[Purpose] This study aimed to identify the characteristics of community-dwelling older adults who participate in community gatherings. [Participants and Methods] The study included 43 community-dwelling older adults who attended community gatherings. Measures assessed the baseline characteristics, the Kihon Checklist, subjective health status, participation duration, frequency of outings, exercise self-efficacy, outdoor self-efficacy, and participation frequency over a four-month period. [Results] There was a significant difference in exercise self-efficacy between the two groups. A negative correlation was observed between the participation frequency and outdoor self-efficacy. Additionally, outdoor self-efficacy showed a negative correlation with the Kihon Checklist, whereas exercise self-efficacy showed a positive correlation with subjective health status. [Conclusion] Community-dwelling older adults with a high frequency of participation in community gatherings exhibited low exercise and outdoor self-efficacy.

[Purpose] To investigate the association between health literacy and lower back pain as well as limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) due to lower back pain in patients after surgery for spinal disease. [Participants and Methods] This study included patients who underwent initial spinal surgery at our hospital. The survey was conducted by mail, and 86 returned surveys were analyzed. Health literacy was assessed using the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire 47 (HLS-EU-Q47). Lower back pain was evaluated using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and ADL limitations were assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). [Results] HLS-EU-Q47 showed a significant negative correlation with VAS and ODI, even after adjusting for confounding factors. [Conclusion] The results suggest improving health literacy of patients would contribute to reduction of their lower back pain and ADL limitations after surgery for spinal disease.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of backward walking on static standing balance. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 34 healthy males. They performed two tasks, 10 m of comfortable and effortful backward walking, with their eyes open and closed. Static standing balance before and after the tasks were examined and measured using a stabilometer. [Results] In comfortable and effortful walking with eyes open, the center of gravity shifted backward after walking compared to before walking. In effortful walking with eyes closed, the center of gravity sway in the lateral direction increased after walking compared with that before walking. [Conclusion] Backward walking may be a treatment approach for cases in which the center of gravity is shifted forward while standing still, or in which visual information is reduced and center of gravity movement in the lateral direction is reduced.

[Purpose] To calculate the energy balance and uncover factors influencing it in convalescent patients. [Participants and Methods] A total of 229 patients were assessed by our nutrition support team. Energy requirements were calculated using the Harris-Benedict formula, and energy balance was calculated by comparing it with energy intake. The patients were divided into Alert and Not-alert groups by the value of –240 kcal for energy balance, and cachexia, gastrointestinal symptoms, dysphagia, grip strength, cognitive function, Body Mass Index (BMI), serum C-reactive protein, and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) performance index were compared between the two groups. [Results] Cognitive decline, BMI, and age differed significantly between the two groups, and cognitive decline was identified as a significant factor in logistic regression analysis. [Conclusion] Patients with cognitive decline including higher brain dysfunction might have energy deficiency, and the assessment of energy balance should be considered an important issue.

[Purpose] To create a score model to determine whether hemiplegic stroke patients in a convalescent ward can walk independently at the time of discharge based on information at the time of admission to the ward. [Participants and Methods] Two hundred twenty-nine patients admitted to a convalescent ward of our hospital were classified into two groups according to whether or not they could walk independently at the time of discharge, and a score model based on their basic information, physical function, and cognitive function at the time of admission was created. [Results] Age at admission (reference value: 77.5 years), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) (16 points), Functional Independence Measure (FIM) motor items (37.5 points), and FIM cognitive items (20.5 points) were found to be significant predictive factors of walking independence, and a score model was created from this data. [Conclusion] The results suggest that the ability to walk independently at the time of discharge can be predicted using this score model.