[Purpose] We examined the effects of static stretching (SS) and pressure stimulus on the calf muscle shape and range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion. [Subjects] The subjects were 60 healthy adults. [Methods] The subjects were divided into three groups based on the stimulus applied: the SS, pressure, and combination groups. Using ultrasonography, a digital camera, and a muscle hardness meter, the range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion, muscle fascicle length, and muscle tendon junction (MTJ) displacement were measured and compared among the three groups. [Results] While no significant differences were found between the averages of the range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion, muscle fascicle length, and muscle elasticity of the three groups, the displacement of MTJ showed a higher value in the combination group than in the SS group, and a low value of stiffness was observed after stimulus only in the combination group. [Conclusion] It is possible to efficiently improve muscle extensibility and elasticity by a synergic effect of neurophysiological and mechanical factors using SS and pressure stimulus in combination.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the degree of pain of community-dwelling elderly people and its relationship with daily activity amounts and health-related quality of life. [Subjects] The subjects of the study were 30 elderly people. [Methods] The presence and region of the pain, the degree of pain, daily activity, instrumental activities of daily living, fear of falling, depression, and health-related quality of life were determined by a survey. [Results] The survey revealed that health-related quality of life declined with increasing pain. [Conclusion] These results suggest that in order to achieve improvements in the health-related quality of life of elderly people with pain, in addition to aiming to reduce the pain, it is important to use approaches not only addressing motor function and activities of daily living, but also psychological supports.

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[Purpose] To investigate the risk factor in places where falls occurred in a long-term care health facility. [Subjects] 115 residents in a long-term care health facility with a history of falls. [Methods] A retrospective survey of accident reports was conducted. With the places where falls occurred (residents’ rooms, corridors, toilets, rehabilitation rooms, bathrooms) as the dependent variables, and necessity of supervision and assistance with ADL, wheelchair use, medication use, comprehension ability, impaired vision, and pain as the independent variables, logistic regression analysis was conducted. [Results] The total number of falls was 220: 135 in residents’ rooms, 25 in corridors, 26 in toilets, 3 in rehabilitation rooms, and 2 in bathrooms. The risk factor of falls were determined as wheelchair use and pain in residents’ rooms, and not being a wheelchair user in corridors. [Conclusion] The implementation of interventions is necessary considering the risk factor determined for residents’ rooms and corridors.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of holding a chain-saw on static and dynamic standing balance abilities. [Subjects] The subjects were 12 healthy adult men. [Methods] The standing balance abilities (center of foot pressure locus length, envelope area, and anterior displacement) of all the subjects were measured on a stabilometer at rest, and immediately, 5, and 10 minutes after holding a chain-saw. The chain-saw was held under two conditions: with and without the chain-saw motor running. [Result] The unit locus length and envelope area showed no significant differences between before and after holding a chain-saw. The anterior displacement measured at immediately and 5 minutes after holding a chain-saw with the motor running were found to be significantly decreased, compared to the rest condition. [Conclusion] The results of this study suggest that operating a chain-saw possibly decreases standing balance ability.

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[Purpose] It has been indicated that physical therapists’ (PTs) visits for house adaptations are insufficient, and this study was conducted to clarify the factors regulating home visits. [Subjects] Nationwide, 1163 PTs with experience of interventions were randomly selected from members of the Physical Therapy Association as subjects. [Methods] A questionnaire survey (response rate, 40.3%) was conducted from August to October 2010. According to the circumstances of home visits, the respondents were divided into 3 groups, an “always go” group (47.5%), a “depending on case circumstances” group (47.6%), and a “no experience” group (3.7%), and PTs type of workplace and the specific type of support provided were cross-tabulated and compared. [Results] For the “always go” group, old buildings, and PTs working at home-visit nursing stations were major factors, and the main subjects of routine work were those living at home, and patients in a stable condition. [Conclusion] The results suggest the importance of ensuring coordination with PTs who can make home visits.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the upper extremity elevation angle and spinal alignment in competitive swimmers in the change from the standing position to the streamlined position (SL). [Subjects] The subjects were 26 competitive swimmers from a university swimming club, and 20 healthy young adults with no swimming experience. [Methods] The changes in spinal alignment from the standing position to SL were measured using a Spinal Mouse^® (Index, Ltd., Japan), and the upper extremity elevation angle in SL was measured using a goniometer (Muranakairyoki Co., Ltd., Japan). [Results] For the competitive swimmers, there were significant correlations between the upper extremity elevation angle and the amount of change in thoracic kyphosis (r=−0.48), lumbar lordosis (r=0.65), and anterior pelvic tilt angles (r=−0.43). These correlations were not found in the healthy young adults. [Conclusion] This study found that competitive swimmers have a large upper extremity elevation angle, small lumbar lordosis, and small anterior pelvic tilt angle during large changes in thoracic kyphosis.

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[Purpose] To clarify the factors affecting the stride variability of the elderly at different gait speeds. [Subjects] The subjects were 12 healthy young persons and 10 community-dwelling elderly persons. [Methods] At three different gait speeds, the stride, step, and single- and double-leg support times were determined, and their coefficients of variance (CV), and the ratios of each variable relative to stride were calculated. Then, regression analysis was performed with the CVs of stride and step as the dependent variables. [Results] At all of the gait speeds, the time variance of elderly subjects was greater than that of the young subjects, and under the fast gait speed condition, due to a change in gait strategy, the ratio of the double-leg support time was reduced. Independent of gait speed, the CV of single-leg support time affected the gait cycle time variation. [Conclusion] The results suggest the CV of single-leg support time makes a large contribution to the CV of stride.

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[Purpose] To investigate the effect on dart throwing performance of motor imagery ability measured by JMIQ-R. [Subjects] Twenty-eight healthy students (mean age: 21.2 years) with no experience of playing darts. [Methods] The change in the total distance of 20 dart throws between the before practice, and post test, and each item score (total, kinesthetic imagery, visual imagery, and motor imagery of each physical region) of the JMIQ-R were assessed and relationships were investigated. [Results] Significant negative correlations were found between the amount of change during performance of dart throwing and the JMIQ-R scores of total, visual imagery, and motor imagery of the upper limbs. [Conclusion] The results suggest, motor imagery ability measured by JMIQ-R influenced the motor learning effect in the dart throwing task.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between fore- and hind-foot movement and knee valgus movement in the single-leg drop-landing. [Subjects] Thirteen healthy adult women participated in this study. [Methods] The subjects performed single-leg drop- landing from a 30-cm-high box. Motion analysis was used to obtain the knee valgus angle, forefoot pronation angle, hindfoot valgus angle, and arch height. Then, the correlations between knee valgus angle and each foot angle and arch height were examined. [Results] There was a poor correlation between forefoot pronation movement and knee valgus movement in single-leg drop-landing (r=−0.25). On the other hand, a significant positive correlation was observed for the hindfoot valgus angle and knee valgus movement (r=0.80). [Conclusion] The results of this study suggest that it is important to decrease the hindfoot valgus movement to prevent knee valgus movement in single-leg drop-landing.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between preparation behavior and the personality traits of vocational school students. Knowledge of this will be useful in other classrooms in the future. [Subjects] Forty freshmen. [Methods] A video of “Social Welfare Studies” was distributed in advance by the teacher. After watching the preparation video, students took part in the class four times. The preparation behavior of students was investigated for relationships with the “Big Five Personality Traits.” [Results] According to the results of discriminant analysis, the frequency of preparation actions by students was determined by “Extroversion”, “Conscientiousness”, and “Neuroticism”. Also the students’ preparation completion time was determined by “Conscientiousness” and “Openness”. [Conclusion] The results suggest that “Extroversion”, “Conscientiousness”, and “Neuroticism” of students are a predictive model of the frequency of preparation action. They also suggest that “Conscientiousness”, and “Openness” of students are a predictive model of their preparation completion times.

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[Purpose] This study was performed to investigate the relationships between basic physical movements and activities of daily living (ADL) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). [Subjects] The subjects were 30 female patients (mean age 73.1 years old). [Methods] Six items of basic movements (one-leg standing, standing up, walking, going up and down stairs, kneeling, and stooping to the floor), and 7 items of ADL (picking up an object from the floor, putting on and taking off socks, carrying a heavy object, cleaning, cooking, toileting and going out - using public facilities, shopping, and visiting a friend’s house) were assessed, and analyzed using canonical correlation analysis. [Results] As the first canonical variate, standing up, walking, and going up and down stairs influenced all of the ADL items. As the second canonical variate, standing up, going up and down stairs, and walking influenced visiting a friend’s house. [Conclusion] The ADL of female patients with knee OA is mainly affected by standing up and walking abilities.

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[Purpose] To clarify how the lifestyle activities of stroke patients living at home influence their quality of life (QOL). [Subjects] Twenty-five stroke patients who were living at home. [Methods] Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted. Questions were asked about the course since stroke onset, present lifestyle, important activities and the reasons for doing them. Analysis was performed using the Modified Grounded Theory Approach. [Results] Lifestyle activities of stroke patients living at home beneficially influenced their QOL through achievement of objectives by continuing activities, and progress with adaptation to disability. [Conclusion] When planning to improve the activities of stroke patients living at home, in addition to an understanding of the circumstances in which the activities will be performed, assessment of the level of adaptation to the disability, and support matching the level are required.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the muscle activities and joint angles of standing up motion with thoracolumbar spine flexed, reproducing the humpback posture of the elderly. [Subjects] The subjects were ten healthy adult males. [Methods] Electromyography (EMG) and joint angles of the lower leg, captured by a video camera, were studied during standing up motion from the sitting position under the conditions of: normal posture, thoracolumbar flexion of 20˚, and thoracolumbar flexion of 40˚. We calculated the average amplitude of the relative EMG value and noted the order of EMG activities in the lower leg, as well as the forward tilt angle of the trunk and lower leg. [Results] Compared to normal posture, the average amplitude of the relative EMG value of the tibialis anterior muscle (TA), and the forward tilt angle of both the trunk and lower leg during standing with thoracolumbar flexion of 40˚ were significantly increased. In addition, TA activity started significantly earlier than in the other muscles. [Conclusion] The results suggest thoracolumbar flexion influences the muscle activity of TA and the forward tilt angle of the lower leg.

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[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of changes in ankle angle on standing balance. [Subjects] Twelve healthy young individuals. [Methods] The subjects performed static and dynamic balance tasks on a 20˚ sloping platform (ankle plantarflexion or dorsiflexion) and a flat platform (control, 0˚). The position of the center of mass and the joint angles of the lower limbs were measured with a three-dimensional motion analysis system. [Results] The vertical position of the center of mass in plantarflexion was the highest among three ankle conditions. There were no significant differences in hip and knee joint angles among three ankle conditions during the static balance. Dynamic balance ability during ankle dorsiflexion was significantly lower than during plantarflexion and control positions. During the dynamic task with dorsiflexion, hip motion increased and knee motion was antiphase compared with the control angle. [Conclusion] The results suggest changes in ankle angle influence dynamic postural control during the standing posture.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to biologically clarify the effect of a self-stretching exercise on the hemodynamics of the gastrocnemius muscle. [Subjects] The subjects were the 40 left legs of 40 healthy male students. [Methods] Under two conditions of active individual muscle stretching (AID) and no stretching, the hemodynamics of the popliteal artery were investigated and compared, between the conditions and before and after stretching, using the arterial diameter and blood flow velocity evaluated by ultrasound. [Results] No significant difference was found between the conditions in the arterial diameter, but after AID, a significant increase in the blood flow velocity was observed. [Conclusion] The fact that self-stretching of the gastrocnemius muscle raised the blood flow velocity, suggests the possibility that it temporarily increases the volume of the blood flow in the muscle it controls.

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[Purpose] To investigate the relationship between students’ willingness to learn and their route of college admission. [Subjects] Eighty-eight first-year students of a vocational physical therapy college. [Methods] Students college admission routes were divided into admissions office, high school recommendation, adult entry, and general routes of entry. Following admission, a questionnaire about willingness to learn was conducted, and its relationship with the route of admission was investigated using the Kruskal-Wallis test. [Results] The mental health and interpersonal skills items of the willingness to learn questionnaire of adult entry students were significantly higher than those of the high school recommendation students. [Conclusion] According to the results of this study, it should be possible to provide guidance to students at an early stage, based on route of admission and willingness to learn.

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[Purpose] The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of pulling a lower garment up and down with one upper limb while leaning over a handrail. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects pulled short pants up and down with one upper limb while leaning over a handrail and without using the handrail. We analyzed the time, center of gravity sway, the rectangular area of center of gravity sway, and the ratio of and moving distance of the ear lobe in the sagittal plane. [Results] Center of gravity sway, its rectangular area, and the distance moved by the ear lobe were significantly lower when using the handrail than when not using it. A positive correlation was found between the center of gravity sway and its rectangular area while pulling up short pants, and between the rectangular area and the distance moved by the ear lobe while pulling down short pants. [Conclusion] These results suggest that pulling a lower garment up and down with one upper limb while leaning on a handrail is effective at stabilizing standing balance.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to carry out trunk back muscle endurance training for degenerative lumbar disease patients, to examine its influence on VAS pain and the JOABPEQ. [Subjects] The subjects were 27 outpatients with degenerative lumbar disease, and an average age of 72.2 ± 8.3 years. [Methods] In the training group (T group), there were 15 subjects who performed back muscle endurance training during exercise; and in the control group (C group), there were 12 subjects who performed only exercise. The endurance of trunk back muscles was measured three times, once every month, as well as VAS pain and the JOABPEQ. [Results] The endurance of trunk back muscle of the T group reached a significantly higher level by the third month, and VAS pain showed a significantly lower level after two or three months. Furthermore, in the C group only lumbar vertebrae dysfunction of JOABPEQ showed a significantly higher level in the second month. [Conclusion] The results suggest that trunk back muscle endurance training for patients with degenerative lumbar disease is effective at alleviating pain and improving ADL.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the kinematic and kinetic similarities of the forward stepping exercise and normal walking. [Subjects] Thirty-six healthy volunteers participated in this study. [Methods] Normal walking and the forward stepping exercise were analyzed using a three-dimensional motion analysis system and a force plate. The hip, knee and ankle kinematics and kinetics were calculated. Similarities between normal walking and the forward stepping exercise were investigated using qualitative and quantitative methods. [Results] The kinematics and kinetics of the ankle in the forward stepping exercise were similar to those of the ankle during the early stance phase of walking. [Conclusion] The forward stepping exercise has potential as an effective exercise therapy reproducing the ankle rocker.

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[Purpose] To clarify the laterality of gluteus medius muscle activity during hip abduction. [Subjects and Methods] Eleven healthy males were studied. The hip abduction strength and activity of the gluteus medius were measured. [Results] The dominant leg showed a significantly greater hip abduction torque than the non-dominant leg. Also, the gluteus medius activity of the dominant leg showed higher values than the non-dominant leg only at the mean frequency, an index of fast-twitch fiber activity. [Conclusion] The laterality of gluteus medius activity during hip abduction is likely to be closely associated with differences in the activity amounts of fast-twitch fibers.

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[Purpose] The objective of this study was to analyze the factors influencing the approval of care/support needs of community-dwelling elderly persons using day-care centers. [Subjects] The subjects were 54 community-dwelling elderly persons (16 males, 38 females) day-care center users who were capable of answering questions and walking indoors without supervision. [Methods] The assessment items were: age, disease, level of care need, TUG, CS-30, Barthel Index (BI) and the TMIG index of competence (TMIG-IC). Multiple regression logistic analysis was performed with the approval level of care need as the dependent variable, and age, main disease, TUG, CS-30, BI and TMIG-IC as the independent variables. [Results] Age, CS-30 and BI were identified as the factors affecting level of care. [Conclusion] The results suggest that the ability to perform activities and the CS-30 are more important in the approval of care/support needs than the type of disease.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of the Short form Berg Balance Scale (SFBBS) for acute cerebrovascular disorder patients. [Subjects] A total of 55 inpatients with cerebrovascular disorder participated in this study. [Methods] The internal consistency of SFBBS was tested using Cronbach’s a, and its validity was tested using its correlations with the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, Stroke Impairment Assessment Set, and Functional Independent Measure at two weeks after onset and at discharge, as determined by Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. [Results] The results of the internal consistency and validity were moderate to high. [Conclusion] This assessment tool is a practical method which has sufficient reliability and validity for mild cases of acute cerebrovascular disorder.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the amount of load that best facilitates the measurement of obturatorius muscle activity by MRI. [Subjects] Eleven healthy males participated in this study. [Methods] The obturatorius internus, the obturatorius externus, the gluteus maximus, the gluteus medius and the sartorius muscles were examined using MRI. The MR signal intensity was compared before and after two different concentric isokinetic hip external rotation exercises: high load at 60°/sec and no load at 500°/sec. [Results] In the 60°/sec exercise, the signal intensities of the obturatorius internus, the obturatorius externus, the gluteus medius and the sartorius muscles were significantly higher after the exercise than before the exercise. In the 500°/sec exercise, the signal intensities of the obturatorius internus, the obturatorius externus and the sartorius muscles were significantly higher after the exercise than before the exercise. [Conclusion] Slow angular velocity isokinetic exercise with high load as well as no-load rapid angular velocity isokinetic exercise is effective at eliciting activity of the obturatorius muscle.

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[Purpose] The relationship between occlusal force and fall risk was studied in order to verify the usefulness of occlusal force measurements as a fall risk assessment. [Subjects] Fifty-five frail elderly persons (average age, 83.0 ± 5.7 years) receiving day-care services participated in this study. [Methods] Fall risk was assessed using the Fall Risk Index-21 (FRI-21). The occlusal force of the participants was measured using a commercial occlusal force meter, GM10. The number of residual teeth, leg strength, grip strength, one-leg standing time with the eyes open, Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and Functional Reach Test (FRT) were also assessed as fall-related factors. Items independently associated with FRI-21 were extracted in stepwise multiple regression analysis. [Results] TUG and occlusal force were found to be independently associated with FRI-21. [Conclusion] These results suggest that occlusal force is a useful assessment of the fall risk of the frail elderly.

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[Purpose] To compare 2nd rotational range of motion excluding the humeral retroversion angle of symptomatic and asymptomatic baseball pitchers. [Subjects] The subjects were 69 pitchers: 38 in the symptomatic group and 31 in the asymptomatic group. [Methods] The retroversion angle of the humeral head and the actual rotational range of motion of the shoulder joint were measured using ultrasonography. They were compared between the two groups. [Results] There were no significant differences between the two groups in the retroversion angle of the humeral head or the actual rotational angle of the non-pitching side. However, on the pitching side of the symptomatic group, the actual range of external rotation was significantly greater, and the actual range of internal rotation was significantly less than those of the asymptomatic group. [Conclusion] The changes in 2nd rotational range of motion of the symptomatic baseball pitchers were caused by soft tissue factor(s) rather than humeral retroversion.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between toe-grip strength and one-leg standing time in home-visit rehabilitation. [Subjects] The subjects were 33 users of home-visit rehabilitation, who could stand independently for more than 30 seconds. [Methods] Bilateral toe-grip strength was measured three times and one-leg standing time was measured three times. The maximum values were used in the statistical analysis. The relationship between toe-grip strength and one-leg standing time was evaluated using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. [Results] The correlation coefficient value was 0.776, indicating there was a strong correlation. [Conclusion] This result suggests that toe-grip strength is necessary for balance ability.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare with the effects of vestibular rehabilitation (VR) for peripheral vertigo (PE group) and psychogenic vertigo (PS group) patients. [Subjects] A total of 25 patients with vertigo (PS group: 9 persons, PE group: 16 persons) participated in this study. [Methods] The severity of vertigo scale (SV), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Dizziness Handicap Inventory Japanese version (DHI-J) were used to assess the vertigo or dizziness symptoms and handicaps before and after the intervention. [Results] VR had a high effect on all of the assessments in the PE group, whereas effects on autonomic nervous symptoms and DHI-Emotional (DHI-E) were moderate, and DHI-Functional (DHI-F) was small, in the PS group. [Conclusion] The results suggest that VR might be effective at improving SV, BBS and DHI-J in PS cases, and symptoms of vertigo, BBS and DHI-P in PE cases.

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[Purpose] To investigate the factors affecting the activities of daily living (ADL) abilities of chronic stroke patients. [Subjects] The subjects were 91 chronic stroke patients. [Methods] The items assessed were: age, body mass index (BMI), the Barthel index (BI), mini-mental state examination (MMSE), mini-nutritional assessment-short form (MNA-SF), short physical performance battery (SPPB) and grip strength. Multiple regression analysis was performed with BI as the dependent variable, and age, MNA-SF, MMSE, SPPB and grip strength as independent variables. [Results] The factor with the largest effect on BI was SPPB (β=0.487); MMSE (β=0.317) and grip strength (β=0.310) also showed significant effects. [Conclusion] The results provide evidence that the ability of chronic stroke patients to perform ADL is affected by physical function, cognitive function, and muscle strength, but not by age or nutritional state.

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[Purpose] The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between lumbar clinical instability and muscle onset time during prone hip extension in individuals with chronic low back pain. [Subjects] Twenty-five subjects with chronic low back pain were recruited. [Methods] Electromyography data of the back muscles were collected during prone hip extension. The prone instability test and aberrant movement patterns during lumbar flexion test were used as lumbar clinical instability tests. The relationships between lumbar clinical instability and onset timing of the muscles during prone hip extension were analyzed using correlation coefficients. [Results] Greater delays in the onset of the bilateral multifidus and contralateral erector spinae activities during prone hip extension correlated positively with the prone instability test findings. [Conclusion] Greater delays in the onset of the bilateral multifidus and contralateral erector spinae activities during prone hip extension correlated positively with the lumbar clinical instability test findings.

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[Purpose] We conducted a longitudinal study of the pre-frail elderly, who have a high risk of falls, and examined in detail one of the factors, falls, which is one of the causes leading to need-of-care status. [Subjects] The subjects were 585 community-dwelling elderly. [Methods] Over a 2-year period, a survey was conducted by mail of fall incidents and factors of falls of the 585 persons, who were judged to be pre-frail elderly. [Results] Factors predicting falls were a reduction in nutritional status and a decline in the sense of fulfillment. In addition, money management and fatigue levels were also revealed to be predictors. [Conclusion] The results suggest that for fall prevention among the pre-frail elderly, not only motor function, but also executive function and mental function are involved in the performance of higher levels of activity.

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[Purpose] To clarify the differences and commonalities in the learning motivation of students in physical and occupational therapy vocational colleges, between those entering college straight from school (ECS) and not straight from school (not-ECS), to assist with student guidance. [Subjects] The subjects were 66 ECS and 18 not-ECS students. [Methods] Based on the two-factor model of learning motivation, a questionnaire survey was conducted over 3 years. [Results] Fulfillment, training, and practicality showed high levels, irrespective of student type, and although the relation levels were low, a stronger tendency was found among the not-ECS students. [Conclusion] According to the results regarding the commonalities and differences in the characteristics of ECS and not-ECS students’ learning motivation, it is necessary to not only maintain content-relevant motivation, but also to flexibly develop content-separate motivation, and based on these findings educators should seek to support students.

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[Purpose] After finger amputation for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis, ulceration occurred preventing epthelization of the surgical wound of a dialysis patient, and treatment for the wound was expected to become long term. Micro-current electrotherapy (MCET) was started 8 months after hospitalization with the objective of epethilization of the wound, and its effect was retrospectively investigated using medical records. [Subject] A hemodialysis patient who was discharged with epithelization of a surgical wound after 25 months hospital treatment. [Method] After discharge, data regarding the condition of the patient’s surgical wound were retrospectively retrieved from medical records, and the course before and after MCET was compared. MCET was performed for 30 minutes, once a day, 6 times a week. [Results] Bone sequestrum of fingers I~V of the right hand ceased, and 18 months after the start of the treatment, epithilization of the ulcerated part of the wound occurred. [Conclusion] After amputation for vasculitis, it is possible that MCET using a small lightweight device to treat ulceration of the surgical wound was useful.

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[Purpose] This study was designed to examine the effect of plantar sensory input training on balance control and gait function of a patient with stroke, who had abnormal sensory integration, especially abnormal sensory re-weighting. [Subject] The patient was a woman with right hemiplegia at 1 month post-stroke. Her postural stability was affected by abnormal sensory re-weighting. [Method] We provided the patient with plantar sensory input training for 1 month. Then re-evaluated the relative contributions of vision, somatic sensation, and vestibular sense to the maintenance of postural stability while standing. [Result] After physical therapy with sensory input from the plantar sole, the relative contribution of somatic sensation increased, and postural control dysfunction and gait asymmetry were reduced. [Conclusion] Training with sensory input from the plantar sole, which affects the relative contribution of each sensory modality, might be an effective way of improving the balance control and gait function of patients with stroke.

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