Normalized Cross-Correlation of Subsequent Strides for Evaluation of Walking Stability

Author(s):  
Xue Wang ◽  
Wen Feng Lu ◽  
Han Tong Loh ◽  
Yoke San Wong ◽  
Fook Rhu Ong

Evaluation of walking stability is essential for the elderly population to prevent possible falls due to degradation of their walking stability caused by aging. Previous studies mainly focused on center of pressure (COP) and center of body mass (COM) and their relationship during walking. However COM can not be directly measured and existing COP parameters are mainly investigated within one stride and their effectiveness is not conclusive. In this study, new parameters are proposed based on normalized cross-correlation of subsequent strides (NCSS), derived from comparison of subsequent strides of foot plantar pressure. The mean and standard deviation of NCSS are calculated for three walking conditions that are progressively less stable (1 - normal walking, 2 - walking with eyes closed, and 3 - walking with eyes closed after being spun around) for six healthy subjects. Results show that the NCSS can effectively distinguish normal walking (1) and the less stable walking with eyes closed after being spun around (3). The mean of NCSS decreases from stable to less stable walking conditions, whereas the corresponding standard deviation of NCSS increases. For each subject the value of NCSS of walking with eyes closed (2) is between those of the other two walking conditions (1 and 3), although the value varies somewhat, depending on the controllability and adaptability of the subject.

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (61) ◽  
pp. 191-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiane Pimentel Nalin ◽  
Lucia Helena de Freitas Pinho França

The increase in the elderly population has prompted research on retirement. This study investigated the importance of resilience, economic satisfaction, the length of retirement, and planning to well-being during retirement of 270 participants. The majority of this sample were men (64%), and the mean age was 65 years (SD = 5.7). The participants were retired members of 10 public and private organizations in Rio de Janeiro. Factor analysis and hierarchical regression were performed. The results showed that determined resilience (mastery, adaptability, confidence and perseverance) and socioeconomic satisfaction were the main predictors of well-being in retirement and explained 28% of this model. The findings suggest that well-being in retirement is closely related to socioeconomic satisfaction and determined resilience. Additional research should address the importance of resilience for the well-being of retirees who are or not members of retirement associations. Resilience attitudes should be promoted in Retirement Education Programs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-58
Author(s):  
Carmen D'Anna ◽  
Maurizio Schmid ◽  
Andrea Scorza ◽  
Salvatore A. Sciuto ◽  
Luisa Lopez ◽  
...  

Background: The development of postural control across the primary school time horizon is a complex process, which entails biomechanics modifications, the maturation of cognitive ability and sensorimotor organization, and the emergence of anticipatory behaviour. Postural stability in upright stance has been thus object of a multiplicity of studies to better characterize postural control in this age span, with a variety of methodological approaches. The analysis of the Time-to-Boundary function (TtB), which specifies the spatiotemporal proximity of the Centre of Pressure (CoP) to the stability boundaries in the regulation of posture in upright stance, is among the techniques used to better characterize postural stability in adults, but, as of now, it has not yet been introduced in developmental studies. The aim of this study was thus to apply this technique to evaluate the development of postural control in a sample population of primary school children. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, upright stance trials under eyes open and eyes closed were administered to 107 healthy children, divided into three age groups (41 for Seven Years' Group, Y7; 38 for Nine Years' Group, Y9; 28 for Eleven Years' Group, Y11). CoP data were recorded to calculate the Time-to-Boundary function (TtB), from which four spatio-temporal parameters were extracted: the mean value and the standard deviation of TtB minima (Mmin, Stdmin), and the mean value and the standard deviation of the temporal distance between two successive minima (Mdist, Stddist). Results: With eyes closed, Mmin and Stdmin significantly decreased and Mdist and Stddist increased for the Y7 group, at Y9 Mmin significantly decreased and Stddist increased, while no effect of vision resulted for Y11. Regarding age groups, Mmin was significantly higher for Y9 than Y7, and Stdmin for Y9 was higher than both Y7 and Y11; Mdist and Stddist resulted higher for Y11 than for Y9. Conclusion: From the combined results from the spatio-temporal TtB parameters, it is suggested that, at 9 years, children look more efficient in terms of exploring their limits of stability than at 7, and at 11 the observed TtB behaviour hints at the possibility that, at that age, they have almost completed the maturation of postural control in upright stance, also in terms of integration of the spatio-temporal information.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinant Bhargava ◽  
Priti Meena ◽  
Ambrish Satwik ◽  
Apurv Srivastava ◽  
A K Bhalla ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Aims With the increase in the line expectancy of chronic kidney disease in the older population (>60 years), the numbers requiring haemodialysis is progressively rising. The elderly population may be different from the younger in terms of non-suitable vessels for access creation, non-maturation, and vascular calcifications, and this may alter the outcomes of use of arteriovenous fistula (AVF). This study was conducted to analyse the outcomes of AVF in elderly patients (>60 years). Method Retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Nephrology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi. Patients of more than 60 years of age in whom AVF was created from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2016 were included in the study. Follow-up data of 3.5 years was analysed. The primary endpoint was to assess primary and secondary patency rates. Results A total of 300 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 63.8 years. Radiocephalic AVF (RCAVF) was the most common site of [69.8% (n = 210)], followed by brachiocephalic (BCAVF) in 25.2% (n = 75) and basilic vein transposition (BVT) in 5% (n = 15). At 12 months, overall survival of the AVF was 66.8%. At 42 months, the primary patency rate of RCAVF, BCAVF, and BVT was 50.6%, 52.6%, and 50.4% respectively. The commonest cause of access failure was thrombosis (20.4%) followed by non-maturation (9%). Vascular access abandonment was found least in BCAVF. Conclusion AVF remains the preferred vascular access for haemodialysis in the elderly population. Brachiocephalic AVF has higher primary and secondary patency rates. Thrombosis and failure of maturation are major concerns in the elderly AVF.


2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Joshi ◽  
J. Lim ◽  
M. Nandkumar

Data on the prevalence of Hypertension (HTN) among elderly Asians is limited. We investigated the prevalence of elevated blood pressure (EBP) and its risk factors in a multiracial Southeast Asian elderly population who participated in the National Kidney Foundation Singapore nationwide screening programme. Among 19,848 subjects ≥ 65 years (approximately 6% of the total Singapore population), the mean age was 70.6 ± 5.26 yrs. After excluding 36.6% with known HTN, analysis revealed that 5,889 (46.8%) of the remaining population had previously undetected EBP >140/ 90. Increasing age, male gender, BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2 and pre-existing diabetes were significantly associated with previously undetected EBP on multivariate analysis. 6% of cases with undetected EBP had proteinuria suggestive of longstanding EBP and renal damage. We conclude that there is a high prevalence of undetected EBP in elderly Asians, suggesting the need for increased e forts in screening in the elderly population. Asia Pac J Public Health 2007; 19(2): 3—9.


Author(s):  
Judith G. Chipperfield ◽  
Betty Havens

AbstractThis study assessed changes in older peoples' levels of perceived respect between the 1970s and the 1980s using data from the Aging in Manitoba Study. A longitudinal analysis was conducted for Manitobans, age 65 and over, who were interviewed in the mid 1970s and subsequently reinterviewed in the early 1980s. Changes in perceived respect scores for those who survived into the 1980s, and who provided ratings at both interviews (n = 776), were assessed in a repeated measures ANOVA. Significant increases were found in the mean level of respect for some ethnic groups, namely for the British, French, and German. A subsequent analysis indicated that the reported improvements in perceived respect could not be explained by participation in the study. These results may suggest that over the decade, the social climate of the elderly population in Manitoba has improved, at least for some ethnic groups.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (03) ◽  
pp. 255-262
Author(s):  
Masood Mazaheri ◽  
Mahyar Salavati ◽  
Hossein Negahban ◽  
Mohamad Parnianpour

As balance is the foundation for all voluntary motor skills, considerable research has been conducted to evaluate postural control in patients with low back pain (LBP). Although reliability is a population-specific property, to the authors' knowledge, there has been no study to determine the test-retest reliability of the center of pressure (COP) measures in the general population of LBP patients. As many as 11 patients with a history of nonspecific LBP randomly completed postural measurements with three levels of difficulty (rigid surface-eyes open, rigid surface-eyes closed, and foam surface-eyes closed) in two sessions. The COP data were used to calculate standard deviation of amplitude, phase plane portrait, standard deviation of velocity, mean total velocity, and area (95% confidence ellipse). Relative reliability of these measures was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and absolute reliability using standard error of measurement (SEM), and coefficient of variation (CV). Among different COP parameters, the mean total velocity in all conditions of postural difficulty showed the highest reliability, with the ICC range of 0.73–0.80, SEM range of 0.09–0.32 cm/s, and CV range of 5.7–8.2%. Therefore, the mean total velocity may be an optimal COP parameter to be used for quantification and assessment of balance performance in LBP patients.


Author(s):  
Sana Bousbiat ◽  
Michel Y. Jaffrin ◽  
Imen Assadi

Body fat analysers use four plantar electrodes integrated in a body scale to measure the foot-to-foot resistance and estimate body fat by using a proprietary equation. The variation of this resistance with the contact area between feet and electrodes has been investigated by using a podoscope permitting to photograph feet soles and electrodes. This resistance was found to decrease when current electrode area increased. The reproducibility of the electronics was excellent (< 2Ω) in measurements repeated without changing feet position, but the mean standard deviation was 3.5 to 4 Ω when the subject stepped down at each measurement due to feet position changes.


Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 4814-4814
Author(s):  
Anosha Tariq ◽  
Vatsala Katiyar ◽  
Talha Aijaz

Abstract Introduction Patients with refractory or relapsed diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) have very limited treatment options. Axicabtagene ciloleucel, tisagenlecleucel, and lisocabtagene maraleucel are the Anti-CD-19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy have been recently approved for refractory or relapsed DLBCL patients who have failed at least two lines of treatment. CAR-T therapy has significant adverse effects, most notably cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), limiting its use, particularly in the elderly population. In this meta-analysis, we analyzed the safety of CAR-T therapy in the elderly population compared to the younger patients with DLBCL. Methods Randomized controlled trials and observational studies in adult patients with DLBCL treated with anti-CD-19 CAR-T therapy were included in the meta-analysis. Case reports, case series, and review articles were excluded. We searched PubMed for studies published before 1st July 2021 using keywords "tisagenlecleucel," "axicabtagene ciloleucel," and "lisocabtagene maraleucel." The study selection process is shown in figure 1. Statistical analysis was performed with Comprehensive meta-analysis version 3. The fixed-effect model was used for pooled analysis. Heterogeneity across studies was analyzed using I2 statistics. Results Three studies, comprising of 616 patients, were included in the analysis. Characteristics of the study population and the number of events in each study are shown in figure 2. Two studies used a cut-off of 65 years, while one study used a cut-off of 70 years for the older population. The mean age in the younger population was 55, while the mean age in the elderly population ranged from 69 to 76. Mean follow-up ranged widely in the three studies ranging from 7 months to 27.1 months. Incidence of CRS ranged from 36% to 84% in the elderly population compared to 34% to 83% in younger patients. Grade 3 or 4 CRS ranged from 1 to 14% in the elder compared to 2 to 14% in younger patients. The pooled analysis shown in figure 3 revealed an odd ratio of 1.11 with a confidence interval ranging from 0.76 to 1.63 (p=0.58), implying there is no statistical difference between the two groups. The incidence of ICANS ranged from 27% to 65% in elderly patients compared to 8.5% to 47% in younger patients. Grade 3 or 4 ICANS ranging from 2 to 47% in elderly patients compared to 2% to 18% in younger patients. The pooled analysis shown in figure 4 showed an odd ratio of 1.59 with a confidence interval ranging from 1.09 to 2.34 (p=0.02), suggesting the risk of ICANS is higher in older patients. Conclusion CRS and ICANS are the most common adverse effects limiting the use of CAR-T therapy in the elderly. Our analysis showed that age does not impact the risk of CRS in DLBCL patients treated with anti-CD19 CAR-T treatment. However, older patients are at a higher risk of ICANS as compared to younger, suggesting CAR-T therapy should be used with caution in patients older than 65 years of age, especially if they have baseline neurological impairment. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Author(s):  
Vipin Tyagi ◽  
Rahul Kakran ◽  
Amit Dwivedi ◽  
Fenil Shah

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Intertrochanteric fractures femur in elderly population are more commonly forbidden high morbidity. The surgical stabilization together with early rehabilitation is the main challenge. The elderly population have poor bone mass quality and also the chances of complications like nonunion or implant failure are more with conventional procedures. Stable fixation and early rehabilitation is the main aim in intertrochanteric fractures. The aim is to assess the functional outcome of intertrochanteric fractures femur managed by trochanteric fixation nail (TFN) in the elderly population.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> The study includes 40 patients, 30 male and 10 female, with fracture intertrochanteric femur treated with TFN from September 2018 to May 2019 at Yashoda Superspeciality Hospital, Nehrunagar, Ghaziabad. The patients were evaluated at 4, 8, 12 weeks postoperatively and assessed by the Modified Harris hip score. Classification used is AO classification.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The mean age of patients was 64 years. The mean duration of surgery was 48±10 min. The Harris hip score was 96.90±4.60, which is better than scores from other implants used for intertrochanteric fractures femur.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> In this study, we conclude that TFN is a good choice in managing the intertrochanteric fractures, having higher bone union rate and less union time. The period of immobilization is decreased, early weight bearing and less complications.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 396-404
Author(s):  
Guilherme Tavares ◽  
Gizela Kelmann ◽  
Francisco Tustumi ◽  
Catherine Nardini Tundisi ◽  
Bárbara Regina Bruço Silveira ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT. Zolpidem is one of the most widely prescribed hypnotic (non-benzodiazepine) agents for sleep disorder. Recently, an increase in the demand for this drug has been observed, mainly in the elderly population. Objective: This study aims to analyze the acute effect of zolpidem on cognitive and balance dysfunctions in the elderly population. Methods: A study was conducted by two independent researchers in four virtual scientific information bases and included randomized controlled trials. The studies evaluated elderly patients using zolpidem. Cognitive and balance dysfunctions were analyzed. Results: Six articles were included. The mean age of the participants in the studies was 69 years. The following zolpidem dosages were evaluated: 5, 6.25, 10, and 12.5 mg. Comparing zolpidem and placebo, relating to the cognitive dysfunctions, there is no statistically significant difference between the groups. However, in relation to balance dysfunctions, there is a statistically significant difference between the intervention and the comparison, favoring placebo. Conclusions: Zolpidem, even in usual doses (5 mg and 10 mg), has shown to increase the risk for balance dysfunctions. However, this does not occur in relation to cognitive changes.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document