Estimation of hand and finger kinematics using inertial sensors

A new dataglove is developed and presented. Inertial sensors are placed on various hand and finger segments to estimate the hand pose

Assessment of hand kinematics using inertial and magnetic sensors

Background:\ud Assessment of hand kinematics is important when evaluating hand functioning. Major drawbacks ofcurrent sensing glove systems are lack of rotational observability in particular directions, labourintensive calibration methods which are sensitive to wear and lack of an absolute hand orientationestimate.\ud \ud Methods:\ud We propose an ambulatory system using inertial sensors that can be placed on the hand, fingers andthumb. It allows a full 3D reconstruction of all finger and thumb joints as well as the absoluteorientation of the hand. The system was experimentally evaluated for the static accuracy, dynamicrange and repeatability.\ud \ud Results:\ud The RMS position norm difference of the fingertip compared to an optical system was 5±0.5 mm(mean ± standard deviation) for flexion-extension and 12.4±3.0 mm for combined flexion-extensionabduction-adduction movements of the index finger. The difference between index and thumb tipsduring a pinching movement was 6.5±2.1 mm. The dynamic range of the sensing system and filterwas adequate to reconstruct full 80 degrees movements of the index finger performed at 116 timesper minute, which was limited by the range of the gyroscope. Finally, the reliability study showed amean range difference over five subjects of 1.1±0.4 degrees for a flat hand test and1.8±0.6 degrees for a plastic mold clenching test, which is smaller than other reported data gloves.\ud \ud Conclusion:\ud Compared to existing data gloves, this research showed that inertial and magnetic sensors are of interest for ambulatory analysis of the human hand and finger kinematics in terms of static accuracy, dynamic range and repeatability. It allows for estimation of multi-degree of freedom joint movements using low-cost sensors

A trial of a job-specific workers' health surveillance program for construction workers: study protocol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dutch construction workers are offered periodic health examinations. This care can be improved by tailoring this workers health surveillance (WHS) to the demands of the job and adjust the preventive actions to the specific health risks of a worker in a particular job. To improve the quality of the WHS for construction workers and stimulate relevant job-specific preventive actions by the occupational physician, we have developed a job-specific WHS. The job-specific WHS consists of modules assessing both physical and psychological requirements. The selected measurement instruments chosen, are based on their appropriateness to measure the workers' capacity and health requirements. They include a questionnaire and biometrical tests, and physical performance tests that measure physical functional capabilities. Furthermore, our job-specific WHS provides occupational physicians with a protocol to increase the worker-behavioural effectiveness of their counselling and to stimulate job-specific preventive actions. The objective of this paper is to describe and clarify our study to evaluate the behavioural effects of this job-specific WHS on workers and occupational physicians.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>The ongoing study of bricklayers and supervisors is a nonrandomised trial to compare the outcome of an intervention (job-specific WHS) group (n = 206) with that of a control (WHS) group (n = 206). The study includes a three-month follow-up. The primary outcome measure is the proportion of participants who have undertaken one or more of the preventive actions advised by their occupational physician in the three months after attending the WHS. A process evaluation will be carried out to determine context, reach, dose delivered, dose received, fidelity, and satisfaction. The present study is in accordance with the TREND Statement.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This study will allow an evaluation of the behaviour of both the workers and occupational physician regarding the preventive actions undertaken by them within the scope of a job-specific WHS.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p><a href="http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=3012">NTR3012</a></p

Life Expectancy in a Large Cohort of Type 2 Diabetes Patients Treated in Primary Care (ZODIAC-10)

Background: Most longitudinal studies showed increased relative mortality in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus until now. As a result of major changes in treatment regimes over the past years, with more stringent goals for metabolic control and cardiovascular risk management, improvement of life expectancy should be expected. In our study, we aimed to assess present-day life expectancy of type 2 diabetes patients in an ongoing cohort study. Methodology and Principal Findings: We included 973 primary care type 2 diabetes patients in a prospective cohort study, who were all participating in a shared care project in The Netherlands. Vital status was assessed from May 2001 till May 2007. Main outcome measurement was life expectancy assessed by transforming actual survival time to standardised survival time allowing adjustment for the baseline mortality rate of the general population. At baseline, mean age was 66 years, mean HbA(1c) 7.0%. During a median follow-up of 5.4 years, 165 patients died (78 from cardiovascular causes), and 17 patients were lost to follow-up. There were no differences in life expectancy in subjects with type 2 diabetes compared to life expectancy in the general population. In multivariate Cox regression analyses, concentrating on the endpoints 'all-cause' and cardiovascular mortality, a history of cardiovascular disease: hazard ratio (HR) 1.71 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-2.37), and HR 2.59 (95% CI 1.56-4.28); and albuminuria: HR 1.72 (95% CI 1.26-2.35), and HR 1.83 (95% CI 1.17-2.89), respectively, were significant predictors, whereas smoking, HbA(1c), systolic blood pressure and diabetes duration were not. Conclusions: This study shows a normal life expectancy in a cohort of subjects with type 2 diabetes patients in primary care when compared to the general population. A history of cardiovascular disease and albuminuria, however, increased the risk of a reduction of life expectancy. These results show that, in a shared care environment, a normal life expectancy is achievable in type 2 diabetes patients

Occupational Diseases among Workers in Lower and Higher Socioeconomic Positions

Background: To determine differences between workers in lower and higher socioeconomic positions (SEP) in incidences of occupational disease (OD) and incapacity for work due to ODs. Methods: From a Dutch dynamic prospective cohort of occupational physicians (OPs), ODs assessed by OPs were retrieved for lower and higher SEP groups. Results: Among the lower SEP, musculoskeletal disorders, and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) comprised two-thirds of the OD diagnoses. Among the higher SEP, stress/burnout comprised 60% of the OD diagnoses. Temporary and permanent incapacity for work due to work-related lower back disorders and repetitive strain injuries differed significantly between workers in lower compared to higher SEP. Conclusions: Occupational diseases occur at a 2.7 higher incidence rate for workers in lower SEP compared with higher SEP. Incapacity for work varies between the type of OD and the level of SEP

Evidence for renal vasodilation in pre-dialysis patients during correction of anemia by erythropoietin

Evidence for renal vasodilation in pre-dialysis patients during correction of anemia by erythropoietin. Results from animal experiments have suggested that treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) causes changes in renal hemodynamics which are detrimental to renal function. Therefore, the effects of correction of the anemia by rHuEPO on glomerular filtration rate (GFR; inulin clearance) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF; PAH clearance) were studied in eight pre-dialysis patients. The studies were done before (Hct 0.24 ± 0.05 liter/liter) and at 89 ± 19 days after the start of rHuEPO therapy (Hct 0.39 ± 0.03 liter/liter). To further evaluate the effects of ACE inhibition, 25 mg of captopril was given orally after baseline values had been obtained. Baseline GFR, renal blood flow (RBF) and filtration fraction (FF) did not change during rHuEPO therapy. At low hematocrit (Hct) captopril induced a significant increase in ERPF and RBF, and a decrease in MAP. After correction of the hematocrit the blood pressure lowering effect of captopril remained unchanged. However, captopril no longer induced changes in ERPF and RBF. We conclude that the increase in hematocrit had no adverse effects on GFR. The results suggest that changes in hematocrit may influence the effects of ACE inhibition on efferent vascular resistance. Therefore, the hematocrit should be taken into account when evaluating studies on the effects of ACE inhibition in the progression of chronic renal failure

The use of ergonomic measures and musculoskeletal complaints among carpenters and pavers in a 4.5-year follow-up study

The primary aim of this follow-up study was to evaluate the association between the use of ergonomic measures and musculoskeletal complaints among construction workers during an informational campaign on sector level. A questionnaire was sent twice to a cohort of 914 Dutch carpenters and pavers, once in 2000 and once in 2005. Relative risks (RR) were calculated for the regular use of ergonomic measures and regular or sustained lower back and shoulder pain among workers at baseline and 4.5 years follow-up. The response percentages were 78% (n=469) for carpenters and 64% (n=202) for pavers. Regular use of specific ergonomic measures varied from 15-66% at baseline to 17-66% at follow-up. Four specific ergonomic measures showed a statistically significant increase in usage. Regular or sustained lower back and shoulder complaints among carpenters decreased from 38 to 34% (p=0.07) and 24 to 22% (p=0.18), respectively. Among pavers, lower back (34%) and shoulder (17 to 18%) complaints remained the same or increased. Regular use of a height-adjustable working platform was associated with a lower likelihood of shoulder complaints at baseline (RR=0.68; 95% CI: 0.46-1.00) and low back complaints at follow-up (RR=0.66; 95% CI: 0.50-0.88) among carpenters. Also regular use of aids for handling heavy loads was associated with no shoulder complaints at baseline RR=0.62 (95% CI: 0.40-0.97) among carpenters. In conclusion, despite a large informational campaign, regular use of ergonomic measures remained low in a 4.5 year period. Regular use of the majority of ergonomic measures was associated, although not statistically significantly, with a lower likelihood of lower back or shoulder complaints. It is recommended to select, apply and monitor powerful implementation strategies to ensure the use of effective ergonomic measures at construction site