Purpose: This study aimed to analyze three-dimensional kinematics of the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints of the wrist during reverse dart throw motion.

Methods: We analyzed the kinematics of the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints of the wrists of 12 healthy volunteers using CT images. We measured the range and direction of motion for the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints. Paired t-tests were used to compare the results between the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints.

Results: The range of motion of the radiocarpal joint was significantly greater than that of the midcarpal joint. The motion of the radiocarpal joint in the flexion/extension plane was also significantly greater than that of the midcarpal joint. For the midcarpal joint, the motions of the lateral and central articulations were significantly greater in the radial/ulnar deviation plane compared to those of the radiocarpal joint.

Conclusion: The range of motion of the radiocarpal joint was greater than that of the midcarpal joint during reverse dart throw motion. The radiocarpal joint, especially, contributed to the motion in the flexion-extension plane. The midcarpal joint contributed to the motion in the radial/ulnar deviation plane.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on leg function and movement ability for muscle strength training of the quadriceps in postoperative patients with femoral proximal fractures.

Methods: Our study was a stratified, randomized controlled trial using a surgical approach in patients with proximal femoral fractures. Eighty-two patients were randomly divided into two groups: the NMES group or control (muscle strength training with no NMES) group. NMES was applied once a day from the next day following surgery. We measured knee extension muscle strength, the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores, and the number of days taken for gait and activities of daily living (ADL) to become independent.

Results: Knee extension muscle strength and JOA scores were significantly better in the NMES group. The number of days taken for gait and ADL to become independent were significantly lower in the NMES group. In addition, patients in the NMES group were able to obtain a higher gait ability at discharge than those in the control group.

Conclusion: Training of the quadriceps using NMES from the next day following surgery in postoperative patients with femoral proximal fractures contributed to early improvement in knee extension muscle strength, early acquisition of gait and ADL independence, and improved gait ability at discharge.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of postural kyphosis on voluntary cough strength.

Methods: Sixteen healthy males participated in this study. Cough peak flow, respiratory function, respiratory muscle strength, chest expansion, maximum phonation time, and respiratory impedance indices (respiratory system resistance at 5 Hz, R5; resonant frequency, Fres) were evaluated under four conditions: non-kyphosis, mild kyphosis, moderate kyphosis, and severe kyphosis. One-way analysis of variance and multiple comparison tests (using the Bonferroni method) were performed to compare the four conditions. Correlations between the change rate of each measured variable by the degree of kyphosis were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficients.

Results: Cough peak flow, vital capacity, chest expansion, and maximum phonation time were significantly decreased in moderate kyphosis and severe kyphosis compared with those in non-kyphosis. Respiratory muscle strength and Fres were significantly decreased in severe kyphosis compared with those in non-kyphosis. Moreover, there were significant positive correlations between cough peak flow and vital capacity, expiratory muscle strength, and chest expansion at the xiphoid process (r = 0.27, 0.33, 0.37, respectively, p <0.05).

Conclusions: Our data suggest that cough peak flow is reduced due to decreased lower chest expansion, respiratory muscle strength, and vital capacity at moderate or higher kyphosis.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of submaximal arm-cranking exercise with EMS on vascular endothelial function.

Methods: Ten healthy young men performed submaximal arm-cranking exercise at 50%VO_{2 max} for 20 min. All subjects performed submaximal arm-cranking exercise alone (A) and with EMS (A+E). In the A+E trial, the submaximal arm-cranking exercise was performed at 50%VO_{2 max} for 20 min while EMS was applied to their thigh and calf muscles during the exercise. The flow-mediated dilation (FMD) at the brachial artery was measured before and after exercise to calculate the normalized FMD (nFMD).

Results: In the A+E trial, the nFMD was significantly increased 30 minutes after exercise compared to the rest value and was increased 30 minutes after exercise compared to the A trial.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that arm-cranking exercise with EMS increases vascular endothelial function．

Purpose: This study aimed to examine responsiveness and Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) of Functional Assessment for Control of Trunk (FACT) in patients with acute stroke.

Methods: This study included 30 patients who were hospitalized with stroke. Trunk function was assessed on the 7th day of hospitalization and the final intervention date of physical therapy. For each test, responsiveness and MCID were examined. Improvement in activity of daily living was used to detect a clinically meaningful change. The MCID for the trunk function assessment tool was estimated by meaningful change.

Results: FACT, a tool used to assess trunk function, showed a large degree of responsiveness. The MCID of FACT was 4 points, and its discrimination accuracy was very high.

Conclusions: This study indicated FACT had good responsiveness and high accuracy in discrimination of MCID. These results suggest that FACT is useful trunk function assessment tool in patients with acute stroke.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine factors affecting re-admission with nursing and healthcare-associated pneumonia (NHCAP). Design: Single-center, retrospective clinical study.

Method: A total of 123 patients who readmitted to the hospital due to NHCAP from January 2016 to November 2016 were reviewed. Clinical characteristics, laboratory test values, Functional Independence Measure score (FIM score), the status of nursing care insurance services, social information, and methods of providing information were extracted from medical records. Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting readmission.

Results: Age, FIM score (exercise items) at discharge, serum albumin, the days between admission and first ambulation, face-to-face communication were detected as significant factors.

Conclusion: This study provides valuable information about factors leading to readmission with NHCAP.