Correlations between Motor Ability with Gait Speed and Cognitive Functions in Rehabilitation Users

Purpose: To compare and examine motor and cognitive functions in people who require support, and in healthy elders. Method: The variables of age, BMI, educational background, blood pressure, grip strength, knee extension, gait speed, MMSE, and subjective health feeling for 36 rehabilitation users and 22 healthy elders were assessed. We compared and examined motor and cognitive functions in rehabilitation users who need support and healthy elders. Results: The percentage of MMSE scores with 27 points or higher and that of subjective health feeling with 3 points or higher were significantly higher in healthy elders than in rehabilitation users. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher in rehabilitation users than in healthy elders. Gait speed and MMSE scores were significantly higher in healthy elders than rehabilitation users. Conclusion: Gait speed could be used for physical fitness in elders. Gait speed was the best physical fitness measurement for elders. Gait speed of rehabilitation users was strongly related to MMSE scores. Gait speed could be a determinant of MMSE scores.

Evaluation of the Tokyo Cognitive Assessment for Predicting Cognitive Impairment in Rehabilitation Users

[Purpose] This study aimed to evaluation of the Tokyo cognitive assessment (Toca) for predicting cognitive impairment in rehabilitation users. [Method] The variables of age, BMI, educational background, Toca for 36 rehabilitation users and 22 healthy elder were assessed. We compared cognitive functions in rehabilitation users who need support and healthy elders. [Results] Of the Toca 1 to 11 trials, there was a significant difference other than 9, 10 rials. The Toca scores with 8 points higher were significantly higher in healthy elders than in rehabilitation users. The area under the receiver-operator curve (AUC) for predicting mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by the Toca was 0.874. Using a cut-off point of 19/20, the Toca demonstrated a sensitivity of 83.9% and a sensitivity of 85.0% in diagnosing MCI. [Conclusion] The Toca is a brief cognitive screening tool with high sensitivity and specificity for detecting MCI as currently conceptualized in rehabilitation users.

Intervention Effects on the Willingness to Stop Smoking and Social Nicotine Dependence Based on Single-Session Group Therapy with Frequent Use of Role Play Targeting Smokers with Mental Disorders

Objective: We devised a “Smoking-Cessation Motivation Program” as a community welfare service aimed at making short-term improvements in social nicotine dependence and enhancing the willingness to stop smoking among people with mental disorders. Method: The study conducted a controlled trial to empirically examine the effects of the program on the willingness to stop smoking and social nicotine dependence among 26 smokers with mental disorders in the intervention group, who were compared with a control group of 16 individuals. Results: Results demonstrated the program’s effectiveness in reducing social nicotine dependence, and a variance analysis with age as the covariate evidenced a mutual interaction between social nicotine dependence and the willingness to stop smoking, confidence to stop smoking, and resisting the temptation to smoke. Conclusion: Future studies should examine longer-term program results, the impact of program duration, and other factors that influence the program’s effectiveness.