The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes of pre-motion time (PMT), pre-motion silent period (PMSP), and switching silent period (SSP) before and after the training using balance-mat. Twenty healthy people aged 21-36 years old (average 26.5 years old) were subjected to a series of experiment. These were randomly divided into two groups (10 subjects each), control and balance-mat group. Activities of M. Soleus and M. Tibialis anterior were recorded by electromyogram (EMG) for the duration subjects were tried to raise their both heels as quick respond to a flashing lamp. Intervention consisted of 3minutes standing on the floor in control group, and 3 minutes standing on the balance-mat in balance-mat group. Then EMG was recorded as the same manner after the intervention in each group. There was no statistical difference of duration of PMSP and SSP between the two groups before intervention. On the other hand, those in balance-mat group were significantly shorter than those in control group after intervention. In addition, in balance-mat group, duration of PMSP and SSP after intervention were significantly shorter than that before intervention. There was no statistical difference of PMT between before and after the intervention. These results suggested balance-mat training was effective for shorten the duration of SSP and PMSP, that lead to control the posture function.

The Ability for Basic Movement Scale (ABMS) II has been introduced recently in some institutions for assessment of motor function in hemiparesis patients. This scale can estimate 5 important basic movements (turn over from supine position, sit up, remain sitting, stand up and remain standing). However, this scale has not been used in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The purpose of this study was to determine the association among ABMS II, lower leg muscle strength, activity of daily living (ADL) and neurological deterioration in PD patients. Forty-nine patients with PD were studied (mean age at evaluation: 73.8 ± 15.9 years; time between onset and evaluation: 33.8 ± 44.2 months, ± standard deviation). All patients underwent assessments with ABMS II, Barthel index (BI), lower limb muscle strength and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Part 3. ABMS II correlated significantly with UPDRS Part 3 and BI, and moderately with lower leg muscle strength. There was no correlation between UPDRS Part 3 and lower leg muscle strength. The study demonstrated that ABMS II score was associated significantly with neurological deterioration, ADL and lower leg muscle strength in patients with PD. We advocate the use of ABMS II by physical therapist for the assessment of PD patients.
Activities of Daily Living ; Disability Evaluation ; Humans ; Leg ; Lower Extremity ; Muscle Strength ; Paresis ; Parkinson Disease* ; Physical Therapists ; Supine Position

Objective：This study was aimed at investigating the acquirement of socks-handling ability with hip flex, abduction, and external rotation position (hip open position）in 5 months after the posterior approach to total hip arthroplasty (THA), with consideration of the functional goals by conducting a multicenter cooperative study.Methods：The study included 101 patients (104 hip joints) with hip osteoarthritis. We evaluated patient attribution；ranges of motion of the hip, knee and ankle；hip pain in socks-handling；and upper extremity length, which were evaluated before the operation, upon hospital discharge and at 5 months after the posterior approach to THA. The patients were classified into those who attained and did not attain socks-handling ability in open hip position until 5 months after THA. We investigated the factors for acquiring socks-handling ability by using a multiple logistic regression analysis.Results：We identified three factors that significantly correlated to socks-handling ability as follows：(1) socks-handling ability before the operation, (2) range of hip external rotation before operation, and (3) range of hip abduction before discharge. The goal to acquire socks-handling ability is 27.5° hip external rotation and 17.5° hip abduction.Conclusion：We suggest that socks-handling ability must be acquired before THA and that the target range of hip abduction and external rotation must be attained during the early post-THA stage.

Objective：This study was aimed at investigating the acquirement of socks-handling ability with hip flex, abduction, and external rotation position (hip open position) in 5 months after the posterior approach to total hip arthroplasty (THA), with consideration of the functional goals by conducting a multicenter cooperative study.Methods：The study included 101 patients (104 hip joints) with hip osteoarthritis. We evaluated patient attribution；ranges of motion of the hip, knee and ankle；hip pain in socks-handling；and upper extremity length, which were evaluated before the operation, upon hospital discharge and at 5 months after the posterior approach to THA. The patients were classified into those who attained and did not attain socks-handling ability in open hip position until 5 months after THA. We investigated the factors for acquiring socks-handling ability by using a multiple logistic regression analysis.Results：We identified three factors that significantly correlated to socks-handling ability as follows：(1) socks-handling ability before the operation, (2) range of hip external rotation before operation, and (3) range of hip abduction before discharge. The goal to acquire socks-handling ability is 27.5°hip external rotation and 17.5°hip abduction.Conclusion：We suggest that socks-handling ability must be acquired before THA and that the target range of hip abduction and external rotation must be attained during the early post-THA stage.

Objective: In recent years, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown promise in treating aphasia. While previous reports used the Standard Language Test of Aphasia (SLTA) for evaluation of language functions, the difficulty level of each task in SLTA varies. To show the effects of rTMS in more detail, it is necessary to use weighted values for the SLTA scores. This study aimed to assess the impact of high-frequency rTMS on aphasia using the deviation values of the SLTA.Methods: Thirty-one post-stroke aphasic patients participated in this study [mean (SD) age 58.0 (10.1) years, 15 infarction and 16 hemorrhage] from 2017 to 2021. The average (SD) duration from the onset of stroke to the intervention was 41.1 (31.1) months. Prior to admission, brain sites for rTMS were determined by detecting activation during the word-repeat task using functional MRI. A two-week inpatient treatment, including daily high-frequency rTMS and speech language hearing therapy (excluding Sundays), was conducted. In statistical analysis, SLTA scores were converted into deviation values, with participants grouped by rTMS sites (frontal lobe, temporal lobe, left/right hemisphere) for pre- and post-treatment comparisons.Results: rTMS sites included right frontal lobe (6 cases), left frontal lobe (10 cases), right temporal lobe (5 cases), and left temporal lobe (10 cases). Pre- and post-treatment comparisons showed significant improvements in overall mean scores and speech items in all groups. Additionally, significant enhancements in auditory comprehension items were observed in the right hemisphere and frontal lobe stimulation groups.Conclusion: High-frequency rTMS shows promise that it can improve language function regardless of the stimulation site, and auditory comprehension may be improved specifically by the right hemisphere and left frontal lobe stimulation. This suggests its potential as a valuable therapeutic intervention.