RESUMO
We investigated the effect of hot bath and infrared radiation on tonic muscle discharges due to hypertonia in the affected upper extremity of hemiplegic patients using surface electromyography (EMG). Subjects were 15 hemiplegic patients with cerebrovascular diseases. The subjects were selected on the basis of the presence of considerable rigidospasticity in the biceps brachii muscle (BBM). Hot bath (42°C) was applied for more than 3 minutes in the supine position with the cubital joint fixed in flexion in 11 subjects. Infrared radiation (300 watts) was applied to the flexor side of the affected upper extremity in the same posture in 13 subjects. Surface EMGs of the BBM and triceps brachii muscle (TBM) were recorded bipolarly with waterproof disc electrodes before, during, and after the trials of hot bath and infrared radiation. The recorded EMG was rectified and integrated, and then converted into sequential pulses. The amount of EMG was calculated as the number of pulses. The EMG of the affected side was normalized as a percentage of the amount versus that of the unaffected side in maximum voluntary contraction. The EMGs of the BBM and TBM showed tonic muscle discharges in all subjects in the resting state. The EMGs of the BBM and TBM averaged 6.4% and 1.4% before hot bath and 3.3% and 1.2% before infrared radiation. The EMG of the BBM in the third 1 minute during hot bath decreased by 58.8% (p<0.01) and increased slightly after the trial. The EMG of the TBM during hot bath increased insignificantly, and decreased by 25.3% (p<0.05) in the second 1 minute after the trial. The EMGs of the BBM and TBM in the third 1 minute during infrared radiation decreased by 31.9% (p<0.01) and 9.3% (p<0.05), and the decrease persisted after the trial. The results demonstrated that thermotherapy, especially hot bath, decreases the tonic muscle discharges due to rigidospasticity.
RESUMO
We investigated the prevalence of, and factors in, urinary incontinence among the people of middle to advanced age, using a yes/no questionnaire. The total number of respondents was 4, 020 (1, 520 males and 2, 500 females). Seventy-five percent of them were over 65 years old (median age: 67 years). The prevalence of urinary incontinence was 14% for the males and 30% for the females. The data were analyzed by standard statistical tests, such as χ<SUP>2</SUP> tests. The factors closely associated with urinary incontinence were aging, the high urinary frequency in a day, a history of cerebrovascular accidents, difficulty of urination in the males and UTI in the females. Urinary incontinence of the urge type account for 64% of the males and that of the stress type 81% of the females. Fifteen percent of the males and 6% of the females had consulted with physicians or urologists about urinary incontinence. These percentages were lower than those in European countries. However, we suspect that there may be much more latent patients who suffer from urinary incontinence in their daily community life.
RESUMO
In Chronic cases of hemiplegia following cerebrovascular disorders, it has been commonly accepted that the skin temperature on the affected side is lower than that of the normal side.<br>However, there has been no report regarding changes of the skin temperture before and after a long-term rehabilitation.<br>In this study, skin temperature of the lower legs before and after a long-term rehabilitation was measured in 21 normal subjects and in 53 patients with hemiplegia lasting over a month from the onset of cerebrovascular disorders.<br>Although the skin temperture of the lower legs in 21 normal subjects showed almost no difference between the two legs, that of hemiplegic patients was lower on the affected side and it was extremely lower in patinets with moderate or advanced hemiplegia. In the hemiplegic patients with moderate or advanced muscle atrophy on the affected side, the drop of skin temperature on that side was larger than that of the patients with no or sligit muscle atrophy.<br>In the hemiplegic patients who showed a moderate or marked improvement of the walking ability after rehabilitatlon, the skin temperature on both legs had been considerably lower than that of the patients who showed no or slight improvement of the walking ability before the rehabilitation. However it increased remarkably after the rehabilitation so that there was no significant differences of the skin temperature between the two groups of patients.
RESUMO
In order to carry out mass examination for detection of stomach ailments effectively and improve screening accuracy, the Nagano Prefectural Welfare Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives, with its mass gastric examination committee as a driving force, has made every endeavor in close collaboration with Federation-affiliated hospitals.<BR>The ratio of those receiving detailed examination to the total number of those who have undergone mass screenings, and the detection ratio of gastric cancer cases, especially those in early stages, have increased steadily over the past years.<BR>This is due in the main to untiring effort exerted by public health nurses and other persons concerned with health problems.<BR>However, the results of X-ray examination made on the basis of the diagnostic standards prepared by the Federation show that there is much need of improving examiners' ability to read mass miniature radiographs correctly.