Validation of a Wearable Position, Velocity, and Resistance Meter for Assessing Spasticity and Rigidity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung Yun Song ◽  
Yinan Pei ◽  
Steven R. Tippett ◽  
Dronacharya Lamichhane ◽  
Christopher M. Zallek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Daily Living ◽  
Muscle Tone ◽  
Neuromuscular Disorders ◽  
The Body ◽  
Functional Abilities ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Different Parts

Patients with neuromuscular disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, or multiple sclerosis (MS) can develop different levels of abnormal muscle behavior (hypertonia) such as rigidity and spasticity [1], [2]. Hypertonia can affect different parts of the body such as upper or lower extremities. Symptoms include pain, increased muscle tone, spasms, and decreased functional abilities. Hypertonia can interfere with many activities of daily living, greatly affecting the quality of life in patients and causing anxiety, depression, and social isolation [2].

Delays in Manual Reaching Are Associated with Impaired Functional Abilities in Early Dementia Patients

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 63-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Casper de Boer ◽  
Johan J.M. Pel ◽  
Johannes van der Steen ◽  
Francesco Mattace-Raso
Keyword(s):  
Daily Living ◽  
Hand Movement ◽  
Hand Tracking ◽  
Functional Abilities ◽  
Dementia Patients ◽  
Early Dementia ◽  
Tracking Devices ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hand Response

Background/Aims: Recent evidence shows that early dementia patients have deficits in manual reaching tasks. It is important to understand the impact of these functional disabilities on their quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate if there is an association between manual reaching and measures of (instrumental) activities of daily living (IADL) in a group of patients with cognitive complaints. Methods: The manual reaching performance of 27 patients was assessed in detail with eye and hand tracking devices. Patients were divided into three groups based on self-reported loss of IADL function. Parameters describing hand response and movement times were compared between groups. Results: Patients with loss of IADL function in ≥1 domain had delayed hand response and hand movement times towards visible targets compared to patients with no loss of IADL function. Conclusion: Delays in manual reaching movements are related to the degree of loss of IADL function in early dementia patients.

scholarly journals Disability and ICF Core Sets in Mood Disorders

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
J.L. Ayuso-Mateos
Keyword(s):  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Consensus Conference ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Core ◽  
Core Sets ◽  
Biopsychosocial Perspective ◽  
Icf Core Sets ◽  
Different Levels

The concept of disability has changed enormously, from a notion of handicap (ICIDM,1980) to the idea of person with disability (ICF,2001). The ICF considers three different levels of disability: body, person and environment, offering a possibility to address it in a universal, integrative and interactive perspective. The utility of the ICF in shifting the attention from a medical to a biopsychosocial perspective is therefore accepted. Having 1464 categories, it is hardly applicable to clinical practice and research. Mood disorders are characterized by a variety of psychiatric and somatic symptoms, associated with a significant loss of quality of life and functioning. Practical tools, such as Core Sets, that cover the spectrum of problems are needed. ICF Core Sets have been developed for depression and are currently being developed by our group for bipolar disorder. The ICF Comprehensive Core Sets for depression is the second larger among 12 Comprehensive ICF Core Sets for chronic disorders. This fact reflects the complex limitations in functioning and the numerous interactions with environmental factors. From the first version of the ICF Core Sets for depression as well as the preliminary studies for the bipolar disorder's core sets mental functions are mostly represented among the body functions domain. Few aspects important to mood disorders, as suicide, have been found to be relevant from both a systematic literature review and an expert survey in BD and in the consensus conference were the Core Sets for depression were establish but are not covered in the ICF.

scholarly journals User Perspectives on Issues that Influence the Quality of Daily life of Ventilator-Assisted Individuals with Neuromuscular Disorders

2004 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 547-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina Brooks ◽  
Audrey King ◽  
Mark Tonack ◽  
Helen Simson ◽  
Maria Gould ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Neuromuscular Disorders ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Personal Support ◽  
User Perspectives

OBJECTIVES:To identify user perspectives on the issues that impact the quality of the daily lives of ventilator-assisted individuals living in the community.METHODS:Semistructured interviews were held with 26 Canadian ventilator-assisted individuals (mean age 44±14 [SD] years, range 23 to 60 years; mean ventilator experience 18±13 years, range three to 53 years) whose disability from neuromuscular conditions necessitated assistance with activities of daily living. Participants described their daily life experiences and perceptions of the factors that limited or enhanced their quality. Interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed and analyzed for emergent codes and themes.RESULTS:Ventilator users characterized important issues in terms of personal successes and limitations, as well as dependencies on others for daily living. Personal support services, income security, health care and transportation were important positive contributors to their quality of life. Dependency on others was clearly a negative contributor. The ventilator was regarded as a form of assistive technology, similar to a wheelchair. Ventilator users perceived that ventilation was associated with a stigma and negative assumptions about disability, particularly if suctioning was required.CONCLUSIONS:The majority of participants considered home mechanical ventilation to be a positive benefit for independent living, enhancing their overall health. They were clear as to the issues of importance to them, and formulated recommendations for health care providers and policy makers that could improve the quality of their daily lives. Many of the issues identified in the present report are faced by the growing community of ventilator users.

Towards a Soft Robotic 3rd Arm for Activities of Daily Living

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weston R. Olson ◽  
Panagiotis Polygerinos
Keyword(s):  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
The Body ◽  
Soft Robotics ◽  
Aircraft Fuselage ◽  
Supernumerary Limbs ◽  
Recent Addition ◽  
Soft Actuators ◽  
Human Limb

Limb sensorimotor function plays an important role in activities of daily living (ADLs) and quality of life. Spinal cord dysfunctions, such as cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), often affect limb function and limit independence. In this paper, we apply technologies from the emerging field of soft robotics to develop Soft Robotic 3rd Arms (SR3As) that branch out of the body — thus providing an artificial limb that enables effective execution of ADLs for CSM patients and the like. Soft robotics is a fairly recent addition to the field of robotics. Differing from traditional, “hard”, robotics, soft robotics are made of flexible materials such as silicone rather than stiff materials such as metals. One such soft robotic actuator is the fiber-reinforced actuator (FRA). Fabricated utilizing a combination of silicone bladder(s) and inextensible materials, these actuators are able to perform one of various motions through changes of pressure [1]. Supernumerary limbs (3rd arms), in contrast, are extra robotic limbs that can function cooperatively or independently of the user’s own limbs. These differ from exoskeletal robotics, as they are not fixated to the user’s limb to augment strength, but rather are placed elsewhere on the body to assist in tasks that would otherwise require multiple people. Examples of such devices include MIT/Boeing’s supernumerary arms to assist in the assembly of aircraft fuselage [2] or the supernumerary hand Softhand [3]. Combining these two concepts, an articulate SR3A was created (Fig. 1). By replacing traditional actuators with soft actuators, the limb is not only lighter, but it also better replicates the equivalent human limb. In addition to these benefits, the SR3A would also need to be less expensive to fabricate and actuate than an arm using rigid body components. This paper presents the design of a proof-of-concept prototype of a SR3A utilizing soft robotic actuators that could be used to assist individuals with hand impairments perform ADLs.

scholarly journals COPING WITH ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, BURDEN AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN INFORMAL PRIMARY CAREGIVERS OF COMMUNITY-DWELLING INDIVIDUALS WITH DEMENTIA

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
M. Muscat ◽  
C. Scerri
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Primary Caregivers ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Objective: This study aimed to investigate how informal primary caregivers of individuals with dementia living in the community cope with caring-related measures of anxiety, depression, burden and quality of life. Participants and Design: Participants included 60 informal caregivers (23 males and 37 females) of community-dwelling individuals with dementia who attended a state-run geriatric day hospital in Malta. Caregiver measures included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF and Brief COPE questionnaires, and Zarit Burden Interview. The Mini Mental State Examination and Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living scores were used to determine the degree of cognitive impairment and performance in activities of daily living of care-recipients. Results: Informal caregivers experienced anxiety and depression with both emotional distress states negatively affecting all quality of life domains. Depression and burden experienced by informal primary caregivers showed a strong association with individuals with dementia-related variables such as age, cognitive impairment and activities of daily living scores. The use of dysfunctional coping strategies was found to be related to caregivers’ emotional distress, low quality of life and burden. Conclusion: The findings indicate that informal primary caregivers experienced anxiety and depression, had a lower quality of life, and feel burdened during their caring role. However, caregivers making use of emotion-focused coping strategies were found to be protected against emotional distress. The results highlight the need of providing support services aimed at promoting the psychological wellbeing of informal carers of community-dwelling individuals with dementia.

scholarly journals Implications of therapeutic touch and relaxation massage on aging

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glaucia Pegorari Micillo ◽  
Nair Nunes Garcia ◽  
Angelica Castilho Alonso ◽  
José Maria Montiel ◽  
Marta Ferreira Bastos
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The Body ◽  
Therapeutic Touch ◽  
World Population ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
The Social ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Increased Blood Flow

Background: The social, technological and scientific advances mainly linked to the health area were important for increasing the longevity of the world population, which highlights the need for studies and public policies aimed at the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases associated with aging. The search for complementary therapeutic techniques and practices to improve the quality of life of the elderly has increased in order to decrease the complications of the aging process such as chronic pain, fatigue, changes in sleep quality, stress/anxiety, depression and the risk of polypharmacy. Objective: Discuss the importance of touch in the elderly and the implications of using this therapeutic technique in improving the quality of life of the elderly. Methods:  Through bibliographic review, it was selected studies on touch and its implications on the physical, emotional and sentimental aspects of the elderly's life. There are several methodologies that use touch as a trigger for benefits to the body, such as: therapeutic touch, reiki and relaxation massage. However, massage has been strongly considered in the scientific literature, especially as it is a non-invasive and non-medicated technique, based on slips, friction, compression and stretches with different intensities and in certain regions of the body that promote improvement of physical aspects, such as: increased blood flow, with consequent increase in oxygenation and the arrival of nutrients to the tissues. Conclusion: It is possible to suggest that the beneficial influence of massage on physical, emotional and sentimental aspects may provide an improvement in the quality of life of the elderly.  

scholarly journals The importance of sleep in selected diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 334-341
Author(s):  
Dominika Magdalena Egierska ◽  
Paulina Pietruszka ◽  
Justyna Buchta
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disorders ◽  
Muscle Tone ◽  
The Body ◽  
Psychiatric Diseases ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
Biochemical Processes ◽  
Lack Of Sleep ◽  
Negative Factors

Introduction: There are specific differences in physiological and biochemical processes during sleep. Adenosine and melatonin are involved in the regulation of circadian rhythms. During sleep, you can observe the secretion of growth hormone, a reduction in cortisol secretion, and a decrease in muscle tone and blood pressure. Sleep can have a major impact on the development of systemic diseases.Aim of the study: A review of the literature aimed at identifying selected negative factors influencing the quality of sleep and systemic diseases which are related to sleep disorders.State of knowledge: Factors that negatively affect sleep include stress, as well as excessive time spent in front of light-emitting screens. Long-term lack of sleep increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and psychiatric diseases. Summary: Sleep plays an important role in the proper functioning of the body. Its quality is affected by many factors. Sleep disorders can be both the effect and cause of many diseases. Especially in diagnosing psychiatric diseases, attention should be paid to the occurrence of sleep disorders.

Breathing Techniques in the Paris Singing Treatise (Méthode de Chant, Paris, 1803)

2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-246
Author(s):  
Anca Similar
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Research ◽  
The Body ◽  
Respiratory Movement ◽  
Breathing Techniques ◽  
French School ◽  
Physical Limitations ◽  
Thinking Process ◽  
Natural Breathing ◽  
Different Parts

"This article tries to identify the breathing techniques proposed in the Paris Singing treatise, published in 1803. The method gives us the description of the respiratory movement practiced by singers before the institutionalization of knowledge according to scientific research. The aim of the French school was to produce a natural tone and to deliver beauty in the act of singing without physical limitations or excesses imposed on the body or voice. We found that the French school aims to respect the length of the sentences and this to the detriment of the quality of the sound emitted. Regarding the physiology of breathing, the method uses analogies with images that allow singers to imagine what is “hidden” in their body, and explain the functioning of different parts, according to the “tasks” assigned to them. The teachers of this method suggest to the practitioner not to think about breathing and uses the term natural breathing, as there is no difference between the breath needed to sing and the breath needed to speak. Their abstraction is that the performer does not think about breathing while speaking, so there is no need for a breathing-oriented thinking process even during singing. Keywords: French singing school, natural breathing. "

scholarly journals Neuromotor Development of Children Aged 6 and 7 Years Born before the 30th Week Gestation

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Majewska ◽  
Katarzyna Zajkiewicz ◽  
Kamila Wacław-Abdul ◽  
Joanna Baran ◽  
Daniel Szymczyk
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Tone ◽  
Hand Function ◽  
Full Term ◽  
The Body ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Neuromotor Function ◽  
Premature Children

Introduction. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the level of neuromotor function and somatic development in 6- and 7-year-old children born before the 30th week gestation with that in full-term children at the same age, as well as the correlation between prematurity and motor development. Material and Methods. The study group consisted of prematurely born 40 children. Their mean gestational age at birth was 27.8±1.6 weeks (range 24–30 weeks). The control group consisted of 40 healthy children born with normal birth weight (>2500 g). The neuromotor function was assessed using Touwen neurological examination criteria. During the examination, the attention was focused on the hand preference, laterality, synkinesis, and asymmetry. In addition, children’s weight, height, and BMI index were measured. Results. Premature children showed much worse results than full-term ones in hand function (p<0,001). They obtained the best results in paper tearing while crossing the body midline turned out to be the most difficult. Considering the quality of walking, the biggest difficulty for the premature children was to walk backwards along the straight line while during normal walking they showed the best results. The results for the muscle tone subcategory in the study group were also significantly worse than those in control group (p<0,001), as well as the total outcome for the movement coordination and diadochokinesis subcategories (p<0,001). Conclusion. The nondisabled, prematurely born children have significantly lower average outcomes regarding hand function, quality of walking, muscle tone, coordination, and diadochokinesis at age of six to seven, compared to the full-term peers.

Quality of muscle tissue and biochemical composition of blood serum of young geese, depending on lipid nutrition level

2020 ◽  
pp. 30-33
Author(s):  
Denis V. Osepchuk ◽  
◽  
Andrey A. Svistunov ◽  
Vladimir A. Grin ◽  
Marina P. Semenenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linoleic Acid ◽  
Blood Serum ◽  
Muscle Tissue ◽  
Biochemical Composition ◽  
Monounsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
The Body ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Organoleptic Properties ◽  
Different Levels

Use of detailed norms for feeding geese with the introduction of fats into the feeding diet is necessary to increase feed conversion and to obtain better products. The presented article shows the results of studying of the effect of complete compound feed with different levels of crude fat on the chemical and fatty acid composition, organoleptic properties of the muscle tissue of young geese, as well as the biochemical composition of their blood serum depending on the level of crude fat and linoleic acid in complete compound feed. It was determined that the introduction of 2% of sunflower oil into the diets of geese in the starting and finishing complete compound feed did not reveal statistically significant differences in the concentration of protein and fat in the muscle tissue of young geese with an increase in the level of crude fat by 1.9-2.0% and linoleic acid by 43-47%, compared with the control (4.9-5.5% of crude fat). However, a tendency of an increase in the content of monounsaturated fatty acids in the muscle tissue, primarily palmitic acid, as well as an improvement in the organoleptic properties of meat was revealed in the experimental poultry. The developed complete compound feed did not adversely affect homeostasis in the body of young geese up to 60 days of age.

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