Purpose: The 30-s chair-stand (CS-30) test is a useful methods to evaluate exercise capacity. The study aimed to investigate whether standing frequency during the CS-30 test could evaluate physical activities (PA) in patients with chronic respiratory diseases. Methods: The study population consisted of 33 patients with chronic respiratory diseases. During hospital stay, CS-30 test, knee extension strength assessment, and spirometry were performed. One week after discharge, PA was assessed again. The results were analyzed using correlation and multiple regression analyses. Result: Multiple regression analysis, showed that the modified medical research council (mMRC) scale (β=-0.55), and standing frequency during the CS-30 test (β=0.34) significantly(R=0.83, R^2=0.67, p<0.05) associated with PA, as derived using a moderately accurate multiple regression equation. However, knee extension strength and pulmonary function did not significantly associate with PA. Conclusion: Our results have indicated that the standing frequency during the CS-30 test is feasible to evaluate PA in patients with chronic respiratory diseases.

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Objective: Windswept Deformity (hereinafter WD) develops with the growth of patients and in many cases involves hip dislocation. This study aims to reveal influences of hip dislocation on the effect of physical exercise. Subjects and Method: The subjects were 17 patients with WD (7 men and 10 women, and class V of GMFCS, whose average age was 24.75 years). The patients performed lateral position exercise for half an hour and ROM exercise on the hip joint for five minutes in each direction once a week for half a year, before going through a three-month observation period. Before and after intervention, and after the observation period, Goldsmith Index (hereinafter GI) and ROM of the hip joint were measured to compare the effects of physical intervention. Results: 1. GI measurements GI measurements significantly decreased in both the hip joint dislocation and control groups after intervention. However, after the observation period, no significant changes were seen in the hip dislocation group. 2. ROM measurements ROM measurements significantly increased in windward extension and abduction in the hip dislocation group, and in windward abduction in the control group. After the observation period, no significant changes were seen in either group. Conclusion: Physical intervention can improve WD regardless of hip dislocation, and continuation of exercise is more important for patients with hip dislocation. The result also implies the importance of physical intervention as a preventive measure against hip dislocation.

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Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the immediate effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES) on kinematic and kinetic gait variables and oxygenation in medial sensorimotor cortices (mSMC). Methods: We performed gait analysis using Vicon motion capture system and brain oxygenation in mSMC using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in eight subjects with acute cerebral infarction. FES was performed during walking on the tibialis anterior muscles and gastrocnemius of the paretic limb during the swing and terminal stance phases, respectively. Results: Gait velocity, paretic hip flexion, knee extension, and ankle plantar flexion moments in the stance phase significantly increased when FES was performed during walking compared with those with walking before FES. Moreover, these improvements of gait quality were carried over after performing FES. Oxygenated hemoglobin levels in unaffected mSMC were significantly lower during walking with FES than that during walking without FES. Conclusion: FES can improve weight shifting to the paretic limb during the stance phase and improve propulsion as a roll-off function in the late stance. Furthermore, FES may inhibit cortical excitability in unaffected mSMC.

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Purpose: To investigate the association between very early initiation of rehabilitation (VEI) and a rehabilitation provision system for acute stroke patients by performing an analysis according to the day of admission. Methods: Data of stroke patients (n=2,307; 8 hospitals) from the Japan Rehabilitation Patients Database in Japan were examined. The patients were divided into the following five groups according to the day of admission: (1) weekday with no holidays (Monday to Thursday), (2) weekday with a holiday, (3) Friday, (4) Saturday and Sunday, and (5) holiday. We defined VEI as rehabilitation commencing within 3 days of stroke admission. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate VEI, involvement of rehabilitation specialists as an attending doctor, and the ratio of rehabilitation staff members to beds. Results: We found that VEI for acute stroke patients was significantly associated with involvement of a rehabilitation specialist and a high ratio of rehabilitation staff members to beds (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that when providing VEI for acute stroke patients, it may be effective to promote the involvement of a rehabilitation specialist as an attending doctor, and increase the number of rehabilitation staff members.

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