scholarly journals An Exploratory Investigation of e-REST: Teletherapy for Chronically Agrammatic Speakers

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28
Author(s):  
Marina B. Ruiter ◽  
Toni C.M. Rietveld ◽  
Vera Hoskam ◽  
Marijn M.A. Van Beers
Keyword(s):  
Daily Life ◽  
Intensive Therapy ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Sentence Production ◽  
Single Subject ◽  
User Friendliness ◽  
Aphasia Therapy ◽  
Exploratory Investigation ◽  
Language Difficulties ◽  
Speech And Language Pathologists

Delivering aphasia therapy via telecommunication may provide a means to deliver intensive therapy in a cost-effective way. Teletherapy, remotely-administered (language) treatment, may support the repetitive drill practices that people with chronic aphasia need to perform when learning to compensate for their lasting language difficulties. The use of teletherapy may allow speech and language pathologists (SLPs) to focus in-person sessions more strongly on the generalisation of therapy effects to daily life. This single subject study is an investigation whether a teletherapy application called e-REST meets the criteria of accessibility, user-friendliness, as well as effectiveness. e-REST, the teletherapy version of the Dutch and adapted Reduced Syntax Therapy, teaches chronically aphasic speakers of Dutch who experience difficulties in sentence production to convey their messages in a kind of telegraphic style. The results obtained suggest that it is reasonable to conduct a larger study into the user-friendliness, accessibility, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of e-REST.   

scholarly journals The case for morphophonological intervention: Evidence from a Greek-speaking child with speech difficulties

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleftheria Geronikou ◽  
Maggie Vance ◽  
Bill Wells ◽  
Jenny Thomson
Keyword(s):  
Speech Sound ◽  
Single Subject ◽  
Inflectional Morphology ◽  
Speech Sound Disorders ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Assessment Scores ◽  
Single Subject Research ◽  
Language Difficulties ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
And Control

Intervention with children with speech and language difficulties has been proven beneficial compared with no treatment yet, knowing what type of intervention to provide remains a challenge. Studies of English-speaking children indicate that intervention targeting the production of morphological targets may have a positive effect on phonological aspects and vice versa. However, studies have not reported on generalization effects to untreated morphemes and little is yet known about morphological intervention in the context of a highly inflected language. The purpose of the current intervention case study was to investigate the effect of intervention in relation to phonological and morphological targets in Greek, a language characterized by complex inflectional morphology. A single subject research design was used with pre- and post-intervention assessment carried out. The participant was a four-year-old Greek-speaking boy with speech difficulties. The production of /s/, a phoneme used in multiple phonological and morphological contexts was targeted with alternating focus of intervention between phonological and morphological targets. Assessment took place at two levels: macro-assessment to monitor broad changes in speech; micro-assessment to measure therapy-specific changes in the production of treated targets and generalization to untreated targets and control items. There were four phases of intervention with a total of 24 hours of therapy. Significant improvement in performance accuracy was found between assessment scores immediately pre- and post-intervention. Intervention targeting the production of a phoneme in the word stem was not sufficient to accomplish the accurate production of morphemes requiring the same phoneme; intervention directly targeting morphemes was successful. Within-domain generalization was observed in both domains. Improved naming accuracy was observed post-intervention that was maintained at follow-up. The present study supports the case for morphophonological intervention. Morphological elements should be addressed in a comprehensive intervention for speech sound disorders.

Computer use by People with Aphasia: A Survey Investigation

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Finch ◽  
Anne J. Hill
Keyword(s):  
Everyday Life ◽  
Computer Use ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Computer Usage ◽  
Clinical Environment ◽  
Aphasia Therapy ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Positive Experiences ◽  
High Level

Computers are encountered increasingly in the clinical setting, including during aphasia rehabilitation. However, currently we do not know what people with aphasia think about using computers in therapy and daily life, or to what extent people with aphasia use computers in their everyday life. The present study explored: (1) the use of computers by people with aphasia; and (2) the perceptions of people with aphasia towards computers and computer-based therapy. Thirty-four people with aphasia completed an aphasia-friendly paper-based survey about their use of computers before and after the onset of their aphasia, and their attitudes towards computer-based aphasia therapy. There was a high level of computer usage by people with aphasia both before and after the onset of their aphasia. However, the nature of the computer use changed following aphasia onset, with a move away from work-based usage. The majority of the cohort used computers for aphasia therapy and liked using computer-based aphasia therapy, provided that the programs were perceived as appropriate for their individual needs. The results highlight the importance of exposing people with aphasia to computer-based aphasia therapy in a supported clinical environment, and the need to ensure that computer-based therapy is individualised for each client. It should be noted, however, that while the majority of participants reported positive experiences with using computers, this does not mean that the computer-based therapy software used was necessarily an effective treatment for aphasia.

Abstract P497: Re-analysis of the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT): The Renal Consequences of Intensive versus Standard Blood Pressure Lowering

Hypertension ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leora Branfield Day ◽  
David M Naimark
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Lifetime Cost ◽  
Intensive Therapy ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Pressure Control ◽  
Average Lifetime ◽  
Ckd Progression ◽  
Lifetime Horizon ◽  
Increased Risk

Background: BP management guidelines suggest that persons with CKD should be treated to a SBP ≤ 140 mmHg. SPRINT compared this target to intensive SBP lowering (≤ 120 mmHg) in persons with and without CKD and found a reduced rate of CV events and all-cause mortality (ACM). However intensive therapy was associated with an increased risk of AKI. We extrapolated the results of SPRINT over a lifetime horizon to determine whether in the long-term, the benefit in terms of the primary outcome would be less economically attractive when the risks of more frequent AKI and subsequent CKD progression were considered. Methods: We re-configured the CKD Simulator, a Markov model of CKD progression, AKI events, fatal and non-fatal CV events, and ESRD. We recalibrated the model to be representative of the SPRINT cohort and compared intensive vs. standard blood pressure control among 10 million simulated persons with and without CKD over their lifetimes. Marginal treatment costs were calculated and hazard ratios for AKI, CV events and ACM observed in SPRINT were applied to the monthly probabilities of these events in the intensive SBP arm. Results: Lifetime average, discounted, costs per person associated with intensive vs. standard SBP lowering were predicted to be $35,811 and $30,584, respectively. Quality-adjusted, discounted average lifespans were 196.05 and 190.47 months, respectively. The cost of each quality-adjusted life-year gained by adopting intensive over standard BP lowering would be $11,220, significantly below the accepted cost-effectiveness threshold of $50,000. Intensive SBP control would reduce the lifetime incidence of at least one CV event by 5.5%, but increase the incidence of at least one AKI episode and ESRD by 1.7% and 0.7%, respectively. These differences were associated with average lifetime cost savings per person of $459 for CV events, but losses of $161 and $2,889 for AKI and ESRD. Discussion: Intensive SBP management would be cost-effective and associated with a significant lifetime reduction in CV events. However, there would be an increase in the lifetime risk of AKI and ESRD, contributing to 58% of the total increase in cost of intensive relative to usual SBP control. Intensive SBP lowering should be adopted judiciously in persons at high risk of ESRD.

Mobile Diary Methods in Studying Daily Family Life

2015 ◽  
pp. 372-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaisa Malinen ◽  
Anna Rönkä ◽  
Eija Sevón
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Family Life ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
User Friendliness ◽  
Family Research ◽  
Diary Data ◽  
Diary Method ◽  
Diary Methods

This chapter introduces a mobile diary data collection tool and discusses its use in the field of family research. Although the mobile diary method is a newcomer in the field of family research, its history is rooted in the larger context of the development of methods for investigating daily life. Mobile phones offer several advantages for studying daily family dynamics: user friendliness, cost-effectiveness, the ability to capture daily emotions, interactions and significant moments, and data reliability and validity. Mobile diaries utilize various mobile phone services, including SMSs and applications, and they are increasingly used also with children. The benefits of mobile diaries in family interventions include their ability to elicit reflection and help clients to keep the aim of the intervention in mind. The future possibilities of mobile diaries in family research and interventions are discussed later in this chapter.

scholarly journals Constraint-Induced Aphasia Therapy Versus Intensive Semantic Treatment in Fluent Aphasia

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ineke Wilssens ◽  
Dorien Vandenborre ◽  
Kim van Dun ◽  
Jo Verhoeven ◽  
Evy Visch-Brink ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Language Production ◽  
Behavioral Treatment ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Intensive Therapy ◽  
Specific Effect ◽  
Verbal Communication ◽  
Subjective Rating ◽  
Aphasia Therapy ◽  
Semantic Treatment ◽  
Fluent Aphasia

Objective The authors compared the effectiveness of 2 intensive therapy methods: Constraint-Induced Aphasia Therapy (CIAT; Pulvermüller et al., 2001) and semantic therapy (BOX; Visch-Brink & Bajema, 2001). Method Nine patients with chronic fluent aphasia participated in a therapy program to establish behavioral treatment outcomes. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups (CIAT or BOX). Results Intensive therapy significantly improved verbal communication. However, BOX treatment showed a more pronounced improvement on two communication—namely, a standardized assessment for verbal communication, the Amsterdam Nijmegen Everyday Language Test (Blomert, Koster, & Kean, 1995), and a subjective rating scale, the Communicative Effectiveness Index (Lomas et al., 1989). All participants significantly improved on one (or more) subtests of the Aachen Aphasia Test (Graetz, de Bleser, & Willmes, 1992), an impairment-focused assessment. There was a treatment-specific effect. BOX treatment had a significant effect on language comprehension and semantics, whereas CIAT treatment affected language production and phonology. Conclusion The findings indicate that in patients with fluent aphasia, (a) intensive treatment has a significant effect on language and verbal communication, (b) intensive therapy results in selective treatment effects, and (c) an intensive semantic treatment shows a more striking mean improvement on verbal communication in comparison with communication-based CIAT treatment.

scholarly journals Academic and Daily Life Satisfaction of Monbukagakusho Scholarship Students in Japan: The Case of Peruvian as International Students in Japan

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Jakeline Lagones
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
International Students ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Quantitative Model ◽  
Highly Qualified ◽  
Academic Satisfaction ◽  
Scholarship Students ◽  
Language Difficulties ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
Definition Of

As the birth rate in Japan continues to decline, there is a growing need to ensure the availability of highly qualified foreign professionals. In order to attract more international students, it is necessary to understand the variables from the academic and daily life that international students face in Japan. This study shows the variables that influence academic satisfaction, daily life satisfaction and the relationship between these variables for Peruvian students serving as Monbukagakusho scholars in Japan. This study also describes the Monbukakusho scholars experience in their academic and daily life in Japan, which has a unique culture. Mix methodology was used in this study. The quantitative model based on individual data taken from a survey administered to Peruvian Monbukagakusho students, who were studying or are continuing their studies in Japan. The results show that the dependent variables and academic satisfaction are significantly related to language difficulties. Regarding the second dependent variable of, daily life satisfaction, we find a significant relationship between those who choose to study in Japan for cultural reasons and those, who study in shared laboratories and the type of scholarship received. Economic factors such as financial scholarship values are not related to dependent variables. A qualitative design of grounded theory was used as a framework to explore the experiences of Monbukagakusho students’ definition of academic and daily life satisfaction in Japan. Five relevant Japanese codes stand out from the interviews; cohai-sempai, tatemae, honne, omoiyari and aisowarai.

scholarly journals Tool-Supported User-Centred Prototyping of Mobile Applications

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Leichtenstern ◽  
Elisabeth André ◽  
Matthias Rehm
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
User Study ◽  
Traditional Approach ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
End Users ◽  
User Friendliness ◽  
Usability Engineering ◽  
Pervasive Environment ◽  
Distinguishing Features

There is evidence that user-centred development increases the user-friendliness of resulting products and thus the distinguishing features compared to products of competitors. However, the user-centred development requires comprehensive software and usability engineering skills to keep the process both cost-effective and time-effective. This paper covers that problem and provides insights in so-called user-centred prototyping (UCP) tools which support the production of prototypes as well as their evaluation with end-users. In particular, UCP tool called MoPeDT (Pervasive Interface Development Toolkit for Mobile Phones) is introduced. It provides assistance to interface developers of applications where mobile phones are used as interaction devices to a user’s everyday pervasive environment. Based on found tool features for UCP tools, a feature study is described between related tools and MoPeDT as well as a comparative user study between this tool and a traditional approach. A further focus of the paper is the tool-supported execution of empiric evaluations.

scholarly journals Affordable automated phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility testing method based on a contactless conductometric sensor

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuzhi Zhang ◽  
Xiaoyu Jiang ◽  
Qianqian Yang ◽  
Yong Xu ◽  
Xiaochun Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Susceptibility ◽  
Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Clinical Medicine ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing ◽  
User Friendliness ◽  
The Cost ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
Conductometric Sensor

AbstractUser-friendly phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) methods are urgently needed in many fields including clinical medicine, epidemiological studies and drug research. Herein, we report a convenient and cost-effective phenotypic AST method based on online monitoring bacterial growth with a developed 8-channel contactless conductometric sensor (CCS). Using E. coli and V. parahaemolyticus as microorganism models, as well as enoxacin, florfenicol, ampicillin, kanamycin and sulfadiazine as antibiotic probes. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination was validated in comparison with standard broth microdilution (BMD) assay. The total essential agreements between the CCS AST assays and the reference BMD AST assays are 68.8–92.3%. The CCS has an approximate price of $9,000 (USD). Requiring neither chemical nor biotic auxiliary materials for the assay makes the cost of each sample < $1. The MICs obtained with the automated CCS AST assays are more precise than those obtained with the manual BMD. Moreover, in 72 percent of the counterpart, the MICs obtained with the CCS AST assays are higher than that obtained with the BMD AST assays. The proposed CCS AST method has advantages in affordability, accuracy, sensitivity and user-friendliness.

Development of Stair-climbing Wheelchair

2002 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 524-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoshi Hashino ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Daily Life ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Stair Climbing ◽  
Free Society ◽  
Powered Wheelchair ◽  
Barrier Free

Construction of barrier free society is desired especially for elderly and handicapped who need to use wheelchair in daily life. Stair climbing is the hardest barrier for those people. Supply of stair lift method is contribution to provide joy and satisfaction in life of those people. By using our developed crawl-type mechanism on powered wheelchair, they can easily and effectively climb up and down stairs. These system are composed of two subsystems, a few reformed powered wheelchair, drive guide and traction guide attached to stair wall. Presented system is cost effective compared with other existing methods such as elevators, escalators and conventional stair lifts.

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