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Introduction: This study identifies the patient population that may benefit from interprofessional collaboration in the support of patients with cerebrovascular diseases. Method: This study involved 170 patients who received treatment in Japan's recovery rehabilitation wards in December 2019–June 2020. Participants were categorized into three groups based on their functional independence measure (FIM) scores at admission, distinguishing between complete dependence, modified dependence, and independence groups. They were classified into the group with higher collaborative practice (HCP) and the group with lower collaborative practice (LCP) based on the median value of the therapist collaborative practice scale (TCPS). The primary outcomes measured were FIM efficiency and FIM effectiveness. The main effects and interactions of the level of independence with activities of daily living (ADL) and collaboration were examined using a two-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni multiple comparison tests. Results: The level of independence with ADL and collaboration had an interaction effect related to FIM effectiveness (F (2, 164) = 3.191, p = 0.044). Within the independence group, HCP and LCP differed significantly (F (1, 164) = 15.562, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Interprofessional collaboration may improve ADL in patients with high ADL independence at admission. Furthermore, the interprofessional collaboration quality impacted patients' ADL improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyze associations between lifestyle-related factors and body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) in middle-aged and older people in Japan. An association analysis using a multilevel model with demographic and lifestyle-related factors as variables and with BMI, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) as outcomes was conducted. Among the modifiable lifestyle factors, we found a significant dose-response association for BMI and slower eating (fast: reference; normal: −0.123 kg/m2 and slow: −0.256 kg/m2). Consuming >60 g/d ethanol was significantly associated, before and after adjustment for BMI, with an increase in SBP of 3.109 and 2.893 mm Hg, respectively. These findings suggested that health guidance should focus on factors such as the eating rate and drinking habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vascular CD34+ cells in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tissue have the potential for high proliferation and multilineage differentiation that can accelerate tendon-bone healing. While patient characteristics, such as age, can affect tendon-bone healing, the influence of elapsed time after injury on the healing process is unclear. Hypothesis: Cells obtained during the early phase after injury will exhibit a greater tendon-bone healing potential compared with chronic phase counterparts when applied to an immunodeficient rat model of ACL reconstruction. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Adult human ACL-ruptured tissue was harvested from patients undergoing arthroscopic primary ACL reconstruction and classified into 2 groups based on the time elapsed between injury and surgery: (1) early group (≤3 months from injury) and (2) chronic group (>3 months from injury). In addition, 76 ten-week-old female immunodeficient rats underwent ACL reconstruction, followed by intracapsular administration of one of the following: (1) ACL-derived cells from the early group (n = 5), (2) ACL-derived cells from the chronic group (n = 5), or (3) phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) only (n = 5). During the 8 weeks after surgery, histological (weeks 2, 4, 8), immunohistochemical (week 2), radiographic (weeks 0, 2, 4, 8), and biomechanical (week 8) analyses were performed to evaluate tendon-bone healing. Results: In the early group, the histological evaluation showed early healing, induction of endochondral ossification–like integration, and mature bone ingrowth. Micro–computed tomography showed that the tibial bone tunnels at week 4 and week 8 were significantly reduced in the early group compared with those in the chronic group and PBS group (P < .05). Moreover, biomechanical tensile strength was significantly greater in the early group than in the other groups (P < .05). An accelerated healing potential in the early group was further demonstrated by the enhancement of intrinsic angiogenesis/osteogenesis and human-derived vasculogenesis/osteogenesis. Conclusion: Compared with human ACL-derived cells obtained during the chronic phase, cells obtained during the early phase after injury have a greater tendon-bone healing potential when used in an immunodeficient rat model of ACL reconstruction. Clinical Relevance: During ACL reconstruction surgery, transplanting ACL remnant tissue in the early phase after injury could accelerate and enhance tendon-bone healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Remnant-preserved anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction was introduced to improve clinical outcomes and biological healing. However, the effects of remnant preservation and the influence of the delay from injury until reconstruction on the outcomes of this technique are still uncertain. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purposes of this study were to evaluate whether remnant preservation improved the clinical outcomes and graft incorporation of ACL reconstruction and to examine the influence of the delay between ACL injury and reconstruction on the usefulness of remnant preservation. We hypothesized that remnant preservation improves clinical results and accelerates graft incorporation and that its effect is dependent on the delay between ACL injury and reconstruction. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 151 consecutive patients who underwent double-bundle ACL reconstruction using a semitendinosus graft were enrolled in this study: 74 knees underwent ACL reconstruction without a remnant (or the remnant was <25% of the intra-articular portion of the graft; NR group), while 77 knees underwent ACL reconstruction with remnant preservation (RP group). These were divided into 4 subgroups based on the time from injury to surgery: phase 1 was <3 weeks (n = 24), phase 2 was 3 to less than 8 weeks (n = 70), phase 3 was 8 to 20 weeks (n = 32), and phase 4 was >20 weeks (n = 25). Clinical measurements, including KT-1000 arthrometer side-to-side anterior tibial translation measurements, were assessed at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after reconstruction. Magnetic resonance imaging evaluations of graft maturation and graft-tunnel integration of the anteromedial and posterolateral bundles were assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months after reconstruction. Results: There was no difference in side-to-side anterior tibial translation between the NR and RP groups. There was also no difference in graft maturation between the 2 groups. Furthermore, the time from ACL injury until reconstruction did not affect graft maturation, except in the case of very long delays before reconstruction (phase 4). Graft-tunnel integration was significantly increased in both groups in a time-dependent manner. However, there was no difference between the NR and RP groups. Conclusion: Remnant preservation did not improve knee stability at 2 years after ACL reconstruction. Furthermore, remnant preservation did not accelerate graft incorporation, especially during the acute and subacute injury phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sought to determine whether serial measurements of oxidative stress levels could serve as a predictive marker for cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Biological antioxidant potential (BAP) levels were measured at admission and at 6, 12, and 24 months in 69 patients with STEMI. The CV events abruptly increased 6 to 10 months after successful percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with STEMI, and the 6-month BAP levels were significantly lower in patients with CV events (2456 μmol/L [interquartile range: 2237-2615 μmol/L]) than in those without (2849 μmol/L [2575-2987 μmol/L], P < .001). A decreased 6-month BAP level was an independent and significant predictor of long-term CV events (hazard ratio = 2.45; 95% confidence intervals 1.10-5.78; P = .04). Our findings suggest that serial changes in antioxidant capacity, assessed by BAP levels, may serve as a predictive marker for CV events after STEMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research which investigated osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) prevalence in adolescent baseball players. Topics explored include the elbow disability associated with OCD of the humeral capitellum, symptoms and factors that contribute to OCD such as microtrauma, the results of the ultrasonographic examinations performed on participating patients, and the need to diagnose OCD early to avoid treatment difficulties.

The article presents a study on articular cartilage degeneration which can develop after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). It focuses on risk factors in the early postoperative period. The T1ρ spin-lattice relaxation in the rotating frame magnetic resonance imaging is described. The baseline T1ρ value of the medial femoral condyle (MFC) and lateral FC (LFC) was higher in patients with cartilage lesions.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a forward bilateral pushing movement on postural control in a situation where known, unknown, and unpredictable perturbations may be induced. Participants stood upright and voluntarily pushed a handle with both hands. In the first task, the handle was free to be moved by the participant (perturbation; movable task) and in the second task, the handle was locked (stationary task). For each task, body displacement and observed applied force were recorded. Anticipatory postural control adjustment plays a vital role in body stability; however, in contrast to its role in maintaining stability, adjustment can generate a restricted voluntary movement because motor programming selects a postural control that gives priority to body stability over the target movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Language development is a key issue in hearing-impaired children. However, interpersonal differences complicate our understanding of the situation. The bimodal or trimodal distribution of language scores in our other reports in this publication imply the presence of fundamental differences among these groups. The characteristic aspects of each group were profiled according to language data. Methods: We divided 268 children with prelingual severe to profound hearing impairment into 3 groups according to their trimodal distribution observed on histogram-based analysis of their responses to the Test of Question-Answer Interaction Development. Test results in several language domains, including productive and comprehensive vocabulary, productive and comprehensive syntax, and academic achievement, were profiled and compared among these 3 groups. Results: Significant differences were observed in the results of the Word Fluency Test, the Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised, and the Syntax Test of Aphasia among the 3 groups. No significant difference was observed between groups who were lower-scoring and intermediate-scoring on the academic achievement tests referred to as Criterion Referenced Test- II and the Standardized Comprehension Test for Abstract Words. Only the higher-scoring group showed excellent results. The demographic factors were not significantly different among the 3 groups. Conclusions: Relatively poor academic achievement despite fair language production was the dominant feature of the intermediate-scoring group. This profile might correlate with academic failure in school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the main differences affecting outcome between single-bundle and double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions may be graft fixation angles and initial force settings; however, there has been little research to investigate these effects in either technique.Hypothesis: Anteroposterior and rotational knee laxities will be less in double-bundle ACL reconstructions than single-bundle reconstructions, and different graft fixation angles affect knee kinematics and pivot-shift phenomenon in double-bundle ACL reconstructions.Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.Methods: Eleven patients who underwent double-bundle ACL reconstruction were included in this study. The anteromedial bundle (AMB) and the posterolateral bundle (PLB) were provisionally fixed to a graft tensioning system during surgery. The graft fixation settings were as follows: (1) AMB only at 20° (A20), (2) PLB only at 20° (P20), (3) AMB at 20° and PLB at 0° (A20P0), (4) AMB at 20° and PLB at 20° (A20P20), and (5) AMB at 20° and PLB at 45° (A20P45). All the grafts were tensioned at a constant stress level. Anterior tibial translation (ATT), internal rotation (IR), and external rotation (ER) at 30° and 90° of knee flexion applied with manual maximum load were measured before graft insertion and in each setting using a navigation system. A pivot-shift test was also evaluated manually with modified International Knee Documentation Committee criteria in each setting.Results: A20 was less constrained than A20P20 and A20P45 in ATT at 30° and less constrained than A20P45 in IR at 30°. P20 was less constrained than any other settings in ATT at 30° and less constrained than A20P45 in IR at 30°. A20P0 was less constrained than A20P45 in IR at 30° and in ER at 30°. Grade 1 pivot-shift phenomenon persisted in 8 cases in P20, in 4 cases in A20, and in 3 cases in A20P0, whereas no case showed a positive pivot-shift result in A20P20 and A20P45.Conclusion: In this in vivo laboratory model, double-bundle ACL reconstruction with fixation of AMB at 20° and PLB at 20° or 45° restored better stability than single AMB or single PLB reconstruction in which the graft was of smaller size.Clinical Relevance: In double-bundle ACL reconstruction, fixation of the PLB at 0° might be looser and function worse compared with that of PLB at 20° or 45° when the AMB is fixed at 20°, with the individual variability that should lead to caution until it can be better assessed by surgeons. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: To determine the current perception thresholds (CPTs) for arm and mental foramen areas to enable a quantitative evaluation of the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment. Methods: Ninety-eight volunteers enrolled as participants and were randomly assigned to one of three groups: an acupuncture group (34 subjects); a sham acupuncture group (32 subjects) and a waiting group (32 subjects). CPTs for the arm and mental foramen areas were determined before and after acupuncture at LI4 Hegu of the left hand. A Neurometer CPT was used to evaluate the perception threshold at the homolateral mental foramen and arm. For further exploration, thresholds of homolateral and contralateral mental foramina were determined before and after acupuncture in a subgroup of 13 participants in the acupuncture group. Results: Acupuncture at LI4 increased the perception thresholds of the left mental foramen in the acupuncture group significantly (p<0.01). The increases were significantly greater than in the control group for all frequencies, and significantly greater than sham acupuncture for 250 Hz and 5 Hz. In the subgroup, only the CPTs at 5 Hz increased significantly for the contralateral mental foramen. Conclusions: Acupuncture at LI4 increases the perception threshold in the mandibular area, but not in the arm. This finding is probably related to the analgesic effect of acupuncture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The action-sentence compatibility effect (ACE) is a phenomenon in which a reader's response to a sentence is made faster when there is congruity between the action described in the sentence and the action that makes up the response. Previous studies showed the ACE occurs in action-related sentences in several languages. However, all these were SVO (verb-object) languages, in which verbs are placed before object nouns; this order is reversed in SOV languages. Moreover, those studies investigated hand responses. This study assessed the existence of the ACE in Japanese, an SOV language, and in foot responses. 24 female participants judged the sensibility of Japanese sentences that described actions and responded with either their foot or hand as an effector. Reaction times were significantly faster when there was congruity between the effector described in the sentences and the effector actually used for the response. However, sentence dependency was also found in the foot responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although previous studies suggested that female patients are predisposed to increase graft laxity compared with male patients after single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using autogenous hamstring tendons, there have been no studies specifically examining gender-based differences in outcome after anatomic double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring tendon autografts.Hypotheses: (1) Female patients have significantly smaller hamstring graft diameters than do men for anatomic double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery; (2) female patients will have increased graft laxity compared with male patients after anatomic double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using autogenous hamstring tendons.Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.Methods: The consecutive 174 patients who underwent anatomic double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using autogenous hamstring tendons were enrolled. Of these patients, 49 women and 73 men were prospectively evaluated 2 years after surgery.Results: The diameters for anteromedial and posterolateral grafts in the female group were significantly smaller than those in the male group. On Lachman testing, 98% of the female group and 97% of the male group were rated as negative. Regarding the pivot-shift test, 80% of the female group and 85% of the male group were rated as negative. No significant differences were found between the female and male groups in these tests. The average side-to-side differences in the KT-2000 knee ligament arthrometer values were 1.3 mm in the female group and 1.4 mm in the male group; this difference between females and males was not statistically significant. The average Lysholm scores were 96.7 points in the female group and 97.2 points in the male group. Thirty-five cases (73%) in the female group and 54 cases (74%) in the male group were graded as normal on the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) evaluation. There were no significant differences in Lysholm score or IKDC evaluation between the female and male groups.Conclusion: The results of assessment for ligament laxity at the 2-year postoperative evaluation in the female group were approximately identical to those of the male group after anatomic double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using autogenous hamstring tendons. Therefore, the present study suggests that anatomic double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using autogenous hamstring tendons provides satisfactory knee stability to female patients as well as male patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A double-network (DN) gel, which was composed of poly-(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) and poly-(N,N′-dimetyl acrylamide) (PAMPS/PDMAAm), has the potential to induce chondrogenesis both in vitro and in vivo.Purpose: To establish the efficacy of a therapeutic strategy for an articular cartilage defect using a DN gel.Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.Methods: A 4.3-mm-diameter osteochondral defect was created in rabbit trochlea. A DN gel plug was implanted into the defect of the right knee so that a defect 2 mm in depth remained after surgery. An untreated defect of the left knee provided control data. The osteochondral defects created were examined by histological and immunohistochemical evaluations, surface assessment using confocal laser scanning microscopy, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis at 4 and 12 weeks. Samples were quantitatively evaluated with 2 scoring systems reported by Wayne et al and O’Driscoll et al.Results: The DN gel–implanted defect was filled with a sufficient volume of the hyaline cartilage tissue rich in proteoglycan and type 2 collagen. Quantitative evaluation using the grading scales revealed a significantly higher score in the DN gel–implanted defects compared with the untreated control at each period (P < .0001). The mean relative values of type 2 collagen mRNAs in the regenerated tissue were obviously higher in the DN gel–implanted defect than in the untreated control at each period. The mean surface roughness of the untreated control was significantly higher than the normal cartilage at 12 weeks (P = .0106), while there was no statistical difference between the DN gel–implanted and normal knees.Conclusion: This study using the mature rabbit femoral trochlea osteochondral defect model demonstrated that DN gel implantation is an effective treatment to induce cartilage regeneration in vivo without any cultured cells or mammalian-derived scaffolds.Clinical Relevance: This study has prompted us to develop a potential innovative strategy to repair cartilage lesions in the field of joint surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: After rotator cuff repair, the shoulder is immobilized in various abduction positions. However, there is no consensus on the proper abduction angle.Purpose: To assess the effect of shoulder abduction angle on the biomechanical properties of the repaired rotator cuff tendons among 3 types of double-row techniques.Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.Methods: Thirty-two fresh-frozen porcine shoulders were used. A simulated rotator cuff tear was repaired by 1 of 3 double-row techniques: conventional double-row repair, transosseous-equivalent repair, and a combination of conventional double-row and bridging sutures (compression double-row repair). Each specimen underwent cyclic testing followed by tensile testing to failure at a simulated shoulder abduction angle of 0° or 40° on a material testing machine. Gap formation and failure loads were measured.Results: Gap formation in conventional double-row repair at 0° (1.2 ± 0.5 mm) was significantly greater than that at 40° (0.5 ± 0.3 mm, P = .01). The yield and ultimate failure loads for conventional double-row repair at 40° were significantly larger than those at 0° (P < .01), whereas those for transosseous-equivalent repair (P < .01) and compression double-row repair (P < .0001) at 0° were significantly larger than those at 40°. The failure load for compression double-row repair was the greatest among the 3 double-row techniques at both 0° and 40° of abduction.Conclusion: Bridging sutures have a greater effect on the biomechanical properties of the repaired rotator cuff tendon at a low abduction angle, and the conventional double-row technique has a greater effect at a high abduction angle.Clinical Relevance: Proper abduction position after rotator cuff repair differs between conventional double-row repair and transosseous-equivalent repair. The authors recommend the use of the combined technique of conventional double-row and bridging sutures to obtain better biomechanical properties at both low and high abduction angles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-intensity resistance training increases muscle size, but reduces arterial compliance. Muscular blood flow reduction (BFR) during low-intensity training has been shown to elicit muscle hypertrophy. However, the effect on arterial compliance is unknown. We examined the effects of walk training with BFR on carotid arterial compliance and muscle size in the elderly adults. Both BFR-walk training (BFR-W, n = 13, 66 ± 1 year) and control-walk training (CON-W, n = 10, 68 ± 1 year) groups performed 20 minutes treadmill walking at an exercise intensity of 45% of heart rate reserve, 4 days/week for 10 weeks. The BFR-W group wore pressure cuffs on both legs during training. Maximum knee joint strength (∼15%) and MRI-measured thigh muscle cross-sectional area (3%) increased in the BFR-W, but not in the CON-W. Carotid arterial compliance improved in both BFR-W (50%) and CON-W (59%) groups. Walk training with blood flow reduction can improve thigh muscle size/strength as well as carotid arterial compliance, unlike high-intensity training, in the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: The authors previously identified a significant association between lumbar disc degeneration (LDDG) and cartilage intermediate layer protein (CILP) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in collegiate male judokas.Hypothesis: A significant association between LDDG and the CILP SNP is observed in Japanese collegiate athletes.Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods: The participants were 601 trained collegiate athletes (male, 403; female, 198) from 7 different sports. Lumbar disc degeneration was evaluated using T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Genotyping of the CILP gene (1184T/C) was performed by using DNA sequencing.Results: Among the 601 collegiate athletes, the odds ratio (OR) for the occurrence of LDDG with the CILP C allele was 1.4 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.86). By using logistic regression analysis concomitant with the interaction term and the Wald test, the authors found that weight (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.06), CILP genotype (CT: OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.24-3.15; CC: OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.09-7.74), and gender (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.21-3.67) were significant risk factors for LDDG. These analyses also indicated that there was no effect of the CILP genotype on LDDG in female athletes.Conclusion: The CILP SNP 1184T/C is a risk factor for male collegiate athletes. Information regarding the CILP gene polymorphism may be important for preventing and managing lumbar disc diseases, especially in male athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypoxia and decreased blood supply have been proposed as risks for tendon rupture. Visualization of the vascularity of intact and torn rotator cuffs would be useful for improving treatments for rotator cuff tear.Purpose: To assess vascularity inside a tendon or an adjacent rotator cuff insertion point in patients differing in age and extent of damage to the tendon.Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods: Ten volunteers (all men) and 15 patients (10 men, 5 women) consented to participate in the study. Contrast agent for enhanced ultrasound was injected intravenously. Enhanced ultrasound images of the torn cuff and the contralateral shoulder were recorded for 1 minute. Four small regions of interest, the articular and bursal sides of the tendon and the medial and lateral sides of the bursa, were studied in all shoulders.Results: There was a significant decrease in blood flow in the intratendinous region in elderly subjects compared with young subjects, but age had no effect on blood flow in bursal tissue. Blood flow in ruptured rotator cuffs did not differ from that in intact rotator cuffs. The intraclass correlation coefficient for intraobserver reproducibility was 0.82 (95% confidence interval: 0.77-0.86).Conclusions: The findings of this investigation were the hypovascular pattern in intratendinous tissue compared with the subacromial bursa, the age-related decrease in intratendinous vascularity, and the hypovascular pattern in the tendon, regardless of rupture of the tendon. Clarification of vascular patterns inside or around the torn ends of a rotator cuff will assist in the development of successful treatments for torn rotator cuffs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The link between nasal and bronchial disease has been studied extensively for chronic rhinosinusitis and asthma. The concept of "united airway allergy" has become widely accepted in the past decade. We evaluated the relationship between the upper and lower airways during follow-up after endoscopic sinus surgery by monitoring sinonasal and pulmonary functions. Methods: Thirty-nine subjects with chronic rhinosinusitis associated with bronchial asthma were entered in this study. A self smell test using stick-type odorant materials was carried out daily to evaluate postoperative recurrence of sinonasal disease. Each patient was assessed for peak expiratory flow (PEF) 3 times daily. Results: The average (±SD) scores of initial symptoms were 8.3 ± 2.2, which was significantly decreased to 1.5 ± 1.4 by 3 months after operation. During postoperative follow-up, 25 of 39 patients showed no decrease in PEF, whereas the other 14 patients had at least 1 episode of a significant decline in PEF. In the postoperative course, with respect to the self smell test, 24 patients showed no aggravation of smell, but 15 patients had episode(s) of decreased olfaction. Twelve patients demonstrated worsening on the smell test concomitant with a decreased PEF. A discrepancy between olfactory acuity and pulmonary function was recognized in 5 patients. There were 22 patients with a good prognosis of parameters of both the upper and lower airways. Conclusions: Daily monitoring of both upper and lower respiratory tract functions clearly revealed dual relationships, indicating that worsening of sinusitis accompanies asthma exacerbation. Appropriate measures of the upper and lower airways following endoscopic sinus surgery can be used to predict patient outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A traditional Japanese medicine, daikenchuto (DKT), is used for treating abdominal bloating and pain with coldness. In modern medicine, it is used to treat postoperative intestinal dysfunction and ileus. We previously showed the effective improvement in functional constipation with DKT in poststroke patients. However, response prediction for the treatment has not been elucidated. We investigated the data from the prior trial (UMIN000007393) to predict the DKT treatment response. We assessed the efficacy of DKT for chronic constipation in poststroke patients. Neurogenic bowel dysfunction score (NBDS) and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale–constipation subscale (GSRS-C) score were newly analyzed comparing the pre- and postintervention data after intake of 15 g of DKT extract granule daily for 4 weeks. Single and multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the correlations between the changes in NBDS, GSRS-C score, patient characteristics, clinical symptom score, gas volume in the gut, and serum calcitonin gene–related peptide level. The total NBDS and GSRS-C score were significantly reduced after DKT administration. The total NBDS, GSRS-C score, and gas volume score at baseline were significantly correlated with the change in these scores. Higher NBDS and GSRS-C scores and more gas volume in the gut may be possible predictors of response to DKT when treating constipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]