scholarly journals A general procedure to measure the pacing of body movements timed to music and metronome in younger and older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawn Rose ◽  
Laurent Ott ◽  
Ségolène M. R. Guérin ◽  
Lucy E. Annett ◽  
Peter Lovatt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
General Procedure ◽  
Simple Procedure ◽  
Body Movement ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Finger Tapping ◽  
Motor Timing ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Entrainment Effect

AbstractFinger-tapping tasks are classically used to investigate sensorimotor synchronization in relation to neutral auditory cues, such as metronomes. However, music is more commonly associated with an entrained bodily response, such as toe tapping, or dancing. Here we report an experimental procedure that was designed to bridge the gap between timing and intervention studies by directly comparing the effects of metronome and musical cue types on motor timing abilities across the three naturalistic voluntary actions of finger tapping, toe tapping, and stepping on the spot as a simplified case of whole body movement. Both pacing cues were presented at slow, medium, and fast tempi. The findings suggested that the task of stepping on the spot enabled better timing performances than tapping both in younger and older adults (75+). Timing performances followed an inverse U shape with best performances observed in the medium tempi that were set close to the spontaneous motor tempo in each movement type. Finally, music provided an entrainment effect in addition to pace setting that enabled better motor timing and greater stability than classically reported using a metronome. By applying time-stamp analyses to kinetic data, we demonstrate that tapping and stepping engage different timing modes. This work details the importance of translational research for a better understanding of motor timing. It offers a simple procedure that strengthens the validity of applying academic work and contributes in knowledge towards a wide range of therapeutic interventions.

scholarly journals Recognition of Daily Human Activity Using an Artificial Neural Network and Smartwatch

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min-Cheol Kwon ◽  
Sunwoong Choi
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Artificial Neural Network ◽  
Activity Recognition ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
Body Movement ◽  
Human Activity Recognition ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Artificial Neural

Human activity recognition using wearable devices has been actively investigated in a wide range of applications. Most of them, however, either focus on simple activities wherein whole body movement is involved or require a variety of sensors to identify daily activities. In this study, we propose a human activity recognition system that collects data from an off-the-shelf smartwatch and uses an artificial neural network for classification. The proposed system is further enhanced using location information. We consider 11 activities, including both simple and daily activities. Experimental results show that various activities can be classified with an accuracy of 95%.

scholarly journals Attention Guides the Motor-Timing Strategies in Finger-Tapping Tasks When Moving Fast and Slow

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ségolène M. R. Guérin ◽  
Juliette Boitout ◽  
Yvonne N. Delevoye-Turrell
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Body Movement ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Finger Tapping ◽  
Motor Timing ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Present Contribution ◽  
Motor Complexity ◽  
Timing Strategies

Human beings adapt the spontaneous pace of their actions to interact with the environment. Yet, the nature of the mechanism enabling such adaptive behavior remains poorly understood. The aim of the present contribution was to examine the role of attention in motor timing using (a) time series analysis, and (b) a dual task paradigm. In a series of two studies, a finger-tapping task was used in sensorimotor synchronization with various tempi (from 300 to 1,100 ms) and motor complexity (one target vs. six targets). Time series analyzes indicated that two different timing strategies were used depending on the speed constraints. At slow tempi, tapping sequences were characterized by strong negative autocorrelations, suggesting the implication of cognitive predictive timing. When moving at fast and close-to-spontaneous tempi, tapping sequences were characterized by less negative autocorrelations, suggesting that timing properties emerged from body movement dynamics. The analysis of the dual-task reaction times confirmed that both the temporal and spatial constraints impacted the attentional resources allocated to the finger-tapping tasks. Overall, our work suggests that moving fast and slow involve distinct timing strategies that are characterized by contrasting attentional demands.

scholarly journals Copenhagen Consensus statement 2019: physical activity and ageing

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (14) ◽  
pp. 856-858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens Bangsbo ◽  
Joanna Blackwell ◽  
Carl-Johan Boraxbekk ◽  
Paolo Caserotti ◽  
Flemming Dela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Body Movement ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Academic Disciplines ◽  
Consensus Statements ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Intrinsic Capacity

From 19th to 22nd November 2018, 26 researchers representing nine countries and a variety of academic disciplines met in Snekkersten, Denmark, to reach evidence-based consensus about physical activity and older adults. It was recognised that the term ‘older adults’ represents a highly heterogeneous population. It encompasses those that remain highly active and healthy throughout the life-course with a high intrinsic capacity to the very old and frail with low intrinsic capacity. The consensus is drawn from a wide range of research methodologies within epidemiology, medicine, physiology, neuroscience, psychology and sociology, recognising the strength and limitations of each of the methods. Much of the evidence presented in the statements is based on longitudinal associations from observational and randomised controlled intervention studies, as well as quantitative and qualitative social studies in relatively healthy community-dwelling older adults. Nevertheless, we also considered research with frail older adults and those with age-associated neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and in a few cases molecular and cellular outcome measures from animal studies. The consensus statements distinguish between physical activity and exercise. Physical activity is used as an umbrella term that includes both structured and unstructured forms of leisure, transport, domestic and work-related activities. Physical activity entails body movement that increases energy expenditure relative to rest, and is often characterised in terms of intensity from light, to moderate to vigorous. Exercise is defined as a subset of structured physical activities that are more specifically designed to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, cognitive function, flexibility balance, strength and/or power. This statement presents the consensus on the effects of physical activity on older adults’ fitness, health, cognitive functioning, functional capacity, engagement, motivation, psychological well-being and social inclusion. It also covers the consensus on physical activity implementation strategies. While it is recognised that adverse events can occur during exercise, the risk can be minimised by carefully choosing the type of activity undertaken and by consultation with the individual’s physician when warranted, for example, when the individual is frail, has a number of co-morbidities, or has exercise-related symptoms, such as chest pain, heart arrhythmia or dizziness. The consensus was obtained through an iterative process that began with the presentation of the state-of-the-science in each domain, followed by group and plenary discussions. Ultimately, the participants reached agreement on the 30-item consensus statements.

DSM-5 alcohol use disorder features among treatment-seeking older adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 185-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silke Behrendt ◽  
Barbara Braun ◽  
Randi Bilberg ◽  
Gerhard Bühringer ◽  
Michael Bogenschutz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Dsm 5 ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
And Gender ◽  
International Multicenter

Abstract. Background: The number of older adults with alcohol use disorder (AUD) is expected to rise. Adapted treatments for this group are lacking and information on AUD features in treatment seeking older adults is scarce. The international multicenter randomized-controlled clinical trial “ELDERLY-Study” with few exclusion criteria was conducted to investigate two outpatient AUD-treatments for adults aged 60+ with DSM-5 AUD. Aims: To add to 1) basic methodological information on the ELDERLY-Study by providing information on AUD features in ELDERLY-participants taking into account country and gender, and 2) knowledge on AUD features in older adults seeking outpatient treatment. Methods: baseline data from the German and Danish ELDERLY-sites (n=544) were used. AUD diagnoses were obtained with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, alcohol use information with Form 90. Results: Lost control, desired control, mental/physical problem, and craving were the most prevalent (> 70 %) AUD-symptoms. 54.9 % reported severe DSM-5 AUD (moderate: 28.2 %, mild: 16.9 %). Mean daily alcohol use was 6.3 drinks at 12 grams ethanol each. 93.9 % reported binging. More intense alcohol use was associated with greater AUD-severity and male gender. Country effects showed for alcohol use and AUD-severity. Conclusion: European ELDERLY-participants presented typical dependence symptoms, a wide range of severity, and intense alcohol use. This may underline the clinical significance of AUD in treatment-seeking seniors.

Age- and sex-related bone uptake of Tc-99m-HDP measured by whole-body bone scanning

2000 ◽  
Vol 39 (05) ◽  
pp. 127-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Sieweke ◽  
K. H. Bohuslavizki ◽  
W. U. Kampen ◽  
M. Zuhayra ◽  
M. Clausen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Whole Body ◽  
Bone Lesions ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Bone Uptake ◽  
Normal Bone ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Bone Scans ◽  
Body Bone

Summary Aim of this study was to validate a recently introduced new and easy-to-perform method for quantifying bone uptake of Tc-99m-labelled diphosphonate in a routine clinical setting and to establish a normal data base for bone uptake depending on age and gender. Methods: In 49 women (14-79 years) and 47 men (6-89 years) with normal bone scans as well as in 49 women (33-81 years) and 37 men (27-88 years) with metastatic bone disease whole-body bone scans were acquired at 3 min and 3-4 hours p.i. to calculate bone uptake after correction for both urinary excretion and soft tissue retention. Results: Bone uptake values of various age-related subgroups showed no significant differences between men and women (p >0.05 ). Furthermore, no differences could be proven between age-matched subgroups of normals and patients with less than 10 metastatic bone lesions, while patients with wide-spread bone metastases revealed significantly increased uptake values. In both men and women highest bone uptake was obtained (p <0.05 ) in subjects younger than 20 years with active epiphyseal growth plates. In men, bone uptake slowly decreased with age up to 60 years and then showed a tendency towards increasing uptake values. In women, the mean uptake reached a minimun in the decade 20-29 years and then slowly increased with a positive linear correlation of age and uptake in subjects older than 55 years (r = 0.57). Conclusion: Since the results proposed in this study are in good agreement with data from literature, the new method used for quantification could be validated in a large number of patients. Furthermore, age- and sexrelated normal bone uptake values of Tc-99m-HDP covering a wide range of age could be presented for this method as a basis for further studies on bone uptake.

Cognitive Impact of Cerebellar Damage: Is There a Future for Cognitive Rehabilitation?

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim van Dun ◽  
Frank V. Overwalle ◽  
Mario Manto ◽  
Peter Marien
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorders ◽  
Cognitive Rehabilitation ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Posterior Fossa Surgery ◽  
Daily Life Activities ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Affective Deficits ◽  
Cerebellar Injury ◽  
Cognitive Therapies ◽  
The Impact

Background & Objective: During the past 3 decades, numerous neurophysiological, neuroimaging, experimental and clinical studies have evidenced a crucial role for the cerebellum in cognitive, affective and behavioral functions. As a result of the acknowledged modulatory role of the cerebellum upon remote structures such as the cerebral cortex, cerebellar injury may give rise to a constellation of behavioral, affective and cognitive symptoms (Schmahmann's Syndrome). In sharp contrast to the wide range of therapeutic interventions to treat cognitive and affective disorders following cerebral cortical lesions and despite the consequences of Schmahmann’s syndrome upon daily life activities, the literature is surprisingly only scantly documented with studies investigating the impact of cognitive therapies on cerebellar induced cognitive and affective disorders. This survey aims to present an overview of the therapeutic interventions available in the literature as a possible treatment for Schmahmann’s Syndrome after cerebellar injury, after posterior fossa surgery in children, and in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Although systematical studies are clearly warranted, available evidence suggests that cerebellar-induced cognitive and affective disorders should be treated in a specific way. Approaches where the patients are explicitly made aware of their deficits and are considered to act as an “external cerebellum” are the most promising. Conclusion: The study of the anatomical connectivity of the cerebellar microcomplexes involved in cognitive/affective deficits is likely to play a major-role in the future.

scholarly journals Virtual reality video game improves high-fidelity memory in older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter E. Wais ◽  
Melissa Arioli ◽  
Roger Anguera-Singla ◽  
Adam Gazzaley
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Cognitive Intervention ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Placebo Control ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
High Fidelity

AbstractTherapeutic interventions have not yet been shown to demonstrate restorative effects for declining long-term memory (LTM) that affects many healthy older adults. We developed a virtual reality (VR) spatial wayfinding game (Labyrinth-VR) as a cognitive intervention with the hypothesis that it could improve detailed, high-fidelity LTM capability. Spatial navigation tasks have been used as a means to achieve environmental enrichment via exposure to and learning about novel and complex information. Engagement has been shown to enhance learning and has been linked to the vitality of the LTM system in the brain. In the current study, 48 older adults (mean age 68.7 ± 6.4 years) with average cognitive abilities for their age were randomly assigned to 12 h of computer game play over four weeks in either the Labyrinth-VR or placebo control game arms. Promptly before and after each participant’s treatment regimen, high-fidelity LTM outcome measures were tested to assess mnemonic discrimination and other memory measures. The results showed a post-treatment gain in high-fidelity LTM capability for the Labyrinth-VR arm, relative to placebo, which reached the levels attained by younger adults in another experiment. This novel finding demonstrates generalization of benefits from the VR wayfinding game to important, and untrained, LTM capabilities. These cognitive results are discussed in the light of relevant research for hippocampal-dependent memory functions.

scholarly journals Therapeutic Application of Monoclonal Antibodies in Pancreatic Cancer: Advances, Challenges and Future Opportunities

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1781
Author(s):  
Gustavo A. Arias-Pinilla ◽  
Helmout Modjtahedi
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
Antibody Therapy ◽  
Therapeutic Targets ◽  
Poor Response ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Western World ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Novel Therapeutic

Pancreatic cancer remains as one of the most aggressive cancer types. In the absence of reliable biomarkers for its early detection and more effective therapeutic interventions, pancreatic cancer is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer death in the Western world in the next decade. Therefore, it is essential to discover novel therapeutic targets and to develop more effective and pancreatic cancer-specific therapeutic agents. To date, 45 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been approved for the treatment of patients with a wide range of cancers; however, none has yet been approved for pancreatic cancer. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the FDA approved anticancer mAb-based drugs, the results of preclinical studies and clinical trials with mAbs in pancreatic cancer and the factors contributing to the poor response to antibody therapy (e.g. tumour heterogeneity, desmoplastic stroma). MAb technology is an excellent tool for studying the complex biology of pancreatic cancer, to discover novel therapeutic targets and to develop various forms of antibody-based therapeutic agents and companion diagnostic tests for the selection of patients who are more likely to benefit from such therapy. These should result in the approval and routine use of antibody-based agents for the treatment of pancreatic cancer patients in the future.

Assessing the Ergonomic Benefits of a New Adjustable Forklift Backrest

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 976-980
Author(s):  
Pranav Madhav Kuber ◽  
Ehsan Rashedi
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Motion Capture ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Body Movement ◽  
Pressure Change ◽  
Motion Capture System ◽  
Design Features ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Body Sizes ◽  
The Mean

A new forklift backrest has been developed by incorporating adjustability concepts into the design to facilitate comfort to a wide range of users. We have conducted a comparative study between the new and original backrests to assess the effectiveness of design features. Using the phenomenon of restlessness, discomfort of the user was associated with the amount of body movement, where we have used a motion- capture system and a force platform to quantify the individuals’ movement for a wide range of body sizes. Meanwhile, subjective comfort and design feedback were collected using a questionnaire. Our results showed a reduction in the mean torso movement and the maximum center of pressure change of location by 300 and 6 mm, respectively, for the new design. Taking advantage of adjustability feature, the new backrest design exhibited enhanced comfort for longer durations and reduced magnitude of discomfort for a wide range of participants’ body sizes.

Practice Guidelines: How Good are Medicine's New Recipes?

1995 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Morgan Capron
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
Medical Knowledge ◽  
Medical Specialty ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Medical Interventions ◽  
Practice Parameters ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Standard Of Practice

Over the last decade, standards for when and how to undertake a wide range of medical interventions have poured forth from medical specialty groups, commercial and nonprofit organizations, and state and federal panels. Known by a variety of names—from practice parameters to clinical guidelines—and intended for a range of purposes—from diminishing the incidence of maloccurences in hospitals to cutting the costs of health care—these guidelines share one important feature: the intention of decreasing the range of variation in medical practice. Such standardization immediately appeals to anyone interested in improving the quality of health care and, in particular, reducing inappropriate medical interventions, in light of the difficulties for a conscientious physician today in adhering to the best standard of practice when faced with ever increasing medical knowledge and the growing number and complexity of diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic interventions.

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