A lightweight sensing platform for monitoring sleep quality and posture: a simulated validation study

Background The prevalence of self-reported shoulder pain in the UK has been estimated at 16%. This has been linked with significant sleep disturbance. It is possible that this relationship is bidirectional, with both symptoms capable of causing the other. Within the field of sleep monitoring, there is a requirement for a mobile and unobtrusive device capable of monitoring sleep posture and quality. This study investigates the feasibility of a wearable sleep system (WSS) in accurately detecting sleeping posture and physical activity. Methods Sixteen healthy subjects were recruited and fitted with three wearable inertial sensors on the trunk and forearms. Ten participants were entered into a ‘Posture’ protocol; assuming a series of common sleeping postures in a simulated bedroom. Five participants completed an ‘Activity’ protocol, in which a triphasic simulated sleep was performed including awake, sleep and REM phases. A combined sleep posture and activity protocol was then conducted as a ‘Proof of Concept’ model. Data were used to train a posture detection algorithm, and added to activity to predict sleep phase. Classification accuracy of the WSS was measured during the simulations. Results The WSS was found to have an overall accuracy of 99.5% in detection of four major postures, and 92.5% in the detection of eight minor postures. Prediction of sleep phase using activity measurements was accurate in 97.3% of the simulations. The ability of the system to accurately detect both posture and activity enabled the design of a conceptual layout for a user-friendly tablet application. Conclusions The study presents a pervasive wearable sensor platform, which can accurately detect both sleeping posture and activity in non-specialised environments. The extent and accuracy of sleep metrics available advances the current state-of-the-art technology. This has potential diagnostic implications in musculoskeletal pathology and with the addition of alerts may provide therapeutic value in a range of areas including the prevention of pressure sores

Validation of a new test that assesses functional performance of the upper extremity and neck (FIT-HaNSA) in patients with shoulder pathology

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is a lack of standardized tests that assess functional performance for sustained upper extremity activity. This study describes development of a new test for measuring functional performance of the upper extremity and neck and assesses reliability and concurrent validity in patients with shoulder pathology.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A series of developmental tests were conducted to develop a protocol for assessing upper extremity tasks that required multi-level movement and sustained elevation. Kinematics of movement were investigated to inform subtask structure. Tasks and test composition were refined to fit clinical applicability criteria and pilot tested on 5 patients awaiting surgery for shoulder impingement and age-sex matched controls. Test-retest reliability was assessed on 10 subjects. Then a cohort of patients with mild to moderate (n = 17) shoulder pathology and 19 controls (17 were age-sex matched to patients) were tested to further validate the Functional Impairment Test-Hand, and Neck/Shoulder/Arm (FIT-HaNSA) by comparing it to self-reported function and measured strength. The FIT-HaNSA, DASH and SPADI were tested on a single occasion. Impairments in isometric strength were measured using hand-held dynamometry. Discriminative validity was determined by comparing scores to those of age-sex matched controls (n = 34), using ANOVA. Pearson correlations between outcome measures (n = 41) were examined to establish criterion and convergent validity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A test protocol based on three five-minute subtasks, each either comprised of moving objects to waist-height shelves, eye-level shelves, or sustained manipulation of overhead nuts/bolts, was developed. Test scores for the latter 2 subtasks (or total scores) were different between controls as compared to either surgical-list patients with shoulder impingement or a variety of milder shoulder pathologies (p < 0.01). Test 1 correlated the highest with the DASH (r = -0.83), whereas Test 2 correlated highest with the SPADI (r = -0.76).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Initial data suggest the FIT-HaNSA provides valid assessment of impaired functional performance in patients with shoulder pathology. It discriminates between patients and controls, is related to self-reported function, and yet provides distinct information. Longitudinal testing is warranted.</p

Translation, validation and cultural adaptation of the SANE (Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation) in patients with shoulder pathology

Introducción: La evaluación SANE (Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation) es un tipo de desenlace reportado por el paciente, corto y fácil de administrar que se correlaciona con otras evaluaciones funcionales del hombro más extensas. Hasta la fecha no se encuentra validada en nuestra lengua. Objetivo: Traducir, validar y adaptar la evaluación SANE al idioma español. Material y métodos: Se realizó la traducción y contra-traducción por dos evaluadores expertos bilingües y un traductor oficial. Se determinó la validez de constructo con un grupo de expertos en cirugía de hombro, la validez de criterio con la escala de American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) previamente validada en español y la reproducibilidad de la prueba. Resultados: Se evaluaron 113 pacientes con un promedio de edad de 53.6 años, siendo 56% mujeres. El diagnóstico más frecuente fue síndrome de manguito rotador en un 78.6% seguido por artrosis glenohumeral y acromioclavicular, hombro congelado e inestabilidad del hombro. El índice de correlación de Pearson entre el SANE y el ASES fue de 0.699. La reproducibilidad de la prueba fue alta con un coeficiente de correlación intraclase de 0.86. Conclusiones: La evaluación SANE es una medida de desenlace centrada en el paciente fiable y válida, que tiene una buena correlación con puntajes funcionales previamente validados al español más extensos. Se presenta la versión traducida y adaptada al español, que puede ser utilizada como medida de desenlace para intervenciones quirúrgicas o no quirúrgicas en patologías de hombro.Introduction: The Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score is a brief method of evaluating patients’ perception of the shoulder joint and has proven high correlation with other outcome measures that are more lengthy and time-consuming in daily practice. The SANE score to date has not been validated in Spanish. Objective: To translate, adapt, and validate the SANE score in Spanish. Material and methods: An initial translation and counter-translation was conducted by two bilingual evaluators and an offi cial translator. Content validity was evaluated by a group of experts in shoulder surgery. The criteria validity was determined by determining correlation with the previously translated and validated ASES score. Reliability of the test was determined. Results: 113 patients were evaluated, with an average age of 53.6 being 56% female. The most frequent diagnosis was rotator cuff syndrome in 78.6% followed by frozen shoulder, glenohumeral and acromioclavicular osteoarthritis and shoulder instability and acromioclavicular dislocation. Correlation between the SANE and ASES results was 0.699. The test was highly reliable with an intraclass correlation coeffi cient of 0.86. Conclusion: The SANE score is a valid and reliable patient centered outcome measure that has a good correlation with other previously validated scores in Spanish that are less practical. We present a translated valid version of the SANE score in Spanish that can be used as a patient reported outcome measure for shoulder pathologies.https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1993-3797Revista Internacional - IndexadaS

Improving student participation and motivation in the learning process

In this paper, the process led by a group of lecturers to get more feedback from students to improve their motivation is presented. The theoretical framework of the research has been the participatory action research. The investigation included self-evaluation of lecturers, feedback from student group interviews, questionnaires, and specific action plans based on students-lecturer consensus. The results revealed gradual improvement, with a more positive attitude by students towards their future learning: weak elements identified at an initial stage (need to increase feedback or to improve student-lecturer relationship) are not perceived mid-course. At the end of the academic year, students expressed their satisfaction for being able to express their views and being identified as proactive actors at improving their learning. Lecturers become guides in the learning process, and students become agents working in close contact with lecturers to optimize their learning process.Sin financiación0.538 JCR (2015) Q4, 32/40 Education, scientific disciplines; 64/35 Engineering, multidisciplinaryUE