Rigakuryoho Kagaku
Online ISSN : 2434-2807
Print ISSN : 1341-1667
Volume 24, Issue 5
Displaying 1-26 of 26 articles from this issue
Original Article
  • Keisuke OHTSUKI, Jun KAMENO, Susumu WATANABE
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 635-639
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] We analyzed the relationships between the Borg scale and the systolic blood pressure (SBP) at 60% of the maximum heart rate (HRmax) and 70%HRmax, and the double product (DP) among elderly persons attending outpatient rehabilitation. [Subjects] The subjects were 14 elderly persons (5 men, 9 women; average age, 83.6 ± 4.5 years; median care insurance level, 2.5) attending outpatient rehabilitation. [Method] After 5 minutes sitting quietly at rest, the subjects performed repeated standing exercise till 60%HRmax and 70%HRmax were reached. The measurement indices were: heart rate (HR), SBP and DP. [Results] At 60%HRmax significant correlations between the Borg scale and SBP, DP and HR were found. At 70%HRmax significant correlations between the Borg scale and SBP and DP were found, but not HR. [Conclusion] The results suggest that the double product is also a useful index at high exercise loads in repeated standing exercise.
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  • Takashi FUKAYA, Satoshi NAGAI
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 641-646
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] The objective of this research was to verify the effect of taping on the ankle in the stance phase of walking as well as its mechanical effect on proximal joint in case of barefoot walking and walking with taping. [Subjects] Ten healthy college students who did not have any past medical history of lower extremities disorder were the subjects of this study. [Methods] Subjects performed walking barefoot and with taping, and we collected the data using a motion analysis device and a force plate. We calculated kinetic and kinematic data in the stance phase of the right lower extremity. [Results] The range of motion of the ankle was low due to taping. In the early and middle stance phases, ground reaction force and joint force were significantly low. Also, hip joint extension torque was significantly large in the ground contact phase due to taping. [Conclusion] Taping played the following roles in the stance phase of walking: (1) braking of foot-ankle against kinetic load in the forward and backward directions in the early and middle stance phases and (2) control of the body in the forward direction in the early stance phase.
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  • -From the Questionnaire Survey to the Physical Therapist in the Ibaraki Prefecture-
    Yasutsugu ASAKAWA, Shigeru USUDA, Hiroyuki SATO
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 647-652
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify how physiotherapists understand personal factors in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). [Subjects and Method] Surveillance was conducted using a questionnaire which was sent by mail to physiotherapists working in Ibaraki prefecture. Physiotherapists who deal with patients with cerebral vascular disorders and orthopedic diseases in their ordinary practice were subjected to the final analysis, and 12 items of personal factors were assessed in this study. [Results] There was no difference in understanding of personal factors between the two different types of diseases. Regarding the 12 personal factors that we assessed in this study, none of them was considered obviously a non-personal factor. According to the results of factor analyses on these 12 items, it was possible to classify them into four factors: "personal background", "personal life", "personal characteristics", and "personal physical features". A personal factor which indicates a "physical feature" was considered the most likely to affect mental and physical functions; most of the subjects who answered the questionnaire stated that it would affect the disease prognosis and outcomes. Similarly, the majority of them stated that the personal factors which indicate "personal characteristics" or "personal life" would also affect the prognosis and outcomes. However, for the personal factors associated with "personal backgrounds", there were subjects who thought those would affect the prognosis and outcomes, and there were some others who thought they would not. The value for academic background was especially low, while the value for growth history was relatively high. [Conclusion] We clarified that most of the personal factors are thought to affect disease prognosis and outcomes in the two different types of diseases.
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  • Minoru KIMOTO, Yasuko NORO, Chizuru KATOU, Takanori KONDO, Hiroaki NAK ...
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 653-658
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of the Physiological Cost Index (PCI) and the Total Heart Beat Index (THBI) as walking efficiency in children with cerebral palsy. [Subjects] Subjects were 8 patients with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Mean ± SD of age was 11.3 ± 3.5 years. [Methods] We measured resting pulse rate, and walking pulse rate and distance during 10 min walking on the first day, and averaged each parameter obtained from these data. We executed 2 measurements on the first day and once more 3-7 weeks (second day) later. We examined the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and smallest detectable difference (SDD) in PCI and THBI on the first and second days. [Results] ICC1,2 and SDD% were 0.55 and 80.8% for PCI, and 0.90 and 25.8% for THBI, respectively. [Conclusion] Because ICC1,2 of THBI was higher than that of PCI and SDD% of THBI was smaller than that of PCI, these results suggest that the reproducibility of THBI is higher than that of PCI as an index of walking efficiency in children with cerebral palsy.
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  • Yuko SAWADA, Yusuke SUZUKI, Yuko MARUO, Satoshi OKAJIMA, Norihito FUKA ...
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 659-663
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine related factor of outcomes at the time of hospital discharge of acute stroke patients who were in rehabilitation. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 61 acute stroke patients, and we performed related factor analysis. [Results] In analysis by outcomes at the time of hospital discharge, Functional Independence Measure (FIM) at the start of rehabilitation of the discharge to home group was higher than that of other groups. FIM at discharge from hospital of the group moving to a convalescent hospital was higher than that of the group moving to a general hospital. [Conclusion] From the results, we think that patients whose FIM at the start of rehabilitation is high need instruction on activities of daily living and maintenance of living environments for discharge to home. Also, it is necessary to pick up on FIM changes early and to predict where patients should move after discharge from hospital.
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  • Hiromi MATSUMOTO, Kichizou YAMAMOTO, Miki MOCHIDA
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 665-668
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the recovery of hip abductor muscles strength, muscle activity of the gluteus medius during locomotion and gait function after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the early postoperative stage. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were seven women who were end stage hip OA patients (mean age 70.6 ± 8.2 years) and had received anterior-lateral approach THA. Hip abductor muscle strength was measured by a musculator. Muscle activity of the gulteus medius was recorded at maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and during locomotion by surface electromyography. [Results] Hip abductor muscle strength showed significantly lower values in postoperatively, 3-4 weeks, than preoperatively (p<0.05), but showed the same value after 5 weeks. The values of the gluteus medius %MVC was not changed significantly at any postoperative stage compared to the preoperative stage. The value of gait speed improved significantly 5 weeks after THA compared to the preoperative stage. [Conclusion] We suggest that gait function of elderly THA patients may be improved in the early postoperative stage but qualitative disability of the gluteus medius muscle remains.
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  • Kenichi KOBARA, Koichi SHINKODA, Susumu WATANABE, Atsuko EGUCHI, Daisu ...
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 669-673
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate if the use of a headsupport and inclination angle of the head and neck would influence the shear force on the buttocks in a comfortable chair sitting posture. [Methods] Thirteen healthy males, mean age 21.2 ± 0.9 years, without any pathologies in the leg and/or trunk participated in this study. Experiments were conducted under six conditions, i.e. head extension angle 0 degrees, 20 degrees, and 40 degrees with or without a headsupport. The shear force on the buttocks was measured using a force plate. For statistical analysis, a two-factor factorial ANOVA was used with the level of significance set at p<0.05. [Results] The shear force increased as inclination angle of the head and neck increased without a headsupport, but it did not change much with a headsupport. There was a significant interactive effect between with or without the headsupport and the inclination angle of the head and neck on the shear force on the buttocks (p=0.012). [Conclusion] The results suggest that level of shear force applied to the buttocks depends on whether the patient is sitting on a chair with or without a headsupport, and that use of a headsupport is effective for decreasing the shear force on the buttocks.
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  • Hidetoshi MATSUNAGA, Kaoru YAMANO, Shuhei UEDA, Shin MURATA, Takashi Y ...
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 675-678
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] There are some reports in the literature on the effects of post-exercise stretching on the muscles; however, the reality is, that stretching is used without formal justification in the performance of physical therapy. In light of this, we investigated the relationship between muscle stretch intensity and muscle recovery. [Method] After exercise, stretching was performed at different intensities, and the time course of changes in muscle stiffness and body surface (skin) temperature were measured; based on these results, we judged the effectiveness of stretching. [Results] Some significant differences were found in the muscle recovery effect arising from stretching at different intensities. [Conclusion] The results suggest the possibility that intensive stretching after exercise is unnecessary, as light stretching was sufficient for effective muscle recovery.
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  • Manabu NANKAKU, Tadao TSUBOYAMA, Hideto KANZAKI, Takashi NAKAMURA
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 679-682
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the impact force of fall and the activity of the gluteus medius muscle during fall descent. [Methods] Eleven healthy volunteers performed deliberate falls in 3 directions (lateral, posterolateral, posterior) on a force platform covered by a mattress of 13 cm thickness. Fall descent motions and impact postures were examined by a three-dimensional analyzer. The maximum ground force reaction and activity of the gluteus medius were measured. [Results] The impact forces were between 2000 and 4000 N. For each fall pattern, the activity of the gluteus medius muscle during fall was 20-40% of the activity during maximum contraction, without significant difference among the fall pattterns. The activity of the gluteus medius muscle exhibited positive correlations with the impact force in all directions of fall. [Conclusion] These results suggest that increases of the gluteus medius muscle activity during fall descent can lead to increased impact force on the ground.
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  • Katsuhiko FUKUYAMA, Masahiro OSANAI, Hitoshi MARUYAMA
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 683-687
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of floating toes in adults and to investigate the toe function in floating toe cases by a comparative study of healthy adults. [Subjects] The subjects were 55 adult female orthopedic patients with no prior medical history. [Method] The measurement items were: an image of the sole of the foot taken by a pedoscope; toe-grip strength; center of gravity forward shift ability; and ability to adjust toe movement (toe movement time and toe movement efficiency) in performance of a precision drill. Using these measurement results we conducted a comparative study of healthy and floating toe cases. [Results] From the pedoscope images we identified 20 healthy and 15 floating toe cases. In the comparison of floating toe with healthy cases, significant declines in toe-grip strength and center of gravity forward shift ability, as well as prolongation of toe movement time, were seen. [Conclusion] The results suggest in addition to a decline in movement ability, floating toe cases have declines in the ability to adjust movement involving sensory factors.
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  • -The Utility of the Schreibendes Writing Exercise-
    Yoshiteru AKEZAKI, Yoshihisa KAWAKAMI, Yasushi HIRAGA, Takuo NOMURA, A ...
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 689-692
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] In this study, we examined whether tracing text for training in writing is effective for improving the accuracy of writing with the non-dominant hand. [Subjects] The subjects were 20 healthy people (10 men, 10 women; average age, 30.3 years old). [Methods] The subjects were divided into A and B intervention groups. A group subjects laid tracing paper on a text, and practiced writing by tracing the text on the tracing paper. B group subjects put the text next to white paper, and practiced writing by copying the text to the white paper. Accuracy and time of writing were measured. [Results] A significant improvement in accuracy of writing between before and after intervention was found only for A group (p<0.05). [Conclusion] This result suggests tracing text for writing training is effective for improving the accuracy of writing with the non-dominant hand.
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  • Hiroshi YAMASAKI, Toshifumi SOGAWA, Yasushi HIRAGA, Kunihiro KATAYAMA, ...
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 693-696
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] In this study, we investigated the effect of the shape of the sensor pad used in a hand-held dynamometer with a fixed belt on the values of isometric knee extension strength. [Subjects] The subjects were 36 healthy adults: 18 males, 18 females; average age, 20.5 ± 1.7 years. [Method] The sensor pads were one in previous use (old pad) and a new one made for this study. The new pad was designed to be thicker, and have a smaller diameter of the curved surface than the old pad. Using the two types of pad we performed measurements of muscle strength on the same day, and compared the measurement values, pain at the time of measurement, and measurement reproducibility. [Results] Values for knee extension strength in the order of the new pad, old pad were 51.4 ± 14.7 and 47.3 ± 14.6 kgf on the first day, and 51.9 ± 15.3 and 47.9 ± 14.0 kgf on the second day, respectively, with the new pad showing a significantly higher value on both days. Pain at the pad contact surface showed a significantly lower value for the new pad. The intraclass correlations for the new and old pads on the first and second days were 0.91 and 0.94, respectively, both showing good intra-rater reproducibility. [Conclusion] The shape of the sensor pad had a substantial effect on the value of isometric knee extension strength and pain at the time of measurement. When measuring knee extension strength, a pad of suitable thickness and shape should be used.
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  • -Comparison of Slump Sitting and Straight Sitting-
    Tohru NAKABO, Sumiko YAMAMOTO
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 697-701
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] To clarify whether kyphosis affects respiratory function, we measured the chest wall motion during respiration in two sitting postures using a 3-D motion analyzer. [Subjects and Method] Subjects (14 healthy males) were seated in two positions: straight sitting as the control, and slump sitting with an angle of 10 degrees backward to the pelvis. We measured chest wall motion at the time of a respiration as the amount of displacement of reflecting markers on the chest wall, and compared the motion in the two postures. [Results] The chest wall motions in slump sitting were significantly smaller than those in straight sitting, based on the motions of the markers. [Conclusion] Apparently, kyphosis restricts the expansion movement of the upper thorax during inspiration. This result suggests that kyphosis is involved in elements of ventilatory impairment.
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  • Masayuki SOMA, Ryota SHIMAMURA, Teppei ABIKO, Hisashi UEMATU, Kennosuk ...
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 703-707
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between toe-clearance and falls in co mmunity-dwelling elderly people. [Subjects] Subjects were 30 healthy community-dwelling elderly. [Methods] We asked the subjects if they had stumbled and fallen in the past one year. We also conducted kinematic analysis in step-over movement. We measured toe-clearance using an obstacle which was 2 cm in height, 80 cm in width and 15 cm in breadth, place at the halfway point of a 9 m walking. [Results] The Mann-Whitney U test showed that toe-clearance was not correlated with history of a stumble or fall. [Conclusion] These results suggest that falls are indirectly related to other factors, not decrease of toe-clearance.
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  • Toshiro OKU, Noboru HIROSE, Munenori KATO, Hitoshi MARUYAMA
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 709-713
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] We investigated the effect of the use of a cane in walking on the muscle activities of the trunk and lower limbs with the trunk bent into a posture simulating the experience of the elderly by wearing an apparatus. [Subjects] The subjects were 9 healthy young persons: 6 males, 3 females; average age, 20.3 ± 0.5 years. [Method] We measured surface electromyograms under 3 conditions: A, walking without a cane or the apparatus; B, walking without a cane and wearing the apparatus; and C, walking with a cane and wearing the apparatus. The muscles examined were the spinae erector, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior and the gastocnemius. [Results] In condition B, the spinae erector, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, biceps femoris and gastrocnemius showed significantly higher muscle electrical discharges than in A. Between conditions C and B, no significant difference was found for any of the muscles examined, but a tendency to lower activities was seen in C. In condition C, the spinae erector, gluteus maximus and gluteus medius showed significantly higher electrical discharges than in A. [Conclusion] We think further investigation is necessary as the present analysis, while finding a clear effect of the apparatus on the muscle activities, did not find one for the cane.
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  • -Analyzed from Muscle Oxygenation Changes-
    Shigeru TERADA, Shingo MIYATA, Nobumasa MATSUI
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 715-719
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] We examined the characteristic of muscle contraction in concentric contraction (COC) and eccentric contraction (ECC) by muscle oxygenation change. [Subjects] The subjects were 16 healthy males. [Methods] Oxygenation change of the vastus lateralis was measured using a near-infrared spectroscopy device, when subjects performed COC and ECC knee joint exercise using an isokinetic machine. We calculated the decrease in the value of oxygen saturation (SdO2), lapse time to the trough of SdO2 and recovery time of SdO2 from the data. Next, we compared COC with ECC. [Results] The muscle strength in ECC was higher than in COC. A significant difference was not observed in the decrease of SdO2. In ECC, lapse time to the trough of SdO2 was longer and the recovery time was shorter than in COC. [Conclusion] There was a greater total work load in ECC, but muscle oxygenation deteriorated more slowly. It seems that ECC has high mechanical efficiency, and that muscle blood flow is maintained.
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  • Tsutomu ABE, Hiroyuki HASHIDATE, Hiroyuki SHIMADA, Takeshi OHNUMA, Tak ...
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 721-726
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to assess activity range and amount using the Life-Space Assessment (LSA), to examine the relationship between LSA and physical function and Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) for elderly individuals. [Subjects] Subjects comprised 411 community-dwelling elderly individuals (mean age, 76.7 ± 5.3 years). [Methods] We evaluated their activity range and amount using the LSA [Independent Life-Space (LS-I), Life-Space using equipment (LS-E), Maximal Life-Space (LS-M)]. We also conducted a questionnaire survey about health condition, physical function, and IADL. [Results] About 95% of subjects attained full points in LS-I, LS-E, LS-C, and the average LSA score was 92.7 points. There were significant differences in LSA scores between those who were aged > 85 years and those who aged 65-69, 70-74, and 75-79 years. LSA scores were significantly lower in those with certification of long-term care needs, fear of falling, taking three or more kinds of medicine, who had given up a hobby, without a sense of good health, with poor gait function, in sufficient grip power, who could not stand on tiptoe, go out alone or who had no hobby. Activity range and amount assessed by LSA for healthy elderly individuals were high, but decreased with age. [Conclusion] LSA was a more useful index for assessing the mobility associated with physical function and health condition them IADL which is highly reliant on mobility.
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  • Hikaru IHIRA, Taketo FURUNA, Hyuma MAKIZAKO, Yoko MIYABE
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 727-732
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between postural sway and probe reaction time in single-leg standing with different task difficulties. [Subjects] Ten adults (six men and four women; mean age: 22.4 ± 1.0 years) were submitted to four dual-task conditions (double support standing, ground single-leg standing, and single-leg standing on three and five balance mats). [Methods] The probe reaction time was measured with auditory reaction task, and 2-dimensional accelerations that were assumed to be the index of the postural sway were also measured. [Results] The postural sway was smallest in double support standing, becoming larger in the order of ground single-leg standing, three balance mats, and five balance mats. The probe reaction time showed similar characteristics. [Conclusion] Similar to observations in the previous studies, it was confirmed that probe reaction time increased as postural sway increased.
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  • Koji NAKABAYASHI, Kentaro MIZUNO, Takayuki KODAMA, Satoru KAI, Seiichi ...
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 733-736
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] Our previous studies revealed oligodendroglial regeneration around the necrosis of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). This report describes neuronal compensation and plasticity in the cortex and white matter of PVL brains. [Subjects and Method] An immunohistochemical study was performed on 15 human brains with PVL, using an antibody for PGP9.5, which is expressed predominantly in differentiating neurons. We semiquantitatively evaluated the expression of PGP9.5 in the cerebral cortex and white matter and compared it with that of age-matched controls. [Results] In the white matter, there was an increase of immunoreactivity beside the necrotic lesions of focal type PVL, but there was often a decrease in widespread or diffuse type PVL. In the cortex, close to necrotic lesions, the immunoreactivity was decreased in pyramidal cells of the 3rd and 5th cortical layers, but was increased in granular cells of the 2nd and 4th cortical layers. [Conclusion] The characteristic increase of axons around PVL in the white matter and granular neurons in the cortex close to PVL suggest neuronal compensation for injured axons and plasticity for the transneuronally degenerated pyramidal neurons.
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  • Ryo TANAKA, Akihiko TOKAJI
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 737-744
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to examine the factorial validity of the Customer Satisfaction Scale based on Need Satisfaction (CSSNS), which we are currently developing for health care services. [Subjects and Methods] To examine the fitness of the oblique model, the orthogonal model, the second-order factor model, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were conducted with the data of 311 subjects who use the rehabilitation service. [Results] The results of the SEM showed that the Comparative Fit Index (CFI) and Root Mean Square Error Approximation (RMSEA) of the oblique model was as good as the second-order factor model, and that Akaike' Information Criterion (AIC) of the oblique model was better than that of second-order factor model. [Conclusion] From the above stated results, the factorial validity of CSSNS was confirmed for the oblique model.
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Case Study
  • Noritsugu HONDA, Toshiki MATSUOKA, Yuko SAWADA, Naoki NAKANO, Suwen LI ...
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 745-750
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] In this case study, using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS),we investigated the effect on cerebral cortex activity of passive motion of both upper limbs of a patient who had received functional left-side hemispherectomy for hemimegalencephaly, and considered the results together with the post-op. degree of recovery from paralysis. [Subject] The subject was a 6-month-old boy who showed convulsions at the age of 4 months. Since the effects of pharmacological treatments were limited and developmental regression was seen, functional left-side hemispherectomy was performed at the age of 6 months and rehabilitation was begun 4 days post-op. [Method] On post-op. days 10, 20 and 33 we investigated the changes in local and regional cerebral cortex blood flow using optical topography equipment for NIRS, examined development (Enjoji Infantile Development Test, upper limb movement items), and assessed movement function (volitional movement, muscle tone, and sensory examination). [Results] Through right upper limb passive motion and sensorimotor stimulus, the blood flow in the ipsilateral cerebral cortex primary sensory area sequentially increased, and recovery of motor development as well as motor function was confirmed. [Conclusion] When there is unilateral cerebral hemisphere disorder, functional compensation is ipsilaterally (side of cerebral disorder) generated in the descending motor tract, but similarly in the ascending sensory tract, ipsilateral afferent tract functional compensation occurs, indicating the importance of ipsilateral control.
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Short Report
  • Takeya ONO, Naho TOMASU, Sadaaki OKI, Namiko UMEI, Kayoko SHIRAIWA, Ma ...
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 751-753
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of duration of application of a tourniquet on induction atrophy in the soleus in rats. [Subjects] Eight-week-old Wistar female rats were divided into three experimental groups. [Method] The rats in the experimental groups had ischemia induced in their right hind limbs by tourniquets of different durations on the first experimental day. The durations of ischemia were 30, 60 and 90 minutes. The right hind limbs of the experimental groups were immobilized in complete plantar-flexion by casts. [Results] After two weeks, ischemia-induced muscle atrophy appeared in the 60 and 90 minutes groups. On the other hand, there was no influence of duration of application of the tourniquet on the weight of the rat soleus muscles. [Conclusion] It appears that the duration of application of a tourniquet influences muscle atrophy and at least 60 minutes of ischemia is required to cause muscle atrophy.
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Review
  • Yuji MARUYAMA
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 755-759
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    [Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the change in physical strength of elderly men. [Subjects] The subjects were 816 men aged over 65 years (mean age, 71.8 ± 3.8 years) who participated in leader training sessions of a senior citizens' club. [Methods] We measured physical function (grip strength, sitting-up test, trunk flexion seated, single-leg standing time with eyes open, 10 m obstacle walking test, six minutes walking) and investigated the relation between them and age. [Results] Correlations were found between all physical strength items and age (p<.05). In particularly, the score of single-leg standing time with eyes open decreased significantly with age. [Conclusion] The senior citizens' club officers were considered to be participating positively in social activities. However, in the physical test, the results of this study suggest that physical strength decreases overall in aging, especially the decrease of balance ability was large.
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  • Hideaki ISHII, Yusuke NISHIDA
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 761-766
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    In physiotherapy, it is important to attempt to improve skills. The issue of how to perform exercise without fatigue is a factor involved in improvement of skills. However, the mechanism of fatigue is not clear. Therefore, it is a problem when a physiotherapy program is planned. Thus, it is important to clarify the mechanism of fatigue. In this review, the cause of fatigue was clarified from the research of Hill et al. that forms the basis of the peripheral fatigue model, the established theory of the mechanism of fatigue, and the limits of the peripheral fatigue model are suggested by the latest research. We introduce a new mechanism of fatigue derived from brain science, and introduce the application of the new mechanism of fatigue to physiotherapy.
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  • Takeshi KERA, Kazuhisa KOIZUMI
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 767-775
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Recently, with the nationwide marathon boom, respiratory muscle training for endurance athletes has been brought to public attention. However, the effectiveness of respiratory muscle training for endurance athletes is controversial. So far, some have reported that the training improved endurance performance, while others have reported that the training did not, although it did improve respiratory muscle functions. In this article, we review the studies related to respiratory muscle training and discuss the effects.
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  • Shinta TAKEUCHI, Yuusuke NISHIDA
    2009 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 777-784
    Published: 2009
    Released on J-STAGE: November 25, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The acquisition of efficient performance is an important issue in physical therapy. It is reported that synchronization phenomenon (Cardiac-Locomotor Synchronization: CLS) of cardiac rhythms and locomotor rhythms is observed when humans exercise rhythmically. What is the physiological significance of CLS? It has been estimated that the blood flow volume is maximized to exercising skeletal muscle, the cardiac load minimized, and stroke volume increased with an increase in venous return. Moreover, a recent study suggested that CLS shows coordination between the cardiovascular system and active muscle during rhythmic exercise. Therefore, there is a possibility that CLS can be utilized in physical therapy to optimize the circulation of blood during exercise. In this review, we report on methods of analysis, occurrence mechanism, and the physiological significance of CLS in the literature after 2001, and the possibility of its application in physical therapy.
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