Toshiaki Muraki

Pedometers Affect Changes in Lower-Extremity Physical Function During a Square-Stepping Exercise Program in Older Japanese Adults.

Background and Purpose:Pedometers are often used as motivational tools to increase physical activity. Hence, providing a pedometer during an exercise intervention may enhance the benefit of exercise on lower-extremity physical function (LEPF) by maintaining or increasing daily physical activity. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect on LEPF between an exercise intervention with and without the use of a pedometer. Methods:The subjects of this study were 68 community-dwelling older adults (mean age: 70.0 ± 3.6 years) in Kasama City, rural Japan. All subjects participated in a fall-prevention exercise program called square-stepping exercise (SSE) conducted once a week for 11 weeks. Participants were allocated to 2 groups: SSE with pedometer group (n = 34) and SSE without pedometer group (n = 34). We matched the participants of both groups by their standardized score of physical function tests. To ascertain the LEPF benefits induced by the exercise intervention, we measured 5 physical function tests: single-leg balance with eyes open, 5-repetition sit-to-stand, timed up and go, 5-m habitual walk, and choice stepping reaction time. We used a 2-way analysis of variance to confirm the interaction between the 2 groups. Results:Significant group-by-time interactions were observed on timed up and go (P < .01) and 5-m habitual walk (P = .02); participants in the SSE with pedometer group enhanced their physical function more than the SSE without pedometer group participants. Conclusions:This study suggests that providing a pedometer during an exercise intervention is an effective addition to an exercise program to improve LEPF.

Testing the Feasibility of Using Odors in Reminiscence Therapy in Japan

ABSTRACT The purpose of this feasibility study was to assess effects of a group reminiscence program using odor stimulation for older adults on depression and subjective well-being. The subjects were 22 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older. The group reminiscence therapy was performed eight times, and the assessment was made at three occasions, i.e., 1 month before the intervention, immediately before the intervention, and immediately after completion of the intervention using the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) and Life Satisfaction Index K. Significant changes were discovered in the GDS-15 in the repeated measure analysis of variance. When multiple comparisons were made, significant differences were found between 1 month before the intervention and immediately after completion of the intervention, as well as immediately before the intervention and immediately after completion of the intervention. The results suggested that this group reminiscence therapy might be effective for maintaining the mental health of older adults.

Investigation of age‐related developmental differences of button ability

Background: There is little standardized information on simple and easy‐to‐use evaluation of fine motor skills in disabled children. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between unbuttoning and buttoning ability and age and sex difference.

Reminiscence triggers in community-dwelling older adults in Japan

Introduction Visual and auditory cues have been highlighted as methods to trigger reminiscences; however, the basis of this practice remains unclear. Here we conducted a preliminary cross-sectional study to identify reminiscence cues and their scientific basis by investigating the relationship between reminiscences in elderly people and their reminiscence cues. Method The participants were 126 older adults aged 65 years or over. They were asked about the experiences of reminiscences in response to stimuli such as photographs, music, or smells. Data on the frequency and quality of reminiscences were collected. Geriatric depression scale and simple personality test for the elderly were assessed. Results A multiple regression analysis revealed that reminiscences tended to be more frequent in older and less sociable participants. Highly sociable participants with reminiscences in response to olfactory stimuli tended to have positive reminiscences, while participants with less sociability and past unresolved issues tended to have negative reminiscences. Conclusion To understand the process of reminiscence in an older person, it is important to consider the person’s age, personality characteristics, and past unresolved issues. In addition, olfactory stimuli may also evoke pleasant reminiscences.

Effect of One Hand Sanding on Cardiometabolic and Ventilatory Functions in the Hemiplegic Elderly: A Preliminary Investigation

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of sanding upon cardiometabolic and pulmonary functions in eight elderly patients with cerebral vascular disease. This exercise consists of five grades with two factors: velocity and incline of board. Cardiometabolic and pulmonary indexes, METS, Pressure Rate Product (PRP) and Expiratory Volume (VE) are presented. In comparing basal position and any other grades in METS and VE, a significant difference at the 1% level was found. Concerning velocity and incline only the former was statistically significant at the 5% or 1% level. The results obtained suggest that the responses to sanding in the CVD patients could be more influenced by changing velocity than by angle of board.

Effects of olfactory stimulation on reminiscence practice in community-dwelling elderly individuals: Olfactory stimulation on reminiscence

There has been little research on reminiscence cues and their effectiveness. The purpose of the present study was to measure the effects of reminiscence practice using olfactory stimuli on the mental health and cognitive functions of community‐dwelling elderly individuals.

Right half-field eye patching may not be an effective approach for chronic hemispatial neglect – a two-case investigation

Right half-field eye-patched glasses intervention was performed in two chronic stroke patients with unilateral spatial neglect. Eye movement on the neglect side, the center of gravity as an index of the internal midline bias, neglect sign tests, and the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) were measured before and after intervention. The improvement of eye movement was not shown clearly after intervention. The center of gravity shifted significantly to the right and backward. Letter and star cancellation tests were improved in both the cases. Line bisection test showed improvement in one patient. However, line cancellation and line bisection tests were worsened in the other. The rCBF was not changed after intervention. This case study suggests that right half-field eye patching might not be an effective intervention.