scholarly journals Motivation, Usability, and Credibility of an Intelligent Activity-Based Client-Centred Training System to Improve Functional Performance in Neurological Rehabilitation: An Exploratory Cohort Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7641
Author(s):  
Els Knippenberg ◽  
Ilse Lamers ◽  
Annick Timmermans ◽  
Annemie Spooren
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Functional Performance ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Training System ◽  
Training Support ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
Task Oriented ◽  
Intelligent Activity ◽  
Over Time

(1) Background: technology-based training systems are increasingly integrated in neurorehabilitation but are rarely combined with a client-centred task-oriented approach. To provide a low-cost client-centred task-oriented system, the intelligent activity-based client-centred task-oriented training (i-ACT) was developed. The objective was to evaluate the usability, credibility and treatment expectancy of i-ACT, and the motivation towards i-ACT use in rehabilitation over time. Additionally, this study will evaluate the upper limb treatment effects after training with i-ACT. (2) Methods: a mixed-method study was performed in four rehabilitation centres. Training with i-ACT was provided during six weeks, three times per week, forty-five minutes per day, additional to conventional care. (3) Results: seventeen persons with central nervous system diseases were included. High scores were seen in the system usability scale (score ≥ 73.8/100), credibility (score ≥ 22.0/27.0)/expectancy (score ≥ 15.8/27.0) questionnaire, and intrinsic motivation inventory (score ≥ 5.2/7.0), except the subscale pressure (score ≤ 2.0/7.0). Results from the interviews corroborate these findings and showed that clients and therapists believe in the i-ACT system as an additional training support system. Upper limb functional ability improved significantly (p < 0.05) over time on the Wolf motor function test. (4) Conclusion: i-ACT is a client-centred task-oriented usable and motivational system which has the potential to enhance upper limb functional training in persons with neurological diseases.

scholarly journals Using an interactive virtual environment to integrate a digital Action Research Arm Test, motor imagery and action observation to assess and improve upper limb motor function in patients with neuromuscular impairments: a usability and feasibility study protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. e019646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Behrendt ◽  
Corina Schuster-Amft
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Motor Imagery ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Action Observation ◽  
Training System ◽  
Digital Version ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
Interactive Virtual Environment

IntroductionIn the recent past, training systems using an interactive virtual environment have been introduced to neurorehabilitation. Such systems can be applied to encourage purposeful limb movements and will increasingly be used at home by the individual patient. Therefore, an integrated valid and reliable assessment tool on the basis of such a system to monitor the recovery process would be an essential asset.ObjectivesThe aim of the study is to evaluate usability, feasibility and validity of the digital version of the Action Research Arm Test using the Bi-Manu-Trainer system as a platform. Additionally, the feasibility and usability of the implementation of action observation and motor imagery tasks into the Bi-Manu-Trainer software will be evaluated.Patients and methodsThis observational study is planned as a single-arm trial for testing the new assessment and the action observation and motor imagery training module. Therefore, 75 patients with Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, traumatic brain injury or Guillain-Barré syndrome will be included. 30 out of the 75 patients will additionally take part in a 4-week training on the enhanced Bi-Manu-Trainer system. Primary outcomes will be the score on the System Usability Scale and the correlation between the conventional and digital Action Research Arm Test scores. Secondary outcomes will be hand dexterity, upper limb activities of daily living and quality of life.HypothesisWe hypothesise that the digital Action Research Arm Test assessment is a valid and essential tool and that it is feasible to incorporate action observation and motor imagery into Bi-Manu-Trainer practice. The results are expected to give recommendations for necessary modifications and might also contribute knowledge concerning the application of action observation and motor imagery tasks using a training system such as the Bi-Manu-Trainer.Trial registration numberNCT03268304; Pre-results.

Janus – A New Approach to Air Combat Pilot Training

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 (4) ◽  
pp. 7-22
Author(s):  
Georges Bridel ◽  
Zdobyslaw Goraj ◽  
Lukasz Kiszkowiak ◽  
Jean-Georges Brévot ◽  
Jean-Pierre Devaux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Training System ◽  
Embedded Sensors ◽  
Pilot Training ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Combat Aircraft ◽  
Air Combat ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Advanced jet training still relies on old concepts and solutions that are no longer efficient when considering the current and forthcoming changes in air combat. The cost of those old solutions to develop and maintain combat pilot skills are important, adding even more constraints to the training limitations. The requirement of having a trainer aircraft able to perform also light combat aircraft operational mission is adding unnecessary complexity and cost without any real operational advantages to air combat mission training. Thanks to emerging technologies, the JANUS project will study the feasibility of a brand-new concept of agile manoeuvrable training aircraft and an integrated training system, able to provide a live, virtual and constructive environment. The JANUS concept is based on a lightweight, low-cost, high energy aircraft associated to a ground based Integrated Training System providing simulated and emulated signals, simulated and real opponents, combined with real-time feedback on pilot’s physiological characteristics: traditionally embedded sensors are replaced with emulated signals, simulated opponents are proposed to the pilot, enabling out of sight engagement. JANUS is also providing new cost effective and more realistic solutions for “Red air aircraft” missions, organised in so-called “Aggressor Squadrons”.

Sequentially applied myoelectrically controlled FES in a task-oriented approach and robotic therapy for the recovery of upper limb in post-stroke patients: A randomized controlled pilot study

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Gloria Perini ◽  
Rita Bertoni ◽  
Rune Thorsen ◽  
Ilaria Carpinella ◽  
Tiziana Lencioni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Standard Care ◽  
Experimental Treatment ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Rehabilitation Care ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Robotic Therapy ◽  
Arm Rehabilitation ◽  
Point Increase ◽  
Task Oriented

BACKGROUND: Functional recovery of the plegic upper limb in post-stroke patients may be enhanced by sequentially applying a myoelectrically controlled FES (MeCFES), which allows the patient to voluntarily control the muscle contraction during a functional movement and robotic therapy which allows many repetitions of movements. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the efficacy of MeCFES followed by robotic therapy compared to standard care arm rehabilitation for post-stroke patients. METHODS: Eighteen stroke subjects (onset ⩾ 3 months, age 60.1 ± 15.5) were recruited and randomized to receive an experimental combination of MeCFES during task-oriented reaching followed by robot therapy (MRG) or same intensity conventional rehabilitation care (CG) aimed at the recovery of the upper limb (20 sessions/45 minutes). Change was evaluated through Fugl-Meyer upperextremity (FMA-UE), Reaching Performance Scale and Box and Block Test. RESULTS: The experimental treatment resulted in higher improvement on the FMA-UE compared with CG (P= 0.04), with a 10 point increase following intervention. Effect sizes were moderate in favor of the MRG group on FMA-UE, FMA-UE proximal and RPS (0.37–0.56). CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary findings indicate that a combination of MeCFES and robotic treatment may be more effective than standard care for recovery of the plegic arm in persons > 3 months after stroke. The mix of motor learning techniques may be important for successful rehabilitation of arm function.

scholarly journals Vibrotactile-Based Rehabilitation on Balance and Gait in Patients with Neurological Diseases: A Systematic Review and Metanalysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 518
Author(s):  
Sara De Angelis ◽  
Alessandro Antonio Princi ◽  
Fulvio Dal Farra ◽  
Giovanni Morone ◽  
Carlo Caltagirone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽  
Gait Rehabilitation ◽  
Proprioceptive Information ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Active Involvement ◽  
Task Oriented ◽  
Multisensory Information

Postural instability and fear of falling represent two major causes of decreased mobility and quality of life in cerebrovascular and neurologic diseases. In recent years, rehabilitation strategies were carried out considering a combined sensorimotor intervention and an active involvement of the patients during the rehabilitation sessions. Accordingly, new technological devices and paradigms have been developed to increase the effectiveness of rehabilitation by integrating multisensory information and augmented feedback promoting the involvement of the cognitive paradigm in neurorehabilitation. In this context, the vibrotactile feedback (VF) could represent a peripheral therapeutic input, in order to provide spatial proprioceptive information to guide the patient during task-oriented exercises. The present systematic review and metanalysis aimed to explore the effectiveness of the VF on balance and gait rehabilitation in patients with neurological and cerebrovascular diseases. A total of 18 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included. Due to the lack of high-quality studies and heterogeneity of treatments protocols, clinical practice recommendations on the efficacy of VF cannot be made. Results show that VF-based intervention could be a safe complementary sensory-motor approach for balance and gait rehabilitation in patients with neurological and cerebrovascular diseases. More high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed.

scholarly journals Exact and Heuristic Methods for Observing Task-Oriented Satellite Cluster Agent Team Formation

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Chen ◽  
Shu Yang ◽  
Jun Li ◽  
Ning Jing
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Search Algorithm ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Team Formation ◽  
Satellite Systems ◽  
Heuristic Search Algorithm ◽  
Earth Observation Satellite ◽  
Novel Algorithms ◽  
Swarm Intelligence Optimization ◽  
Task Oriented

With the development of aerospace science and technology, Earth Observation Satellite cluster which consists of heterogeneous satellites with many kinds of payloads appears gradually. Compared with the traditional satellite systems, satellite cluster has some particular characteristics, such as large-scale, heterogeneous satellite platforms, various payloads, and the capacity of performing all the observation tasks. How to select a subset from satellite cluster to perform all observation tasks effectively with low cost is a new challenge arousing in the field of aerospace resource scheduling. This is the agent team formation problem for observation task-oriented satellite cluster. A mathematical scheduling model is built. Three novel algorithms, i.e., complete search algorithm, heuristic search algorithm, and swarm intelligence optimization algorithm, are proposed to solve the problem in different scales. Finally, some experiments are conducted to validate the effectiveness and practicability of our algorithms.

scholarly journals SITAR: a system for independent task-oriented assessment and rehabilitation

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 205566831772963 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asif Hussain ◽  
Sivakumar Balasubramanian ◽  
Nick Roach ◽  
Julius Klein ◽  
Nathanael Jarrassé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Usability Study ◽  
Visuomotor Coordination ◽  
Multimodal Feedback ◽  
Independent Task ◽  
Arm Reaching ◽  
Therapeutic Exercises ◽  
Sensorimotor Assessment ◽  
Robotic Tool ◽  
Task Oriented

Introduction Over recent years, task-oriented training has emerged as a dominant approach in neurorehabilitation. This article presents a novel, sensor-based system for independent task-oriented assessment and rehabilitation (SITAR) of the upper limb. Methods The SITAR is an ecosystem of interactive devices including a touch and force–sensitive tabletop and a set of intelligent objects enabling functional interaction. In contrast to most existing sensor-based systems, SITAR provides natural training of visuomotor coordination through collocated visual and haptic workspaces alongside multimodal feedback, facilitating learning and its transfer to real tasks. We illustrate the possibilities offered by the SITAR for sensorimotor assessment and therapy through pilot assessment and usability studies. Results The pilot data from the assessment study demonstrates how the system can be used to assess different aspects of upper limb reaching, pick-and-place and sensory tactile resolution tasks. The pilot usability study indicates that patients are able to train arm-reaching movements independently using the SITAR with minimal involvement of the therapist and that they were motivated to pursue the SITAR-based therapy. Conclusion SITAR is a versatile, non-robotic tool that can be used to implement a range of therapeutic exercises and assessments for different types of patients, which is particularly well-suited for task-oriented training.

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