Towards automation of dynamic-gaze video analysis taking functional upper-limb tasks as a case study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Previous studies in motor control have yielded clear evidence that gaze behavior (where someone looks) quantifies the attention paid to perform actions. However, eliciting clinically meaningful results from the gaze data has been done manually, rendering it incredibly tedious, time-consuming, and highly subjective. This paper aims to study the feasibility of automating the coding process of the gaze data taking functional upper-limb tasks as a case study. METHODS: This is achieved by developing a new algorithm capable of coding the collected gaze data through three main stages; data preparation, data processing, and output generation. The input data in the form of a crosshair and a gaze video are converted into a 25 Hz frame rate sequence. Keyframes and non-key frames are then obtained and processed using a combination of image processing techniques and a fuzzy logic controller. In each trial, the location and duration of gaze fixation at the areas of interest (AOIs) are obtained. Once the gaze data is coded, it can be presented in different forms and formats, including the stacked color bar. RESULTS: The obtained results showed that the developed coding algorithm highly agrees with the manual coding method but significantly faster and less prone to unsystematic errors. Statistical analysis showed that Cohen's Kappa ranges from 0.705 to 1.0. Moreover, based on the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), the agreement index between computerized and manual coding methods is found to be (i) 0.908 with 95% confidence intervals (0.867, 0.937) for the anatomical hand and (ii) 0.923 with 95% confidence intervals (0.888, 0.948) for the prosthetic hand. A Bland-Altman plot also showed that all data points are closely scattered around the mean. These findings confirm the validity and effectiveness of the developed coding algorithm. CONCLUSION: The developed algorithm demonstrated that it is feasible to automate the coding of the gaze data, reduce the coding time, and improve the coding process's reliability.

Visuomotor behaviours when using a myoelectric prosthesis.

BACKGROUND: A recent study showed that the gaze patterns of amputee users of myoelectric prostheses differ markedly from those seen in anatomically intact subjects. Gaze behaviour is a promising outcome measures for prosthesis designers, as it appears to reflect the strategies adopted by amputees to compensate for the absence of proprioceptive feedback and uncertainty/delays in the control system, factors believed to be central to the difficulty in using prostheses. The primary aim of our study was to characterise visuomotor behaviours over learning to use a trans-radial myoelectric prosthesis. Secondly, as there are logistical advantages to using anatomically intact subjects in prosthesis evaluation studies, we investigated similarities in visuomotor behaviours between anatomically intact users of a trans-radial prosthesis simulator and experienced trans-radial myoelectric prosthesis users. METHODS: In part 1 of the study, we investigated visuomotor behaviours during performance of a functional task (reaching, grasping and manipulating a carton) in a group of seven anatomically intact subjects over learning to use a trans-radial myoelectric prosthesis simulator (Dataset 1). Secondly, we compared their patterns of visuomotor behaviour with those of four experienced trans-radial myoelectric prosthesis users (Dataset 2). We recorded task movement time, performance on the SHAP test of hand function and gaze behaviour. RESULTS: Dataset 1 showed that while reaching and grasping the object, anatomically intact subjects using the prosthesis simulator devoted around 90% of their visual attention to either the hand or the area of the object to be grasped. This pattern of behaviour did not change with training, and similar patterns were seen in Dataset 2. Anatomically intact subjects exhibited significant increases in task duration at their first attempts to use the prosthesis simulator. At the end of training, the values had decreased and were similar to those seen in Dataset 2. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides the first functional description of the gaze behaviours seen during use of a myoelectric prosthesis. Gaze behaviours were found to be relatively insensitive to practice. In addition, encouraging similarities were seen between the amputee group and the prosthesis simulator group.

The effect of gym training on multiple outcomes in Parkinson's disease: a pilot randomised waiting-list controlled trial.

There is accumulating evidence for the benefits of exercise in Parkinson's disease (PD), but less is known about group exercise interventions. We evaluated the effect of gym-training programme on people with PD. Thirty-two adults with mild to moderate PD, not currently exercising formally, were randomised to an immediate 20-week biweekly gym training programme at a local leisure complex, or a 10-week programme starting 10 weeks later. Assessments at baseline (T1), 10 weeks (T2) and 20 weeks (T3) included reaction time, motor performance (UPDRS), quality of life and illness perceptions. Experiences of the programme were assessed via questionnaire and a focus group. Overall UPDRS motor function score did not change over time. However, gym training was associated with significant improvements in reaction times and some timed tests in the immediate training group (T1-T2). The delayed group showed similar improvements following gym training (T2-T3). Participants reported enjoyment, obtaining social benefits, and increased confidence. However, the questionnaire measures did not show improvements in subjective health ratings or illness perceptions. Although benefits were not apparent in the questionnaire measures or overall UPDRS scores, our findings suggest that a 10-week gym training programme in a community setting can provide some benefits for people with PD.

Eye movements during search and detection in comparative visual search.

Motivated by the fact that previous visual memory paradigms have imposed encoding and retrieval constraints, the present article presents two experiments that address how observers allocate eye movements in memory and comparison processes in the absence of constraints. A comparative visual search design (Pomplun, Sichelschmidt, et al., 2001) was utilized in which observers searched for a difference between two images presented side by side. Robust time course effects were obtained, whereby search was characterized by brief fixations and a high proportion of comparative saccades. Then, upon target detection, fixations were extended, more comparative saccades were elicited, and the search focus was narrowed. The saliency and presence of differences did not guide attention, and detection was contingent upon direct fixation of the targets. The results indicate that, when full control is given, observers adopt a strategy that cuts down on memory usage in favor of restricted encoding and active scanning.