Objective : The purpose of this clinical research was to create an assessment for patients with muscle disease who wish to continue driving by investigating their motor function and driving experience. Methods : Twenty-four patients with muscle disease who visited our hospital from December 2009 to April 2010 were enrolled in our research. For patients who were still driving, physiatrists evaluated their motor functions, examined simulated driving motions and recorded their driving capabilities and techniques, their ability to get into and out of the vehicle and their ability to store and remove their wheelchairs. Patients no longer driving were asked why they had given up driving. Results : Fifteen patients who continued driving had enough upper limb strength and could simulate driving motions, though the location and degree of their muscle weakness were variable. Five of fifteen drove with the aid of a hand-operated brake and accelerator. Seven needed personal assistance: three to get into and out of the vehicles, six to store and remove wheelchairs. The nine patients who had stopped driving reported that the primary reason for discontinuing driving was that they recognized their muscles were insufficient to control the vehicle. Conclusions : We propose to evaluate muscle strength and to test simulated driving motions when assessing patients with muscle disease. A hand-operated brake and accelerator is efficient for patients with lower limb muscle weakness. However, since no efficient automobile modifications are available for those patients who cannot get into and get out of their vehicles or store and remove their wheelchairs by themselves, we suggest arranging personal assistance for such patients.

Bed rest for pregnant women recovering from threatened abortion and premature labor to prevent abortion can cause deconditioning syndrome, but it is not clear what kind of physical exercise should be provided for these patients. To better provide appropriate rehabilitation for threatened abortion and premature labor patients, we investigated patient clinical records retrospectively. In 11 patients who were provided rehabilitation within the past three years, eight delivered during hospitalization and three became independent in ADLs and were discharged while still pregnant. All patients who delivered during their hospitalization became independent in ADLs immediately after delivery, and as a result, the maternal prognosis was good. Choosing an appropriate rehabilitation approach for patients with threatened premature labor may help alleviate their deconditioning during pregnancy without any adverse impact.