Results: In the early phase after surgery, 71% and 43% of the participants were nonindependent ambulators at 1W and 2W, respectively. Histopathology indicated that patients with solid tumors (ependymoma, astrocytoma, or lipoma) showed significantly lower indices at 1W and 2W than those with vascular tumors (hemangioblastoma or cavernous hemangioma). Regarding tumor location, thoracic cases exhibited poorer lower-limb function at 1W and 2W and poorer walking ability at 2W than cervical cases. According to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, 2 WISCI II points at 2W had the highest sensitivity (100%) and specificity (92.2%) in predicting the level of walking independence at 1 year postoperatively (the area under the ROC curve was 0.99 (95% confidence interval, 0.93–1.00). Conclusions The higher the lower-limb function scores in the early phase, the better the improvement in walking ability is predicted 1 year after ISCT resection.

Objective：We aimed to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the “body function”, “activity”, and “participation” domains of functioning as defined in the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) for individuals with spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA).Methods：A questionnaire survey was administered to 1,000 members of the SCD/MSA patient association in Japan between November and December 2020. Questions related to COVID-19 were extracted from the multipurpose data, and the degree of COVID-19-related effects on each life function was assessed using a 7-point scale. Results were stratified into two groups based on age, care needs based on long-term care insurance coverage, and limited opportunities for rehabilitation. The χ2 test was used to examine differences between pairs of groups regarding impacts on functioning.Results：Data from 460 participants with SCD and MSA were analyzed. Participation restriction was reported in 54％ of participants with SCD and 46％ of participants with MSA, and impairment and activity limitation in approximately 20％ of participants with both conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants with low care needs reported more impairment in SCD and more participation restriction in MSA. About 24％ of subjects reported limited opportunities for rehabilitation. MSA participants with these limitations reported greater impairment.Conclusion：The COVID-19 pandemic has had a particular impact on the participation domain of functioning in participants with SCD and MSA. The domains of body function and participation were found to be affected in participants with low care needs or limited opportunities for rehabilitation.

Many acute and subacute complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported. However, the recovery process in severely ill patients is not clear. Here, we report three patients with favorable physical function after severe COVID-19. All three patients were older than 65 years and had comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and smoking habits. During respiratory failure, they received mechanical ventilation support for more than 4 days. Two patients had undergone tracheostomy, and one had undergone extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). At the time of transfer to our hospital, they had lower-limb muscle weakness, respiratory distress on exertion, exercise-induced hypoxemia (EIH), and complications from immobility, such as peroneal nerve palsy. During rehabilitation, we monitored peripheral blood oxygen saturation, adjusted the workload, and administered temporary orthotic therapy. The patients improved within 150 days after the onset of the disease, and they were discharged home and were able to walk as a practical means of transportation. Even after severe COVID-19, the patients achieved good physical function. Interventions for EIH and complications due to immobility were additionally necessary. In the future, we must examine the relationship between improvements in physical function and rehabilitation.