Physical performance deterioration of temporary housing residents after the Great East Japan Earthquake

Takeaki Ishii; Sae Ochi; Masaharu Tsubokura; Shigeaki Kato; Takahiro Tetsuda; Junpei Kato; Yoshitaka Nishikawa; Tomohiro Morita; Masahiro Kami; Yukihide Iwamoto; Hidekiyo Tachiya

doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2015.10.009

Preventive Medicine Reports (Jan 2015)

Physical performance deterioration of temporary housing residents after the Great East Japan Earthquake

Takeaki Ishii,
Sae Ochi,
Masaharu Tsubokura,
Shigeaki Kato,
Takahiro Tetsuda,
Junpei Kato,
Yoshitaka Nishikawa,
Tomohiro Morita,
Masahiro Kami,
Yukihide Iwamoto,
Hidekiyo Tachiya

Affiliations

Takeaki Ishii: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Soma Central Hospital, Soma, Fukushima, Japan
Sae Ochi: Department of Internal Medicine, Soma Central Hospital, Soma, Fukushima, Japan
Masaharu Tsubokura: Department of Radiation Protection, Soma Central Hospital, Soma, Fukushima, Japan
Shigeaki Kato: Department of Radiation Protection, Soma Central Hospital, Soma, Fukushima, Japan
Takahiro Tetsuda: Division of Rehabilitation, Fukuoka Houeikai Hospital, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan
Junpei Kato: Division of Rehabilitation, Fukuoka Houeikai Hospital, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan
Yoshitaka Nishikawa: Department of Internal Medicine, Soma Central Hospital, Soma, Fukushima, Japan
Tomohiro Morita: Department of Internal Medicine, Soma Central Hospital, Soma, Fukushima, Japan
Masahiro Kami: Division of Social Communication System for Advanced Clinical Research, the Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Yukihide Iwamoto: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan
Hidekiyo Tachiya: City Office of Soma, Soma, Fukushima, Japan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2015.10.009
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 2, no. C
pp. 916 – 919

Abstract

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Disaster has a negative impact on health conditions, especially on those of temporary housing residents. Health status has a close relationship with physical activity and performance. However, few reports have assessed physical performance among residents living in temporary housing. In this study, we compared physical capabilities between the elderly who evacuated to temporary housing and those who stayed in their own homes after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Subjects were recruited from those over 65 years of age who participated in the medical check-ups for temporary housing residents (TH group) or check-ups for residents of downtown areas (control group) in Soma City, Fukushima, in 2012. The subjects underwent grip strength, one-leg standing (OLS), and timed up and go tests (TUG). In total, 1890 participants were recruited. The TH group showed significantly stronger grip strength than that of the control group. On the other hand, the TH group showed weaker standing stability, according to decreased OLS and increased TUG scores. We revealed that standing stability was impaired among elderly temporary housing residents 1.5 years after the disaster. Disaster responders should take into account the health risks associated with living in temporary housing.

Published in Preventive Medicine Reports

ISSN: 2211-3355 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/preventive-medicine-reports/

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