[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immediate effect of exercise therapy using the SPIDER on the balance ability of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). [Participants and Methods] Ten patients with PD underwent exercise therapy with and without SPIDER, and the effects were compared. Effectiveness was measured by the Timed up and Go Test (TUG), Functional Reach Test (FRT), and 10-meter walk test. The exercise task consisted of 10 squats and 10 back-and-forth steps each. [Results] TUG, FRT, and walking speed significantly improved with SPIDER. No significant differences were found without SPIDER. [Conclusion] The results of this study suggest that exercise therapy using SPIDER has an immediate effect on the dynamic balance ability of PD patients.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of standing posture with turnout in children. [Participants and Methods] Ten female preschool children and thirteen skilled female adult ballet dancers participated in the study. The standing postures in the parallel and the turnout in the sagittal plane were photographed, and the posture angle, ear-neck angle, and horizontal distance from the vertical line to the anatomical measurement point were measured. [Results] Compared to dancers, children showed larger posture angles and forward movement of the torso in the turnout position. [Conclusion] In the turnout position, the children exhibited postural forward tilt and large forward movement of the torso region, which was different from the adult dancers who showed a decrease in postural forward tilt angle and cervical extension. The results suggest that preschool children have difficulty in achieving a vertical posture due to weak muscle strength in the trunk and lower limbs.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationships between the 30-m sprint and standing broad jump and physical function of junior high school baseball players. [Participants and Methods] Twenty-six junior high school baseball players participated. The 30-m sprint, standing broad jump, deep squat test (DST), split legs, straight leg raise (SLR), grip strength, and trunk function (Sahrmann core stability test: SCST) were measured, and SLR, DST, split legs, and SCST were graded. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was calculated to characterize the relationships between the 30-m sprint, standing broad jump and physical function. [Results] Weak correlations were found between the 30-m sprint and SLR, grip strength, and SCST. Weak correlations were also found between the standing broad jump and grip strength, and SCST. [Conclusion] The results suggest that trunk stabilization is important in the 30-m sprint and standing broad jump of junior high school baseball players.

[Purpose] To clarify t he relationship between the level of independence in activities of daily living (ADL) and Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (SMI), as well as the prevalence of low skeletal muscle mass, in care-dependent elderly residents of nursing homes. [Participants and Methods] In 39 care-dependent elderly women living in special nursing homes, the Barthel Index (BI) representing ADL and skeletal muscle mass based on bioelectrical impedance analysis to calculate the SMI were measured, and the correlation between the 2 indices was analyzed. The SMI was used to screen for low skeletal muscle mass, conforming to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 Consensus. [Results] The correlation coefficient between the BI and SMI was 0.61. The prevalence of low skeletal muscle mass was 84.6%. [Conclusion] The results suggest a correlation between the level of independence in ADL and skeletal muscle mass, revealing the presence of low skeletal muscle mass in most of the special nursing home residents.

[Purpose] In the Kinesio Taping® (KT) method, no objective method has been established to measure the length of tape to be cut based on the elongation percentage. Therefore, a method using a simple regression model was devised and verified. [Participants and Methods] Two types of KT were cut in the range of 10 to 50 cm. The six single regression models used to calculate the length of KT to be cut with the release paper attached were created based on elongation data and the required elongation percentage. [Results] All simple regression models were 100% predictive. [Conclusion] The six simple regression models controlling for elongation percentage proved to be a useful method.

[Purpose] The author investigated the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and cognitive function in older adults requiring long-term care who were using daycare facilities. [Participants and Methods] The subjects were 24 older adults requiring nursing care who commuted to daycare facilities. Subjects’ age, sex, height, BMI, muscle mass, educational background, the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were evaluated. Multiple regression analysis was used to investigate factors independently associated with cognitive function. Multiple regression analysis was performed with the MMSE score as the dependent variable and age, gender, educational background, and BMI as independent variables. [Results] Multiple regression analysis revealed that BMI was the only factor independently associated with the MMSE score. [Conclusion] This result suggests there is a positive correlation between BMI and cognitive function in the older adults requiring nursing care.

[Purpose] To identify factors at admission that predict independence in ascending and descending stairs at discharge in vertebral compression fractures (VCF). [Participants and Methods] The following items were measured at admission in 173 female VCF patients discharged from post-acute care wards: the Revised Hasegawa’s Dementia Scale (HDS-R) score, Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (SMI), Body Mass Index (BMI), and hand grip strength. The history of stokes, number of vertebral fractures, number of injuries, and the length of hospital stay (days) were also examined. Subsequently, factors at admission that predict independence in ascending and descending stairs at discharge were analyzed, and their cutoff values for the prediction were calculated. [Results] The HDS-R score (cutoff: 19.5) and hand grip strength (13.9 kg) at admission were shown to predict independence in ascending and descending stairs at discharge. [Conclusion] VCF Patients with good cognitive function and hand grip strength scores at admission are likely to become able to ascend and descend stairs independently at discharge.

[Purpose] In this study, we examined how the interscapular distance of children changes before and after the use of a spine mat. [Participants and Methods] The study included 83 elementary school students. Each participant was placed on a bed in the supine position, and a spine mat was inserted into the thoracic spine area. The thoracic kyphosis angle and interscapular distance were measured before and after the spine mat intervention, and the subjects were divided into excessive kyphosis and normal kyphosis groups. [Results] We observed a significant difference in the interscapular distance before and after intervention in both groups (excessive kyphosis group: 13.9 ± 1.7 cm before intervention, 13.3 ± 1.9 cm after intervention; normal kyphosis group: 13.6 ± 2.7 cm before intervention, 13.3 ± 2.7 cm after intervention). [Conclusion] The spine mat may have the immediate effect of decreasing the distance between the scapulae of children.

[Purpose] This study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of hyperkyphosis in male university students. [Participants and Methods] The angles of thoracic kyphosis, upper thoracic spine, lower thoracic spine, lumbar lordosis, and sacral tilt of 100 male university students were measured in the standing position using a Spinal-Mouse®. [Results] The prevalence of subjects with hyperkyphosis of 40° or greater was 45% (45/100 subjects). The thoracic kyphosis angle of 40° was used to divide the students into a hyperkyphosis group and a normal kyphosis group and the results of the two groups were compared. No significant correlation was found between the thoracic kyphosis angle and lumbar lordosis angle in the hyperkyphosis group, but a weak correlation was found in the normal kyphosis group. [Conclusion] The prevalence of university students with thoracic hyperkyphosis was 45.0%, suggesting that there may be no significant correlation between thoracic kyphosis angle and lumbar lordosis angle in this condition.

[Purpose] We examined the effects of having Point of Care (POC) rehabilitation staff permanently assigned to community-based comprehensive care wards on patient activities of daily living (ADL) and average length of hospital stay. [Participants and Methods] One hundred fourteen patients eligible for disease-specific rehabilitation were divided into two groups before and after rehabilitation staff assignment, and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) gain, FIM efficiency, average length of hospital stay, and ADL error improvement values were compared between the groups. [Results] The item showing a significant difference between the two groups was the average length of hospital stay. There were no significant differences in FIM gain, FIM efficiency, or ADL error improvement between the two groups. [Conclusion] The implementation of POC rehabilitation by ward permanently assigned significantly reduced the length of hospital stay, which may have been due to the promotion of inter-professional collaboration within the hospital and opportunities to explain to family members.

[Purpose] To clarify the relation between the standing postural stability during work on a stepladder and the center of gravity (CoG) sway area of static standing. [Participants and Methods] Nine healthy adults were the subjects of this study. A Postural Stress Test (PST) of backward stress on a narrow horizontal platform was performed, and the CoG of static standing was measured. The relationships between CoG sway area of static standing, latent time and maximum distance of CoG were evaluated using correlation analysis. [Results] It was clarified that there is a correlation between CoG sway area of static standing and latent time. Also, latent time correlates with the maximum distance of CoG. [Conclusion] The results suggest that the standing postural stability during work on a stepladder can be evaluated with CoG sway area of static standing.

[Purpose] To test the effects of Life Kinetik^Ⓡ training (LK^Ⓡ) on visual function and the coordination of vision and body control. [Participants and Methods] The subjects were 52 male members of a high school soccer team. They were randomly divided into two groups: the LK^Ⓡ group, which performed 60 minutes of LK^Ⓡ once a week for 12 consecutive weeks in addition to general soccer training, and the CON group, which performed only general soccer training. The selective reaction time and peripheral visual field were measured in both groups. [Results] The LK^Ⓡ group showed a significant increase in both selective reaction time and peripheral visual field angle. [Conclusion] LK^Ⓡ training improved the selective reaction time and peripheral visual field of the soccer players.

[Purpose] To clarify physicians’ point of view of relapse of symptoms for patients who had lumbar degenerative disease surgery, and their expectations of postoperative physical therapy. [Participants and Methods] The participants were four orthopedic surgeons specializing in lumbar degenerative disease. Basic attributes and other data were collected through an internet survey. Interviews were conducted regarding perceptions of postoperative relapse of symptoms and expectations of postoperative physical therapy. [Results] Point of view of relapse of symptoms was based on complaints of daily living as described by patients. Postoperative physical therapy was expected to maintain core muscle strength, adjust general balance, and provide independent training instruction. [Conclusion] Physicians judged postoperative symptom flare-ups not only by objective evaluation, but also by the complaints of daily life as described by patients. Their expectations of postoperative physical therapy were the maintenance or improvement of muscle strength and general balance in order to prevent relapse of symptoms.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of an environmental factor intervention on the outcome of activity and participation of a home rehabilitation patient in a single case design. [Participant and Methods] We compared the 3-month interventions of Phase A and Phase B for one patient with a left thalamic hemorrhage. The change in each activity and the participation scale of 36 home-visit rehabilitation patients over a 3-month period were calculated in a preliminary survey, and the target values for this case were set as 9 points on the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), 5.9 points on the Life Space Assessment (LSA), and 4.3 points on the Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ). In Phase A, physiotherapy was provided according to the Community Physiotherapy Guidelines 1st Edition, and in Phase B, in addition to the Phase A intervention, goal-focused physiotherapy was provided using the Comprehensive Environmental Factors Questionnaire (CEQ). [Results] The change in each scale was 3 points for FIM, 9.0 points for LSA, and 2.0 points for CIQ in Period A, and 9 points for FIM, 1.0 point for LSA, and 4.5 points for CIQ in Period B. [Conclusion] Our results suggest that intervention for environmental factors for home rehabilitation patients has a positive impact on activity and participation outcomes.

[Purpose] We report the impact of physical therapy on Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Quality of Life (QOL) of a terminal cancer patient with severe hemiplegia due to a brain hemorrhage being treated in a fully independent palliative care hospital. [Participant and Methods] A man in his 60s presenting hemiplegia was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, brain metastasis, and multiple lung metastases following cerebral hemorrhage. The subject was diagnosed with Performance Status 4 and transferred to a fully independent palliative care hospital where he received physical therapy for 8 weeks. [Results] At the start of physical therapy after transfer (day 51), ADL was 23 points for Functional Independence Measure (FIM) motor items, 31 points for FIM cognitive items and 26 points for QOL as measured by the Comprehensive Quality of Life Outcome short version. After 8 weeks, the FIM motor items of transfer improved to 28 points, and QOL improved to 39 points. [Conclusion] Physical therapy for terminal cancer patients with severe disability due to cerebral hemorrhage may contribute to the improvement of mobility and QOL.

Nutritional deficiencies in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are a problem that needs to be corrected. Although COPD is a relatively common disorder and its causes are multifactorial, nutritional deficiencies have a negative impact on the symptoms and prognosis of patients with COPD. Nutritional therapy has therefore been incorporated into respiratory rehabilitation. The effectiveness of this intervention has been evaluated by various indices and recommendations have been provided. The practice of nutritional therapy and recent advances in research have attracted much attention, and there are high expectations for future developments. In this review, we discuss the evolution of interest in nutritional disorders in patients with COPD, their frequency of occurrence, multidimensional factors of pathogenesis, adverse effects, methods of evaluation, the effectiveness of nutritional supplementation therapy and recommendations for implementation, as well as future prospects in clinical practice and research.