Design and Evaluation of an Instrumented Wobble Board for Assessing and Training Dynamic Seated Balance

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew D. Williams ◽  
Quinn A. Boser ◽  
Animesh Singh Kumawat ◽  
Kshitij Agarwal ◽  
Hossein Rouhani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Balance Training ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Clinical Tool ◽  
Vibrotactile Feedback ◽  
Laboratory Equipment ◽  
Training Tool ◽  
Seated Balance ◽  
And Training ◽  
Dynamic Sitting

Methods that effectively assess and train dynamic seated balance are critical for enhancing functional independence and reducing risk of secondary health complications in the elderly and individuals with neuromuscular impairments. The objective of this research was to devise and validate a portable tool for assessing and training dynamic seated balance. An instrumented wobble board was designed and constructed that (1) elicits multidirectional perturbations in seated individuals, (2) quantifies seated balance proficiency, and (3) provides real-time, kinematics-based vibrotactile feedback. After performing a technical validation study to compare kinematic wobble board measurements against a gold-standard motion capture system, 15 nondisabled participants performed a dynamic sitting task using the wobble board. Our results demonstrate that the tilt angle measurements were highly accurate throughout the range of wobble board dynamics. Furthermore, the posturographic analyses for the dynamic sitting task revealed that the wobble board can effectively discriminate between the different conditions of perturbed balance, demonstrating its potential to serve as a clinical tool for the assessment and training of seated balance. Vibrotactile feedback decreased the variance of wobble board tilt, demonstrating its potential for use as a balance training tool. Unlike similar instrumented tools, the wobble board is portable, requires no laboratory equipment, and can be adjusted to meet the user's balance abilities. While future work is warranted, obtained findings will aid in effective translation of assessment and training techniques to a clinical setting, which has the potential to enhance the diagnosis and prognosis for individuals with seated balance impairments.

Multisensory balance training for unsteady elderly people: A scoping review

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
In-Gyu Yoo ◽  
Ji-Hye Do
Keyword(s):  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Balance Training ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Training Methods ◽  
Multisensory Stimulation ◽  
Multisensory Training ◽  
Risk Of Falls

BACKGROUND: Posture control involves complex reactions of dynamic and static movements, and various sensory inputs. There is evidence that exercise using multisensory stimulation is moderately effective in improving the balance of the elderly. OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this paper was to examine the existing literature to validate the effectiveness and applicability of multisensory stimulation training. METHODS: All relevant literature published as of June 1, 2020 in four prominent databases was searched (Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of science) using the five-stage review framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley. RESULTS: Multisensory stimulation training was more effective when vestibular and somatosensory were combined with visual stimuli, and differences in effectiveness compared to the effectiveness of existing treatments were confirmed. However, most of the reviewed papers are compared to simple strength training, and studies that compare the effects of multisensory stimulation training by setting a control group are still lacking. CONCLUSION: Further research is required to further elucidate the training conditions and treatment environment for multisensory training for the elderly at risk of falls and to provide strategies to improve treatment methods. In addition, a study that can evaluate user satisfaction in a way that best shows the treatment effect using qualitative research methods will be needed.

Peritonsillar abscess drainage: using oropharyngeal endoscopy as a therapeutic adjunct and training tool

2021 ◽  
Vol 135 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Sawhney ◽  
R Bidaye ◽  
A Khanna
Keyword(s):  
Peritonsillar Abscess ◽  
Therapeutic Procedure ◽  
Deep Tissue ◽  
Abscess Drainage ◽  
Incision And Drainage ◽  
Training Tool ◽  
Poor Access ◽  
The Uk ◽  
And Training ◽  
Poor Lighting

AbstractBackgroundPeritonsillar abscess, or quinsy, is one of the most common emergency presentations to ENT departments, and is the most common deep tissue infection of the head and neck. In the UK, junior members of the ENT team are regularly required to independently assess, diagnose and treat patients with peritonsillar aspiration or incision and drainage.IssueInexperienced practitioners can stumble at several obstacles: poor access due to trismus; poor lighting; difficulty in learning the therapeutic procedure; and difficulty in accurately documenting findings and treatment.SolutionTo counter these and other difficulties, the authors describe the routine use of video endoscopy as a training tool and therapeutic adjunct in the management of quinsy.

Compliance with Prescribed Adaptive Equipment: A Literature Review

2000 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trish Wielandt ◽  
Jenny Strong
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Current Practice ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Functional Potential ◽  
And Training

This article describes a literature review that examined the topic of the postdischarge compliance of individuals with prescribed adaptive equipment. Assisting individuals to accomplish tasks relevant to their activities of daily living and thereby achieve functional independence is central to the role of occupational therapy. The prescription of adaptive equipment is a frequently used intervention. The rationale for prescribing adaptive equipment is that it maximises a client's functional potential, allows for independence in activities of daily living and fosters confidence as a result of being able to accomplish such tasks. All studies that surveyed compliance with prescribed adaptive equipment between 1963 and 1996 were reviewed. The factors that reportedly affect compliance by individuals can be considered under five discrete categories: medical-related, client-related, equipment-related, assessment-related and training-related. On the basis of the findings of this literature review, recommendations are made for further research, specifically investigating methods that therapists could incorporate into current practice to address the problem of non-compliance with prescribed adaptive equipment.

Exploring and reorienting psychiatrists’ attitudes regarding smoking cessation and its potential to improve mental health outcomes: a pilot study

2021 ◽  
pp. 103985622110373
Author(s):  
Brooke Short ◽  
Luke Giles ◽  
Aspasia Karageorge ◽  
Lyndon Bauer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Clinical Tool ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Public ◽  
And Training

Objective: The aims of this study were to explore the knowledge, attitudes, confidence and practices of Australian psychiatrists and psychiatry registrars with regard to smoking cessation with their patients and to promote clinical practice reflection and re-framing. Methods: A mixed-methods questionnaire was developed. Interviews were conducted via telephone or face-to-face utilising participatory action research principles. Qualitative data were de-identified and analysed following a reflexive thematic approach. Results: The questionnaire was completed with 15 participants. The majority worked in the public health sector and agreed that smoking cessation could be used as a clinical tool across mental health services. However, nearly all of the participants reported being unfamiliar with the latest literature. Only one-third of participants reported having had received formal training in smoking cessation. Overwhelmingly, more training was reported as necessary and welcomed by participants. Conclusion: Our study has identified gaps in psychiatrists’ and psychiatry registrars’ knowledge and confidence regarding the promotion, initiation and oversight of smoking cessation strategies for patients. It’s important that psychiatrists lead the way in re-framing and engaging with this issue, and consider smoking cessation as a tool that can improve mental health outcomes. A review of existing Australian policies, guidelines and training is recommended.

scholarly journals Cumulative Inequality at the End of Life?: Racial Disparities in Impairment in the Time Before Death

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 1292-1301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miles G Taylor ◽  
Stella N Min ◽  
Keshia M Reid
Keyword(s):  
Racial Disparities ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Racial Inequalities ◽  
Latent Growth Curves ◽  
The North ◽  
Cumulative Inequality

Abstract Objectives Drawing from cumulative inequality (CI) theory, the current study examined racial disparities in impairment as individuals approached death to determine whether proposed mechanisms hypothesized to fuel or diminish racial disparities at late ages were at work at the end of individualized life spans. Method Black–white disparities were analyzed among decedents using latent growth curves based on the data from the North Carolina Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) (N = 1,926). Results Consistent with previous literature, racial inequalities in functional disparities diminish at late ages. However, significant black–white disparities emerge as older adults approach death, exponentially increasing within the 2 years immediately preceding death. Further, these disparities are not fully mediated by socioeconomic status. Discussion The results confirm that CI in health outcomes is observable in late life among individual life spans, suggesting the years surrounding death may be a particularly vulnerable period for health inequality. Future research should examine how advantaged statuses translate to increased access to health-related resources that aid in maintaining greater functional independence until the last stage of life.

scholarly journals Prevalência, desempenho cognitivo e funcionalidade de idosos com Doença de Alzheimer em instituições de longa permanência de Bento Gonçalves

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Fernandes Tonholi ◽  
Gisele Oltramari
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Junior High School ◽  
Functional Independence Measure ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Functional Evaluation ◽  
Cross Sectional

Aims: To determine the prevalence, cognitive performance and functionality of elderly people with Alzheimer's disease in long-stay institutions for the elderlyin the city of Bento Gonçalves. Methods: Cross-sectional study including 24 elderly residents in long-stay institutions for the elderly, sociodemographic datawere obtained, and the elderly were subjected to functional evaluation by the Functional Independence Measure and evaluation of cognitive performancethrough the mental state the Mini (MMSE). Results: Most of the residents were female (83%), as 54.2% schooling had completed junior high school, mostof the elderly (70.8%) was admitted by the will of the family, 100% of the elderly showed cognitive performance bad, and the smaller the more dependentcognitive performance was the individual. Conclusion: institutionalized elderly with Alzheimer's disease had negative results on cognitive performance,as well as deficits in their ability to perform activities of daily living, thus altering their functionality.Keywords: aging; functionality; cognition; Alzheimer Disease; long-stay institutions.

A Study to Examine the Relationship of the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) to other Tests of Cognition and Function

1996 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 260-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanna E Robinson ◽  
Anne G Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Functional Independence Measure ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Process Skills ◽  
Observational Assessment ◽  
Cognitive Component ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Physical Scale ◽  
And Function ◽  
Relationship Of

In this study, the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS), an observational assessment of functional ability, was compared with other tests of function and cognition, namely the Functional Independence Measure (RM), the CAMCOG (the cognitive component of the CAMDEX [Cambridge Examination for Mental Status in the Elderly]) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The subjects were people with diagnosed dementia or mild memory impairment. The results were as expected, revealing significant relationships between AMPS process ability and the CAMCOG, the MMSE and the FIM social/cognition scale, and between AMPS motor ability and the RM physical scale. This supported the validity of the AMPS as an evaluation of the interaction between cognitive impairments and disability in complex activities of daily living.

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