Technology and Health Care - Volume 29, issue 1

Authors: Bai, Xue-Shan | Wang, Ming | Zhao, Xiao-Dong | Cui, Ling-Ling | He, Yu-Wei | Wang, Can | Li, Xin-De | Qu, Xiao-Jie | Sun, Ming-Shu | Li, Chang-Gui

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis affecting 1.1% of the population in mainland China with a higher prevalence in coastal areas. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the clinical outcomes following urate-lowering therapy (ULT) in a real-world group study of primary gout patients in China. METHODS: Electronic medical records of all the gout patients (n = 1588) that visited the Clinical Medical Center of Gout of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from September 2016 to February 2018 were analyzed in this study. …The patients were treated with a standard treat-to-target (T2T) ULT strategy according to the 2016 EULAR Guidelines. Clinical data were collected in the first visit and one-month (defined as the baseline of ULT), 7-month, and 13-month follow-ups were completed. RESULTS: Amongst the patients in the study, 92.70% accepted ULT and 82.93% completed ULT for 3 months, 63.54% for 6 months, and 40.49% (n = 643) for 12 months. Further analysis of the 643 patients included the following data: the sUA level reduced at month 7 and reduced further at month 13. The gout flares, patient global pain visual analogue score, and health assessment questionnaire score improved at month 7 but did not improve further at month 13, and the index tophus size did not Show more

DOI: 10.3233/THC-191951

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 121-131, 2021

Authors: Kang, Young Sic | Cho, Ki Hun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Few quantitative analyses have been performed on muscle activation and gait function according to cane dependence. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to measure changes in the lower limb muscle activation and gait function according to reduced cane dependence using a weight-bearing feedback cane (WBFC) that had been designed to quantitatively measure cane dependence in stroke patients during walking. METHODS: Twenty-four subjects were recruited from a local rehabilitation hospital. The WBFC measured the average weight support (AWS, kg) loaded on the cane during walking through a Bluetooth connection to laptop software. …All subjects walked 20 m using a WBFC set in the three levels of weight support (WSR, 100%, 60%, and 20%) based on the measured AWS. Paretic lower limb muscle activation and gait function (velocity, cadence, paretic side stride length, and symmetry index) were measured using wireless surface EMG and a 3-axis accelerometer during walking. RESULTS: The paretic side lower limb muscle activation of the 20% WSR on the cane was significantly higher than that of the 100% WSR on the cane (p < 0.05). Gait functions of the 20% WSR on the cane were significantly lower than those of the 100% WSR on the cane (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that indiscreet weight support on the cane during walking can interfere with lower limb muscle activation and gait function. Therefore, in a clinical setting, reducing cane dependence during stroke gait training should be carefully considered. Show more

Keywords: Cane dependence, gait, muscle activation, stroke

DOI: 10.3233/THC-192075

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 133-141, 2021

Authors: Iyengar, M. Sriram | Chang, Odille | Florez-Arango, Jose F. | Taria, Mosese | Patel, Vimla L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In Fiji and other South Pacific island countries, depression and suicide are of great concern. There is a pressing need to rapidly identify those at risk and provide treatment as soon as possible. OBJECTIVE: Design, develop and test a mobile health tool that enables CHNs to easily and rapidly identify individuals at risk for suicide and depression and provide guidelines for their treatment. METHODS: Using Android Studio, a native app called ASRaDA was developed that encoded two validated scales: Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D), and Suicide Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R). The usability of …the app was measured using the System Usability Scale by community health nurses in Fiji. RESULTS: Out of a maximim possible of 100 on SUS, ASRaDA was scored at 86.79. CONCLUSION: Mobile tools with high usability can be designed to aid community health nurses in Fiji and Pacific island counties rapidly identify those at risk for depression and suicide. Show more

Keywords: Mental health, global health, screening, usability, community health nurses

DOI: 10.3233/THC-202132

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 143-153, 2021

Authors: Nambi, Gopal | Abdelbasset, Walid Kamal | Alrawaili, Saud M. | Alsubaie, Saud F. | Abodonya, Ahmed M. | Saleh, Ayman K.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Evidence on the latest technologies in rehabilitation for reducing pain and altering serum stress hormones in low back pain (LBP) was lacking. OBJECTIVE: To find the clinical and hormonal effects of virtual reality training (VRT) and isokinetic training (IKT) in chronic LBP patients. METHODS: Through the simple random sampling method, 60 university football players with chronic LBP were allocated into three groups: N VRT = 20, N IKT = 20 and N CONTROL = 20. …The three groups underwent different exercises for 4 weeks. Clinical (pain intensity and kinesiophobia) and hormonal (glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, growth hormone, prolactin, ACTH and cortisol) values were measured at baseline, after 4 weeks and 6 months. RESULTS: Four weeks following training, the VRT and IKT groups showed significant changes in pain intensity and kinesiophobia in comparison to the control group (p < 0.05). Hormonal measures also showed significant improvement in the VRT group in comparison to the other two groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Training through virtual reality and isokinetic exercise is an effective approach in terms of pain and kinesiophobia. In terms of hormonal analysis, virtual reality shows slightly more improvements than isokinetic training in subjects with chronic LBP. Show more

Keywords: Virtual reality training, isokinetic training, pain intensity, kinesiophobia, hormones, low back pain

DOI: 10.3233/THC-202301

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 155-166, 2021

Authors: Fan, Jian | Zhang, Xin | Ji, Jia-qing | Yao, Ying | Li, Shan-Zhu | Yuan, Feng | Cheng, Li-Ming

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The volar locking plate technique with an L-shaped incision of the PQ muscle through the classic volar Henry approach is a popular method for treating distal radius fractures. Recently we revised and improved this traditional technique by performing mini-invasive surgery. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects after fixation of distal radius fracture with volar locking palmar plates while preserving the pronator quadratus through minimally invasive approach. METHODS: From May 2014 to March 2017, 58 patients (38 males and 21 females) with an age range of 22–72 …years (mean age 44.6 years) and with distal radius fractures underwent open reduction and internal fixation with volar locking palmar plates. The patients were classified as 23A-2 through 23C-2 according to the Orthopedic Trauma Association fracture classification system. All surgeries were completed by one trained team. The group that received volar locking palmar plates of distal radius performed with the traditional method through Henry approach involved 33 patients (21 males and 12 females) and the group that received PQ through minimally invasive approach group involved 25 patients (16 males and 9 females). We compared the two groups for wrist pain, forearm range of motion, grip strength, preoperative complications and wrist functional recovery score. RESULTS: The minimum follow-up for the whole cohort was one year. The differences between the two groups were significant in terms of wrist pain, forearm range of motion, grip strength and wrist function at 1, 2, 6 weeks postoperatively, but insignificant at 3 and 12 months postoperatively. In the minimally invasive group a case of limited extension of the forefinger 3 months postoperatively was found. No significant differences were found for preoperative complications and radiographs postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Fixation with volar locking palmar plates through minimally invasive approach is a satisfactory and optional method in the treatment of distal radius fractures. This technique yields better early wrist function, shortens rehabilitation time and gets high psychological satisfaction. Show more

Keywords: Minally invasive approach, distal radius fracture, palmar plate, pronator quadratus (PQ)

DOI: 10.3233/THC-192113

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 167-174, 2021

Authors: Khamis, Sam

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Even though the importance of leg length discrepancy (LLD), with its potential of causing several pathological conditions or gait deviations, is well known, measuring LLD is still challenging with limited reliability and validity. OBJECTIVE: To assess the capability of the dynamic leg length (DLL) measurement in detecting the presence of anatomic LLD. METHODS: A lower limb x-ray was performed on 15 participants with suspected LLD in addition to a gait analysis study using a motion analysis system to measure DLL (the absolute distance from the hip joint centre to the heel, to …the ankle joint centre and to the forefoot). Average DLLs were compared between sides for symmetry by the paired t -test at 51 sample points during the gait cycle in conjunction with the differences between the sides based on the maximal stance phase and minimal swing phase DLLs. Differences were correlated with anatomic LLD by Pearson correlation. RESULTS: No significant differences in DLLs between sides throughout the gait cycle were found. Significant differences between sides were found between the maximal stance and minimal swing phase DLLs. CONCLUSIONS: DLL measurement is capable of detecting an anatomic leg length difference based on functional changes in leg length and functional discrepancy. Show more

Keywords: Gait analysis, functional, symmetry, dynamic leg length, leg length discrepancy

DOI: 10.3233/THC-192006

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 175-185, 2021

Authors: Liu, Fei | Xu, Peng | Yu, Hongliu

Article Type: Other

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The traditional meal assistance robots use human-computer interaction such as buttons, voice, and EEG. However, most of them rely on excellent programming technology for development, in parallelism with exhibiting inconvenient interaction or unsatisfactory recognition rates in most cases. OBJECTIVE: To develop a convenient human-computer interaction mode with a high recognition rate, which allows users to make the robot show excellent adaptability in the new environment without programming ability. METHODS: A visual interaction method based on deep learning was used to develop the feeding robot: when the camera detects that the user’s mouth …is open for 2 seconds, the feeding command is turned on, and the feeding is temporarily conducted when the eyes are closed for 2 seconds. A programming method of learning from the demonstration, which is simple and has strong adaptability to different environments, was employed to generate a feeding trajectory. RESULTS: The user is able to eat independently through convenient visual interaction, and it only requires the caregiver to drag and teach the robotic arm once in the face of a new eating environment. Show more

Keywords: Meal assistance robots, learning from demonstration, visual interaction, assistive technologies, robotics

DOI: 10.3233/THC-202527

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 187-192, 2021

Authors: Yan, Rongguo | Xu, Yuling | Zhang, Hanwen | Jiang, Rong’an

Article Type: Other

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The sagittal back shape (SBS) of the human body, which should be highly consistent with the spinal morphology along the internal spine line, also presents an s -shaped curve. OBJECTIVE: We propose a novel time-of-flight (ToF) based system to record the s -shaped SBS of the human body, which was simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive. RESULTS: The system was composed of a bottom plate, an upright post, a vertical rod, dozens of horizontal measuring rods, and a ToF sensor. The experimental results showed that the system supported to obtain …the s -shaped SBS of the human body with satisfactory accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: The ToF-based system for recording human sagittal back shape will be useful for routine screening of spinal physiological conditions in schools, as well as for e.g. digital garment design, and special seat-back design. Show more

Keywords: Spinal column, sagittal back shape, time-of-flight sensor, distance measurement

DOI: 10.3233/THC-202397

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 193-198, 2021