Objective: The Purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of repetitive facilitation exercise of trunk (RFE-T) on the function of trunk and gait in post-stroke patients. Methods: An assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial was carried out at 2 inpatient stroke rehabilitation centers. Twenty-one patients (age = 63.7±12.1 years: mean ± standard deviation) were assigned to a control group (CG; n = 10) or an exercise group (EG; n = 11). The EG underwent RFE-T in which a physical therapist provided the trunk rotation and lateral flexion (100 repetitions each of 2 types of facilitation exercise per day). All of the subjects participated in a conventional stroke-rehabilitation program 5 times a week for 8 weeks. Baseline and post-intervention measurements included the trunk rotation muscle strength, the Functional Assessment for Control of Trunk (FACT) score, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score, the 10-m walk test, and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score. Results: The EG demonstrated a significant improvement in all measurements, whereas the CG demonstrated a significant improvement in four of the five measurements excluding the trunk rotation muscle strength. The increases in the trunk rotation-muscle strength and the 10-m walk test were greater in the EG than these in the CG (p<0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that RFE-T will promote recovery of trunk function and improve gait ability in post-stroke patients.

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Purpose: Hyperkyphosis in the elderly is associated with several adverse health outcomes such as diminished physical function and falls. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationships of spinal curvature with physical function and the history of falls in elderly Japanese women. Methods: The subjects were 42 elderly women aged 65 to 95 years (mean age 78.0 years). To estimate spinal curvature, we measured the spinal inclination angle, thoracic kyphosis angle, lumbar lordosis angle, and sacral inclination angle. Data were collected based on 5-m walking time, timed up and go test (TUG), one-foot standing time, modified gait abnormality rating scale (GARS-M), Japanese physical performance test, motor fitness scale, fall efficacy scale (FES), and the history of falls in the previous year. Results: The spinal inclination and lumbar lordosis angle significantly correlated with physical functions. The spinal inclination angle significantly correlated with 5-m walking time, TUG, GARS-M, and FES, the lumbar lordosis angle correlated with TUG, GARS-M, and FES, with adjustment for age, height, weight, and spinal disorders. The thoracic kyphosis angle affected the existence of the fall history. Conclusion: The spinal inclination and lumbar lordosis angle were significantly related to gait function and the fear of falling. On the other hand, the thoracic kyphosis angle correlated with the history of falls.

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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate physical activity (PA) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Methods: The study population comprised 30 PD outpatients. Their PA was evaluated using an accelerometer and is expressed as the number of steps taken per day, average PA time in min/day, and activity-related energy expenditure (EE) in kcal/day. The intensity of PA was classified according to three PA levels: Light (< 3 METs), Moderate (3-6 METs), and Vigorous (> 6 METs), and PA times at these three PA levels were compared. Patients were further divided into four groups according to number of steps taken per day as < 5,000 (group A), 5,000-7,499 (group B), 7,500-9,999 (group C), and ≧ 10,000 (group D), and the number of patients were compared among the four groups. Results: The mean values of PA included number of steps: 4,864.3 ± 3,365.7 steps/day; PA time: 53.6 ± 34.4 min/day; and activity-related EE: 135.6 ± 122.2 kcal/day. PA time according to PA level was Light: 37.0 min/day; Moderate: 10.6 min/day; Vigorous: 1.8 min/day. The number of patients in group A (n=18) was significantly higher than that of groups B (n=7), C (n=3), and D (n=2) (p<0.01). Conclusions: Most PD patients were classified as performing low PA (number of steps per day < 5,000) at a Light PA level (< 3 METs).

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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between physical activity and gait during pregnancy. Methods: Physical activity measurement and gait analysis were performed on 7 women during the first trimester (Phase 1) and second trimester (Phase 2) of pregnancy. Physical activity was measured by the mean number of steps per day with a recording machine for 4 weeks. From the three-dimensional acceleration data obtained by a hybrid compact sensor, the time of gait cycle (stride time, step time, stance time, swing time) and the coefficient of variation (CV) with respect to each time were calculated as the gait index. The index was compared with each phase using a paired t test, and to examine the relationship between the index and physical activity, correlation analysis were performed. Results: From Phase 1 to Phase 2, the stride time, step time, and stance time increased (p<0.05). In Phase 2, strong negative correlations were found between physical activity and gait time, as well as between physical activity and the CV gait cycle. (r=-0.77 to -0.87). Although the index varied between the phases, the higher the physical activity, the smaller were the changes seen in gait. Conclusion: Based on these results, physical activity during pregnancy is suggested to have a positive effect on gait.

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