SUlDlDaryA study concerning subjective symptoms of spasms which occur during 24 hours was carried out in 13 quadriplegic patients. All had spasms. Tonic and clonic spasms occurred involving their limbs and trunk. Extensor spasms occurred more often in the lower limbs than in the upper limbs. The duration of spasms was 8 seconds on average and the frequency was 15 times on average per day. The spasms which were severe tended to last longer in duration and were more frequent in occurrence.No spasms occurred without a trigger. The activities in daily living were interfered with by spasms in most patients. Most of these activities also triggered spasms.

[Purpose] This study evaluated the effects of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation of the soleus muscle on spinal cord and peripheral motor nerve excitability. [Subjects and Methods] Twelve healthy adults (mean age 22 years) who provided written informed consent were administered repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation for 10 min. Pre-and post-stimulation latencies and amplitudes of H- and M-waves of the soleus muscle were measured using electromyography and compared using paired t-tests. [Results] Pre- and post-stimulation latencies (28.3 ± 3.3 vs. 29.1 ± 1.3 ms, respectively) and amplitudes (35.8 ± 1.3 vs. 35.8 ± 1.1 mV, respectively) of H-waves were similar. Pre-stimulation latencies of M-waves were significantly higher than post-stimulation latencies (6.1 ± 2.2 vs. 5.0 ± 0.9 ms, respectively), although pre- and post-stimulation amplitudes were similar (12.2 ± 1.4 vs. 12.2 ± 1.3 mV, respectively). Motor neuron excitability, based on the excitability of motor nerves and peripheral nerve action, was increased by M-waves following magnetic stimulation. [Conclusion] The lack of effect of magnetic stimulation on the amplitude and latency of the H-reflex suggests that magnetic stimulation did not activate sensory nerve synapses of α motor neurons in the spinal cord. However, because motor nerves were stimulated together with sensory nerves, the increased H-wave amplitude may have reflected changes in peripheral rather than in α motor nerves.

[Purpose] Clarification of the differences in the compression volume of the lungs by the heart (CVLH) between postures may facilitate the selection of optimal postures in respiratory care. Determining CVLH in the supine, semi-prone (Sim’s position), and side-lying positions was the aim of this study. [Subjects and Methods] Eight healthy volunteers (six males, two females; mean age, 29.0 ± 9.2 years) were enrolled in the study. Measurements were performed in the supine, right and left semi-prone, and right and left side-lying positions. semi-prone position was inclined 45° ventrally from the side-lying position. A 1.5-T system with a fast advanced spin-echo sequence in the coronal plane was used for magnetic resonance imaging. [Results] CVLH and heart compression ratio were significantly lower in the semi-prone position on both sides than the other positions. The heart was displaced ventrally when semi-prone and a larger area of the heart leaned on the ventral chest wall, localizing compression to part of the ventral region of the dependent lung. [Conclusion] The region of lungs compressed by the heart is reduced in the semi-prone position due to ventral displacement of the heart. These results suggest that maintaining expansion of the dependent lung is easier in the semi-prone position.

[Purpose] Normal values for respiratory muscle pressures during development in Japanese children have not been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate respiratory muscle pressures in Japanese children aged 3–12 years. [Subjects and Methods] We measured respiratory muscle pressure values using a manovacuometer without a nose clip, with subjects in a sitting position. Data were collected for ages 3–6 (Group I: 68 subjects), 7–9 (Group II: 86 subjects), and 10–12 (Group III: 64 subjects) years. [Results] The values for respiratory muscle pressures in children were significantly higher with age in both sexes, and were higher in boys than in girls. Correlation coefficients were significant at values of 0.279 to 0.471 for each gender relationship between maximal respiratory pressure and age, height, and weight, respectively. [Conclusion] In this study, we showed pediatric respiratory muscle pressure reference value for each age. In the present study, values for respiratory muscle pressures were lower than Brazilian studies. This suggests that differences in respiratory muscle pressures vary with ethnicity.

[Purpose] To investigate the effects of pelvic tilt on trunk function and on change in sitting pressure during a side reach test performed by healthy subjects. [Subjects and Methods] Trunk range of motion, muscle strength and sitting pressure of 19 right-handed healthy subjects (mean age: 20.2 years) sitting upright were measured during left and right side reach tests with the pelvis in the neutral and posterior positions. The relationship of trunk function and sitting pressure in the different pelvic tilt positions was analyzed.[Results] Side reach distance was significantly shorter with posterior pelvic tilt than in the neutral position. Particularly during the right side reach test, the left trunk muscle strength correlated with shift in the center of gravity in the frontal plane.[Conclusion] Pelvic position may affect side reach distance. The distance is related to trunk side flexion muscle strength, which is a factor in sideward shift in the center of gravity.