Challenges faced by undergraduate dental students during root canal treatment: a survey study / Desafios enfrentados por estudantes de graduação em odontologia durante o tratamento de canal radicular: um estudo de pesquisa

Introduction: root canal treatment is a challenging procedure often first encountered by undergraduate dental students, leading to various difficulties and mistakes. Objective: this study aimed to identify the specific difficulties encountered by undergraduate dental students during root canal treatment and the frequency of mistakes they committed in relation to these difficulties. Material and method: this study employed a cross-sectional survey design. A cohort of 60 third-year students completed a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 27 questions addressing various aspects of endodontic treatment and 11 key areas of root canal procedures. The response options for each question were based on a 4-point Likert scale. Data analysis was performed using Python programming language and heatmaps were created using the seaborn library to better understand the distribution of the data. Result: students encounter challenges in developing tactile sensation, accessory cone placement, and accurately reaching the apex during canal location. Dental schools should focus on improving students' tactile skills and methods to reach the apex to enhance the effectiveness of root canal treatment education. In contrast, students reported fewer mistakes in rubber dam application and safety measures during treatment. Dental educators should emphasize proper instrument use and safety precautions during root canal treatment. Interestingly, students did not perceive these areas as problematic despite committing mistakes. Conclusion: this study provides valuable insights into the challenges and mistakes encountered by undergraduate dental students during root canal treatment. Dental educators should address these issues to improve students' skills and techniques and provide optimal patient care.

Introdução: o tratamento endodôntico é um procedimento desafiador, frequentemente encontrado pela primeira vez por estudantes de odontologia, levando a diversas dificuldades e erros. Objetivo: este estudo teve como objetivo identificar as dificuldades específicas encontradas por estudantes de graduação em Odontologia durante o tratamento endodôntico e a frequência de erros cometidos por eles em relação a essas dificuldades. Material e método: este estudo empregou um desenho de pesquisa transversal. Um grupo de 60 estudantes do terceiro ano respondeu a um questionário autoaplicável composto por 27 perguntas abordando vários aspectos do tratamento endodôntico e 11 áreas-chave dos procedimentos de canal radicular. As opções de resposta para cada questão foram baseadas em uma escala Likert de 4 pontos. A análise dos dados foi realizada utilizando a linguagem de programação Python e mapas de calor foram criados utilizando a biblioteca seaborn para melhor compreender a distribuição dos dados. Resultado: os alunos encontram desafios no desenvolvimento da sensação tátil, na colocação do cone acessório e no alcance preciso do ápice durante a localização do canal. As escolas de odontologia devem se concentrar em melhorar as habilidades táteis e os métodos dos alunos para alcançar o ápice e aumentar a eficácia do ensino sobre tratamento de canal radicular. Em contrapartida, os estudantes relataram menos erros na aplicação do dique de borracha e nas medidas de segurança durante o tratamento. Os educadores odontológicos devem enfatizar o uso adequado dos instrumentos e as precauções de segurança durante o tratamento do canal radicular. Curiosamente, os alunos não consideraram estas áreas problemáticas, apesar de cometerem erros. Conclusão: este estudo fornece informações valiosas sobre os desafios e erros encontrados por estudantes de odontologia durante o tratamento endodôntico. Os educadores odontológicos devem abordar essas questões para melhorar as habilidades e técnicas dos alunos e fornecer o melhor atendimento ao paciente.

Identificação de Características e Propriedades Morfológicas em Texturas Táteis: Estudo sobre Gráficos Educativos e Cartografias para Crianças com Deficiência Visual / Identification of Properties and Morphological Characteristics in Tactile Textures: a Study on Educational Graphics and Cartographies for Visual Impaired Children

RESUMO: Este artigo explora as texturas táteis que têm sido utilizadas na confecção de mapas e imagens temáticas para crianças com deficiência visual no Chile nos últimos 20 anos. De um grupo representativo composto por mais de 300 lâminas de conteúdo educacional inclusivo, foram selecionadas 14 texturas para identificar sua natureza, propriedades psicofísicas e características morfológicas a partir de sua composição geométrica. O objetivo foi gerar as bases teóricas e tecnológicas relacionadas ao design e à produção digital de mapas, imagens e gráficos táteis. O trabalho buscou tipificar as formas de relevo e suas possíveis aplicações pelo uso de padrões de repetição que permitam melhorar a linguagem e o reconhecimento das texturas envolvidas com o intuito de expandir e diversificar seu uso em material educativo inclusivo no ensino e na disseminação do conhecimento por meio do toque.

ABSTRACT: This article explores the textures that have been used in the development of thematic maps and images for children with visual impairment in Chile over the last 20 years. From a representative group of more than 300 sheets of inclusive educational content, 14 textures were selected to identify their nature, psychophysical properties and morphological characteristics based on their geometric composition. The aim was to generate the theoretical and technological grounds related to the design and digital production of tactile maps, images, and graphics. The work sought to typify the embossed shapes and their possible applications by using repetition patterns that allow to improve the language and recognition of the textures involved, with the intention of expanding and diversifying their use in inclusive educational material in the teaching and dissemination of knowledge through tact.

Vibration sensation associated with motor function has specific frequency characteristics in community-dwelling older Japanese adults / 体力科学

Vibration sensation is related to motor function. However, it is unclear which vibration frequencies are associated with motor function. Therefore, in this cross-sectional study, we investigated whether a specific frequency of vibration sensation could explain motor functions. Thirty-two community-dwelling Japanese healthy older adults aged 70 years or older participated in the present study. Grip strength, one-leg standing time, and 10-m walking time were evaluated as indicators of motor function. Vibratory (40, 128, and 256 Hz) and tactile sensory tests were examined as sensory functions. Grip strength per body weight was significantly correlated with sex, body mass index, falls efficacy scale, vibration sensation with 40 and 128 Hz, and 10-m walking time (P < 0.05). Furthermore, one-leg standing time showed a correlation between vibration sensation (128 and 256 Hz) and fall history (P < 0.05). However, 10-m walking time was significantly correlated with only the grip strength to body weight ratio. Multiple regression analysis showed that vibration sensation with 128 Hz (β = 0.427) and sex (β = -0.335) (P < 0.05) were significant independent variables associated with grip strength to body weight ratio. Vibration sensation with 256 Hz (β = 0.465) and age (β = -0.343) (P < 0.05) were significant independent variable associated with one-leg standing time. No significant variables were identified for the 10-m walking time. Vibration sensation associated with motor function shows specific frequency characteristics in community-dwelling older Japanese adults.

Case of Left Thalamic Hemorrhage and Presumed Presence of Multimodal Agnosia / The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

We report a case of a 67-year-old man with left thalamic hemorrhage. He had right hemiplegia, aphasia, and higher brain dysfunction. The hemiplegia and aphasia improved with rehabilitation treatment；however, he was unable to perform activities of daily living. Visual and tactile agnosia was suspected using the visual perception test for agnosia 1 month after the hemorrhage. The patient was able to recognize common objects, such as chopsticks and a shaver, by labeling them with their names because he could read words. He was able to use these objects as a result. Multimodal agnosia with combined visual-tactile agnosia usually occurs as lesions in and around the left lateral occipital complex where the ventral stream of somatosensory information processing merges with that of visual information processing. Concurrently, the present case seems very unusual because multimodal agnosia was likely to have occurred as a lesion of the left thalamus. The compensatory strategy to put objects into words was effective in this case. We repeatedly assessed and analyzed his higher brain dysfunction in detail, which led to effective rehabilitation treatment. The present case highlights the importance of planning an appropriate treatment based on detailed evaluation and accurate diagnosis of the higher brain dysfunction in patients with neurological deficits.

Case of Left Thalamic Hemorrhage and Presumed Presence of Multimodal Agnosia / The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

We report a case of a 67-year-old man with left thalamic hemorrhage. He had right hemiplegia, aphasia, and higher brain dysfunction. The hemiplegia and aphasia improved with rehabilitation treatment；however, he was unable to perform activities of daily living. Visual and tactile agnosia was suspected using the visual perception test for agnosia 1 month after the hemorrhage. The patient was able to recognize common objects, such as chopsticks and a shaver, by labeling them with their names because he could read words. He was able to use these objects as a result. Multimodal agnosia with combined visual-tactile agnosia usually occurs as lesions in and around the left lateral occipital complex where the ventral stream of somatosensory information processing merges with that of visual information processing. Concurrently, the present case seems very unusual because multimodal agnosia was likely to have occurred as a lesion of the left thalamus. The compensatory strategy to put objects into words was effective in this case. We repeatedly assessed and analyzed his higher brain dysfunction in detail, which led to effective rehabilitation treatment. The present case highlights the importance of planning an appropriate treatment based on detailed evaluation and accurate diagnosis of the higher brain dysfunction in patients with neurological deficits.

Application of extended reality technology for real-time navigation in clinical operation / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the application of extended reality (XR) technology in clinical surgeries for improving the success rate of surgeries.@*METHODS@#To assist the surgeons to better understand the location, size and geometric shape of the lesions and reduce potential radiation exposure in minimally invasive surgical navigation based on two-dimensional images, we constructed three-dimensional models based on CT data and used XR technology to achieve intraoperative navigation. An improved quaternion method was used to improve the accuracy of electromagnetic positioning, with which the system error of positioning accuracy was reduced to below 2 mm. A 5G network was used to optimize the server GPU programming algorithm, and real-time video stream coding strategy and network design were adopted to reduce data transmission jam and delay in the remote surgery network, which achieved an average delay of less than 60 ms. A Gaussian distribution deformation model was used to simulate collision detection and stress deformation of the tissues to achieve a tactile perception effect.@*RESULTS AND CONCLUSION@#The intraoperative navigation system based on XR technology allowed more accurate determination of the location of the lesions, effectively reduced the surgical risk, and avoided the risk of intraoperative radiation exposure. The low latency and high fidelity of 5G network achieved real-time interaction during the surgery to provide a technical basis for multi-terminal remote cooperative surgery. The combination of force feedback technology and XR technology enables the surgeons to conduct deep immersion preoperative planning and virtual surgery to improve the success rate of surgery and shorten the learning curve.

A comparative study of tactile perception in blind and sighted subjects

Background: Blind people are underprivileged from visual experience and visual imaginary that result them to become more dependent on haptic system for the job of tactile perception. Thus, the self-guided tactile investigation in blind individuals enables them to recognize the shapes more rapidly than the sighted counterparts. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to see the increased tactile perception among the blind than the blind folded sighted subjects. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on 150 blind and 181 blindfolded sighted subjects. In this, each subject was instructed to arrange the aluminum oxide abrasive sand papers of different grit size having grade 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 200, 240, 360, 400, and 600 from rough to smooth as fast and accurate as possible in seconds to express the functions of haptic sense. Results: The present study showed that the blind subjects had outperformed in terms of speed and accuracy of tactile perception. Conclusions: Lack of vision among blind individuals enables their brain to enhance the sense of vision and the previous tactile exposure and memories along with their regular practice enhance the touch perception in terms of speed and accuracy.

3D printing ophthalmology related models for enhancing learning through the concept of puzzle assembly - A comprehensive self-learning tactile tool kit

Practical sessions facilitate teaching, critical thinking, and coping skills, especially among medical students and professionals. Currently, in ophthalmology, virtual and augmented reality are employed for surgical training by using three?dimensional (3D) eyeball models. These 3D models when printed can be used not only for surgical training but also in teaching ophthalmic residents and fellows for concept learning through tactile 3D puzzle assembly. 3D printing is perfectly suited for the creation of complex bespoke items in a cost?effective manner, making it ideal for rapid prototyping. Puzzle making, when combined with 3D printing can evolve into a different level of learning in the field of ophthalmology. Though various 3D eyeball models are currently available, complex structures such as the cerebral venous system and the circle of Willis have never been 3D printed and presented as 3D puzzles for assembling and learning. According to our knowledge, this concept of ophthalmic pedagogy has never been reported. In this manuscript, we discuss in detail the 3D models created by us (patent pending), for printing into multiple puzzle pieces for effective tactile learning by cognitive assembling

Tactile perception of roughness to assess activity in artificial initial caries lesions with a novel force-controlled probe

Abstract Roughness-tactile perception is part of activity assessment in initial-caries-lesions. Hypothesizing that a probe's design influences this examiner's assessment, four probes were designed. The aims of this study were to select the probe with highest inter-/intra-examiners' roughness-assessment agreement and to determine its diagnostic accuracy on artificial initial-caries lesions. A pilot study was conducted with trained dentists to select one controlled-pressure probe design (n = 4) by assessing roughness on known-roughness metal plaques with 5-point Likert scale. Diagnostic accuracy of roughness assessment was conducted with the selected controlled-pressure probe and the WHO-probe on sound and artificial initial-caries-lesion (n = 20) human enamel blocks. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) and quadratic weighted-Kappa scores were used to assess examiners' reproducibility and Multilevel Poisson models to determine diagnostic accuracy between both probes controlling for confounding variables. The probe design with the highest inter/intra-examiner's agreement (ICC = 0.96) was selected for subsequent analyses. Unadjusted sensitivity, specificity and accuracy values were for the controlled-pressure and the WHO probes: 71.1%,90.6%,81.2%, and 67.4%,84.6%,75.8%, respectively (p > 0.05). Examiner remained the most important factor influencing diagnostic accuracy. While this study did not show significantly higher diagnostic accuracy of the designed controlled-pressure vs. the WHO-probe when used by trained dentists, all over roughness-assessment accuracy and reproducibility were high.

Application of the monofilament cutaneous threshold test in assessing impaired touch sensation caused by central nervous system injury / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To test the utility of monofilament cutaneous threshold testing among patients with impaired touch sensation caused by central nervous system injury.Methods:Thirty stroke survivors and 30 patients with spinal cord injury were recruited. Monofilament threshold testing and cotton wool tests were performed on the bilateral forehead, face, palms and dorsum of feet among the stroke survivors. Among those with a spinal cord injury both tests were performed on each side of the L 4, L 5 and S 1 vertebrae. One week later, all were retested. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to quantify the test-retest reliability of the tests. Kappa values were calculated to determine the degree of agreement between them. Stepwise multiple linear regressions were evaluated to examine the relationship between touch perception thresholds and age, height, gender, type of injury and injured site. Results:①The ICC for the monofilament test was between 0.74 and 0.95, higher than that of the cotton wool test (ICC: 0.60 to 0.83). ②The kappa value between the monofilament and cotton wool tests was 0.550, indicating good agreement. ③The types of injury and injured sites were independent correlates of the touch perception thresholds, but there was no significant correlation between the touch perception thresholds and age, height, gender or group.Conclusions:The monofilament cutaneous threshold test has good test-retest reliability, better than the cotton wool test. Therefore, it may be useful as a tool for assessing impaired touch sensation caused by central nervous system injury.

Applicability of tactile memory examination as an option to visual- and verbal-based batteries / A aplicabilidade da avalição da memória tátil como uma opção para as baterias visuais a verbais

ABSTRACT The validity and applicability of tactile battery tests for the diagnosis and medical follow-up of patients with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia syndromes do not have their usefulness well understood in clinical practice. While haptic abilities in older individuals receive less attention, in earlier stages of human life they are well focused on. There are even fewer studies on tactile memory, including episodic memory of demented individuals with or without sensorial limitations. The applicability of a new haptic memory battery was evaluated in patients with Alzheimer's disease with mild or moderate commitment. Objective: The aim of this study is to apply a battery based on tactile perception, recognition, and recollection of everyday objects in patients with Alzheimer's disease, testing tactile delayed recall memory discrimination and late recognition to compare validated visual and verbal tests. Methods: Tactile-, visual-, and verbal-based memory performance was registered in 21 patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Results: Except for tactile identification, it showed that there was a close relationship between the three sensory modalities of memory, with an apparent better performance of tactile incidental memory and recognition compared with the test with pictures. Conclusions: The haptic evaluation of memory demonstrated applicability in the evaluation of memory dysfunction in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Further studies are needed to establish the sensibility and specificity of the proposed test that had a small sample size and many limitations.

RESUMO A aplicação de baterias baseadas em informações táteis para diagnóstico e acompanhamento de pacientes com doença de Alzheimer e outras demências não é muito difundida na prática clínica. Ao passo que a capacidade de reconhecimento tátil de objetos em crianças recebe bastante atenção dos pesquisadores, o mesmo não ocorre com indivíduos mais idosos. Existem ainda menos estudos abordando avaliação de memória episódica em pacientes idosos, com ou sem limitações sensoriais, como cegueira e surdez. O presente estudo propõe avaliar aplicabilidade de teste para avaliação de memória tátil em paciente com doença de Alzheimer. Objetivo: Aplicar em pacientes com doença de Alzheimer uma bateria baseada na percepção e reconhecimento táctil de objetos de uso cotidiano, avaliando a memória e reconhecimento tardio, comparado com testes visuais e verbais validados. Métodos: Foi avaliado o desempenho de baterias baseadas em informação táteis, visuais e verbais em 21 pacientes diagnosticados com a doença de Alzheimer. Resultados: Com a exceção da percepção tátil, foi demonstrada uma boa correlação entre as três modalidades de apresentação das informações a serem resgatadas tardiamente. Houve um desempenho aparentemente melhor do reconhecimento tátil quando comparado com apresentação de figuras impressas. Conclusões: A determinação da memória tátil em pacientes com doença de Alzheimer demonstrou ser aplicável como instrumento de avaliação dos distúrbios de memória presentes em portadores de doença de Alzheimer com comprometimento leve a moderado. As limitações do estudo, com reduzido tamanho da amostra, aponta para a necessidade de novos estudos com a devida validação, incluindo determinação de sensibilidade e especificidade, assim como pareamento, de acordo com sexo e idade com grupo controle.

Factors Related to Penile Erectile Function for Men with Spinal Cord Injury / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To analyze the clinical features related to erectile dysfunction for male patients with spinal cord injury. Methods:From December, 2019 to January, 2021, 28 male patients with spinal cord injury were detected the stiffness and periactivity index of penises during night sleep using RigiScan. The patients were grouped as presence or absence of bulbocavernous reflex, anal autonomic contraction, anal tactile sensation and anal pressure sensation, to compare the stiffness and periactivity index between the groups. Results:The stiffness and periactivity indexes were more in patients presenting bulbocavernosus reflex, anal autonomic contraction, anal tactile sensation and anal deep pressure sensation (|t| > 2.19, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Bulbocavernous reflex, anal autonomic contraction, anal tactile and anal deep pressure response may predict penile erectile function after spinal cord injury.

Evaluation of Accessibility of Road Traffic Sidewalks Using the Codes for Accessibility Design in the Mega-city: a Case of Shanghai / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To evaluate the accessibility construction status of road traffic sidewalks in Shanghai. Methods:From July to September, 2019, 46 road traffic sidewalks in Shanghai were selected using a convenience sampling, and evaluation tools were designed based on the Codes for Accessibility Design (GB 50763-2012) and Standards for Design on Accessibility of Buildings and Facilities (DGJ08-103-2003). After field check and experience for the sidewalks, the compliance rates of evaluation dimensions and evaluation contents of sidewalks were analyzed using the descriptive analysis. The weights of each dimension were calculated using the principal component analysis to construct the sidewalk comprehensive barrier score model, and to compare the sidewalk comprehensive barrier scores in different areas of Shanghai. From September to November 2019, in-depth interviews were conducted with eleven persons with disabilities to understand the sidewalk barriers for them. Results:The overall compliance rate of sidewalk accessibility was 4.35%. Among the evaluated contents, 93.5% sidewalks had a curb ramp, 91.3% had a height difference between the ramp and the carriageway, 26.1% were not paved with tactile ground surface indicators; 71.7% tactile ground surface indicators were blocked by poles, etc., and 84.8% were occupied by obstacles. The warning indicator was the greatest weight among the evaluated dimensions. The barrier of sidewalks was high (36.7%) and medium (20.0%) in the central area, which was higher than that in the sub-central area (both 6.3%) (P < 0.05). There were many obstacles during the experience of sidewalks using, resulting in less using of the barrier-free facilities. Conclusion:Most of the sidewalks in Shanghai do not meet the standards of the Codes for Accessibility Design. It is urgent to construct and maintain the barrier-free facilities.

Efectividad de un programa estructurado de integración sensorial con un grupo de escolares con dificultades de aprendizaje: estudio retrospectivo en Bogotá / Development of a structured procedure of clinical observations of the sensory modulation and the performance of two clinical samples of children with and without tactile defensiveness: retrospective study in Bogotá

Las relaciones entre las dificultades de aprendizaje y las disfunciones de integración sensorial están reportadas en la literatura norteamericana, aunque en Latinoamérica la información disponible es limitada. Por lo anterior, se orientan los objetivos de este estudio a aportar a la literatura que describe los problemas sensoriales en niños con dificultades de aprendizaje y del impacto del tratamiento basado en la teoría de integración sensorial. El método de tipo retrospectivo utilizó el análisis anónimo de datos de diecisiete estudiantes derivados a terapia ocupacional por presentar dificultades en el entorno escolar. Se aplicaron evaluaciones estandarizadas: el test de Integracion Sensorial y Praxis; y el Perfil Sensorial, que al inicio reconocieron disfunciones entre 53% y el 88% y en reevaluación entre el 27% y el 88% reflejando cambio positivo después del programa. El análisis de varianza ANOVA permitió precisar el efecto del programa y contribuyó a explicar la relación de los déficits del procesamiento sensorial con las dificultades académicas y de comportamiento.

The relationships between learning difficulties and sensory integration dysfunctions are reported in American literature, in Latin America the information available is limited, guiding the objectives of this study to contribute to literature describing sensory problems in children with learning difficulties and the impact of treatment based on sensory integration theory. The retrospective method, I use anonymous analysis of data from seventeen students derived to occupational therapy because they present difficulties in the school environment. The Sensory Integration and Praxis test and sensory profile were applied as a standardized evaluation, which initially recognized dysfunctions between 53% and 88% and in re-evaluation between 27% and 88% reflecting positive change after the program. The ANOVA variance analysis allowed to specify the effect of the program and helped explain the relationship of sensory processing deficits with academic and behavioral difficulties.

Desarrollo de un procedimiento estructurado de observación clínica de la modulación táctil y desempeño de dos muestras clínicas de niños con y sin defensividad táctil / Development of an estructured procedure of clinical observations of the sensory modulation and the performance of two clinical samples of children with and without tactile defensiveness

La defensividad táctil es una de las disfunciones de integración sensorial que fueron tempranamente descritas por Jean Ayres (Lane, 2020). Sin embargo, para su diagnóstico se carece de instrumentos de evaluación basados en la observación del desempeño del niño, y en cambio, se suele utilizar casi exclusivamente el reporte de los padres por medio de cuestionarios sensoriales. Basado en diversos fundamentos teóricos se diseñó un procedimiento estructurado de observación clínica de la modulación táctil, compuesto por dos juegos con exposición a estímulos táctiles, el cual fue aplicado en contexto de práctica clínica privada, registrándose sus observaciones textualmente en fichas clínicas. El objetivo de esta investigación es describir los signos de defensividad táctil que pueden ser detectados con este procedimiento. Por medio de una pauta de análisis de 29 ítems de respuesta dicotómica, se examinaron retrospectivamente 83 fichas, de una población clínica de niños con y sin defensividad táctil, de 2 a 11 años de edad. Se comparó los resultados de una muestra de niños con defensividad táctil con otra de niños sin defensividad táctil, por medio de estadística descriptiva y pruebas no paramétricas. El desempeño de niños con defensividad táctil estadísticamente difiere de manera significativa del de niños sin defensividad táctil en el procedimiento de observación estudiado. Además, este instrumento puede contribuir con el proceso diagnóstico de defensividad táctil, por medio de la contabilización de indicadores para sugerir el diagnóstico, o de la identificación específica de algunos de ellos que serían más relevantes.

Tactile defensiveness is one of the first sensory integration dysfunctions described by Jean Ayres. However, for the diagnosis, evaluation procedures based on the observation of the child's performance are lacking, and instead, parents' reports are usually used almost exclusively. Based on several theoretical foundations, a structured procedure of clinical observations of tactile modulation was designed, consisting of two games that expose children to tactile stimuli. The observation was applied in a private clinic, using recording used for the purpose of documentation in clinical records. The objective of this research is to describe the tactile defensiveness signs that may be detected with this procedure. Through a guideline with 29 items of dichotomous response, 83 clinical records were retrospectively examined, from a clinical population of children with and without tactile defensiveness, aged 2 to 11 years. The results of a sample of children with tactile defensiveness were compared with another one of children without tactile defensiveness, through descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests. The performance of children with tactile defensiveness are significantly different from children without tactile defensiveness. In addition, this instrument can contribute to the diagnostic process of tactile defensiveness, through the analysis of indicators that suggest the diagnosis, or the specific identification of relevant signs of tactile defensiveness.

A study on parental perspectives towards childhood fever

Background: Parents play an important role in recognizing and treating paediatric fever as well as initiating home treatment. Their knowledge and attitude can greatly influence paediatric fever treatment and parental phobia may at times lead to overtreatment of fever. Objectives of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of parents towards childhood fever. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Paediatric department at Saveetha Medical College, Chennai. Data collection from parents was done using a questionnaire to study the knowledge, attitude and practices of parents towards fever and its management in children. Data analysis was done using SPSS 16 software.Results: Total 100 parents participated in the study, most of participants were mothers (69%) and 51% were between 20-30 years. 67% parents believed that fever could cause harmful effects like convulsions and delirium whereas 61% parents believed that consumption of large doses of antipyretic is harmful. Majority of parents 87% were aware that vaccinations can cause fever. Around 82% of parents declared that they had sleepless nights whenever their child was febrile. Majority of the parents 95% stated that they confirmed the presence of fever in their child by tactile assessment. About half the parents preferred using injections for reducing fever than oral medications.Conclusions: The study revealed presence of high levels of anxiety in majority of parents highlighting the need for reassurance and counsel ling by health professionals. Since most of the parents relied on tactile assessment for fever, there is a need to educate them about proper use of a thermometer for accurate detection and better assessment of fever.

Effect of working memory load on tactile n-back task / Efeito da carga de memória operacional na tarefa n-back tátil / Efecto de la carga de memoria de trabajo en la tarea táctil n-back

The present study investigated the characteristics of tactile working memory using the N-Back Task. The participants (n = 16), all sighted, performed the task with working memory loads equivalent to maintaining one, two, or three letters in the working memory (N-Back 1, N-Back 2, and N-Back 3). The frequency of commission and omission errors was analyzed as a function of memory load. The results indicate an increase in the frequency of omission errors due to this factor. The working memory load did not significantly influence commission errors. In general, our results suggest that the tactile N-Back task may represent a promising method for the assessment of working memory in blind and sighted participants.

O presente estudo investigou as características da memória de trabalho tátil por meio da Tarefa N-Back. Os participantes (n = 16), todos videntes, executaram a tarefa com cargas mnemônicas equivalentes a manutenção de uma, dois ou três letras na memória de trabalho (N-Back 1, N-Back 2 e N-Back 3). Foram analisadas a frequência de erros de comissão e a omissão em função da carga mnemônica. Os resultados apontam um aumento na frequência dos erros de omissão em função desse fator. As comissões não foram influenciadas significativamente pela carga da memória de trabalho. Em linhas gerais, nossos resultados sugerem que a tarefa N-Back tátil pode representar um método promissor para a avaliação da memória de trabalho em participantes videntes e não videntes.

El presente estudio investigó las características de la memoria táctil de trabajo utilizando la Tarea N-Back. Los participantes (n = 16), todos videntes, realizaron la tarea con cargas equivalentes a una, dos o tres letras en la memoria de trabajo (N-Back 1, N-Back 2 y N-Back 3). Los errores de comisión y omisión se analizó de acuerdo con la carga de trabajo. Los resultados indican un aumento en la frecuencia de errores de omisión debido a este factor. Las comisiones no fueron influenciadas significativamente por la carga de memoria de trabajo. En general, nuestros resultados sugieren que la tarea N-Back táctil puede representar un método prometedor para la evaluación de la memoria de trabajo en participantes videntes y no videntes.

Effect of Gymnastics Exercise on Sensory Integration Disorder in Children Aged Three to Six Years / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To explore the effect of gymnastic exercise on sensory integration disorder (SID) in children aged three to six years. Methods:From March to June 2018, 27 children aged three to six years with SID were recruited from Chengdu U-Beller International Children Education Center (Pidu Campus), and were randomly divided into control group (n = 13) and experimental group (n = 14). The experimental group accepted gymnastic exercise, 60 minutes a time, three times a week, for 16 weeks. The control group received no intervention. They were assessed with Assessment Scale for Children Sensory Integration Development, for vestibular dysfunction, tactile defense and proprioception dysfunction. Results:After intervention, the SID improvement was better in the experimental group than in the control group (χ2 > 6.639, P < 0.05), several children with mild disorder returned to normal level, and several with severe disorder returned to mild level. There was no difference in the scores of vestibular dysfunction, tactile defense and proprioception dysfunction before and after intervention in the control group (P > 0.05), and the scores significantly improved in the experimental group (|t| > 7.015, P < 0.01), and was higher in the experimental group than in the control group after intervention (t > 2.193, P < 0.01). Conclusion:Gymnastic exercise can improve vestibular dysfunction, tactile defense and proprioception dysfunction for children with SID aged three to six years.

Survey and analysis of the application situation of urban barrier-free facilities (Tactile ground surface indicator) / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Urban barrier-free facilities are imperfect in China, but visually impaired people need barrier-free facilities urgently. OBJECTIVE: To understand the public’s cognition and problems about urban barrier-free facilities, and put forward improvement suggestions by researching the application status of barrier-free facilities in Shijiazhuang (taking tactile ground surface indicator as an example). METHODS: One hundred and eighteen citizens and 51 ordinary sanitation workers at Shijiazhuang were randomly selected, and underwent cognitive survey by questionnaire. Meanwhile, 60 visually impaired persons were tactile ground surface indicator using survey by questionnaire. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Most citizens, sanitation workers and visually impaired person have a certain understanding of tactile ground surface indicator, but the awareness rate is still low. Totally 7% citizens and 18% sanitation workers did not know the tactile ground surface indicator, and the travel rate of visually impaired people was extremely low, only 38% visually impaired person were able to travel frequently. More than 50% people thought that the tactile ground surface indicator had not actually effect. Only 19% citizens were more satisfied with the supervision, maintenance and maintenance of the tactile ground surface indicator. 56% visually impaired people believed that it had no practical effect, and 42% visually impaired people said that their travel range was less than 1 km. It means that the public cognition rate and the tactile ground surface indicator utilization rate are low. We also put forward improvement suggestions from three aspects: Strengthening publicity education and training, rehabilitation training for the visually impaired persons, strengthen construction and maintenance, so as to protect the rights and interests for disabled people, promote them return to society and improve their quality of life.

Progress of application of tactile imaging to pelvic floor dysfunction / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Elastic imaging is a technique for converting the elastic modulus of soft tissues to real-time computer images. As one of the branches of elastic imaging, tactile imaging is distinguished by the feature of pressing directly against the surface of soft tissues. It is a mature option to diagnose diseases in urology, general surgery, gynecology and obstetrics. In recent years, tactile imaging, especially vaginal tactile imaging, has been used to evaluate female pelvic floor dysfunction diseases. This review is about tactile imaging and its application to the field of pelvic floor dysfunction.