[Purpose] This study examined the quality of life (QOL) of homebound elderly hemiparetic stroke patients and factors that affect it. [Subjects] The subjects of the study were 21 homebound elderly hemiparetic stroke patients who were 65 years old or over and required care for daily living (12 males and 9 females, average age: 79.3 ± 8.4 years old). Their physical and psychological conditions, QOL, and other characteristics were researched. [Methods] The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) was used for the activities of daily living (ADL) assessment, and the MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36, Japanese version 1.2) was used for the QOL assessment. [Results] No correlations were observed between the QOL of homebound elderly hemiparetic stroke patients and their age and gender. However, the results showed that their QOL was affected by their independence in ADL, bedridden degree, and care-need level. [Conclusion] These results suggest that in order to improve the QOL of homebound elderly hemiparetic stroke patients, ongoing rehabilitation to improve independence in ADL and lower the bedridden degree and care-need level is required.

Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the factors affecting the burden of family caregivers of home-bound disabled elderly persons.[Subjects] Data were collected for 66 home-bound disabled elderly persons (mean age of 81.4 ± 9.7) and their 66 family caregivers (mean age of 62.4 ± 11. 5) who were living at home in Kobe city, Hyogo.[Method] Capacity to perform ADL was assessed using the Barthel Index for the home-bound disabled elderly persons. The care burden and health status of their family caregivers were also evaluated. [Results] There was no significant correlation between ADL, the grade of care required for home-bound disabled elderly persons and family caregivers' burden. It was also revealed that the family caregivers' burdens were determined by their state of depression.[Conclusion] These results suggest that social and psychological supports are necessary to reduce the burden of family caregivers.

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the health-related and subjective quality of life of community-dwelling elderly females in orthopedic outpatients, and also examined how such quality of life correlate with their daily life activities and instrumental activities of daily living. [Subjects and Methods] Subjects were 27 community-dwelling elderly females in orthopedic outpatients (mean age: 76.3 ± 7.4 years). Their health-related quality of life and subjective quality of life, life-space assessment, frenchay activities index were researched. [Results] For the relationships between the total subjective quality of life scores and health-related quality of life scores, significant positive correlations were observed for body pain, general health, vitality, social functions and mental health. The correlations were not statistically significant between the subjective quality of life scores and the life-space assessment and frenchay activities index scores. The correlations were statistically significant between some health-related quality of life scores and the life-space assessment and frenchay activities index scores. [Conclusion] The results suggest that supporting community-dwelling elderly females in orthopedic outpatients to improve their sense of physical and mental well-being, and prevent and reduce their depression and physical pain, is required in order to improve their QOL.

We sought to clarify factors leading to the elimination of a fear of falling.[Subjects] Forty females with femoral bone fracture were the subjects of our study.[Methods] The fall efficacy and motor and psychological functions of the 40 patients following fracture of the proximal femur due to a fall were measured weekly from week 1 to week 4. These subjects were then divided into two groups.[Results] There were differences between the 2 groups of subjects in terms of MFES scores and state anxiety during week 2, 3, and 4. Comparison of the groups of subjects between week 1 and week 4 indicated that both groups of subjects had improved motor function and that subjects with no fear had improved MFES scores.[Conclusion] These findings reveal that improved motor function can be expected even if the individual has the fear, but the fear will not be lost through improvement of motor function alone. Additionally, subjects with no fear tended to have greater fall efficacy. The results suggest the need for steps to improve fall efficacy in order to eliminate the fear.

[Purpose] In this study, we examined problematic behaviors of independent-walking and non-independent-walking handicapped children in the infant, school child and adolescent development phases, using the Japanese version of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC-J) to determine if such behaviors relate to their gross motor abilities. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 86 handicapped children who were receiving physical therapy. The subjects were classified into three groups by age. Using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), each group was further divided into an independent-walking group and non-independent-walking group. Thirteen physical therapists and 8 occupational therapists, who were treating the subject children, rated the subjects using the ABC-J. [Results] Significant differences were observed between the independent-walking and the non-independent-walking groups in the stereotypy and lethargy scores of infants. [Conclusion] For schoolchildren and adolescents, no significant differences were observed between the independent-walking and the non-independent-walking groups in their problematic behavior scores.