Physical Symptoms Associated with Blood Pressure

Two experiments employed within-subject designs to assess the degree to which selected physical symptoms correlated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) fluctuations. In the first study, 30 normotensive undergraduates (15 male and 15 female) participated in a series of 20 tasks and 20 baseline sessions, each lasting 1–2 min. Following each task or baseline, readings of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, skin resistance, and finger pulse volume were taken. Immediately before the physiological measurements, subjects rated the degree to which they were experiencing each of 7 symptoms (e.g., sweaty hands, pounding heart). For each subject, simple correlations were computed between each of the symptoms and SBP across the 40 measurement periods. Forty-four percent of the subjects had at least one symptom-SBP correlation of + .70 or greater. Seventy-seven percent had at least one statistically significant symptom-SBP correlation. Between-subject analyses yielded no symptom-SBP relationships. The within-subjects correlation patterns varied from subject to subject, were internally consistent, and were related to sex and SBP variability. A second naturalistic experiment corroborated the findings. Theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.     

An Application Language for Psychophysiological Experimentation

IBM 1130 (8K) Acronym: ABS (Adaptive Bio-Signal Language). Machine Sensible Materials: Preamplified biosignals. Documentation: Operating manual (80 pp. German). Author: F. Gerster. Submitted by: H. Legewie Submitter's Affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Psychiatric, Munich, Federal Republic of Germany ABS is an application language for biosignal processing and experimental control. It is running on an IBM 1130 which is connected to a WDV Lab Interface which allows biosignal input and process control output and which serves as a realtime clock. ABS is implemented on the basis of the IBM 1130/1800 macro assembler, so it can be adapted to an IBM 1800 with slight modifications. It allows the easy programming of individual ABS programs to solve a set of problems in psychophysiological experimentation: On-line acquisition and reduction of biosignals from up to 20 input channels, including 4 channels of EEG; simultaneous experimental control by simple statement for time scheduling, control of the output channels, logic and arithmetic operations applied to the reduced biosignals for feedback functions; facilities for on-line interaction with the experimenter and for on-line testing: organization of a complete data file of the experiment on a background storage device. Minimum Hardware: IBM 1130 (8K core and 520K disc), WDV Laboratory Interface¹ realtime clock, 8 analog, 8 digital, 4 trigger input channels; digital mag tape optional.     

Biofeedback/relaxation training and exercise interventions for fibromyalgia: A prospective trial

Objective. To compare the effectiveness of biofeedback/relaxation, exercise, and a combined program for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Methods. Subjects (n = 119) were randomly assigned to one of 4 groups: 1) biofeedback/relaxation training, 2) exercise training, 3) a combination treatment, or 4) an educational/attention control program. Results. All 3 treatment groups produced improvements in self-efficacy for function relative to the control condition. In addition, all treatment groups were significantly different from the control group on tender point index scores, reflecting a modest deterioration by the attention control group rather than improvements by the treatment groups. The exercise and combination groups also resulted in modest improvements on a physical activity measure. The combination group best maintained benefits across the 2-year period. Conclusion. This study demonstrates that these 3 treatment interventions result in improved self-efficacy for physical function which was best maintained by the combination group.     

Quantified self and human movement: A review on the clinical impact of wearable sensing and feedback for gait analysis and intervention

The proliferation of miniaturized electronics has fueled a shift toward wearable sensors and feedback devices for the mass population. Quantified self and other similar movements involving wearable systems have gained recent interest. However, it is unclear what the clinical impact of these enabling technologies is on human gait. The purpose of this review is to assess clinical applications of wearable sensing and feedback for human gait and to identify areas of future research. Four electronic databases were searched to find articles employing wearable sensing or feedback for movements of the foot, ankle, shank, thigh, hip, pelvis, and trunk during gait. We retrieved 76 articles that met the inclusion criteria and identified four common clinical applications: (1) identifying movement disorders, (2) assessing surgical outcomes, (3) improving walking stability, and (4) reducing joint loading. Characteristics of knee and trunk motion were the most frequent gait parameters for both wearable sensing and wearable feedback. Most articles performed testing on healthy subjects, and the most prevalent patient populations were osteoarthritis, vestibular loss, Parkinson's disease, and post-stroke hemiplegia. The most widely used wearable sensors were inertial measurement units (accelerometer and gyroscope packaged together) and goniometers. Haptic (touch) and auditory were the most common feedback sensations. This review highlights the current state of the literature and demonstrates substantial potential clinical benefits of wearable sensing and feedback. Future research should focus on wearable sensing and feedback in patient populations, in natural human environments outside the laboratory such as at home or work, and on continuous, long-term monitoring and intervention.     

短程心率变异性评估疗养飞行员生物反馈训练效果的研究

目的:探讨短程心率变异性评估疗养飞行员生物反馈训练效果,为航空心理训练提供依据。方法:采用多参数生物反馈仪对飞行员进行训练及短程心率变异性检测。结果:短程心率变异性比较结果显示,SDNN、RMSSD、HF和TP均是训练后升高,有非常显著统计学意义(t=2.33~8.46,P0.01);HR、LF、LF/HF均是训练后降低,有非常显著统计学意义(t=4.13~20.54,P0.01)。结论:生物反馈训练能改善飞行员自主神经功能活性状况,短程心率变异性能有效评估疗养飞行员生物反馈训练的效果。     

Effects of electromyography-driven robot-aided hand training with neuromuscular electrical stimulation on hand control performance after chronic stroke

Purpose: An electromyography-driven robot system integrated with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) was developed to investigate its effectiveness on post-stroke rehabilitation. Methods: The performance of this system in assisting finger flexion/extension with different assistance combinations was evaluated in five stroke subjects. Then, a pilot study with 20-sessions training was conducted to evaluate the training’s effectiveness. Results: The results showed that combined assistance from the NMES–robot could improve finger movement accuracy, encourage muscle activation of the finger muscles and suppress excessive muscular activities in the elbow joint. When assistances from both NMES and the robot were 50% of their maximum assistances, finger-tracking performance had the best results, with the lowest root mean square error, greater range of motion, higher voluntary muscle activations of the finger joints and lower muscle co-contraction in the finger and elbow joints. Upper limb function improved after the 20-session training, indicated by the increased clinical scores of Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Action Research Arm Test and Wolf Motor Function Test. Muscle co-contraction was reduced in the finger and elbow joints reflected by the Modified Ashworth Scale. Conclusions: The findings demonstrated that an electromyography-driven NMES–robot used for chronic stroke improved hand function and tracking performance. Further research is warranted to validate the method on a larger scale.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• The hand robotics and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) techniques are still separate systems in current post-stroke hand rehabilitation. This is the first study to investigate the combined effects of the NMES and robot on hand rehabilitation.

• The finger tracking performance was improved with the combined assistance from the EMG-driven NMES–robot hand system. The assistance from the robot could improve the finger movement accuracy and the assistance from the NMES could reduce the muscle co-contraction on finger and elbow joints.

• The upper limb functions were improved on chronic stroke patients after the pilot study of 20-session hand training with the combined assistance from the EMG-driven NMES–robot. The muscle spasticity on finger and elbow joints was reduced after the training.

     

盆底肌肉生物反馈康复锻炼方案在不同类型压力性尿失禁患者中的应用价值

[目的] 探讨盆底肌肉生物反馈康复锻炼方案在不同类型压力性尿失禁(Stress urinary incontinence,SUI)患者中的应用价值.[方法] 选择2013年1月至2016年1月在本院收治的SUI患者146例,按照不同类型分为围绝经期SUI(围绝经期组)和产后SUI(产后组),每组73例,均采用盆底肌肉生物反馈康复锻炼治疗8周,比较两组治疗前后盆底肌力、1 h尿垫实验结果、总体疗效、国际尿失禁咨询委员会尿失禁问卷表简表(ICI-Q-SF)评分、盆底障碍影响简易问卷7(PFIQ-7)评分及依从性.[结果] 治疗后两组患者的盆底肌力、1 h尿垫实验结果、总体疗效、ICI-Q-SF评分、PFIQ-7评分与治疗前比较均有显著改善,且产后组患者改善的幅度较大;两组患者在合理用药、定期复查、合理饮食等五项医生要求的项目上依从性情况较好,但产后组患者的依从性情况更好(P<0.05).[结论] 盆底肌肉生物反馈康复锻炼法有助于SUI盆底肌力的恢复,依从性较好,相对围绝经期SUI,产后SUI效果更好,值得在临床推广应用.     

Biofeedback Training for Partial Weight Bearing in Patients After Total Hip Arthroplasty

Pataky Z, De León Rodriguez D, Golay A, Assal M, Assal J-P, Hauert C-A. Biofeedback training for partial weight bearing in patients after total hip arthroplasty.

Objective

To evaluate a new biofeedback training method based on visual delivery of information in patients after total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Design

Intervention study with prepost design.

Setting

Hospitalized care in a university referral center.

Participants

Patients (N=11) (age 56.1±9.0y) shortly after THA.

Intervention

A mobile system has been used for biofeedback training with the predefined partial weight bearing (PWB) threshold of 20kg. After the learning period, 4 retention tests, consisting of 3 successive walking cycles without feedback, were recorded for each patient: (1) acquisition test, (2) early retention test (after 30min), (3) the day after, and (4) after 2 days.

Main Outcome Measure

The pressure error and the maximum pressure force at each step before and after biofeedback training.

Results

A significant difference of pressure errors between the beginning and the end of the learning period has been measured (42.5±22.5N vs 3.7±11.4N, P<.001). However, there was no difference between the beginning of the learning period and different retention tests (after 30 minutes, after 1 day, after 2 days). In terms of maximal pressure force, there was a difference between the beginning and the end of learning (251N vs 195N, P<.05). The retention tests did not show significant differences compared with the baseline values.

Conclusions

THA patients were able to use the defined PWB during a short period of time and shortly after stopping the training; both the pressure errors and the maximal pressure force attended the values before training. These results confirm the difficulties to achieve PWB in patients after THA.