It is conjectured that kyphosis in the elderly is affected by the ability to control dynamic posture. In this study, with quantitative assessment of kyphosis as the objective, we performed measurement of the index of kyphosis based on the method of Milne et al. which uses a flexible curve ruler, on elderly persons undergoing physical therapy at our hospital, and investigated its reliability and validity. The inter-and intra-class correlation coefficients were 0.858 and 0.851, respectively, both showing a high reliability, and according to the observations, a significantly high correlation was found in their relationship to kyphosis assessment, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient 0.819 (p<0.01). It is considered that the measurement of the index of kyphosis can be used clinically. Furthermore, according to the observations, since scattering of the index of kyphosis was found at each level of kyphosis assessment, it suggests that measurement of the index of kyphosis is of use as a method which can assess kyphosis in detail.

ABSTRACT:The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical usefulness of the forward reach test in the sitting position for patients with cerebrovascular disorders. Twenty-two cerebrovascular disorder patients performed the forward reach test in the sitting position and we investigated its relationships with Optical Righting Reactions (ORR), the Trunk Control Test (TCT), the Functional Reach Test (FRT), the Functional Movement Scale (FMS), and the Function Independence Measure motor item (FIM-m). A moderate correlation with ORR was found for the forward reach test, and the participation of the trunk was also seen. A significant correlation between the forward reach test and FRT was found, and this is very meaningful in the context of its potential use in prognosis, as the forward reach test can be performed in the early stage after the onset of stroke. A moderate correlation was found between the forward reach test in the sitting position and FMS, and we consider measurements including the lower limbs useful. The forward reach test in the sitting position quantitatively follows temporal changes in the trunk function, and we consider it to be clinically useful, because it is an evaluation index which can be performed easily and in a short time.

[Purpose] The purpose of this research was to measure the functional reach (FR) value, as an index of standing balance ability, and to clarify its distribution among community dwelling elderly persons as well as its relationship with fall related factors, such as number of falls in the previous 1 year, history of fracture, and fear of falling.[Subjects] The subjects were 489 persons (226 males, 263 females) over the age of 65 living in K town, Gunma Prefecture, who gave their written consent at the time of their basic health check-up.[Methods] Using a reach measuring apparatus, we performed the FR test, and information regarding fall related factors was gathered by questionnaire.[Results] FR declined in both females and males with advancing age, and at 70 years of age, it had declined significantly in females, as compared to males. Regarding the relationship between FR and the number of falls, a significant decrease in FR was seen among females with 3 or more falls in the past 1 year in a comparison with those with no falls. However, no significant relationship was found between fracture history and fear of falling.[Conclusion] The correlation found between FR values and past number of falls suggests the possibility that FR can be used effectively in local public health programs aiming at fall prevention.