Ambient Intelligence in Healthcare: A State-of-the-Art

Information technology advancement leads to an innovative paradigm called Ambient Intelligence (AmI). A digital environment is employed along with AmI to enable individuals to be aware to their behaviors, needs, emotions and gestures. Several applications of the AmI systems in healthcare environment attract several researchers. AmI is considered one of the recent technologies that support hospitals, patients, and specialists for personal healthcare with the aid of artificial intelligence techniques and wireless sensor networks. The improvement in the wearable devices, mobile devices, embedded software and wireless technologies open the doors to advanced applications in the AmI paradigm. The WSN and the BAN collect medical data to be used for the progress of the intelligent systems adapted inevitably. The current study outlines the AmI role in healthcare concerning with its relational and technological nature. Health

Применение компьютерных игровых технологий для развития регуляторных функций дошкольников

Introduction. Computer applications are important for the development of preschoolers’ executive functions. This paper is the first study to overview foreign studies of computer game-based methods for the development of executive functions. Theoretical Basis. The study describes (a) A. Miyake’s model of executive functions and (b) the cultural-historical approach. Results. The study revealed the main reasons for the use and development of serious videogames. Their advantages over standard methods were as follows: (a) Some data indicated the developmental effect of the existing games. (b) Such a format of training tasks had a positive impact on motivation. (c) The game adapted flexibly to a trainee’s level. (d) Such tasks had a high ecological compatibility. The review analyzed the existing programs and applications for the development of preschoolers’ executive functions, which required the participation of parents or teachers in the process of training and organized peer interaction. The paper described the basic principles of creating serious games, which can not only adapt to the user’s development level, but also maintain motivation when training executive functions. The literature on the creation of serious video games showed the importance of a subject’s learning of certain sets of actions and their use in appropriate situations for the development of memory and inhibition. Timely actions were important for the development of cognitive flexibility. Discussion. The comparison of the analyzed computer game-based methods made it possible to distinguish the most significant features, which can develop executive functions at preschool age. The findings can be successfully used for evaluating the existing applications and creating new videogames, aimed at the development of executive functions.Введение. Авторами показывается актуальность использования и разработки компьютерных приложений для детей дошкольного возраста с целью развития регуляторных функций. В работе впервые представлен обзор зарубежных исследований, посвященных компьютерным игровым методам развития регуляторных функций. Теоретическое обоснование. В статье описывается модель регуляторных функций А. Мияке, а также культурно-исторический подход, на который опирались авторы при проведении теоретического исследования. Результаты. Данный раздел включает рассмотрение основных причин популярности использования и разработки развивающих компьютерных игр и их преимуществ перед стандартными методами: наличие данных о развивающем эффекте существующих игр, о положительном влиянии такого формата тренировочных заданий на мотивацию, возможность гибко адаптировать игру под уровень тренирующегося и более высокая экологичность выполняемых заданий. В обзоре проанализированы существующие программы и приложения по развитию регуляторных функций у детей дошкольного возраста, требующие участия родителей или воспитателей в процессе тренировки, а также направленные на организацию взаимодействия сверстников. Также в статье рассмотрены основные принципы создания развивающих игр, способных не только адаптироваться к уровню развития пользователя, но и поддерживать необходимую мотивацию во время тренировки регуляторных функций. В исследованиях, посвященных созданию развивающих видеоигр, подчеркивается значение заучивания испытуемым определенных наборов действий и применение их в соответствующей ситуации для развития памяти и процессов торможения, а также значимость заданий на скорость для развития когнитивной гибкости. Обсуждение результатов. Авторы сопоставляют проанализированные разработки в области компьютерных игровых методов и выделяют наиболее значимые черты, способные оказывать развивающее воздействие на регуляторные функции в дошкольном возрасте, что может стать основанием как для оценки уже имеющихся приложений, так и для разработки новых компьютерных видеоигр, направленных на развитие регуляторных функций

Performance and therapeutic management of complex executive functions in 11th graders of a public education institution

Objetivo: La presente investigación buscó describir el nivel de desempeño de las funciones ejecutivas complejas en los estudiantes del 11 grado de una institución educativa pública, a través del BANFE (Batería Neuropsicológica de las Funciones Ejecutivas). Método: El estudio se realizó bajo un enfoque cuantitativo, con diseño no experimental y alcance descriptivo. La recolección de los datos se realizó en un momento único en el primer semestre del año. Resultados: Se encontró que la flexibilidad mental, la planeación viso espacial y las estrategias memorización el desempeño puntuaron de forma baja. Conclusión: El nivel de desempeño se debe mejorar en funciones como la planeación secuencial y las estrategias de memorización, debido a que estas se consideran importantes en el área de la educación.Objective: The present research sought to describe the level of performance of complex executive functions in the students of the 11th grade of a public educational institution, through the BANFE (Neuropsychological Battery of Executive Functions). Method: The study was conducted under a quantitative approach, with no experimental design and descriptive scope. The data collection was done at a unique moment in the first semester of the year. Results: Mental flexibility, visual spatial planning and performance memorization strategies were found to score low. Conclusion: The level of performance should be improved in functions such as sequential planning and memorization strategies, because these are considered important in the area of education

Condiciones metodológicas de los programas de entrenamiento cognitivo en adultos mayores: una revisión narrativa

El envejecimiento se entiende como un proceso dinámico, progresivo a nivel morfológico, químico y psicológico; algunas veces genera deterioro cognitivo que afecta la calidad de vida, por ello son necesarias las intervenciones preventivas basadas en entrenamiento cognitivo. El objetivo del estudio es revisar las condiciones metodológicas de programas de entrenamiento cognitivo dirigidos a adultos mayores para estimar su posible efectividad. La estrategia de búsqueda se realizó por medio de las bases de datos Ebscohost, Scopus y Pubmed, entre 2015 y 2019. Las intervenciones se clasificaron en función del tipo de intervención; es decir, basadas en el uso de medios digitales, manuales (lápiz o papel) o combinados con la inclusión del ejercicio físico. Se concluyó que, en general, las intervenciones indiscriminadamente de la metodología fueron efectivas en la medida en que se evidencian diferencias significativas en los grupos que son expuestos al entrenamiento; sin embargo, la heterogeneidad en las condiciones experimentales dificulta establecer una estimación de los factores que estarían asociados con la efectividad.1a. ed

Impacto de un videojuego como estrategia de intervención en las funciones ejecutivas en dos niños de la ciudad de Cali

The Video games have been one of the main innovations in technology over the years, more and more interacting with different consoles, from Play stations to Xbox, Nintendo and others. Due to the boom and technological growth in relation to these virtual platforms, it begins to generate uncertainty in different disciplines such as: sociology, medicine and psychology, against the implications of videojugar, in relation to health, behavior and cognitive aspects that entails. That said, the present study is framed in the discipline of psychology. The objective of this article is to identify the impact of a videogame have as a rehabilitation strategy in executive functions, the research is descriptive in scope, using the microgenetic method for the collection and analysis of results and as instruments the video game Visor 2.0. It was found that people execute different strategies for solving problems, mediated by verbalizations, and there is a positive impact on the self-regulation of the subjects.Los videojuegos han sido a lo largo de los años una de las principales innovaciones en la tecnología, cada día son más los que interactúan con diferentes consolas, desde Play stations hasta Xbox, Nintendo y demás. Debido al auge y al crecimiento tecnológico en relación con estas plataformas virtuales, se ha comenzado a generar incertidumbre en diferentes disciplinas como: sociología, medicina y psicología, de manera particular, en los temas relacionados con las implicaciones de videojugar, en relación con la salud, el comportamiento y los aspectos cognitivos que conlleva. Dicho lo anterior, el presente estudio se enmarca en la disciplina de la psicología, con el objetivo identificar el impacto que tiene un videojuego como estrategia de rehabilitación en las funciones ejecutivas. La investigación es de alcance descriptivo, utilizando el método microgenético para la recolección y análisis de los resultados y como instrumentos el videojuego Visor 2.0. Se encontró que las personas ejecutan diferentes estrategias para la resolución de problemas, mediadas por verbalizaciones, además de un impacto positivo en la autorregulación de los sujetos

The Effects of Digital Game-Based Learning on Algebraic Procedural and Conceptual Understanding and Motivation Towards Mathematics

This study examined the impact of digital game-based learning (DGBL) on procedural and conceptual understanding of algebraic expressions and equations and the motivation of students towards classroom mathematics. The mixed-methods sequential explanatory design was used in this study to collect data to determine the effectiveness of DGBL in a 7th grade STEM class. Following a pre-test and pre-motivation survey, students were assigned to either the DGBL group or the non-gaming computer applications as supplemental to mathematics instruction. In order to address both procedural targets and conceptual targets students would be using the technology interventions in addition to traditional math instruction as part of their daily math class, and a problem-based unit taught as part of their STEM class. Following the treatment, a post-test, post-motivation survey, and a conceptual assessment were administered, as well as a digital questionnaire. No significant differences were detected between their understanding of procedural or conceptual problems, nor was there a significant impact to their motivation towards mathematics based on the quantitative data gathered. Students displayed an enthusiastic response to the DGBL environment based on their transcripts from the follow-up questionnaire. The results of the study imply that there is a need for further development of DGBL systems and scaffolded supports to assist students in making connections from the digital environment to classroom mathematics. It further indicates that enjoyment of the DGBL environment does not necessarily transfer to motivation to learn the subject matter in the non-digital environment

A framework and serious game to support those with mild cognitive impairment

This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonCognitive decline is common in the elderly. As a result, a range of cognitive rehabilitation games have been proposed to supplement or replace traditional rehabilitative training by offering benefits such as improved engagement. This research project focuses on mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an initial stage of cognitive decline that does not affect functioning in daily life, but which may progress towards more serious cognitive deteriorations, notably dementia. Unfortunately, while a variety of serious game frameworks and rehabilitative serious games have been proposed, there is a distinct lack of those which support the distinctive characteristics of MCI patients. Consequently, to optimise the advantages of serious games for MCI, the research proposes the MCI-GaTE (MCI-Game Therapy Experience) framework that may be used to develop serious games as effective cognitive and physical rehabilitation tools. The framework is derived from a combination of a survey of related research literature in the area, analysis of resident profiles from a nursing home, and in-depth interviews with occupational therapists (OTs) who work with MCI patients on a daily basis to help them overcome the disabling effects so that they can carry out everyday tasks. The conceptual framework comprises four sectors that may be used to guide game design and development: an MCI player profile that represents the capabilities of a player with MCI, core gaming elements that support gameful and playful activities, therapeutic elements that support cognitive and physical rehabilitation through tasks and scenarios according to the player’s abilities, and motivational elements to enhance the player’s attitude towards the serious tasks. Together, they provide tailored support for rehabilitation needs and may also serve as a set of comprehensive and established criteria by which an MCI serious game may be evaluated. To demonstrate the use of MCI-GaTE, an immersive and gesture-based serious game, A go!, is designed that exploits the framework to enable MCI-diagnosed players to undertake a series of tailored therapeutic tasks supported by an assigned OT. To this end, a goal-directed design approach is employed, whereby personas, scenarios and journey maps are developed that satisfy the goals of both the MCI player and their OT, and enable the derivation of functional requirements leading to a visual design. A-go! is realised as a responsive and interactive high-fidelity prototype that supports gesture recognition and 3D game objects from a first-person perspective to facilitate immersion without the need for additional worn devices, such as headsets, which would prove impractical for the targeted elderly players. Evaluation with OTs revealed that the immersive game potentially offers more effective and tailored support to MCI patients than traditional methods, contributing new possibilities for enhancing MCI rehabilitative training, while a comparative assessment of MCI-GaTE demonstrated that it provides a comprehensive approach not currently offered by state-of-the-art rehabilitative frameworks.GRACE Healthcare Ltd. & Hong Kong Caritas in Evergreen Home and Integrated Home Care Services, TWGHs Fung Yiu King Hospital HA, Kwai Chung Hospital HA, and TWGHs Jockey Club Rehabilitation Comple

Análisis neuropsicofisiológico de la eficacia del emplazamiento de producto en videojuegos

Ante un mundo saturado de marcas comerciales y publicidad, la implementación de la técnica del emplazamiento de producto en videojuegos se presenta como una oportunidad para conectar con el consumidor (Baños González y Rodríguez García, 2012; Karisik, 2014; Méndiz Noguero, 2007). En concreto, se ha detectado que el tipo in-game advertising es el método más empleado para emplazar marcas en la industria del videojuego. Este permite que se integren elementos distintivos de dichas marcas en un medio que se accede por mero disfrute (Redondo y Bernal, 2015; Wang, 2021), ayudando así al procesamiento y memorización de las marcas emplazadas, e incluso pudiendo generar actitudes positivas hacia ellas y aumentar su intención de compra (Hwang et al., 2017; Law y Braun, 2000; Vashisht, 2019; Vermeir et al., 2014; Zhu y Chang, 2015).La duda que surge es si realmente es eficaz implementarla, es decir, si hay alguna repercusión en el consumidor, como que consiga posicionarse la marca en su mente y que la diferencie de otras marcas del mercado. Ante la inexistencia de un modelo general, se exploran los dos más imperantes en el área, el Modelo de Balasubramanian, Karr y Patwardhan (Balasubramanian et al., 2006) y el Modelo de comunicación de marketing integrado en los videojuegos (Terlutter y Capella, 2013). Partiendo de ellos, se propone un modelo tentativo en el que, además de las tareas tradicionales para medir su eficacia, se incluyen pruebas y dispositivos que permiten acceder a una parte más inconsciente del consumidor, indagando la exploración de la posible interacción de las tres variables de diseño del emplazamiento de producto y una posible detección de variables mediadoras..