Satoru Saeki

Return to Work After Stroke A Follow-up Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Few studies have reported the longitudinal trend of return to work after stroke. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the longitudinal trend of proportion of patients who return to work after stroke and further to examine the predictors of return to work while taking follow-up periods into consideration. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study on the association between characteristics of stroke patients at admission and return to work after first stroke, taking length of follow-up period into consideration (n = 183). The patients were all younger than 65 years and were working at the time of their stroke. A follow-up questionnaire evaluated return to work and related information. Data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method for curves of the proportion of return to work and Coxs proportional hazards model for odds ratios of return to work. RESULTS The curve of proportion of return to work had two steep slopes, and the proportion was at a maximum at 18 months from patient admission. The adjusted odds ratios of return to work for patients with normal muscle strength versus severe weakness, without apraxia versus with apraxia, and with white-collar versus blue-collar occupations were 5.16 (P < .05), 4.16 (P < .05), and 1.43 (.05 < P < .10), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The increase of proportion of return to work after stroke was nonlinear, and this trend was referable to the social security systems available to the patients included in this study. Normal muscle strength and absence of apraxia were significant predictors of return to work after stroke. White-collar occupation showed a tendency to promote return to work.

Effects of anodal and cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation combined with robotic therapy on severely affected arms in chronic stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of combined therapy using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with robot-assisted arm training (AT) for impairment of the upper limb in chronic stroke patients, and to clarify whether differences exist in the effect of anodal tDCS on the affected hemisphere (tDCS(a) + AT) and cathodal tDCS on the unaffected hemisphere (tDCS(c) + AT). METHODS Subjects in this randomized, double-blinded, crossover study comprised 18 chronic stroke patients with moderate-to-severe arm paresis. Each patient underwent 2 different treatments: tDCS(a) + AT; and tDCS(c) + AT. Each intervention was administered for 5 days, and comprised AT with 1 mA of tDCS during the first 10 min. Outcomes were identified as changes in Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMUL), modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and Motor Activity Log (MAL) for the upper limb. RESULTS Both interventions showed significant improvements in FMUL and MAS, but not in MAL. Distal spasticity was significantly improved with tDCS(c) + AT compared with tDCS(a) + AT for right hemispheric lesions (median -1 vs 0), but not for left hemispheric lesions. CONCLUSION Although this study demonstrated that combined therapy could achieve limited effects in the hemiplegic arm of chronic stroke patients, a different effect of polarity of tDCS was seen for patients with right hemispheric lesions.

Gender-Related Differences in Scores of the Barthel Index and Frenchay Activities Index in Randomly Sampled Elderly Persons Living at Home in Japan

The purpose of this study was to examine for gender-related differences in activities of daily living (ADL) and lifestyle of elderly persons living at home, and to support our hypothesis that the gender-related difference in lifestyle of stroke patients derives from their lifestyle prior to the stroke. Participants were randomly sampled elderly persons living at home. Questionnaire sheets including subject profile, Self-Rating Barthel Index (disability index), and Self-Rating Frenchay Activities Index (activity index) were mailed and collected, and the data were analyzed with the t-test and General Linear Model (factorial model with interaction). A total of 752 subjects were recruited, and their average age was 67.1 years. No significant gender-related differences were evident in the disability index including self-care and mobility domains (t-test, P > 0.05). In contrast gender-related differences in the activity index were significant (t-test, P < 0.05) for three factors; gender, age group, and living conditions, and in a covariate disability index (GLM, P < 0.05). Because randomly selected elderly persons in this study exhibited a prominent gender-related difference in lifestyle, we believe the lifestyle difference in stroke patients that we have previously described derives primarily from their premorbid attitude to daily life.

Association between location of the lesion and discharge status of ADL in first stroke patients

We investigated the relationship between the location of the lesion in the brain and discharge status of activities of daily living measured by Barthel index in 112 first-stroke patients who had survived to discharge. Physiatrists and radiologists determined the location of the lesion based on neuroanatomic classification of findings detected by head-computed tomography (CT) of the patients. A stepwise regression analysis showed that only one selected location, the right parietal lobe lesion, was negatively associated with discharge Barthel index (R2 = 0.04). However, low R2 indicated that factors other than CT findings could also influence discharge Barthel index, and thus location of the lesion detected by head CT should be considered as adjunctive on prediction of discharge status.

Oxygen consumption, oxygen cost and physiological cost index in polio survivors: a comparison of walking without orthosis, with an ordinary or a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic knee-ankle-foot orthosis.

OBJECTIVE To examine, for polio survivors, whether walking with a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic knee-ankle-foot orthosis (carbon KAFO) is more efficient than walking with an ordinary KAFO or without an orthosis. DESIGN Consecutive sample. SETTING Post-polio clinic, University Hospital of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan. PARTICIPANTS Eleven polio survivors who had a carbon KAFO prescribed at the post-polio clinic. INTERVENTIONS A carbon KAFO was prescribed, fabricated and inspected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Oxygen consumption, oxygen cost and physiological cost index. RESULTS An ordinary KAFO weighed 1403 g (standard deviation(SD) 157 g), whereas a carbon KAFO weighed 992 g (SD 168 g). Subjects walking with a carbon KAFO showed a tendency to increase step length, and to increase speed significantly compared with walking without an orthosis and with an ordinary KAFO (paired t-test, p < 0.05). Oxygen consumption per body weight, oxygen cost (O2 consumption for 1-m walk divided by body weight) and physiological cost index ((heart rate at 3-min walk - heart rate at rest) /speed) were significantly lower than those walking without an orthosis (-16%, -35%, -33%; paired t-test, p < 0.05) and were lower than those walking with an ordinary KAFO (-9%, -14%, -15%; paired t-test, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The gait efficiency of polio survivors with a carbon KAFO was objectively better than those without an orthosis or with an ordinary KAFO.

Gait training in subacute non-ambulatory stroke patients using a full weight-bearing gait-assistance robot: A prospective, randomized, open, blinded-endpoint trial

BACKGROUND This study was a prospective, randomized, open, blinded-endpoint trial with the aim of examining whether gait training with a gait-assistance robot (GAR) improves gait disturbances in subacute non-ambulatory hemiplegic stroke patients more than overground conventional gait training. The GAR adopts a robot arm control system with full weight bearing and foot pressure visual biofeedback. METHODS Twenty-six hemiplegic patients were randomly assigned to either the GAR-assisted gait training (GAGT) group or the overground conventional gait training (OCGT) group. Both groups underwent 60 min of standard physical therapy and 20 min of GAGT or OCGT 5 days a week for 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC). The secondary outcome measures were the peak torque of the extensor muscles in the lower extremities and a 10-m walking test. The lower extremity function was evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, and activities of daily living were assessed using the Functional Independence Measure. RESULTS The GAGT group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in FAC and peak torque on the unaffected side (p=0.02) than the OCGT group. Additionally, gait speed tended to be faster (p=0.07) in the GAGT group. CONCLUSIONS GAGT combined with standard physical therapy in subacute non-ambulatory hemiplegic patients led to significant improvements in gait and peak torque on the unaffected side compared to OCGT.

Factors affecting the variability of the torque curves at isokinetic trunk strength testing

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the relation between variability of the torque curves and factors such as age, gender, measurement speeds, and period from low back pain (LBP) onset at isokinetic trunk strength testing. DESIGN Observational. SETTING Hospital. PATIENTS One hundred forty-three consecutive LBP patients (acute, subacute, and chronic) who received physical therapy, and 200 healthy volunteer subjects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The variability of the torque curves is an indicator of consistency of effort, and was measured as the coefficient of variance (CV) at different measurement speeds in isokinetic trunk flexion/extension strength testing. RESULTS The CV was lower in men than in women at the faster measurement speed. LBP patients had higher CV values than healthy subjects. The CV was different according to gender and measurement speed, but not different according to age and periods from LBP onset. CONCLUSION The CV was affected by measurement speed and gender, but not by age or period from LBP onset. Because the CV was higher in LBP patients than in healthy subjects, this value may be usable as an adjunctive index of LBP.

Dynamics of capsule swallowing by healthy young men and capsule transit time from the mouth to the stomach.

We examined the dynamics of capsule swallowing by healthy young men using the anterior-posterior view of videofluoroscopy as a first step in a study on capsule swallowing by dysphagic patients. The subjects were 14 healthy men who did not have any complaint of dysphagia. They were asked to swallow a #4 hard gelatin capsule filled with barium sulfate with 15 ml of water during the videofluoroscopic examination. This examination was repeated three times for each subject (total of 42 trials). In four of the 14 subjects, a swallowed capsule was retained at the upper esophageal sphincter, or the broncho-aortic constriction of the esophagus, or the lower esophageal sphincter. Except where retention occurred, the average capsule transit time from the mouth to the stomach was 6.0 ± 2.4 s. Three of the four subjects who had capsule retention did not realize that the swallowed capsule was retained en route to the stomach. By considering the dynamics of swallowing a capsule with 15 ml of water in healthy men, we should be able to reveal the dynamics of capsule swallowing in dysphagic patients, and the capsule transit time from the mouth to the stomach.

Impact of factors indicating a poor prognosis on stroke rehabilitation effectiveness

This study examines the impact of factors indicating a poor prognosis on rehabilitation effectiveness of 124 first stroke patients admitted to a comprehensive rehabilitation unit in Kitakyushu, Japan. A multiple regression model, employing a forced entry of variables guided by prior studies on these factors, found four significant factors. Lack of motivation, urinary incontinence, each 10 years of age, and each days delay from stroke onset to the commencement of rehabilitation reduced the rehabilitation effectiveness by 20%, 15%, 4%, and 0.1% respectively. The values of beta-coefficients showed that onset-rehabilitation delay and lack of motivation were relatively important in our model. These findings are consistent with clinical impressions and provide useful information for planning stroke rehabilitation programmes.

Workplace Disability Management in Postpolio Syndrome

Postpolio syndrome (PPS) is generally defined as a clinical syndrome of new weakness, fatigue, and pain in individuals who have previously recovered from acute paralytic poliomyelitis. These new problems may lead to loss of employment as well as new deficits in instrumental activities in daily living (cleaning, washing, shopping, transportation, etc.), walking, climbing stairs, and personal assistance. We presented three cases of PPS with working disabilities in Japan, and stated the issues confronted with. Particularly at the workplace, PPS individuals need special supports from both rehabilitation medicine and occupational health services, including improved nutrition, achieving ideal body weight, regular and sensible exercise, frequent checkups, and modifying working conditions.