Portable robots for upper-limb rehabilitation after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Robot-assisted upper-limb rehabilitation has been studied for many years, with many randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of robotic-assisted training on affected limbs. The current trend directs towards end-effector devices. However, most studies have focused on the effectiveness of rehabilitation devices, but studies on device sizes are relatively few.

Game-Based Virtual Reality System for Upper Limb Rehabilitation After Stroke in a Clinical Environment: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The use of virtual reality (VR) for stroke rehabilitation has been implemented during the last decade. At present, most studies still focus on the effects of VR on upper limb rehabilitation, and few studies have explored VR games, VR system designs, and rehabilitation modes for upper limb rehabilitation. This study aims to (1) evaluate the rehabilitation effect of stroke patients using a game-based VR upper limb rehabilitation system in clinical settings; (2) investigate the impact of custom and commercial VR games on patients in clinical settings; and (3) review VR upper limb rehabilitation modes.

Electrophysiological Correlation Underlying the Effects of Music Preference on the Prefrontal Cortex Using a Brain-Computer Interface.

This study aims to research the task of recognising brain activities in the prefrontal cortex that correspond to music at different preference levels. Since task performance regarding the effects of the subjects' favourite music can lead to better outcomes, we focus on the physical interpretation of electroencephalography (EEG) bands underlying the preference level for music. The experiment was implemented using a continuous response digital interface for the preference classification of three types of musical stimuli.

Low Concentration of Withaferin a Inhibits Oxidative Stress-Mediated Migration and Invasion in Oral Cancer Cells.

Withaferin A (WFA) has been reported to inhibit cancer cell proliferation based on high cytotoxic concentrations. However, the low cytotoxic effect of WFA in regulating cancer cell migration is rarely investigated. The purpose of this study is to investigate the changes in migration and mechanisms of oral cancer Ca9-22 cells after low concentrations of WFA treatment.

A study exploring the usability of an exergaming platform for senior fitness testing.

This study proposes a structural usability model to identify the relationship between the user interface design and the usability of an exergame system that includes a software system and a separate hardware device. The model consisted of two dimensions: the interface design, which was evaluated using Nielsen's heuristic evaluation method, and the usability, as defined by ISO 9241-11. An empirical study used the iFit exergame system to test the physical fitness of 101 seniors in order to evaluate the model's validity.

An Evaluation of the Design and Usability of a Novel Robotic Bilateral Arm Rehabilitation Device for Patients with Stroke.

Study Design: Case series.

Evidence Level: IV (case series).

Introduction: Robot-assisted therapy for upper limb rehabilitation is an emerging research topic and its design process must integrate engineering, neurological pathophysiology, and clinical needs.

The Design and Validation of a Child Developmental e-Screening System.

An effective screening test could significantly impact identification of developmental delays at an early age. However, many studies have shown that delay screenings still use text-based screening survey questionnaires. Unfortunately, the traditional text-based screening method tends to be fairly passive.

A Multimedia Child Developmental Screening Checklist: Design and Validation.

Background: Identifying disability early in life confers long-term benefits for children. The Taipei City Child Development Screening tool, second version (Taipei II) provides checklists for 13 child age groups from 4 months to 6 years. However, the usability of a text-based screening tool largely depends on the literacy level and logical reasoning ability of the caregivers, as well as language barriers caused by increasing numbers of immigrants.

Design, development, and clinical validation of therapeutic toys for autistic children.

[Purpose] One of the characteristics of autistic children is social interaction difficulties. Although therapeutic toys can promote social interaction, however its related research remains insufficient. The aim of the present study was to build a set of cooperative play toys that are suitable for autistic children.

Community-Based ECG Monitoring System for Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases.

This study aims to develop a community-based electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring system for cardiac outpatients to wirelessly detect heart rate, provide personalized healthcare, and enhance interactive social contact because of the prevalence of deaths from cardiovascular disease and the growing problem of aging in the world. The system not only strengthens the performance of the ECG monitoring system but also emphasizes the ergonomic design of wearable devices and user interfaces. In addition, it enables medical professionals to diagnose cardiac symptoms remotely and electronically manage medical reports and suggestions.

Design of a mobile brain computer interface-based smart multimedia controller.

Music is a way of expressing our feelings and emotions. Suitable music can positively affect people. However, current multimedia control methods, such as manual selection or automatic random mechanisms, which are now applied broadly in MP3 and CD players, cannot adaptively select suitable music according to the user's physiological state.

Motor impairments screened by the movement assessment battery for children-2 are related to the visual-perceptual deficits in children with developmental coordination disorder.

This study was to examine to what extent the motor deficits of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) verified by the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) are linked to their visual-perceptual abilities. Seventeen children with DCD and seventeen typically developing children (TD) aged 5-10 years screened from a total of 250 children were recruited. The assessments included MABC-2, traditional test of visual perceptual skills (TVPS-R), and computerized test for sequential coupling of eye and hand as well as motion coherence.

An expert fitness diagnosis system based on elastic cloud computing.

This paper presents an expert diagnosis system based on cloud computing. It classifies a user's fitness level based on supervised machine learning techniques. This system is able to learn and make customized diagnoses according to the user's physiological data, such as age, gender, and body mass index (BMI).

Anomalous origin of left coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk in a mildly symptomatic adult female.

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk, also known as Garland-Bland-White syndrome, is an extremely rare but potentially fatal congenital cardiovascular anomaly, and it often exists as an isolated condition. We hereby report an adult female who was admitted for mild chest discomfort and was accidentally diagnosed to have anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk. This anomaly was simply repaired by using a bovine pericardial patch to obliterate the anomalous opening in the pulmonary trunk and a single coronary artery bypass graft.

Designing an intelligent health monitoring system and exploring user acceptance for the elderly.

Recently, many healthcare or health monitoring systems are proposed to improve life quality of the elderly in the aging process. The elderly are generally with poor health and low information literacy. Low information literacy might be an obstacle of using such systems.

Research on a community-based platform for promoting health and physical fitness in the elderly community.

This study aims to assess the acceptability of a fitness testing platform (iFit) for installation in an assisted living community with the aim of promoting fitness and slowing the onset of frailty. The iFit platform develops a means of testing Bureau of Health Promotion mandated health assessment items for the elderly (including flexibility tests, grip strength tests, balance tests, and reaction time tests) and integrates wireless remote sensors in a game-like environment to capture and store subject response data, thus providing individuals in elderly care contexts with a greater awareness of their own physical condition. In this study, we specifically evaluated the users' intention of using the iFit using a technology acceptance model (TAM).

The iFit: an integrated physical fitness testing system to evaluate the degree of physical fitness of the elderly.

This paper presents an integrated physical fitness testing system (iFit) that evaluates the physical fitness of older adults. The intent of the test is to help them manage and promote their health and mitigate the effects of aging. National protocols of physical fitness were implemented to support the assessment.

A five-layer users' need hierarchy of computer input device selection: a contextual observation survey of computer users with cervical spinal injuries (CSI).

This article presents how the researcher goes about answering the research question, 'how assistive technology impacts computer use among individuals with cervical spinal cord injury?' through an in-depth investigation into the real-life situations among computer operators with cervical spinal cord injuries (CSI). An in-depth survey was carried out to provide an insight into the function abilities and limitation, habitual practice and preference, choices and utilisation of input devices, personal and/or technical assistance, environmental set-up and arrangements and special requirements among 20 experienced computer users with cervical spinal cord injuries. Following the survey findings, a five-layer CSI users' needs hierarchy of input device selection and use was proposed.

Dental adhesives--the foundation of esthetic dentistry.

The clinical success of adhesive restorations depends on knowing the materials and how they are used in indicated areas. This article is designed to help clinicians understand the various protocols that are best suited for different clinical cases by discussing contemporary dental adhesive systems. The article also presents rationales for selecting adhesive systems for specific cavity classes, highlights the working principles underlying each clinical procedure, and explains technique problems in dental adhesive procedures.