Functional evaluation of vascular hemiparetics and traditional Japanese houses

To study the functional status of vascular hemiparetics in outpatient clinics in Japan.

Following five functional tasks were evaluated to (1) pick up a pencil from the floor, (2) stand up from the floor, (3) sit up straight, (4) squat, (5) ambulate as far as possible. Patients were asked whether they added handrails and used a bed or a Japanese Futon.

Sixty-three of 85 patients were able to pick up a pencil from the floor and to stand up from the floor. Patients with poor motor recovery of the lower extremities were able get into and out of a bathtub as well as patients with good motor recovery. All patients who could not ambulate for more than 100 m and could not stand up from the floor began to use beds after their strokes.

Ninety-five per cent of patients who could stand up from the floor were able to get into and out of bathtubs. All of the patients who could not stand up from the floor started to use beds.