284 research outputs found
Perceptions and use of open space in high density residential developments - case studies in Hong Kong
Get PDFpublished_or_final_version第二屆"超大型都市與绿色设计"国际学术研讨会, 中国, 广州, 2006年12月1-2日。国际学术研讨会论文集, 2006, v. 1, p. 124-132The 2nd Megacities International Conference 2006, GuangZhou, China, 1-2 December 2006. In Conference Proceedings, 2006, v. 1, p. 124-13
Methods to characterize the real-world use of rollators using inertial sensors – a feasibility study
Get PDFRollators are widely used by people with mobility problems, but previous studies have been limited to self-report approaches when evaluating their real-world effectiveness. To support studies based on more robust datasets, a method to estimate mobility parameters, such as gait speed and distance traveled, in the real world is needed. Body-worn sensors offer one approach to the problem, but rollator-mounted sensors have some practical advantages providing direct insight into patterns of walking device used, an under-researched area. We present a novel method to estimate speed and distance traveled from a single rollator-mounted IMU. The method was developed using data collected from ten rollator users performing a series of walking tasks including obstacle negotiation. The IMU data is first pre-processed to account for noise, orientation offset, and rotation-induced accelerations. The method then uses a two-stage approach. First, activity classification is used to separate the rollator data into one of three classes (movement, turning, or other). Subsequently, the speed of movement and distance traveled is estimated, using a separate estimation model for each of the three classes. The results showed high classification accuracy (precision, recall, and F1 statistics all >0.9). Speed estimation showed mean absolute errors below 0.2 m/s. Estimates for distance traveled showed errors which ranged from 5% (straight line walking) to over 70%. The results showed some promise but further work with a larger data set is needed to confirm the performance of our approach
Talking Politics with Senator Clair McCaskill
Get PDFhttps://larc.cardozo.yu.edu/flyers-2016-2017/1015/thumbnail.jp
Are older people putting themselves at risk when using their walking frames?
Get PDFBackground Walking aids are issued to older adults to prevent falls, however, paradoxically their use has been identified as a risk factor for falling. To prevent falls, walking aids must be used in a stable manner, but it remains unknown to what extent associated clinical guidance is adhered to at home, and whether following guidance facilitates a stable walking pattern. It was the aim of this study to investigate adherence to guidance on walking frame use, and to quantify user stability whilst using walking frames. Additionally, we explored the views of users and healthcare professionals on walking aid use, and regarding the instrumented walking frames (‘Smart Walkers’) utilized in this study.
Methods This observational study used Smart Walkers and pressure-sensing insoles to investigate usage patterns of 17 older people in their home environment; corresponding video captured contextual information. Additionally, stability when following, or not, clinical guidance was quantified for a subset of users during walking in an Activities of Daily Living Flat and in a gait laboratory. Two focus groups (users, healthcare professionals) shared their experiences with walking aids and provided feedback on the Smart Walkers.
Results Incorrect use was observed for 16% of single support periods and for 29% of dual support periods, and was associated with environmental constraints and a specific frame design feature. Incorrect use was associated with reduced stability. Participants and healthcare professionals perceived the Smart Walker technology positively.
Conclusions Clinical guidance cannot easily be adhered to and self-selected strategies reduce stability, hence are placing the user at risk. Current guidance needs to be improved to address environmental constraints whilst facilitating stable walking. The research is highly relevant considering the rising number of walking aid users, their increased falls-risk, and the costs of falls.
Trial Registration Not applicable
Methods for the real-world evaluation of fall detection technology : a scoping review
Get PDFFalls in older adults present a major growing healthcare challenge and reliable detection
of falls is crucial to minimise their consequences. The majority of development and testing has
used laboratory simulations. As simulations do not cover the wide range of real-world scenarios
performance is poor when retested using real-world data. There has been a move from the use of
simulated falls towards the use of real-world data. This review aims to assess the current methods
for real-world evaluation of fall detection systems, identify their limitations and propose improved
robust methods of evaluation. Twenty-three articles met the inclusion criteria and were assessed with
regard to the composition of the datasets, data processing methods and the measures of performance.
Real-world tests of fall detection technology are inherently challenging and it is clear the field is in
it’s infancy. Most studies used small datasets and studies differed on how to quantify the ability to
avoid false alarms and how to identify non-falls, a concept which is virtually impossible to define and
standardise. To increase robustness and make results comparable, larger standardised datasets are
needed containing data from a range of participant groups. Measures which depend on the definition
and identification of non-falls should be avoided. Sensitivity, precision and F-measure emerged as the
most suitable robust measures for evaluating the real-world performance of fall detection systems
The reality of myoelectric prostheses : understanding what makes these devices difficult for some users to control
Get PDFUsers of myoelectric prostheses can often find them difficult to control. This can lead to passive-use of the device or total rejection, which can have detrimental effects on the contralateral limb due to overuse.
Current clinically available prostheses are ‘open loop’ systems, and although considerable effort has been focused on developing biofeedback to “close the loop”, there is evidence from laboratory-based studies that other factors, notably improving predictability of response, may be as, if not more, important. Interestingly, despite a large volume of research aimed at improving myoelectric prostheses, it is not currently known which aspect of clinically available systems has the greatest impact on overall functionality and everyday usage. A protocol has therefore been designed to assess EMG skill of the user and predictability of the prosthesis response as significant parts of the control chain, and to relate these to functionality and everyday usage. Here we present the protocol and results from early pilot work.
A set of experiments has been developed. Firstly to characterize user skill in generating the required level of EMG signal, as well as the speed with which users are able to make the decision to activate the appropriate muscles. Secondly, to measure unpredictability introduced at the skin-electrode interface, in order to understand the effects of the socket mounted electrode fit under different loads on the variability of time taken for the prosthetic hand to respond. To evaluate prosthesis user functionality, four different outcome measures are assessed. Using a simple upper limb functional task prosthesis users are assessed for (1) success of task completion, (2)task duration, (3) quality of movement, and (4) gaze behavior. To evaluate everyday usage away from the clinic, the symmetricity of their real-world arm use is assessed using activity monitoring.
These methods will later be used to assess a prosthesis user cohort, to establish the relative contribution of each control factor to the individual measures of functionality and everyday usage (using multiple regression models). The results will support future researchers, designers and clinicians in concentrating their efforts on the area which will have the greatest impact on improving prosthesis use
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