[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare the reach distance during a balance exercise and the effect on standing balance immediately after the balance exercise among three balance exercise methods. [Subjects] The subjects were 21 healthy persons. [Methods] Lateral reach exercises were performed on a balance board by the environmental target method, the introspective method with eyes closed and the introspective method with eyes open. The maximum reach distance and the sway path of the static standing position before and after the balance exercises were measured, and the Cross Test was carried out. [Results] The reach distance of the introspective method with eyes open and the environmental target method was longer than the introspective method with eyes closed. A difference between the introspective method with eyes open and that of environmental target method was not seen. The sway path increased after all three exercises in the static standing position with eyes open. Especially, after the introspective method with eyes closed, the increase was remarkable. However, in the static standing position with eyes closed and the Cross Test, increases were not seen after any exercise. [Conclusion] The results suggest that the existence of visual information raises the results of the maximum lateral reach, that sway path increases in a static standing position after balance exercises, and especially, the sway path become large after the introspective method with eyes closed, but this influence on sway path does not affect dynamic balance.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate whether stabilization of the lumbar spinal column by training the lumbar multifidus helped to improve sitting balance. [Subjects] The subjects were 21 healthy individuals. [Methods] The subjects performed muscle function training 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The displacement width of pressure, which shows the control of movement of the lumbar in bending forward and backward, the center of pressure (COP) in sitting at rest and maximum lateral reaching, and %maximal voluntary contraction (%MVC) of trunk muscle while maintaining the sitting position were measured before and after the training. [Results] The displacement width of pressure after the training was significantly decreased as compared with before. With COP and %MVC, no significant differences were found between before and after the training. [Conclusion] The results indicate that bolstering the immobility of the centrum by improving lumbar multifidus function does not always influence sitting balance.

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[Purpose] In this study we investigated the effect of different lengths of time of spinal mobilization exercise using a gym ball. [Subjects and Methods] Forty-eight healthy males were divided into four groups at random. Three groups did the spinal mobilization exercise using a gym ball for 60, 30 and 15 seconds, respectively, and the control group maintained a standing position for 15 seconds. The spinal mobilization was compared between before and after the exercise, and among the four groups, i.e. 60, 30, 15 seconds, and control. [Results] The total inclination and the sacral angle after the exercise were significantly larger in the exercise groups of 60, 30 and 15 seconds than before the exercise. [Conclusion] These results suggest that spinal mobilization exercise using a gym ball for 15 seconds significantly changes spinal mibilization.

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[Purpose] We investigated the factors involved in medium to long-term continuation of home-living of elderly persons with low level care needs. [Subjects] The subjects were 39 elderly persons certified as having low level care needs who attended a certain rehabilitation facility in August 2002. [Methods] We compared the results of physical, cognitive and psychological function tests performed in August 2002 together with social participation on the basis of whether or not the subjects had continued to live at home in the following 5 years. [Results] No significant differences were found in physical and cognitive functions between the members of the group who continued living at home (at-home group: 16 persons) and those who did not (23 persons). However, significant differences were found in subjective health assessment and social participation: it became clear that the at-home group had a self-perception of better health and were socially active through clubs for the elderly or hobbies. [Conclusion] The results suggest the importance of maintaining the mental health of elderly persons with low level care needs, in addition to maintaining their physical condition, in order to keep them living at home.

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[Purpose] In this study, we investigated whether prosthesis improves proprioception or not in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). We inspected knee proprioception among people with knee OA and age matched controls, and also examined knee proprioception in knee OA patients with or without prosthesis. [Subjects] Twenty knee OA patients and 20 controls participated in this study. [Methods] We measured knee proprioception with modified continuous passive motion. [Results] Knee OA patients had worse proprioception than controls. Prosthesis improved knee proprioception in knee OA patients. [Conclusion] From the point of view of proprioception, prosthesis was beneficial for knee OA patients.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to elucidate the characteristics of changes in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) of patients discharged from a convalescence rehabilitation ward, and to clarify the factors influencing them. [Subjects] The subjects were 117 patients who were discharged from a convalescence rehabilitation ward to their homes. [Methods] We examined Functional Independence Measure (FIM) items at the time of discharge and one month later, and statistically analyzed the factors thought to be influencing ADL. [Results] Compared with the time of discharge, the FIM locomotion scores were significantly lower at 1 month after discharge. Among the other item scores, self-care had significantly decreased and sphincter control had significantly increased. Those with FIM locomotion scores of between 50-69 and those using out-patient/day-care services had significantly decreased ADL. [Conclusion] Patients discharged from convalescence rehabilitation wards are at high risk of reduced ADL at 1 month after discharge, and there is a need to prevent this reduction.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to validate the efficacy of group exercises for frail elderly people. [Subjects] We examined 41 persons, who needed support or care and were using day rehabilitation services. [Methods] Subjects were divided into two groups: one implemented individualized exercises after group exercises and the other implemented only individualized exercises. All the exercises were easy to perform, and individualized exercises were prescribed by a physiotherapist for each subject. We evaluated height, weight, body fat percentage, grip strength, knee extensor strength, sitting trunk flexion, one-leg stance, fanctional reach test (FRT), timed "up and go" test (TUG), 10-m walking time, TMIG, SF-36, and life-space assessment (LSA). [Results] In the group which implemented individualized exercises after group exercises, significant improvements of knee extensor strength and scores of SF-36 were observed. [Conclusion] The results suggest that group exercise before individualized exercises for frail elderly people were effective for vitality and motivation.

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[Purpose] The risk of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in females may be related to hormonal fluctuations resulting from increased laxity of muscles. The purpose of this study was to investigate variation of stiffness and shortening of femoral muscles over the course of the menstrual cycle. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were nine healthy young women (measurements: 18 lower extremities) with regular menstrual cycles, mean age 25.9 ± 2.1 years. Measurements were performed during the periods of menstrual, ovulation, early luteal and late luteal in a menstrual cycle. Muscle stiffness of rectus femoris and biceps femoris was measured using a muscle hardness meter. Muscle shortening of rectus femoris and hamstrings was measured using a goniometer. [Results] Muscle stiffness of the belly region of rectus femoris and biceps femoris was significantly higher during the early luteal period than the other periods (p<0.05). However, muscle shortening did not change. [Conclusion] The results suggest that muscle stiffness of femoral muscles changes during regular menstrual cycles.

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[Purpose] In this study, we assessed the blood pressure (BP) levels induce by posture changes from supine position to prone position and from supine position to standing in 54 healthy young adults (27 males and 27 females, mean age 22.0 ± 2.7 years). [Methods] Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse rate (PR) were measured in each posture. [Results] SBP in the prone position was lower than in the supine and standing positions, while PR in the prone position was higher than in the supine positions. DBP and PR in the standing position were higher than in the supine and prone positions. [Conclusion] The results show that in posture change from supine to prone, changes of DBP and PR were small compared with posture change from supine to standing, and the short-term change in BP was probably due to decrease of SBP.

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[Purpose] We investigated the effectiveness of two types of exercise focusing on mono- and multi-articular movement during activities such as single-leg standing and gait using surface electromyograms (EMG). [Subjects] The subjects were 18 females with hip OA. [Methods] We defined tube band exercise as mono-articular movement (Mono group) and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) as multi-articular movement (Multi group). EMG measurements of the activity of gluteus maximus (GMax), gluteus medius (GMed) and tensor fasciae latae (TFL) were made. [Results] The results were analyzed statistically. After each exercise, GMax in the Mono group during gait showed a significant decrease in the stance phase. In the Multi group, GMax and GMed were significantly increased during the stance phase, whereas GMax was significantly decreased during the swing phase. [Conclusion] These results suggest that exercise focusing on multi-articular movement may improve muscle activity and contraction rhythm during movement in patients with hip OA.

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[Purpose] ImageJ is freeware for image processing, and can measure range of motion. In this study, we examined the reliability of trunk flexion angle evaluation during sit-to-stand movements using ImageJ. [Subjects] Participants were three examinees and ten examiners. [Methods] Markers were attached to the left side of the acromion, great trochanter, and the lateral gap of the knee joint. Sit-to-stand movements of the three examinees were recorded in the saggital plane by a digital video camera. The trunk flexion angle was measured using ImageJ and three dimensional motion analysis was performed. [Results] Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability was analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with standard error of measurement (SEM). We confirmed high intra-rater and inter-rater reliability. [Conclusion] We consider that two-dimensional motion analysis using ImageJ is a useful tool for evaluation, study, and education in clinical settings of physical therapy.

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[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate differences between the functions of the upper and middle fascicles of the transversus abdominis. [Subjects] The subjects were 34 healthy men (mean age: 22.8±3.1; mean height: 169.4±21.0 cm; and mean weight 68.1±18.8 kg). [Methods] We took ultrasonic photos of the upper and middle fascicles of the transversus abdominis in the supine position, the standing position, and the standing on tiptoe position, and we measured the thickness of each fascicle. [Results] The upper fascicle thickness was significantly thicker than the middle fascicle (p<0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant increase of the thickness in the standing on tiptoe position compared with that in the supine position (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference of the thickness between the supine position and the standing position, and between the standing position and standing on tiptoe position. [Conclusion] These result support the contention that the upper fascicle plays a role in fixing the rib cage. The upper fascicle works more actively and fixes the rib cage to help a person maintain a stable posture when the posture becomes more unstable from the supine position to the standing position and to the standing on tiptoe position.

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[Purpose] This study investigated the reliability of lean mass, body fat and body fat ratio as measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). [Subjects] The subjects were 10 elderly hemiplegic stroke patients (5 males, 5 females, aged 78+/-9 years) in long-term care. [Methods] With repeated measurements on the non-hemiplegic and hemiplegic sides, the examiners' reliability was investigated with the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). We also investigated the difference between the non-hemiplegic and hemiplegic sides with the t test, coefficient of variance (CV) and the Bland-Altman Plot (BA Plot). [Results] ICC was over 0.9, showing high reliability. With the t test, significant differences were found between the non-hemiplegic and hemiplegic sides in 6 cases, whereas no differences were found with CV. The BA Plot showed a tendency to err in cases with low body fat ratios. [Conclusion] We consider that the accuracy of measurement was the same on the non-hemiplegic and hemiplegic sides, and the error was small.

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[Purpose] In this study, we examined the characteristics of patients with cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) who were discharged from a convalescence rehabilitation ward. These patients required care in activities of daily living (ADL) and were scored below 90 points by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). [Methods] We divided the patients into two groups: home discharge (home) and institutions/others discharge (non-home). The scores for each category of the FIM and other variables that were considered to influence the gross result were compared between the home and the non-home groups. [Results] Univariate analysis revealed that the home group had significantly higher numbers of patients who could walk and had a significantly longer hospitalisation period. In the six items of FIM (self care, sphincter control, mobility, locomotion, communication and social cognition) except for locomotion, the home group had significantly higher scores. The subscale scores of all the items in the FIM were significantly higher in the home group than in the non-home group, except for walking/wheelchair, stairs, comprehension and memory. Odds ratios for home discharge were significant for the likelihood of staying out overnight before discharge (5.8), locomotion (4.9) and total FIM scores (1.1). [Conclusion] It is suggested that staying out overnight before discharge is important for patients with a relatively low level of ADL in order for them to be able to return home after being discharged from hospital.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this research was to perform an assessment of the symptoms arising from the mental disabilities of 3 subjects using the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). [Subjects] The subjects were two cases of cerebral palsy and one case of Smith-Magenis syndrome, a total of 3 cases. [Methods] A physical therapist with experience of pediatric physical therapy translated the ABC manual and assessment tables, and the translated manual and tables were used to perform an assessment of the 3 subjects. [Results] Case A showed scores of 7 for (i) Irritability, 6 for (ii) Social Withdrawal, 8 for (iv) Hyperactivity, and 2 for (v) Inappropriate Speech. Case B showed scores of 3 for (i) Irritability, 4 for (ii) Social Withdrawal, and 2 for (iv) Hyperactivity. Case C showed scores of 9 for (i) Irritability, 1 for (ii) Social Withdrawal, 5 for (iii) Stereotypic Behavior, and 14 for (iv) Hyperactivity. [Conclusion] It can probably be said that the ABC is one of the useful measures which can assess the problem behaviors of the mentally disabled in a short time.

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