Posture monitoring in healthcare: a systematic mapping study and taxonomy.

Palliative treatments for back pain usually include exercise, analgesics, physiotherapy, prostheses, and surgery in severe cases. Technologies for postural monitoring are growing, and they are important in preventing back pain and mitigating permanent damage. Remote work, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, made people spend more time than usual in chairs and environments not certified by the health aspects of work. This research investigated through a Systematic Mapping Study (SMS) contributions in posture monitoring for healthcare in smart environments, including the different methods to obtain the posture, the limitations, and the target audience of the proposed models. The SMS was conducted in eight databases, including articles from January 2012 to March 2022. The initial search yielded 3161 articles, of which 34 were selected after applying the filtering criteria. Moreover, this study presents the challenges related to posture behavior monitoring, identifying studies and implementations that apply assistive technology for postural monitoring and improving the health and life of remote workers. In addition, three commercial postural devices are presented, and what challenges they currently face. Regarding healthcare, results showed a prevalence of using the Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as wireless sensor networks and inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors. This article also proposes a taxonomy, showing the most used technologies and algorithms for improving posture, besides the posture-monitoring hierarchy classifying into three important branches: (a) Data Collect; (b) Data Transmission; and (c) Data Analysis.

Galvanic vestibular stimulation and its applications: a systematic review,

Abstract Objective: Galvanic vestibular stimulation has been evaluated in the context of vestibular rehabilitation. The objective was to identify evidence in the scientific literature about the clinical applications of galvanic vestibular stimulation. Methods: In this systematic review, the articles describing the applications of galvanic vestibular stimulation were extracted from PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Scopus, LILACS and SciELO databases. The survey was limited to articles published in English, Portuguese and Spanish. All the articles about the clinical applications of galvanic vestibular stimulation were compiled. Repeated articles in the databases, literature review articles, case reports, letters and editorials were excluded. The descriptors included: galvanic vestibular stimulation, postural balance, central nervous system diseases, vestibular diseases, spinal cord diseases and cognition. Results: The search strategy resulted in the initial selection of 994 articles; the reading of titles and abstracts was accomplished in 470 articles and the complete reading in 23 articles. Clinical applications of galvanic vestibular stimulation included Ménière's disease, vestibular neuritis, bilateral vestibular disorders, vestibular schwannoma, Parkinson's disease, ischemic central lesions, motor myelopathies, anxiety disorders, cognition and memory. Conclusion: Galvanic vestibular stimulation has been considered a potentially useful strategy for balance rehabilitation, since it has the effect of stimulating the central connections related to the postural balance, favoring new neuronal synapses that allow the partial or total recovery of postural imbalance.

Galvanic vestibular stimulation and its applications: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Galvanic vestibular stimulation has been evaluated in the context of vestibular rehabilitation. The objective was to identify evidence in the scientific literature about the clinical applications of galvanic vestibular stimulation. METHODS: In this systematic review, the articles describing the applications of galvanic vestibular stimulation were extracted from PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Scopus, LILACS and SciELO databases. The survey was limited to articles published in English, Portuguese and Spanish. All the articles about the clinical applications of galvanic vestibular stimulation were compiled. Repeated articles in the databases, literature review articles, case reports, letters and editorials were excluded. The descriptors included: galvanic vestibular stimulation, postural balance, central nervous system diseases, vestibular diseases, spinal cord diseases and cognition. RESULTS: The search strategy resulted in the initial selection of 994 articles; the reading of titles and abstracts was accomplished in 470 articles and the complete reading in 23 articles. Clinical applications of galvanic vestibular stimulation included Ménière's disease, vestibular neuritis, bilateral vestibular disorders, vestibular schwannoma, Parkinson's disease, ischemic central lesions, motor myelopathies, anxiety disorders, cognition and memory. CONCLUSION: Galvanic vestibular stimulation has been considered a potentially useful strategy for balance rehabilitation, since it has the effect of stimulating the central connections related to the postural balance, favoring new neuronal synapses that allow the partial or total recovery of postural imbalance.

A computational model for adaptive recording of vital signs through context histories.

Wearable devices emerged from the advancement of communication technology and the miniaturization of electronic components. These devices periodically monitor the user's vital signs and generally have a short battery life. This work introduces ODIN, a model for optimized vital signs collection based on adaptive rules. Analyzing vital sign values requires preciseness, so the adaption of these collected data allows a personalized analysis of the user's health condition. The comparison with related works indicates that ODIN is the only model that presents context-aware-adaptive vital signs collection. The implementation of a prototype allowed to perform three evaluations of ODIN. The first evaluation used simulations in different scenarios, with the adaptive approach increasing battery life by 119% through the analysis of input data compared to data collection without adaptivity. The second evaluation applied the prototype to a database of real physiologic data, which allowed reduced data collection when the user has regular vital signs. This reduction optimized battery consumption by 66% compared to collection without adaptivity. Finally, the third evaluation applied ODIN through an Arduino and a heart rate monitor (Polar H7). The average power saved across mobile devices was 21%. Consequently, the adaptive strategy presented in this work allows the optimization of computational resources during the collection and analysis of vital signs. This optimization occurs because of the reduction in energy expenditure and the reduction in the amount of data that needs to be collected and stored.

Vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) with galvanic stimulation in normal subjects.

INTRODUCTION: The vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) generated by galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) is related to the vestibulo-spinal pathway. The response recorded from soleus muscle is biphasic with onset of short latency (SL) component around 60 ms and medium latency (ML) component around 100 ms. The first component reflects otolith function (sacule and utricle) and the last deals with semicircular canals. AIM: To describe VEMP generated by GVS. METHODS: In this cross-sectional clinical study, VEMP was generated by 2 mA/400 ms binaural GVS, frequency of 5-6 ms that was recorded from soleus muscles of 13 healthy adults, mean age 56 years. The subjects remained standing, head turned contralateral to the GVS applied to the mastoid. Thirty GVS were applied to the mastoid in the position cathode right anode left, followed by 30 in inverted position. SL and ML were measured. RESULTS: SL and ML components were recorded from both legs of all participants and were similar. The average of SL component was 54 ms and of ML was 112 ms. CONCLUSION: The components SL and ML of the VEMP response in soleus were reproducible and are useful measures of vestibular-spinal function.

Potencial evocado miogenico vestibular (VEMP) com estimulo galvanico em individuos normais / Vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) with galvanic stimulation in normal subjects

Introdução: O potencial evocado miogênico vestibular (VEMP) gerado por estimulação galvânica (GVS) reflete uma resposta vestíbulo-espinhal. A resposta obtida no músculo sóleo é bifásica, primeiro com componente de curta latência (CL), em torno de 60 ms, e depois com o de média latência (ML), em torno de 100 ms. O componente de CL associa-se à função otolítica (sáculo e utrículo), e o de ML, aos ductos semicirculares. Objetivo: Descrever os valores de referência do VEMP com estimulação galvânica em indivíduos normais. Casuística e método: Forma de estudo transversal; o VEMP foi gerado por GVS de 2mA/400 ms, aplicada bilateralmente, sob frequência de 5-6 ms. Testou-se resposta no músculo sóleo de 13 sujeitos saudáveis, com idade média de 56 anos. Os sujeitos permaneceram de pé, com cabeça girada contralateral ao GVS aplicado na mastoide. Na configuração catodo direito, anodo esquerda, 30 GVS foi aplicado, seguidos de mais 30 com configuração inversa. Os componentes de CL e de ML da resposta vestibular foram analisados. Resultado: Os componentes de CL e de ML foram semelhantes em ambas as pernas. O valor médio de CL foi 54 ms, e o de ML, 112 ms. Conclusão: Os componentes de CL e de ML do VEMP solear foram replicáveis, sendo medidas úteis de função do trato vestíbulo-espinhal. .

Introduction: The vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) generated by galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) is related to the vestibulo-spinal pathway. The response recorded from soleus muscle is biphasic with onset of short latency (SL) component around 60 ms and medium latency (ML) component around 100 ms. The first component reflects otolith function (sacule and utricle) and the last deals with semicircular canals. Aim: To describe VEMP generated by GVS. Methods: In this cross-sectional clinical study, VEMP was generated by 2mA/400 ms binaural GVS, frequency of 5-6 ms that was recorded from soleus muscles of 13 healthy adults, mean age 56 years. The subjects remained standing, head turned contralateral to the GVS applied to the mastoid. Thirty GVS were applied to the mastoid in the position cathode right anode left, followed by 30 in inverted position. SL and ML were measured. Results: SL and ML components were recorded from both legs of all participants and were similar. The average of SL component was 54 ms and of ML was 112 ms. Conclusion: The components SL and ML of the VEMP response in soleus were reproducible and are useful measures of vestibular-spinal function. .

Validity of the monothermal caloric testing when compared to bithermal stimulation.

BACKGROUND: the use of monothermal caloric testing as a screening tool for vestibular asymmetry has been considered as an alternative to bithermal caloric testing. AIM: to evaluate the effectiveness of monothermal stimulation when compared to bithermal stimulation in the diagnosis of labyrinth asymmetry. METHOD: the results of 389 vectoelectronystagmography, performed between 1998 and 2007, were analyzed. Monothermal stimulation at 30°C and 44°C with unilateral weakness (UW) cut-off at 20% and 25% was compared to bithermal stimulation with cut-off at 25% (gold standard). The analysis was aimed at finding which kind of monothermal caloric test (30°C or 44°C) and which kind of cut-off (20% or 25%) presented the highest specificity and sensitivity values in comparison with bithermal caloric testing. RESULTS: sensitivity and specificity of monothermal caloric tests were: 84% and 80%, at 30°C with UW at 20%; 78% and 90%, at 30°C with UW at 25%; 81% and 78%, at 44°C with UW at 20%; 76% and 85%, at 44°C with UW at 25%. CONCLUSION: monothermal caloric testing with 30°C stimulus presented the highest sensibility and specificity values in comparison to the results obtained with bithermal stimulation. However, no significant difference was observed between such values and those obtained with 44°C stimulus. In all of the analyses, monothermal testing presented low sensitivity. Thus, the abnormal result of bithermal caloric testing might be seen as normal in monothermal stimulation. The use of monothermal testing as a screening tool is better recommended for individuals whose medical history suggests a low probability of vestibular disease.

Validade da prova calórica monotermal em comparação à estimulação bitermal / Validity of the monothermal caloric testing when compared to bithermal stimulation

Background: the use of monothermal caloric testing as a screening tool for vestibular asymmetry has been considered as an alternative to bithermal caloric testing. AIM: to evaluate the effectiveness of monothermal stimulation when compared to bithermal stimulation in the diagnosis of labyrinth asymmetry. Method: the results of 389 vectoelectronystagmography, performed between 1998 and 2007, were analyzed. Monothermal stimulation at 30oC and 44ºC with unilateral weakness (UW) cut-off at 20 percent and 25 percent was compared to bithermal stimulation with cut-off at 25 percent (gold standard). The analysis was aimed at finding which kind of monothermal caloric test (30oC or 44oC) and which kind of cut-off (20 percent or 25 percent) presented the highest specificity and sensitivity values in comparison with bithermal caloric testing. Results: sensitivity and specificity of monothermal caloric tests were: 84 percent and 80 percent, at 30°C with UW at 20 percent; 78 percent and 90 percent, at 30°C with UW at 25 percent; 81 percent and 78 percent, at 44°C with UW at 20 percent; 76 percent and 85 percent, at 44°C with UW at 25 percent. Conclusion: monothermal caloric testing with 30°C stimulus presented the highest sensibility and specificity values in comparison to the results obtained with bithermal stimulation. However, no significant difference was observed between such values and those obtained with 44°C stimulus. In all of the analyses, monothermal testing presented low sensitivity. Thus, the abnormal result of bithermal caloric testing might be seen as normal in monothermal stimulation. The use of monothermal testing as a screening tool is better recommended for individuals whose medical history suggests a low probability of vestibular disease.

Tema: a estimulação calórica monotermal tem sido considerada como alternativa à prova calórica bitermal para triagem das assimetrias vestibulares. Objetivo: avaliar a confiabilidade da estimulação monotermal em relação à bitermal para o diagnóstico das assimetrias labirínticas. Método: avaliaram-se 389 resultados de vectoelectronistagmografia realizados entre 1998 e 2007. A estimulação monotermal de 30ºC e 44ºC com pontos de corte de predomínio labiríntico (PL) em 20 por cento e em 25 por cento foi comparada à bitermal com ponto de corte em 25 por cento (padrão ouro). Na análise, interessou encontrar qual foi à prova monotemal (30°C ou 44°C) e com qual ponto de corte (20 por cento ou 25 por cento) que apresentou os valores mais elevados de sensibilidade e especificidade quando comparada à prova bitermal. Resultados: a sensibilidade e especificidade da prova monotermal foram respectivamente de: 84 por cento e 80 por cento, a 30°C com PL em 20 por cento; 78 por cento e 90 por cento, a 30°C com PL em 25 por cento; 81 por cento e 78 por cento, a 44°C com PL em 20 por cento; 76 por cento e 85 por cento, a 44°C com PL em 25 por cento. Conclusão: a prova monotermal com estimulo a 30°C apresentou valores mais elevados de sensibilidade e especificidade quando comparada a bitermal. Contudo, não se observou diferença significativa em relação aos valores observados com estímulo a 44°C. Em todas as análises, a prova monotermal apresentou a limitação da baixa sensibilidade, de modo que testes alterados pela bitermal podem passar como normais pela prova monoternal. Ao se decidir pela realização da prova monotermal como triagem, deve-se realizá-la em indivíduos com menor probabilidade de estar com doença vestibular, a partir da história clínica.

Vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) in the evaluation of schistosomal myeloradiculopathy.

Schistosomal myeloradiculopathy (SMR) is the most severe and disabling form of schistosomiasis. The diagnosis is based on clinical, laboratory, and image data. Vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) is a neurophysiologic test that assesses the vestibulospinal pathway through acoustic or galvanic stimuli. The aim of this study was to evaluate cervical spinal abnormalities in patients with SMR. Fifty-two subjects were evaluated, of whom 29 had SMR and 30 did not (normal control). Normal VEMP was observed in all volunteers without SMR. Abnormal VEMP was recorded in 34% of the group with SMR. After treatment, abnormal VEMP was found in 80% of those with persistent neurologic abnormalities. VEMP is a functional test, and the alteration may precede image abnormalities. This procedure may be useful for early diagnosis of schistosomal cervical spinal cord involvement.