Purpose] To investigate the effect of action observation therapy on the lower limb function of chronic stage hemiplegic stroke patients.[Subjects] The subjects were 21 chronic stage hemiplegic stroke patients.[Methods] The subjects were divided into an action observation therapy (AO) group, and a control group. The AO group watched a video of a person performing forward and lateral stepping for 5 min, then performed the same exercise themselves for 5 min. The control group performed only the forward and lateral stepping for 5 min. The outcome measures, the numbers of successful forward and lateral steps, the functional reach test (FRT), and the four square step test (FSST), were measured before, after, and 1 month after the intervention. [Result] In the comparison of the groups, mutual interaction was found for FRT. In the AO group, the successful number of forward steps, FRT, and FSST results showed significant improvements, which were maintained at 1 month post-intervention. Regarding the effective dose, all of the measured items of the AO group were better than those of the control group.[Conclusion] Action observation therapy for chronic stage hemiplegic stroke patients significantly improved lower limb performance in comparison with physical training alone.

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[Purpose] To investigate the risk factor in places where falls occurred in a long-term care health facility.[Subjects] 115 residents in a long-term care health facility with a history of falls.[Methods] A retrospective survey of accident reports was conducted. With the places where falls occurred (residents' rooms, corridors, toilets, rehabilitation rooms, bathrooms) as the dependent variables, and necessity of supervision and assistance with ADL, wheelchair use, medication use, comprehension ability, impaired vision, and pain as the independent variables, logistic regression analysis was conducted.[Results] The total number of falls was 220: 135 in residents' rooms, 25 in corridors, 26 in toilets, 3 in rehabilitation rooms, and 2 in bathrooms. The risk factor of falls were determined as wheelchair use and pain in residents' rooms, and not being a wheelchair user in corridors.[Conclusion] The implementation of interventions is necessary considering the risk factor determined for residents' rooms and corridors.