercise intensity was light. Additionally, it is thought that it is desirable for exercise intensity settings to be decided according to oxygen uptake rather than heart rate.

View full abstract

Seventy seven students of physical therapy department (second year 36, first year 41) were surveyed with an original questionnaire to investigate about the motives among students specializing physical therapy. It was found that they had a tendency to be oriented for practicality, reward and fulfilment. The subjects were divided into four groups after cluster analysis and were compared with their academic achievements. They were tested with one-way variance analysis (ANOVA) and multiple comparison tests.
Among the four groups, those which had significantly higher academic achievements generally showed higher motive forms and indicated intrinsic motive forms rather than extrinsic (penalty) ones.
Consequently it was suggested that intrinsic motives played an important role not only in “lifelong learning” but also in academic achievements.

View full abstract

[in Japanese]

View full abstract

Two cases of cervical cord injury treated by Chest Physical Therapy in whom acute pulmonary insufficiency developed as a result of atelectasis and pneumonia were reported. Both cases were mechanically ventilated.
We sustained the physical approaches using breathing assistance techniques for 1 to 2 months in order to improve their condition. The therapy was found to be effective in improving both respiratory sounds and chest radiographs.
We also succeeded using video-fiberoptic bronchoscopy in observing moving sputa within the bronchial tree in response to the physical therapy. The observation revealed that the sputa moved in the proximal direction in accordance with expiration, while they returned back to the distal direction in the inspiratory phase.
After completing the breathing assistance technique, expectoration of copious phlegm was observed.
These observations indicate that the sputum movement in the bronchial tree depends not only on the effects of gravity as is customarily believed, but also on the improvement of ventilation.
It is concluded that the breathing assistance technique we used is useful and applicable to patients with ventilatory failure.

View full abstract