We examined whether driving-related reaction times differ between 26 healthy adults (university students) and 26 patients after stroke, and how distractors and leg-dominance affect reaction time and ...correctness of reactions of healthy adults. Reaction times were measured with the Fiat Mediatester driving simulator using 18-lamps reaction test (simple reaction time measurement) and choice reaction test (scored as reaction time and number of correct reactions). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in simple reaction time. As expected, choice reaction times of the healthy adults were shorter on average and their reactions more accurate than those of the patients. Under the influence of distractors, healthy adults had statistically significantly longer choice and simple reaction times and made fewer correct choices compared to normal conditions. Leg dominance statistically significantly affected choice reaction times and correctness of reactions, but not simple reaction times. Our results confirm validity and usefulness of the Fiat Mediatester driving simulator for research purposes.
In planning the optimum treatment for patients with neuromuscular diseases (NMD), it is essential to know as much as possible about their functional state. Assessment of the strength of certain ...muscles is the most direct measure of motor deficiency. In the development of normative data needed for patients with NMD, the use of torque measurements is required. Forty-nine patients (31 men and 18 women), from 18 to 54 years (mean age 33 - 8.9 years), were included in the study. Five groups of patients, each having one of five different NMDs, were formed. We tested unilaterally the biceps brachii muscle that normally generates the highest torque. For this purpose an electronic brace enabling isometric measurements of torque during elbow flexion was designed. The patients produced three maximum voluntary elbow flexions that lasted about 3 s and separated by a pause of about 3 s. Force development was rapid with continuous build-up and isometric. About 15 s later the patients produced the last maximum voluntary elbow flexion, keeping it as stable as possible for a period of 30 s. Patients with mitochondrial myopathy (MM), having the shortest mean halffatigue time (4.3 s), elicited the highest mean torque in both short maximum voluntary elbow flexions (1.34 Nm) as well as in the 30 s-long maximum voluntary elbow flexions. In contrast, patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (MD-FSH), having the longest mean half-fatigue time (15.4 s), elicited the lowest mean torque in both the short maximum voluntary (0.29 Nm) as well as in 30 s-long maximum voluntary elbow flexions. Patients with Becker muscular dystrophy (MD-B), having a mean half-fatigue time (11.1 s) slightly shorter than the patients with MD-FSH, elicited a higher mean torque in both the short (0.82 Nm) and the 30 s-long elbow flexions. Finally, patients with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (MD-RM) and spinal muscular atrophy type 3 (SMA3), having a similar mean half-fatigue time (6.9 s for patients with MD-RM and 7.4 s for patients with SMA3), also elicited similar torque in both short (0.45 Nm for patients with MD-RM and 0.65 Nm for patients with SMA3) and 30 s-long elbow flexions. The results of the study show that the methodology developed to quantitatively measure the torque of elbow flexions in patients with NMD enables the characteristics and natural course of NMD to be more objectively documented. Accordingly, the optimum treatment for patients with NMD could be restored.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
A cyber-physical system for a speech-controlled wheelchair has been proposed. It is based on cloud-harvesting principles, which result in significant improvement in command error rate (CER). The ...overall methodology and developed cloud-harvesting algorithm have been presented, discussed, and tested. The combination of IBM Watson and Google Cloud Speech APIs gave significantly better results than the use of solitary speech recognition APIs. The proposed approach shows the potential for and usability of speech-controlled wheelchairs, as well as in similar applications.
This paper describes the development of a prototype speech-controlled cloud-based wheelchair platform. The control of the platform is implemented using a low-cost WebKit Speech API in the cloud. The ...description of the cloud-based wheelchair control system is provided. In addition to the voice control, a GUI is implemented, which works in a web browser as well as on mobile devices providing live video streaming. Development was done in two phases: first, a small, initial prototype was developed and, second, a full size prototype was build. The accuracy of the speech recognition system was estimated as ranging from approximately 60% to up to 97%, dependent on the speaker. The speech-controlled system latency was measured as well as the latency when the control is provided via touch on a so-called smart device. Measured latencies ranged from 0.4 s to 1.3 s. The platform was also clinically tested, providing promising results of cloud-based speech recognition for further implementation. The developed platform is based on a Quad Core ARM Mini PC GK802 running Ubuntu Linux and an Arduino UNO Microcontroller. Software development was done in JavaScript/ECMA Script, applying node.js.
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Assistive technology includes equipment, devices and software solutions that increase functional capabilities of people with disabilities and improve the quality of their lives. The article presents ...assistive technology for people with cerebral palsy. These are mobility aids that enable people with cerebral palsy independent walking. For those who cannot walk, proper seating is very important. People, who cannot propel manual wheelchair, can control electric wheelchair with various controls. There are several augmentative and alternative communication devices for people with cerebral palsy that are not able to speak. Finally, environmental control systems are presented. PUBLICATION ABSTRACT
Background. The majority of hand functionality assessment methods consist of the maximal voluntary grip force measurement. Additional knowledge on sensory-motor control can be obtained by capturing ...functional grip force in a time frame. Tracking methods have been successfully used for the assessment of grip force control in stroke patients and patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Methods. A novel tracking system for the evaluation of grip force control is presented. The system consists of a grip-measuring device with the end-objects of different shapes which was used as input to a tracking task where the patient applied the grip force according to the visual feedback. The grip force control was assessed in 20 patients with neuromuscular diseases and 9 healthy subjects. The performance of two tracking tasks was analysed in five grips. The ramp-tracking task was designed to assess the grip strength and muscle fatigue. The sinus-tracking task was used to evaluate grip force control during periodic muscle activation.
Findings. The results suggest that in some patients the disease did not affect their grip force control despite evident muscular weakness. Most patients produced larger tracking errors in precision grip while the healthy subjects showed less significant differences in performance among the grips tested.
Interpretation. The current study investigated force control in patients with neuromuscular diseases where detection of small changes in motor performance is important when following the progress of disease. The presented evaluation method can provide additional information on muscle activation and fatigue as compared to traditional grip strength testing.
The Measure of Processes of Care (MPOC) is a questionnaire for parents used to evaluate the behaviours of healthcare providers. We applied its 20-item version (MPOC-20) to explore the associations ...between parental evaluation of processes of care and child, parent and family characteristics in Slovenia. A novelty of our approach was the emphasis on the role of a key person. Parents of 235 children who were admitted as inpatients or outpatients of six institutions (hospitals and health centres) because of chronic illness or disability participated in the study. Parents were asked to fill in a general questionnaire on several characteristics of the child, child’s health problems, the family and the therapy programmes, and MPOC-20. Univariate associations of the five MPOC-20 scale scores with child, parent and family characteristics were tested first. Multiple linear regression was used for modelling scale scores in relation to child, parent and family characteristics. The analyses singled out availability of a key person as the factor most consistently and unequivocally influencing parental satisfaction. We also found a general positive effect of male sex of the child on the MPOC-20 scores. Neither the present age of children nor age at the onset of health problems was found to be associated with MPOC-20 scores. We found no notable association of the number of health problems with the MPOC-20 scores, but observed clear differences when comparing parental satisfaction with processes of care between different participating institutions.
Purpose. To quantitatively evaluate the effects of dynamic balance training in patients with hereditary sensory motor neuropathy (HSMN).
Methods. Sixteen patients with HSMN were randomly assigned to ...either an experimental or control group. The intervention session consisted of passive stretching, muscle strengthening and dynamic balance training during standing and stepping, which differed in that the experimental group used commercially available balance training mechanical apparatus while the patients from the control group were physically managed by a physiotherapist. The intervention period was 12 days. Balance and mobility functions were assessed by means of Berg Balance Scale, Up&go test and 10-m walk test before and after the intervention period.
Results. The within-group comparison (1-way repeated measures ANOVA) for the experimental group showed statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) in Berg Balance Scale, Up&go test and 10-m walk test, while within-group comparison for the control group showed statistically significant improvement only in Berg Balance Scale (p < 0.05). The between-group comparison (2-way ANOVA) showed larger improvement in the experimental group, however, these differences were not statistically significant.
Conclusion. Dynamic balance training is useful training modality for patients with HSMN. When exercised in the balance training mechanical apparatus used in this study enables efficient balance and mobility training without requiring physical assistance from a physiotherapist or a caregiver, which opens new possibilities for continuing and more frequent physical exercise and mobility training of patients with HSMN also at their homes.
This paper presents two case studies of two children with severe motor disabilities. After years of no effective feedback from them, an interdisciplinary approach had been explored with the use of an ...eye controlled computer. A multidisciplinary team in clinical environment included a specialist in physical and rehabilitation medicine, an occupational therapist, a speech therapist and an engineer. Several applications were tested to establish feedback from the users, using the only movement they were capable of: eye movement. Results have shown significant improvement in interaction and communication for both users. Some differences were present, possibly due to the age difference. Preparation of content for augmented and alternative communication is in progress for both users. We realized that awareness of the existent advanced assistive technology (AT) is crucial for more independent and qualitative life, from parents or care givers to all AT professionals, working in clinical environment.
