ABSTRACT
Abstract Introduction: Postural control in individuals with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy or tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is usually compromised, which increases the risk of falls, makes it difficult to perform activities of daily living, and impairs the quality of life. The profile of the center of gravity oscillations in this population is unknown and may aid in clinical follow-up and research. Objective: To compare the stabilometric values between HAM/TSP and uninfected individuals and verify the existence of correlations between stabilometric variables and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Method: A cross-sectional observational study was performed with infected individuals, classified as defined and likely (WHO criteria), compared to accompanying persons and seronegative relatives. A baropodometry platform (Footwork®) was used to obtain the oscillation values of the body's center of gravity in total oscillation area (TOA), anterior-posterior oscillation (APO) and lateral oscillation (LO). Mean values were correlated with BBS by Spearman's Correlation (5% alpha). Approved by the ethical committee of Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública under Opinion 49634815.2.0000.5628. Results: An asymmetric distribution of all the stabilometric variables analyzed in the HAM/TSP population was found, different from the uninfected group (p < 0.05). It was also possible to verify strong to moderate and inverse correlations between the variables of center of gravity oscillation with the scores obtained in BBS, especially for TOA and LO. Conclusion: People with HAM/TSP presented higher values for the center of gravity oscillations and these were correlated with the BBS in the balance evaluation.
Resumo Introdução: o controle postural em indivíduos com mielopatia associada ao HTLV-1 ou paraparesia espástica tropical (HAM/TSP) é geralmente comprometido, o que aumenta o risco de quedas, dificulta a realização de atividades de vida diária e prejudica a qualidade de vida. O perfil das oscilações do centro de gravidade nesta população é desconhecido e pode auxiliar no acompanhamento clínico e na pesquisa. Objetivo: comparar os valores estabilométricos entre pessoas com HAM/TSP e não infectados, e verificar a existência de correlações entre variáveis estabilométricas e a Escala de Equilíbrio Berg (EEB). Método: foi realizado um estudo observacional transversal com indivíduos infectados, classificados como definidos e prováveis (critérios da OMS), comparados com acompanhantes e familiares soronegativos. Uma plataforma de baropodometria (Footwork®) foi utilizada para obter os valores de oscilação do centro de gravidade do corpo em área de oscilação total (AOT), oscilação anteroposterior (OAP) e oscilação laterolateral (OLL). Os valores médios foram correlacionados com a BBS pela Correlação de Spearman (alfa 5%). Aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética da Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública sob o CAAE 49634815.2.0000.5628. Resultados: encontrou-se distribuição assimétrica de todas as variáveis estabilométricas analisadas na população com HAM/TSP, diferentes do grupo de não infectados (p < 0,05). Também foi possível verificar correlações de forte a moderada e inversas entre as variáveis de oscilação do centro de gravidade com os escores obtidos na EEB, especialmente para AOT e OLL. Conclusão: Pessoas com HAM/TSP apresentaram valores maiores para as oscilações do centro de gravidade e estas foram correlacionadas com a EEB na avaliação do equilíbrio.
Resumen Introducción: El control postural en individuos con mielopatía asociada al HTLV-1 o paraparesia espástica tropical (HAM/TSP) suele estar comprometido, lo que aumenta el riesgo de caídas, les dificulta en las actividades de la vida diaria y perjudica su calidad de vida. Conocer el perfil de las oscilaciones del centro de gravedad en esta población puede ayudar en el seguimiento clínico y la investigación. Objetivo: Comparar los valores estabilométricos entre personas con HAM/TSP y personas no infectadas, y verificar la existencia de correlaciones entre las variables estabilométricas y la Escala de Equilibrio de Berg (BBS). Método: Se realizó un estudio observacional transversal con individuos infectados, clasificados como definidos y probables (criterios de la OMS), comparados a acompañantes y familiares seronegativos. Se utilizó una plataforma de baropodometría (Footwork®) para obtener los valores de oscilación del centro de gravedad del cuerpo en el área de oscilación total (AOT), oscilación antero-posterior (OAP) y oscilación lateral-lateral (OLL). Los valores medios se correlacionaron con la BBS por la correlación de Spearman (alfa 5%). Estudio aprobado por el Comité de Ética de la Escuela Bahiana de Medicina y Salud Pública bajo CAAE 49634815.2.0000.5628. Resultados: Se encontró una distribución asimétrica de todas las variables estabilométricas analizadas en la población HAM/TSP diferente en el grupo no infectado (p <0,05). También fue posible verificar correlaciones de fuertes a moderadas e inversas entre las variables de oscilación del centro de gravedad con las puntuaciones obtenidas en la BBS, especialmente para AOT y OLL. Conclusión: Las personas con HAM/TSP presentaron valores más altos en las oscilaciones del centro de gravedad, las cuales se correlacionaron con la BBS en la evaluación del equilibrio.
Subject(s)
Humans , Middle Aged , Spinal Cord Diseases , Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 , Postural Balance , Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic , Automatic Control of Processes , Motor ActivityABSTRACT
The objective measurement of subjective, multi-dimensionally experienced pain is a problem for which there has not been an adequate solution. Although verbal methods (e.g., pain scales and questionnaires) are commonly used to measure clinical pain, they tend to lack objectivity, reliability, or validity when applied to mentally impaired individuals. Biopotential and behavioral parameters may represent a solution. Such coding systems already exist, but they are either very costly or time-consuming or have not been sufficiently evaluated. In this context, we collected a database of biopotentials to advance an automated pain recognition system, determine its theoretical testing quality, and optimize its performance. For this purpose, participants were subjected to painful heat stimuli under controlled conditions. One hundred thirty-five features were extracted from the mathematical groupings of amplitude, frequency, stationarity, entropy, linearity, and variability. The following features were chosen as the most selective: (1) electromyography corrugator peak to peak, (2) corrugator shannon entropy, and (3) heart rate variability slope RR. Individual-specific calibration allows the adjustment of feature patterns, resulting in significantly more accurate pain detection rates. The objective measurement of pain in patients will provide valuable information for the clinical team, which may aid the objective assessment of treatment (e.g., effectiveness of drugs for pain reduction, information on surgical indication, and quality of care provided to patients).
Subject(s)
Pain Measurement , Automatic Control of ProcessesABSTRACT
La agricultura en El Salvador es una actividad que se desarrolla aplicando técnicas tradicionales con poco grado de ingeniería y de automatización por parte de los agricultores. En el país existen pocas empresas dedicadas a la producción de verduras y hortalizas por medio de sistemas de invernaderos automatizados o con cierto de grado de control. Los costos de instalación de estos sistemas automatizados representan una alta inversión para la mayoría de agricultores que desean entrar en la industrialización de sus cultivos y aumentar la productividad y calidad de sus cosechas para lograr exportar sus frutos. Es por eso que la Escuela Especializada en Ingeniería ITCA-FEPADE, en conjunto con la Escuela Nacional de Agricultura ENA, se encuentra trabajando en el diseño y montaje de un prototipo de sistema automatizado para invernaderos familiares de menor costo, que les permita a los agricultores mejorar su condición económica por medio de una producción más controlada y protegida.
Agriculture in El Salvador is an activity that is developed by applying traditional techniques with little degree of engineering and automation by farmers. with a certain degree of control. The installation costs of these automated systems represent a high investment for the majority of farmers who wish to enter into the industrialization of their crops and increase the productivity and quality of their crops in order to export their fruits. That is why the ITCA-FEPADE Specialized School in Engineering, in conjunction with the National School of Agriculture ENA, is working on the design and assembly of a prototype of an automated system for lower-cost family greenhouses, which allow farmers improve their economic condition through a more controlled and protected production.
Subject(s)
Automation/instrumentation , Greenhouses , Crops, Agricultural , Agriculture , Science, Technology and Society , Industrial Development , Automatic Control of Processes , Farmers , Food SupplyABSTRACT
El presente artículo presenta una revisión bibliográfica sobre el diseño de exoesqueletos y las diferentes aplicaciones que estos pueden tener en la vida humana. Se exponen diferentes desarrollos, resaltando las partes más importantes de cada uno y prestando especial atención al área de la ingeniería electrónica presente en estas estructuras. Además, se realiza un agrupamiento de los diseños, dependiendo de la zona corporal para la cual se ha construido el exoesqueleto o de la finalidad del estudio realizado. Finalmente, se presentan desarrollos y estudios que buscan utilizar las señales mioeléctricas como parte fundamental del sistema exoesquelético.
This paper presents a literature review about exoskeletons and their applications in human life. Different developments highlighting the most important parts of each of them, and paying particular attention to the area of electronic engineering related to these structures, are shown. Also, a grouping of the different kinds of structures is made depending on the area of the human body to which the exoskeleton was intended to or depending on the purpose of the research. Finally, various studies and developments which use mioelectric signals as a fundamental part of the system are presented.