Objective: To describe phase-specific normative reference data for tarsal joint kinematics and lower limb muscle activity during constant-speed treadmill walking in healthy Beagles.

Methods: Six healthy Beagles walked on a treadmill at 0.7 m/s. The tarsal joint angle and surface electromyography (sEMG) of the gastrocnemius medialis (GASM) and tibialis cranialis (TC) were synchronously recorded. Gait cycles were time-normalized to 0–100%, and phase-averaged normalized sEMG amplitudes (%EMG) were calculated for five gait phases: loading response (LR), middle stance (MidSt), pre-swing (PSw), early swing (ESw), and late swing (LSw). The phase differences in %EMG were analyzed using the Friedman test. In addition, the inter-individual waveform similarity and timing of peak muscle activity were quantified.

Results: The tarsal joint flexed transiently during LR, extended through MidSt, and reached peak extension and flexion during PSw and ESw, respectively. GASM activity was highest during LR and increased further during LSw, whereas TC activity increased from PSw and was highest during ESw. The phase-averaged %EMG differed significantly among the gait phases for both muscles (p<0.001). The mean inter-individual waveform similarity was r=0.88 for the tarsal angle, r=0.93 for GASM %EMG, and r=0.71 for TC %EMG. GASM peak timing occurred at 1.2±1.6%GC in LR and at 96.2±1.9%GC in LSw, whereas TC peak timing occurred at 69.8±6.9%GC in ESw.

Conclusion: Tarsal kinematics and GASM and TC activity in healthy Beagles exhibited phase-specific coordination during treadmill walking. These data provide normative reference information for phase-based interpretation of canine gait abnormalities and for monitoring rehabilitation outcomes.

Objective: To clarify the effects of postoperative neural mobilization (NM) on the physical function of patients who have undergone lumbar spine surgery.

Methods: We enrolled 36 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis or degenerative spondylolisthesis who underwent decompression or fusion surgery (NM group, n=20; control group, n=16). Both groups underwent conventional rehabilitation starting on postoperative day one. Additionally, the NM group undertook therapist-assisted and self-performed passive neck flexion exercise (PNFE), which was initiated at a frequency of 60 repetitions and increased to 150 repetitions daily from the second day until discharge. The primary outcome was the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score at 1 month postoperatively, which was analyzed using the analysis of covariance. Secondary outcomes included the pain and numbness intensity, Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) score, and Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test.

Results: Compared with the control group, the NM group demonstrated significantly greater ODI improvement (regression coefficient: −12, 95% confidence interval [−20 to −4], p=0.003). Secondary outcomes, including Visual Analog Scale scores for pain and numbness, JOABPEQ scores, and SLR angles, improved in both groups over time albeit without significant between-group differences.

Conclusion: Postoperative PNFE-based NM intervention is a feasible rehabilitative option that effectively improves physical function in patients after lumbar spine surgery.

Objective: To investigate the incidence, risk factors, and duration-associated factors of delirium after mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 247 patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy at our institution between 2019 and 2023. Multivariable logistic and linear regression were performed to identify the risk factors and factors associated with the duration of delirium, respectively.

Results: In this cohort, the incidence of delirium was 25.5%. Older age, benzodiazepine use, and nocturnal insomnia were identified as independent risk factors for delirium. The Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) score and daily rehabilitation duration were identified as factors that were potentially associated with delirium.

Conclusion: Delirium occurred in 25.5% of patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy after acute ischemic stroke, and was associated with older age, benzodiazepine use, and nocturnal insomnia. In contrast, successful reperfusion and longer rehabilitation duration were potentially associated with delirium among these patients.

Objective: This study aimed to predict the discharge functional independence measure (FIM) score in patients with stroke in a convalescent rehabilitation ward using random forest based on baseline information and FIM score at admission and validate its accuracy.

Methods: This study included 304 patients with stroke. The explanatory variables were sex, age, body mass index, number of days from onset to admission, and FIM score at admission. The objective variable was the discharge FIM score. Prediction accuracy was evaluated in 213 patients for training and 91 patients for testing.

Results: The prediction accuracy was 0.86 and 0.85 for the training and test data, respectively.

Conclusion: Discharge FIM score can be predicted with high accuracy using baseline information and FIM score at admission, while preventing overfitting.

Objective: We constructed factor structure models for running ability, jumping ability, continuous jumping over the feet, body support duration, balance, and foot and toe morphology to examine the factors influencing basic movements in typically developing preschool children.

Methods: The participants were 163 preschool children aged 4–6 years. The assessments included a 25 m run, standing long jump (SL-jump), continuous bipedal jump (CB-jump), body support duration (BSD) of the MKS motor skills test for young children, foot arch development (FAD), and the number of floating toes (FT). Statistical analysis was performed to examine the model fit using path analysis to assess correlations.

Results: SL-jump, BC-jump, BSD, and FAD had direct effects on run, whereas BSD had indirect effects on SL-jump, BP-jump, and FT (χ²=6.508, CMIN/DF=0.813, p=0.591, GFI=0.988, AGFI=0.966, CFI=1.000, RMSEA<0.001, AIC=32.508).

Conclusion: Running by typically developing children was directly influenced by the degree of instantaneous force and development of the foot as a propulsive force to transfer lower limb muscle power to the ground and anterior-posterior balance that regulates body movements. The vestibular postural control sensation affects running through dynamic and static balance and jumping forces.