Addressing Frailty in Cardiology: Identifying Barriers Faced by Cardiologists and Health Care Professionals in Asia.

Background: Preventing frailty is crucial for improving outcomes in aging populations at heightened cardiovascular risk, yet implementation in real-world practice remains challenging. The authors previously reported low use of frailty strategies among cardiologists in Asia.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the barriers to frailty implementation among cardiologists, other physicians, and nurses.

Minimal clinically important difference of the Kansas University standing balance scale in patients with acute-to-subacute stroke using two external anchors.

Background: Stroke-related balance impairments reduce independence, making accurate assessment vital for rehabilitation. However, research on the minimal clinically important difference for the Kansas University Standing Balance Scale (KUSBS) is limited.

Objectives: This study determined the minimal clinically important difference for the KUSBS based on reduced assistance in walking and daily living activities for inpatients with acute-to-subacute stroke.

Effects of eccentric contraction-based resistance exercise on physical performance in chronic stroke patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Chronic stroke patients often experience muscle weakness, reduced mobility, and impaired physical function. Eccentric contraction-based resistance exercise has been proposed as an effective intervention to improve neuromuscular function and mobility; however, its effects remain unclear. This study compared the effects of eccentric overload resistance training using a flywheel device and traditional resistance training on physical performance and muscle strength in chronic stroke patients.

Models for age-specific estimation of appendicular skeletal muscle mass using the ultrasound-measured rectus femoris muscle thickness.

Ultrasound is a useful tool for assessing muscle status. Estimation equations based on ultrasound measurements have been used to approximate appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM). However, age-related changes in skeletal muscle may influence the accuracy of ultrasound-based measurements, as compared to other established techniques.

Residual force enhancement following hindlimb unloading and exercise prehabilitation.

This study was performed to investigate the effect of exercise prehabilitation (EPH) on passive force, residual force enhancement (RFE), and muscle protein expression in rat skeletal muscle. A total of 24 Sprague-Dawley rats (12 weeks old) were randomly divided into three groups: control (CON, n = 8), hindlimb unloading (HLU, n = 8), and exercise prehabilitation (EPH, n = 8). The HLU group underwent hindlimb unloading for 14 days, and the EPH group exercised for 14 days before HLU.

Development of a World Health Organization indicator and corresponding questions to measure effective coverage of rehabilitation.

Background: Rehabilitation services are essential health services that should be made available to a population. Measuring effective coverage requires the assessment of whether a population's health services needs are met and whether they are met through quality interventions that produce the desired health gain. We propose a global indicator and corresponding questions to measure effective coverage of rehabilitation through population-based surveys.

Intersectoral Collaboration Among Community Health and Social Workers in Disability-Related Organizations in South Korea: Awareness, Perceived Importance, Frequency, and Satisfaction.

Introduction: Disability research and policy emphasize cross-sector collaboration due to the complexity of disability. This study aimed to assess service providers' awareness of disability-related community resources and evaluate their perceptions of the importance, frequency, and satisfaction with intersectoral collaboration.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gyeonggi Province, Korea, using a mixed-methods design.

Fragility Fracture Network Position on Unrestricted Weight-Bearing After Hip Fracture Surgery.

Objectives: This position paper from the Fragility Fracture Network (FFN) responds to the observed global variation in weight-bearing prescriptions after hip fracture surgery in older adults.

Methods: The paper summarises current guidelines and evidence regarding unrestricted weight-bearing after hip fracture surgery.

Results: The synthesis of available evidence supports the endorsement of unrestricted weight-bearing after surgery to enhance patient outcomes.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Diagnosis and Non-Surgical Treatment of Primary Frozen Shoulder.

Objective: Primary frozen shoulder causes significant pain and progressively restricts shoulder movements. Diagnosis is primarily clinically based on patient history and physical examination. Management is mainly non-invasive owing to its self-limiting clinical course.

Effects of augmented reality-based telerehabilitation in adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Home exercise is important for the treatment of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder (ACS). Although studies on telerehabilitation to increase compliance and accuracy of home exercise are increasing in various musculoskeletal conditions, there are few studies on ACS.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of augmented reality (AR)-based asynchronous telerehabilitation using UNICARE Home+ versus conventional home exercise in participants with ACS.

Concurrent impact of sarcopenia and cognitive impairment on walking recovery after rehabilitation following hip fracture surgery.

Background: Cognitive impairment and sarcopenia each negatively impact functional recovery after hip fracture, yet their combined effects remain underexplored. This study investigated the influence of these conditions on 1-year independent walking recovery in older adults undergoing post-fracture rehabilitation.

Methods: This secondary analysis used data from the Fragility Fracture Integrated Rehabilitation Management clinical trial, a parallel-group, single-blind, multicenter superiority randomized controlled trial, and its preliminary feasibility study.

Development of a Flexible Electrode for Electrical Stimulation of Rabbit Extraocular Muscle.

Purpose: To develop a flexible electrode for electrical stimulation of extraocular muscles and to evaluate the safety of applying direct electrical stimulation to muscles and its potential effects on ocular tissues in rabbits.

Methods: A flexible electrode was fabricated using a conventional photolithography process. This electrode comprised a 300-nm-thick platinum layer embedded within a 30-μm-thick polyimide cable.

Pectoralis minor length index at 1 month postoperative can predict homolateral neuropathic pain 4 months after mastectomy with lymph node resection.

The relationship between postoperative physical changes and the development of homolateral neuropathic pain (HLNP) following mastectomy and lymph node resection remains poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether early postoperative physical and symptom-based assessments could predict HLNP occurrence at 4 months post-surgery. Fifty-seven breast cancer survivors were included, with HLNP defined as a painDETECT Questionnaire score ≥ 13 at 4 months.

Standardized Measurement of Muscle Strength and Physical Performance for Sarcopenia: An Expert-Based Delphi Consensus.

Background: Despite updated sarcopenia guidelines, inconsistent protocols still cause clinical confusion and may compromise diagnostic and outcome accuracy. This Delphi study aimed to establish expert consensus to support the standardization of muscle strength and physical performance assessments for sarcopenia.

Methods: A two-round modified Delphi study was conducted with 26 experts in geriatrics and sarcopenia.

Relationship of Immediate Breast Reconstruction and the Development of Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Patients With Radiation Therapy.

Purpose: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is often challenging to manage, and knowledge of how to prevent it is limited. There are several well-known risk factors, but recent studies have also suggested the potential association of immediate breast reconstruction with lower incidence, albeit with inconclusive results. Thus, we explored the impact of immediate breast reconstruction on lymphedema incidence in patients with breast cancer who underwent a mastectomy and adjuvant radiation therapy (RT).

Use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in integrated care for people with disabilities: A scoping review using the SELFIE framework.

Background: Integrated care addresses system fragmentation, especially for people with disabilities who require support across multiple domains. Most models focus on healthcare, overlooking social and environmental factors that hinder health management for people with disabilities. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)'s biopsychosocial approach integrates these broader factors, but its application in integrated care remains underexplored.

A Case Report of Successful Vaginal Delivery for Cauda Equina Syndrome Combined with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

Background: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is defined as a complex clinical entity associated with simultaneous compression of several or all lumbosacral spine nerve roots. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic and non-treatable pain condition resulting in lifetime disability due to a tendency to relapse. Both diseases present with chronic pain and neuropathy.

The Public Service Motivation's Impact on Turnover Intention in Korean Public Organizations: Do Perceived Organizational Politics Matter?

Increasing turnover intention among public employees in Korean public sector organizations endangers both organizational sustainability and public service quality. Although prior research highlights job stress, compensation systems, and organizational culture as key drivers of turnover, scholars in limited empirical studies directly examine the role of public service motivation. In this study, we address this gap by investigating whether public service motivation reduces turnover intention and how perceived organizational politics may moderate this relationship.

Impact of Physical Activity Level on Whole-Body and Muscle-Cell Function in Older Adults.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of different levels of physical activity on functional capacity, muscle strength, and the contractile properties of single muscle fibers in older adults.

Methods: Twenty-ones older adults (71.1±3.

Development and validation of an earphone-based system to measure short physical performance battery in older adults.

The short physical performance battery (SPPB) is a widely used clinical assessment tool to evaluate physical function in older adults. However, the manual measurement of the SPPB presents difficulties in terms of standardization and accessibility. To address these limitations, an earphone-shaped SPPB assessment device, named B-Lab, was developed.

The implications of bioelectrical impedance vector analysis in older adults with hip fractures.

Objectives: This study used bioelectrical impedance vector analysis to assess body composition in older adults with hip fractures, comparing results with reference populations.

Study Design: This cross-sectional study included patients aged 65 years or more who had undergone surgery for hip fracture and baseline bioelectrical impedance analysis at 50 kHz. Using raw impedance data, bioelectrical impedance vector analysis was conducted, calculating phase angle and analyzing resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) relative to height (R/H and Xc/H) on RXc graphs.

Effect of Nationwide Postoperative Rehabilitation at Home Program after Lower Extremity Surgeries in Older and Younger People.

Background: A nationwide Rehabilitation at Home Care Pilot Program for patients undergoing lower extremity orthopedic surgeries has been ongoing since 2020. The program was designed to improve clinical outcomes through early mobilization and rehabilitation after discharge. This study aimed to analyze the interim data to assess its effectiveness and suggest improvements, particularly for older patients who are more vulnerable compared to younger patients.

Comparison of bioelectrical impedance analysis and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for the diagnosis of sarcopenia in the older adults with metabolic syndrome: equipment-specific equation development.

Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and sarcopenia together pose significant health risks, increasing frailty, falls, and fractures in older adults. This study compared muscle mass measurements obtained using two different dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) machines and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and evaluated the accuracy of these measurements in these older adults.

Methods: In this prospective multicenter cohort study, patients aged ≥ 65 years with MetS had their muscle mass assessed using both BIA and DXA.

Efficacy of Fragility Fracture Integrated Rehabilitation Management in Older Adults With Hip Fractures: A Randomized Controlled Trial With 1-Year Follow-Up.

Objectives: Comprehensive multidisciplinary rehabilitation has been proven to benefit patients recovering from hip fracture surgery, enhancing postoperative outcomes. However, challenges persist in delivering such rehabilitation due to health care system limitations and inadequate policies. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of Fragility Fracture Integrated Rehabilitation Management (FIRM) in comparison to a conventional rehabilitation after hip fracture surgery.