Technology and Health Care - Volume 26, issue 5

Authors: Kim, Do-Hyun | An, Duk-Hyun | Yoo, Won-Gyu

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Poor postural control constitutes a major impairment in children with cerebral palsy (CP), compromising everyday activities such as sitting- and standing-position. PURPOSE: In this study, we measured trunk sway during sitting- and standing-position. Additionally, we assessed trunk control ability using the trunk impairment scale (TIS), trunk control measurement scale (TCMS), and sitting assessment test for children with neuromotor dysfunction (SACND), in children with CP. METHODS: Fifteen children (10 boys and 5 girls) were recruited for this study. Trunk sway was measured using a triaxial accelerometer that recorded variation in movement acceleration during …quiet sitting- and standing-position. RESULTS: Anterior-posterior (AP) acceleration was significantly greater in the standing position than the sitting position (p = 0.001). Medio-lateral (ML) acceleration was significantly greater in the standing position than in the sitting position (p = 0.012). The TIS total score showed a moderate negative relationship with AP acceleration (r = - 0.635, p = 0.011). The TCMS total score moderately and negatively correlated with AP acceleration (r = - 0.582, p = 0.023). The SACND total score moderately and positively correlated with AP acceleration (r = 0.670, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Measurement of trunk sway using a triaxial accelerometer revealed a moderate correlation with trunk control test data and excellent reliability. Our findings suggest that measurement of trunk sway using a triaxial accelerometer is not time-consuming, and is simple and easy. Our approach can be applied in clinical settings to gain information on trunk control in children with CP. Show more

Keywords: Accelerometer, cerebral palsy, trunk control

DOI: 10.3233/THC-181301

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 761-768, 2018

Authors: Gao, Qiang | Zhao, Xuewen | Yu, Xiao | Song, Yu | Wang, Zhe

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Brain computer interface (BCI) technology is a communication and control approach. Up to now many studies have attempted to develop an EEG-based BCI system to improve the quality of life of people with severe disabilities, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), paralysis, brain stroke and so on. The proposed BCIBSHS could help to provide a new way for supporting life of paralyzed people and elderly people. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this paper is to explore how to set up a cost-effective and safe-to-use online BCIBSHS to recognize multi-commands and control smart devices based on SSVEP. …METHODS: The portable EEG acquisition device (Emotiv EPOC) was used to collect EEG signals. The raw signals were denoised by discrete wavelet transform (DWT) method, and then the canonical correlation analysis (CCA) method was used for feature extraction and classification. Another part is the control of smart home devices. The classification results of SSVEP can be translated into commands to control several devices for the smart home. RESULTS: Here, the Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology was utilized to provide electrical energy and communication for those devices. During online experiments, four different control commands have been achieved to control four smart home devices (lamp, web camera, guardianship telephone and intelligent blinds). Experimental results showed that the online BCIBSHS obtained 86.88 ± 5.30% average classification accuracy rate. CONCLUSION: The BCI and PoE technology, combined with smart home system, overcoming the shortcomings of traditional systems and achieving home applications management rely on EEG signal. In this paper, we proposed an online steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) based BCI system on controlling several smart home devices. Show more

Keywords: Brain computer interface, smart home system, Power over Ethernet, steady-state visual evoked potential, discrete wavelet transform, canonical correlation analysis

DOI: 10.3233/THC-181292

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 769-783, 2018

Authors: Singh, Om Prakash | Ahmed, Ismail Bin | Malarvili, M.B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Assessment of asthma outside of the hospital using a patient independent device is highly in demand due to the limitation of existing devices, which are manual and unreliable if patients are not cooperative. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to verify the use of newly developed human respiration, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) measurement device for the management of asthma outside of the hospital. METHOD: The data were collected from 60 subjects aged between 18–35 years via convenience sampling method reported in UTM Health Center using the device. Furthermore, the data were normalized …and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and area (A z ) under receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). RESULT: Findings revealed that the normalized mean values of end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO 2 ), Hjorth Activity (HA), and respiratory rate (RR) were lower in asthmatic compared with healthy subjects with minimum deviation from the mean. In addition, each parameter was found to significantly differ statistically for asthma and non-asthma with p < 0.05. Furthermore, the A z shows the strong association for the screening of asthma and non-asthma with an average of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.57–0.83), 0.77 (95% CI: 0.64–0.90), and 0.83 (95% CI: 0.73–0.94) for RR, EtCO 2 , and HA, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the newly developed handheld human respiration CO 2 measurement device may possibly be used as an effort-independent asthma management method outside of the hospital. Show more

Keywords: Asthma, capnography, early screening, CO2 measurement

DOI: 10.3233/THC-181288

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 785-794, 2018

Authors: Liu, Wenzhu | Gao, Yueming | Jiang, Ruixin | Chen, Xingguang | Gao, Zhuofei | Zhang, Yiwen | Du, Min

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The body area networks (BAN) are built by many wearable sensors to record, monitor or control the vital signals within the human body continuously. Human body communication (HBC) is a novel physical layer method to implement the BAN with low power consumption, low radiation, and strong anti-interference. However, the most existing HBC rarely consider the situation in which multiple sensors transmit data at the same time. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of frequency division multiplexing for human body communication multiplex data transmission. METHODS: The signal was …injected into the human body, and the human channel gain was measured by the spectrum analyzer. Two frequency signals were selected with smaller gain to design the transceiver. The transmitter used OOK modulation technology to design each functional unit, and the receiver recovered the original signal with a non-coherent demodulation method. RESULTS: The experimental results show that after the dual signals were transmitted through the human body, the receiver could recover the original signal correctly. In both static and dynamic situations, even if the transmission rate was as high as 115.2 kb/s, the bit error rate was only 10 - 4 . CONCLUSIONS: The frequency division multiplexing scheme can be selected for multi-channel data transmission in human body communication. Show more

Keywords: Human body communication, frequency division multiplexing, gain characteristics, bit error rate

DOI: 10.3233/THC-181385

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 795-804, 2018

Authors: Wang, Fang | Qiao, Wu | Xu, Xiaochen | Wang, Shujun | Regenstein, Joe M. | Bao, Bin | Ma, Ming

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by Porphyromonas gingivalis that leads to a series of periodontal tissue injuries. Egg yolk immunoglobulins (IgY) is procuded in egg yolk and inhibits P. gingivalis . OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the effect of IgY on experimental periodontitis caused by P. gingivalis . METHODS: The second molars of rats were ligatured using medical 5-0 silk and smeared with P. gingivalis to induce experimental periodontitis. Then, the rats were smeared with 2 mL IgY solutions or 0.9% NaCl in the oral cavity for up …to 4 wk. The scores for gingival index, plaque index and probe on bleeding, the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α , X-ray radiography and histology were used to determine the efficacy of the IgY on experimental periodontitis. RESULTS: The clinical indices improved; the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased; the X-rays and histomorphological observations suggested that the periodontal inflammation and periodontitis were alleviated compared to the control. CONCLUSIONS: IgY showed significant effects on anti-inflammatory, anti-coaggregation activity, and protected against alveolar bone loss. Therefore, it had a beneficial effect on preventing experimental periodontitis caused by P. gingivalis . Show more

Keywords: Periodontitis, egg yolk immunoglobulins, IgY, Porphyromonas gingivalis, IL-6, TNF-α

DOI: 10.3233/THC-181255

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 805-814, 2018

Authors: Wang, Meizi | Gu, Yaodong | Baker, Julien Steven

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Wearing high heels is thought to lead to various foot disorders and injuries such as metatarsal pain, Achilles tendon tension, plantar fasciitis and Haglund malformation. However, there is little available information explaining the specific mechanisms and reasons why wearing high heels causes foot deformity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the foot kinematics of high heel wearers and compare any differences with barefoot individuals using the Oxford Foot Model (OFM). Fifteen healthy women aged 20–25 years were measured while walking barefoot and when wearing high heels. The peak value of angular motion for the hallux with respect to …the forefoot, the forefoot with respect to the hind foot, and the hind foot with respect to the tibia were all analyzed. Compared to the barefoot, participants wearing high heels demonstrated larger hallux dorsiflexion (22.55 ∘ ± 1.62 ∘ VS 26.6 ∘ ± 2.33 ∘ for the barefoot; P = 0.001), and less hallux plantarflexion during the initial stance phase (- 4.86 ∘ ± 2.32 ∘ VS - 8.68 ∘ ± 1.13 ∘ ; P < 0.001). There were also greater forefoot adduction (16.15 ∘ ± 1.37 ∘ VS 13.18 ∘ ± 0.79 ∘ ; P < 0.001), but no significant differences were found in forefoot abduction between the two conditions. The hind foot demonstrated a larger dorsiflexion in the horizontal plane (16.59 ∘ ± 1.69 ∘ VS 12.08 ∘ ± 0.9 ∘ ; P < 0.001), greater internal rotation (16.72 ∘ ± 0.48 ∘ VS 7.97 ∘ ± 0.55 ∘ ; P < 0.001), and decreased peak hind foot extension rotation (- 5.49 ∘ ± 0.69 ∘ VS - 10.73 ∘ ± 0.42 ∘ ; P = 0.001). These findings complement existing kinematic evidence that wearing high heels can lead to foot deformities and injuries. Show more

Keywords: High heels, Oxford foot model, gait, hallux valgus

DOI: 10.3233/THC-181264

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 815-823, 2018

Authors: Klasan, Antonio | Dworschak, Philipp | Heyse, Thomas J. | Malcherczyk, Dominik | Peterlein, Christian D. | Schüttler, Karl F. | Lahner, Matthias | El-Zayat, Bilal Farouk

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Knee and hip replacement surgery are still the mainstay therapy for osteoarthritis. In spite of the improvement of techniques and implants, anemia is a relatively common complication, with transfusion rates of up to 23% in some centers. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to determine a correlation of transfusions to complications including infection since this topic is still being debated or even disputed in the literature. METHODS: This is a level III, single center retrospective observational cohort study of 2760 unilateral primary knee and hip replacements. Preoperative assessment, the number of transfusions …and the occurrence of complications were collected and the correlations were analyzed using analysis of variance and logistic regression. RESULTS: Fifteen percent of all patients developed at least one complication. Transfusion rate was 9%. Risk factors for receiving a transfusion were female gender, hip replacement, American Society of Anesthesiologists’ Score (ASA) > III, history of myocardial infarction, chronic cardiac disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and length of surgery. The risk factors for developing a complication were: ASA score, presence of chronic renal insufficiency, and transfusion during hospital stay. Transfusion increases the risk of complications and infection rate. Complication rate with transfusion was 34.7% and without transfusion 13.2%. Infection rate without transfusion was 0.4% and with transfusion 2.82%. CONCLUSIONS: The complication rate is higher in transfused patients. The number of complications rises linearly with the number of transfusions. Infection rate is also higher after a transfusion. Efforts should be made to reduce the transfusion rate. Show more

Keywords: Arthroplasty, transfusion, complication, infection

DOI: 10.3233/THC-181324

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 825-832, 2018

Authors: Rhyu, Hyun-Seung | Han, Hyun-Gu | Rhi, Soung-Yob

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Although many studies have focused on stretching techniques for athletes, no comprehensive studies have investigated the use of the instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) technique in young basketball players. The active properties of muscle and subjective reporting of functional ability were used to identify the effects of IASTM on the calf muscle. Active range of motion (AROM), functional fitness, and isokinetic lower strength in the knees and ankles were measured in 40 healthy young basketball players. They were divided into the IASTM group (n = 20) and a control group (CG, n = …20). Twenty asymptomatic young basketball players were treated with IASTM six times per week for 8 weeks. The remaining 20 participants did not receive a treatment intervention between tests and served as the control. Ankle AROM (two knee positions of 0 ∘ and 45 ∘ flexion), functional fitness at the knee and ankle (side-step and vertical jump), and isokinetic peak torque were determined during ankle dorsiflexion (DF) and plantar flexion (PF) and knee extension (EX) and flexion (FX). The data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in IASTM and control AROM 0 ∘ knee flexion (right: DF; p < 0.001 and PF; p < 0.001; left: DF; p < 0.001 and PF; p = 0.011), AROM 45 ∘ knee flexion (right: DF; p < 0.001 and PF; p = 0.009; left: DF; p < 0.001 and PF; p = 0.001), functional fitness (side step; p = 0.001, sit and reach; p = 0.025, vertical jump; p = 0.001), ankle isokinetic strength 30 ∘ /sec (right: DF; p = 0.001 and PF; p = 0.001; left: DF; p < 0.001 and PF; p = 0.002), ankle isokinetic strength 120 ∘ /sec (right: DF; p = 0.049 and PF; p = 0.001; left: DF; p = 0.023 and PF; p < 0.001), knee isokinetic strength 60 ∘ /sec (right: EX; p = 0.001, FX; p = 0.001 and hamstring and quadriceps ratio [H/Q]; p = 0.001, left: EX; p = 0.001, FX; p = 0.001 and H/Q; p = 0.001), and knee isokinetic strength 180 ∘ /sec (right: EX; p = 0.001, FX; p = 0.001 and H/Q; p = 0.001; left: EX; p = 0.001, FX; p = 0.010 and H/Q; p = 0.001). These results suggest that IASTM improves functional fitness and lower body muscle strength in young basketball players. Show more

Keywords: Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, active range of motion, isokinetic strength

DOI: 10.3233/THC-181384

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 833-842, 2018

Authors: Zheng, Qingchun | Xia, Lei | Zhang, Xu | Zhang, Chunqiu | Hu, Yahui

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Thermal damage induced by bone drilling is a common problem during surgical procedures. A recent and promising method utilizes high-frequency low-amplitude vibration in the feed direction during drilling and has the potential to reduce drilling temperature, minimizing the risk of thermal damage. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ultrasonically-assisted drilling (UAD) on cortical bone temperature. METHODS: A series of experiments was conducted to compare the cortical bone temperature during UAD with that during conventional drilling (CD). A thermo-mechanical 3D finite element model (FEM) of UAD was …developed, using ABAQUS, to help understand temperature changes during drilling of cortical bone. The numerical simulation results of FEM showed good agreement with the experimental data. Subsequently, a predictive model was developed for bone temperature during drilling, using multiple regression analysis based on the results from numerical simulation. RESULTS: The results showed drill diameter had the greatest influence on drilling temperature, followed by the rotational speed of the drill. Additionally, the variation of vibration frequency had more influence on the drilling temperature than did the amplitude. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonically-assisted drilling is helpful to lower drilling temperature to reduce the thermal damage of bone tissue. Show more

Keywords: Bone drilling, temperature, ultrasonically-assisted drilling, thermal damage, predictive model

DOI: 10.3233/THC-181245

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 843-856, 2018

Authors: Bredow, Jan | Boese, Christoph Kolja | Flörkemeier, Thilo | Hellmich, Martin | Eysel, Peer | Windhagen, Henning | Oppermann, Johannes | von Lewinski, Gabriela | Budde, Stefan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is one of the most common orthopedic procedures in developed countries, and the high volume of surgery and the socioeconomic burden of failures demand continuous optimization. Operative time has been identified as a significant independent factor influencing the clinical outcome of THA. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze factors influencing the operative time for THA in a large, single-center cohort. METHODS: A consecutive series of 7,674 cases undergoing primary THA was identified, and after multiple imputation of missing values, univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were …performed. RESULTS: In the univariable analysis, all factors showed significant influences on operative time, while multivariable regression analysis revealed that sex, a diagnosis of hip dysplasia and small femoral component size did not reach significance. Younger age, an underlying diagnosis other than osteoarthritis or hip dysplasia, a large stem size, usage of a conventional stem rather than a short stem, a larger cup size and a cemented fixation technique, however, remained significantly influential in terms of a longer operative time. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified risk factors for longer operative time that in turn is associated with a higher rate of periprosthetic joint infection and impaired clinical outcome. Our findings could help to refine scheduling of total hip arthroplasty procedures in times of increasing cost and efficiency pressure. Show more

Keywords: Operative time, total hip arthroplasty, total hip replacement, scheduling

DOI: 10.3233/THC-171015

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 857-866, 2018