It has been pointed out that a biased perception of the subjective visual vertical (SVV) in stroke patients might be related to balance deficits and impaired activities of daily living (ADL). The relationship between SVV and static balance in stroke patients, however, still remains unclear. Thus we examined the relationship between SVV and standing balance in 29 hemiparetic patients with a first-ever supratentorial stroke. We measured the rotation angle formed by a subjective vertical and the gravitational vertical (rotation to the non-paretic side was set as positive) 8 times, and employed the mean value as the SVV value. We also calculated the absolute rotation angle for each time and employed the mean value as the absolute SVV value. Then we evaluated postural balance using four stabilometer parameters : length of center of pressure per time (LNG/T), envelopment area (ENV), root mean square (RMS) and weight-bearing asymmetry (WBA) during standing. The relationship between the SVV values or the absolute SVV values and the four stabilometer parameters were analyzed using the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. The mean values for SVV and absolute SVV of all participants were -0.3±2.3° and 2.0±1.5°, respectively. The absolute SVV value and each of the four parameters were positively correlated with statistical significance (LNG/T ; r=0.44, ENV ; r=0.41, RMS ; r=0.46, WBA ; r=0.40), while there was no statistically significant correlation between the SVV value and each of them. These results suggest that the SVV bias size is possibly related to standing balance in stroke patients.

Objective: To examine the relationship between the time constant of oxygen uptake kinetics during the onset of exercise (τVO2) estimated from a single exercise bout and that obtained from three averaged exercise bouts in individuals with stroke. Methods: Twenty participants with stroke performed three bouts of a constant-load pedaling exercise at approximately 80% of the workload corresponding to the ventilatory threshold to estimate τVO2. The VO2 data from the first trial of three bouts were used to estimate τVO2 for a single bout. Additionally, data collected from three bouts were ensemble-averaged to obtain τVO2 for three averaged bouts as the criterion. Results: There was a very high correlation between τVO2 for a single bout (34.8±14.0 seconds) and τVO2 for three averaged bouts (38.5±13.4 seconds) (r=0.926, p<0.001). However, τVO2 for a single bout was smaller than that for three averaged bouts (p=0.006). Conclusion τVO2 for a single bout could reflect the relative difference in τVO2 for three averaged bouts among individuals with stroke. However, it should be noted that τVO2 for a single bout may be underestimated compared to τVO2 for three averaged bouts.

Objective: To examine the relationship between the time constant of oxygen uptake kinetics during the onset of exercise (τVO2) estimated from a single exercise bout and that obtained from three averaged exercise bouts in individuals with stroke. Methods: Twenty participants with stroke performed three bouts of a constant-load pedaling exercise at approximately 80% of the workload corresponding to the ventilatory threshold to estimate τVO2. The VO2 data from the first trial of three bouts were used to estimate τVO2 for a single bout. Additionally, data collected from three bouts were ensemble-averaged to obtain τVO2 for three averaged bouts as the criterion. Results: There was a very high correlation between τVO2 for a single bout (34.8±14.0 seconds) and τVO2 for three averaged bouts (38.5±13.4 seconds) (r=0.926, p<0.001). However, τVO2 for a single bout was smaller than that for three averaged bouts (p=0.006). Conclusion τVO2 for a single bout could reflect the relative difference in τVO2 for three averaged bouts among individuals with stroke. However, it should be noted that τVO2 for a single bout may be underestimated compared to τVO2 for three averaged bouts.

Objective：Studies on upper extremity functional interventions for patients with spinal cord infarction are limited, and the effectiveness of the interventions for upper limb paresis in such patients have not been elucidated. This case report describes evidence-based spinal cord injury interventions that improved upper extremity function in a patient with spinal cord infarction.Methods：A man in his 60s presented with mild right hemiplegia because of right anterior spinal artery infarction in the C5 medullary segment. Upon admission, the patient had an American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale of D, lacked cognitive impairment, and demonstrated independence indoors with ambulation. The intervention included a combination of robotic therapy and electrical stimulation, adherence-enhancing behavioral strategies (Transfer Package), and typical occupational therapy. We recorded the following upper extremity functional scores：①Active Range of Motion of the shoulder, ②Passive Range of Motion of the shoulder, ③Manual Muscle Test, ④Grip strength, ⑤Pinch strength, ⑥Action Research Arm Test, ⑦Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function, and ⑧Motor Activity Log.Results：After intervention therapy for 39 days, upper extremity function and the degree and quality of arm use in daily activities improved.Conclusion：These results suggest that evidence-based interventions for spinal cord injury could improve upper extremity function and the degree and quality of arm use in daily activities in patients with cervical spinal cord infarcti.