A noninvasive handheld assistive device to accommodate essential tremor: A pilot study

Background We explored whether a noninvasive handheld device using Active Cancellation of Tremor (ACT) technology could stabilize tremor‐induced motion of a spoon in individuals with essential tremor (ET). Methods Fifteen ET subjects (9 men, 6 women) performed 3 tasks with the ACT device turned on and off. Tremor severity was rated with the Fahn‐Tolosa‐Marin Tremor Rating Scale (TRS). Subjective improvement was rated by subjects with the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI‐S). Tremor amplitude was measured using device‐embedded accelerometers in 11 subjects. Results TRS scores improved with ACT on (versus off) in all 3 tasks: holding (1.00 ± 0.76 vs. 0.27 ± 0.70; P  = 0.016), eating (1.47 ± 1.06 vs. 0.13 ± 0.64; P  = 0.001), and transferring (1.33 ± 0.82 vs. 0.27 ± 0.59; P  = 0.001). CGI‐S improved with eating and transferring, but not the holding task. Accelerometer measurements demonstrated 71% to 76% reduction in tremor with the ACT device on. Conclusions This noninvasive handheld ACT device can reduce tremor amplitude and severity for eating and transferring tasks in individuals with ET. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder SocietyPeer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106922/1/mds25796.pd

Evaluation of cervical posture improvement of children with cerebral palsy after physical therapy based on head movements and serious games

Background: This paper presents the preliminary results of a novel rehabilitation therapy for cervical and trunk control of children with cerebral palsy (CP) based on serious videogames and physical exercise. Materials: The therapy is based on the use of the ENLAZA Interface, a head mouse based on inertial technology that will be used to control a set of serious videogames with movements of the head. Methods: Ten users with CP participated in the study. Whereas the control group (n=5) followed traditional therapies, the experimental group (n=5) complemented these therapies with a series of ten sessions of gaming with ENLAZA to exercise cervical flexion-extensions, rotations and inclinations in a controlled, engaging environment. Results: The ten work sessions yielded improvements in head and trunk control that were higher in the experimental group for Visual Analogue Scale, Goal Attainment Scaling and Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS). Significant differences (27% vs. 2% of percentage improvement) were found between the experimental and control groups for TCMS (p<0.05). The kinematic assessment shows that there were some improvements in the active and the passive range of motion. However, no significant differences were found pre- and post-intervention. Conclusions:Physical therapy that combines serious games with traditional rehabilitation could allow children with CP to achieve larger function improvements in the trunk and cervical regions. However, given the limited scope of this trial (n=10) additional studies are needed to corroborate this hypothesis

Head movement assessment of cerebral palsy users with severe motor disorders when they control a computer thought eye movements

[Abstract] Eye tracking is currently a promising technology to access computers for people who suffer severe motor disorders, like cerebral palsy. However, there is a lack of usability assessment procedures and concrete value to describe the user’s motor capabilities in this specific scenario of computer control. This paper presents a methodology, based on two head movement assessment metrics and the ISO-9241, for the quantitative motor description of users with severe motor disorders, when they control the computer thought their eyes. Seven participants with CP and three people without motor disabilities were recruited for the evaluation of the proposed procedure. Results evidence for the first time how users with CP control their head while they access a computer with their eyes.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad; RTC-2015-3967-1Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad; DPI2015-68664-C4-1-RMinisterio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad; RTC-2015-4327-

Wearable Robots in Rehabilitation Engineering Tremor Suppression

Non

Real-Time Estimation of Pathological Tremor Parameters from Gyroscope Data

This paper presents a two stage algorithm for real-time estimation of instantaneous tremor parameters from gyroscope recordings. Gyroscopes possess the advantage of providing directly joint rotational speed, overcoming the limitations of traditional tremor recording based on accelerometers. The proposed algorithm first extracts tremor patterns from raw angular data, and afterwards estimates its instantaneous amplitude and frequency. Real-time separation of voluntary and tremorous motion relies on their different frequency contents, whereas tremor modelling is based on an adaptive LMS algorithm and a Kalman filter. Tremor parameters will be employed to drive a neuroprosthesis for tremor suppression based on biomechanical loading

Covid 19, Políticas Neoliberais e Saúde Pública no Brasil: rebatimentos interseccionais sobre raça, gênero e sexualidade

Neste ensaio problematizamos as desigualdades com as quais a pandemia de Covid-19 tem atingido mulheres, negros(as) e LGBTs brasileiras(os) em meio a investida neoliberal sobre o Sistema Único de Saúde e o desmonte do Estado Brasileiro. Encerramos analisando que pensar o covid-19 como um vírus que, democrático, revelaria uma suposta ideia de igualde dentre a população brasileira pode ser efeito da não percepção, dos que assim pensam, da condição de privilégio vivida em uma sociedade organizada por opressões cisheteropatriarcal branca e de base europeia. &nbsp

Extraction of user's navigation commands from upper body force interaction in walker assisted gait

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The advances in technology make possible the incorporation of sensors and actuators in rollators, building safer robots and extending the use of walkers to a more diverse population. This paper presents a new method for the extraction of navigation related components from upper-body force interaction data in walker assisted gait. A filtering architecture is designed to cancel: (i) the high-frequency noise caused by vibrations on the walker's structure due to irregularities on the terrain or walker's wheels and (ii) the cadence related force components caused by user's trunk oscillations during gait. As a result, a third component related to user's navigation commands is distinguished.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>For the cancelation of high-frequency noise, a Benedict-Bordner g-h filter was designed presenting very low values for Kinematic Tracking Error ((2.035 ± 0.358)·10^-2<it>kgf</it>) and delay ((1.897 ± 0.3697)·10¹<it>ms</it>). A <it>Fourier Linear Combiner </it>filtering architecture was implemented for the adaptive attenuation of about 80% of the cadence related components' energy from force data. This was done without compromising the information contained in the frequencies close to such notch filters.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The presented methodology offers an effective cancelation of the undesired components from force data, allowing the system to extract in real-time voluntary user's navigation commands. Based on this real-time identification of voluntary user's commands, a classical approach to the control architecture of the robotic walker is being developed, in order to obtain stable and safe user assisted locomotion.</p