Cyber sickness in low-immersive, semi-immersive, and fully immersive virtual reality

It is known that virtual reality (VR) experience may cause cyber sickness. One aspect of VR is an immersion or otherwise sense of presence, the sense of feeling oneself in a virtual world. In this paper an experiment which was conducted in order to find the link between level of immersion and cyber sickness felt by participants is presented. Eighty-nine participants aged between 19 and 36 years have been equally divided into four groups with different level of VR immersion. The low-immersive group was represented by PC with monoscopic screen, the semi-immersive group was represented by CAVE with stereoscopic projector, the fully immersive group was represented by VR head-mounted display, and the last group was the control group without any kind of immersion. The task for the participants was to navigate through the maze for a specified amount of time (10 min). The Simulator Sickness Questionnaire was used as a subjective measure tool for cyber sickness level and Grooved Pegboard Test for assessing the fine dexterity, both before and after the experiment. Regarding the time spend in VR the fully immersive environment had the biggest problems as more than half of the participants had to stop before 10 min (p < 0.001). Concerning the cyber sickness, the significant increase in nausea score between pre-test and post-test scores has been observed in semi-immersive group (p = 0.0018) and fully immersive group (p < 0.0001). The increase in oculomotor score was smaller. The significant difference was noted only in fully immersive group (p = 0.0449). In spite of great nausea factor after the VR immersion the participants did not show a decrease of fine dexterity in any group (p < 0.001).

Time spent on the smartphone does not relate to manual dexterity in young adults

Background The Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT) is widely adopted to evaluate manual dexterity, it presents normative data but the test is influenced by different factors. The influence of time spent on smartphones has not been considered before, for this reason, the objective of this study was to evaluate if smartphone use influences the time to complete the GPT. A total of 38 (21 women; 17 men) young adults 20.7 (1.5) years participated in the study. The time spent on the smartphones during the last seven days was recorded through the device itself and the GPT performance was measured. A correlation analysis between the time spent on the smartphone and GPT was performed while the t-test was adopted to evaluate gender differences. Results No statistically significant differences were detected between men and women in the time to complete the GPT (p = 0.20) and in the time spent on the smartphone (p = 0.87). The GPT and the time spent using the smartphone were not correlated (r = 0.044, p = 0.78). Conclusion The time spent on the smartphone by young adults does not influence the time to complete the GPT, indicating that smartphone use does not influence measures of manual dexterity.

Comparação da destreza manual em indivíduos com lateralidade distinta

INTRODUÇÃO: A destreza manual pode ser definida como a habilidade e a facilidade na utilização das mãos, como escrever, dedilhar um instrumento musical, lançar e apanhar. A lateralidade pode ser conceituada como a preferência de utilização por um dos membros em detrimento ao outro e se confirma, por exemplo, em indivíduos destros e canhotos, influenciando nos distintos desempenhos das mãos. OBJETIVO: Comparar a destreza manual em destros e canhotos através da tarefa de colocar e retirar pinos no Grooved Pegboard Test. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi composta por 20 voluntários saudáveis, de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 18 e 40 anos, dividida em dois grupos, sendo: 5 homens e 5 mulheres de população destra e 5 homens e 5 mulheres de população canhota. Referente ao índice de dominância lateral, os indivíduos destros apresentaram índice médio de 97% e os indivíduos canhotos de 91% no Inventário de Dominância Lateral de Edimburgo. RESULTADOS: Na condição de colocar os pinos foram observadas diferenças entre as mãos dos destros [t(df=9)=-7,16; p=0,01] e dos canhotos [t(df=9)=4,80; p=0,01], o uso da mão preferida apresentou melhor desempenho relacionado ao uso da mão não preferida. Já para a condição de retirar os pinos não foram observadas diferenças entre as mãos direita e esquerda para os destros [t(df=9)=-1,96; p=0,08] e nem para os canhotos [t(df=9)=1,27; p=0,23]. Em relação ao índice de assimetria não foram observadas diferenças entre os grupos, apesar de parecer que as assimetrias se destacam em tarefas nas quais a demanda cognitiva é maior do que a demanda energética. CONCLUSÃO: O desempenho nas tarefas de destreza manual foi diferente para a mão preferida tanto para destros quanto para canhotos, sendo que a mão preferida apresentou melhor desempenho quando comparada à mão não preferida.Comparison of manual dexterity in individuals with distinct lateralityABSTRACT BACKGROUND: A manual dexterity can be defined as the skill and ease of using the hands, such as writing, strumming a musical instrument, throwing and catching. Laterality can be conceptualized as the preference of use by one of the members over the other and it is confirmed, for example, in right-handed and left-handed individuals, influencing the different performances of the hands. OBJECTIVE: To compare manual dexterity in right-handed and left-handed users by placing and removing pins in the Grooved Pegboard Test. METHODS: The sample consisted of 20 healthy volunteers, of both sexes, aged between 18 and 40 years, divided into two groups: 5 men and 5 women from the right population and 5 men and 5 women from the population left-handed. Regarding the lateral dominance index, right-handed individuals had an average index of 97% and left-handed individuals, 91%, in the Edinburgh Lateral Dominance Inventory. RESULTS: In the condition of placing the pins, differences were observed between the right-handed [t(df=9)=-7.16; p=0.01] and left-handed [t(df =9)=4.80; p=0.01], where the use of the preferred hand showed better performance related to the use of the non-preferred hand. As for the condition of removing the pins, no difference was observed between the right and left hands for the right-handed [t(df=9)=-1.96; p=0.08] and neither for the left-handed [t(df=9)=1.27; p=0.23]. Regarding the asymmetry index, no differences were observed between the groups, although it seems that the asymmetries stand out in tasks where the cognitive demand is greater than the energy demand. CONCLUSION: The performance in the tasks of manual dexterity was different for the preferred hand for both right-handed and left-handed people, with the preferred hand presenting a better performance when compared to the non-preferred hand.

Pediatric Co-Norms for Finger Tapping, Grip Strength, and Grooved Pegboard in a Community Sample

Objective: Motor tests, including Finger-Tapping Test, Grooved Pegboard Test, and Grip Strength Test, are frequently used by neuropsychologists when assessing pediatric populations. Many of the norms available for these measures are outdated, have not been co-normed, and have samples with limited diversity. This study aims to provide updated, co-norms for three commonly used motor tasks with a diverse population. Method: Participants (n = 476; age range 6–14) were recruited from community settings to complete each of the three motor tests. Results: Results demonstrate generally improved performance across ages with no significant difference between performance of males and females on the Grooved Pegboard Test or the Finger Tapping Test. The only significant findings were on the Grip Strength Test where 12–14-year-old boys demonstrated stronger performance on the dominant hand. Conclusion: This study provides updated and co-normed data on frequently used motor tasks with a diverse pediatric sample, which are useful for clinicians.

Nicotine supplementation enhances simulated game performance of archery athletes

Background Nicotine is beneficial to mood, arousal and cognition in humans. Due to the importance of cognitive functioning for archery athletes, we investigated the effects of nicotine supplementation on the cognitive abilities, heart rate variability (HRV), and sport performance of professional archers. Methods Eleven college archers were recruited and given 2 mg of nicotine supplementation (NIC group) and placebo (PLA group) in a crossover design. Results The results showed that at 30 min after the intake of nicotine gum, the “correct rejection” time in the NIC group was significantly lower than that of the PLA group (7.29 ± 0.87 vs. 8.23 ± 0.98 msec, p < 0.05). In addition, the NIC group completed the grooved pegboard test in a shorter time than the PLA group (48.76 ± 3.18 vs. 53.41 ± 4.05 s, p < 0.05), whereas motor reaction times were not different between the two groups. Saliva α-amylase activity was significantly lower after nicotine supplementation (p < 0.01) but increased immediately after the archery test in the NIC group (p < 0.05). In addition, nicotine supplementation significantly decreased HRV and increased the archery score (290.58 ± 10.09 vs. 298.05 ± 8.56, p < 0.01). Conclusions Nicotine enhances the performance of archery athletes by increasing cognitive function and stimulating the sympathetic adrenergic system.

Shared Developmental Trajectories for Fractional Reasoning and Fine Motor Ability in 4 and 5 Year Olds

We investigated preschool-aged children’s understanding of early fractional tasks and how that performance correlates with fine motor skills and use of gestures while counting. Participants were 33 preschoolers aged 4 to 5 in two Southeastern public elementary schools. Children were tested individually in an interview-like setting. Mathematics tasks were presented in a paper and pencil format and the Grooved Pegboard test assessed fine motor skills. Finally, utilization of gestures was evaluated by taking a behavioral rating of the child’s hand morphology, accuracy of gestures, and synchrony of gestures and spoken word while performing a counting task. Results indicate that performance on fractional reasoning tasks significantly predicts both fine motor ability and accuracy of gestures.

Grooved pegboard test performance before and after cerebrospinal fluid tap test in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus

Introduction Motor impairment in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) can extend beyond gait and include deficits in upper extremity functions and psychomotor speed. Evaluation of upper extremity function will be helpful for iNPH patients who are unable to ambulate (e.g., wheelchair-bound patients) and may not be able to comply with the gait evaluation. Our study aimed to explore the use of the grooved pegboard test (GPT) to assess responsiveness to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tap test (TT) in iNPH patients. Methods Sixty-five possible NPH patients were enrolled retrospectively and all underwent detailed neuropsychological and walking assessments, CSF TTs, and brain magnetic resonance imaging. The GPT results before and after the CSF TT were compared and correlated with the other clinical assessments. In diffusion tensor imaging analysis, the fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) values of periventricular white matter were measured by the region of interest method and were correlated with pegboard test performance. Results Compared with 0-hour GPT-dominant and nondominant hand performance, GPT-dominant hand and nondominant hand performance on the 24-hour and 72-hour CSF TT were significantly improved (all P < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between 24-hour and 72-hour dominant hand GPT performance. The improvement ratios in the complex visual motor speed index (i.e., the GPT performance combined with the symbol-digit modalities test score) were significantly different between the CSF TT responder and nonresponder groups. The baseline GPT performance correlated with walking test, cognitive function, and functional scores. The diffusion tensor imaging analysis of eighteen patients showed that bilateral GPT performance was significantly correlated with FA values in right periventricular lesions (both P < 0.05). Conclusion GPT could measure the change of upper extremity motor function after TT and correlated the lower extremity motor function. It was worth further investigation to its application for iNPH patients unable to comply with the gait evaluation.

Influence of Chronotype on Motor Behavior in Healthy Individuals: Analyses of Manual Dexterity in Different Times of the Day

This study investigated the influence of chronotype on motor behavior in a manual dexterity task performed at different times of the day. Sixteen healthy adults of each chronotype (morning, evening, and neither), as measured by the Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire, practiced both conditions of the Grooved Pegboard Test either in the morning or in the afternoon to early evening. The “neither” chronotype (65.12 ± 7.46) was outperformed (ps ≤ .03) by both the morning (56.09 ± 7.21) and evening (58.94 ± 7.53) chronotypes when the task had higher cognitive and motor demand but was not outperformed in the task with lower demand (morning = 18.46 ± 2.11; evening = 19.34 ± 2.79; neither = 21.47 ± 2.54; p > .05). No difference between the morning and evening chronotypes was found at the different times of the day (ps > .05), suggesting that a manual dexterity task is not sufficiently demanding to be influenced by chronotype.

Shared Developmental Trajectories for Fractional Reasoning and Fine Motor Ability in 4 and 5 Year-Olds

We investigated preschool-aged children’s understanding of early fractional tasks and how that performance correlates with fine motor skills and use of gestures while counting. Participants were 33 preschoolers aged 4 to 5 in two Southeastern public elementary schools. Children were tested individually in an interview-like setting. Mathematics tasks were presented in a paper and pencil format and the Grooved Pegboard test assessed fine motor skills. Finally, utilization of gestures was evaluated by taking a behavioral rating of the child’s hand morphology, accuracy of gestures, and synchrony of gestures and spoken word while performing a counting task. Results indicate performance on fractional reasoning tasks significantly predicts both fine motor ability and accuracy of gestures.

A-058 Test–Retest Reliability of the Grooved Pegboard Test in a Pediatric Medical Population

Objective The Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT) is among the most commonly used fine motor tasks, though there is limited data on its basic psychometric properties in children and adolescents with medical conditions. The purpose of this study was to establish test reliability for the GPT within this group. Method Participants (N = 44; 22 males, 22 females) were children and adolescents clinically referred for neuropsychological evaluation. Diagnoses included epilepsy (n = 24), cardiac conditions (n = 13), other (n = 5). Each completed the GPT twice: once in the morning and once in the afternoon, ranging from 64-390 minutes apart (x-=263 min., SD = 60 min.). Spearman correlations assessed test–retest reliability for speed of completion for both dominant (DH) and non-dominant hands (NDH) trials and number of peg drops. Paired sample t-test assessed for practice effects between administrations. Results Ages ranged between 6.11 to 18.10 years (x-=12.52 yrs., SD = 3.19 yrs.). GPT raw scores for first presentation ranged from 25-296 seconds (DH x-=80.91, SD = 25.1; NDH x-=95.34, SD = 49.42). The GPT showed high test–retest reliability for DH (ρ = 0.80, p &lt; 0.001) and NDH (ρ = 0.83, p &lt; 0.001). Number of drops showed non-significant correlations across trials (DH ρ = −0.03, p = 0.87; NDH ρ = 0.11, p = 0.49). Practice effects were identified for the DH (t = −3.25, p = 0.002) but not NDH (t = −1.83, p = 0.074). Conclusion Strong test–retest reliability of the GPT speed of completion in this population supports stability of test results over time, though practice effects are seen at short intervals. Number of pegs dropped, however, lacks sufficient retest reliability and may be of lesser clinical utility. Overall, this study provides increased confidence for continued use of the GPT.