Aging-related changes in motor function have been studied using various indicators, but there is no report which clearly shows aging-related changes in agility. Using a new “Ten Step Test (TST)”, we were able to isolate and analyze agility. Agility is speed, reaction time and the ability to change motion when using the whole body. Eight hundred twenty-eight community-dwelling and independent adults (266 males, 562 females) were evaluated using our TST. The clinical test was analyzed applying intra-class correlation for confidence, and compared with floor-standing time for validity. We compared the results with different regression formulas. Through these methods of analysis, the TST displayed strong confidence (ICC = 0.96) and adequate validity (r = 0.86). We also found that aging-related changes are similar between men and women. Agility adapted more to a quadratic curve than a liner curve and a cubic curve, and it has a tendency to decline after age of 50. We expect that the TST will be used as a new clinical test for agility.

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This study examined the effect of varying upper body inclination on cerebral blood circulation in patients with acute cerebral infarction using non-invasive, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) of cerebral regional oxygen saturation. The patients' results were compared to those of normal, healthy controls. The patient group included 35 acute stroke patients (mean ± SD age, 72.2 ± 10.2 years) who were admitted to the neurological department of Yokkaichi Municipal Hospital. They were selected based on the following criteria: 1) a lesion in the middle cerebral artery region; 2) a Japan Coma Scale I consciousness level. Subjects in the patient group were classified into three subgroups: 1) lacunar infarction subgroup, 12 cases; 2) atherothrombotic brain infarction subgroup, 12 cases; and 3) cardiogenic brain infarction subgroup, 11 cases. The control group consisted of 10 healthy adult volunteers (age, 71.0 ± 4.7 years) who were not using any medications. With the NIRS sensor pasted on their forehead, the subjects were placed face up on the reclining bed quietly for more than 10 minutes. Then, the reclining bed was lifted up to a 30-degree angle, then a 60-degree angle, and then finally to the upright sitting position. The NIRS data were recorded 9 times in total: immediately after each position change, 3 minutes after each position change, and 5 minutes after each position change. Differences in the cerebral oxygen saturation values between the resting state and these 9 values were then calculated. One-way ANOVA and a multiple comparison test (Dunnett's method) were used to test the statistical significance of the mean difference between the control group and the three patient subgroups. The mean NIRS value was significantly lower in the atherothrombotic brain infarction patient subgroup than in the control group. These results suggest that patients with atherothrombotic brain infarction require more careful observation than patients with other types of stroke in the acute phase.

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The purpose of the present study was to investigate the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) changes, using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), in response to two-ball-rotation tasks. Effects of motor learning were also investigated after 6 days training tasks. Subjects were requested to rotate 2 balls with the fingers in an anticlockwise direction using the right hand. In the simple task a rubber ball and for the complex task, table-tennis and golf ball were used. The EMG results indicated no significant underactivity among the tasks; however the rCBF activity in primary sensorimotor cortex at a complex task was much higher than at a simple task (p<0.01). The effect of motor learning after 6 days training showed that with improvement of subjects' performance, the rCBF activity in sensory motor cortex decreased. These results demonstrated that EMG activity under the tasks showed similar activation pattern and the rate of rCBF was much higher in complex task than in simple task. In addition, NIRS is a useful system to investigate motor learning process, moreover can monitor the motor cortex oxygenation changes.

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We revised a progress standard of rehabilitation program after cardiac surgery and assessed the effect of the revised progress standard. The subjects in this study included 194 patients who had undergone cardiac surgery in 2005 and they were compared with 174 patients in 2000. In revised progress standard of cardiac rehabilitation program, the patients are asked to sit and/or stand up on the first day and to walk on the second day after cardiac surgery as long as they are hemodynamically stable. We set a short -term objective to be able to walk on a corridor in a cardiac ward independently within one week and we defined the patients as the program delay group if the patients needed more than ten days for independent walking. About forty four percentage of the patients was delayed in cardiac rehabilitation program in 2005, and this percentage decreased in comparison with that in 2000 (49.4%). Patients who showed normal recovery took 6.8 days in 2005 and 7.2 days in 2000 for independent walking; however, patients in program delay group needed 17.9 days in 2005 and 15.3 days in 2000 for independent walking. Our new progress standard of the cardiac rehabilitation program decreased the number of the patients who delayed cardiac rehabilitation program. However, the average days for independent walking in the program delay group postponed. These results suggested that the revised progress standard is effective in progress of cardiac rehabilitation and the polarization of cardiac patient develops in 2005 compared with in 2000.

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[in Japanese]

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[in Japanese]

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We have introduced a human dissection course for the first year PT-OT students, where the students perform the dissection themselves, in other words “with their own scalpels”, in 2004 supported by Ehime University. Prior to that, in 2003 we started human dissection training for faculty staffs at Ehime Juzen School of Allied Medical Professions. Based on questionnaires given to the students who participated in these courses, this study examined how students thought about and understand medical ethics related to the humanity, death and lives of the patients as well as of the students themselves. Analysis of the questionnaires lead to the conclusion that participation in human dissection gave students a considerable opportunity to think about medical ethics, which is necessary for those who work in hospitals and clinics. Further examination of the responses to the questionnaire suggested that the class work should utilize supplementary materials on human anatomy. In addition, many resources such as TV news, newspapers and recent movies, should be introduced into the small group- learning classes in order to help the students feel the realities related to ethical issues.

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