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Smits-Engelsman B, Denysschen M, Lust J, Coetzee D, Valtr L, Schoemaker M, Verbecque E. Which outcomes are key to the pre-intervention assessment profile of a child with developmental coordination disorder? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Biomed J 2024:100768. [PMID: 39032866 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2024.100768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Purpose of this study was to determine what key aspects of function should be incorporated to make up a pre-intervention assessment profile of a child with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD); more specifically, what aspects of functioning are implicated in DCD and what is their relative impact? METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, for which Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus and Proquest were searched (last update: April 2023, PROSPERO: CRD42023461619). Case-control studies were included to determine point estimates for performances on field-based tests in different domains of functioning. Risk of bias was assessed, and level of evidence estimated. Random-effect meta-analyses were performed to calculate the pooled standardized mean differences for domains of functioning and subgrouping was done for clinically relevant subdomains. Heterogeneity was determined with I2. RESULTS 121 papers were included for analyses. Data of 5 923 children with DCD were included (59.8% boys) and 23 619 Typically Developing (TD) children (45.8% boys). The mean (SD) age of the DCD group was 10.3y (1.2) and 9.3y (1.3) for the TD children. Moderate evidence was found for motor performance, executive functions, sensory processing and perceptions, cognitive functions and sports and leisure activities to be affected in children with DCD. CONCLUSION Differences between the two groups varied per domain of functioning. This emphasizes the diversity present within children with DCD and provides a rationale for explaining the heterogeneity in this patient group. Yet, results highlight the potential involvement of all these domains and call for clinicians to be alert not only to examine motor skill difficulties but also other aspects of function. Results indicate the need to develop an individualized pre-intervention multi-dimensional assessment profile for each child with DCD. It also supports the important role that clinicians play in an interdisciplinary team to tackle the difficulties encountered by children with DCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bouwien Smits-Engelsman
- Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation, (PhASRec, focus area, Faculty Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa; Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Marisja Denysschen
- Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation, (PhASRec, focus area, Faculty Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Jessica Lust
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Dané Coetzee
- Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation, (PhASRec, focus area, Faculty Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Ludvik Valtr
- Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czechia
| | - Marina Schoemaker
- University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Centre for Human Movement Sciences, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Evi Verbecque
- Rehabilitation Research Centre (REVAL), Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
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Luo J, Huang H, Wang S, Yin S, Chen S, Guan L, Jiang X, He F, Zheng Y. A Wearable Diagnostic Assessment System vs. SNAP-IV for the auxiliary diagnosis of ADHD: a diagnostic test. BMC Psychiatry 2022; 22:415. [PMID: 35729503 PMCID: PMC9214968 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-04038-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We design a diagnostic test to evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of A non-intrusive Wearable Diagnostic Assessment System versus SNAP-IV for auxiliary diagnosis of children with ADHD. METHODS This study included 55 children aged 6-16 years who were clinically diagnosed with ADHD by DSM-5, and 55 healthy children (typically developing). Each subject completes 10 tasks on the WeDA system (Wearable Diagnostic Assessment System) and Parents of each subject complete the SNAP-IV scale. We will calculate the validity indexes, including sensitivity, specificity, Youden's index, likelihood ratio, and other indexes including predictive value, diagnostic odds ratio, diagnostic accuracy and area under the curve [AUC] to assess the effectiveness of the WeDA system as well as the SNAP-IV. RESULTS The sensitivity (94.55% vs. 76.36%) and the specificity (98.18% vs. 80.36%) of the WeDA system were significantly higher than the SNAP-IV. The AUC of the WeDA system (0.964) was higher than the SNAP-IV (0.907). There is non-statistically significant difference between groups (p = 0.068), and both of them have high diagnostic accuracy. In addition, the diagnostic efficacy of the WeDA system was higher than that of SNAP-IV in terms of the Youden index, diagnostic accuracy, likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio and predictive value. CONCLUSION The advantages of the WeDA system in terms of diagnostic objectivity, scientific design and ease of operation make it a promising system for widespread use in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Luo
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XThe National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital & the Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Huanhuan Huang
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XThe National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital & the Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XThe National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital & the Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shengjian Yin
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XThe National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital & the Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Sijian Chen
- grid.412449.e0000 0000 9678 1884China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lin Guan
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XThe National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital & the Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinlong Jiang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Institute of Computing Technology, CAS, Beijing, China
| | - Fan He
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital & the Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Yi Zheng
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital & the Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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Performance Index for in Home Assessment of Motion Abilities in Ataxia Telangiectasia: A Pilot Study. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12084093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Background. It has been shown in the very recent literature that human walking generates rhythmic motor patterns with hidden time harmonic structures that are represented (at the subject’s comfortable speed) by the occurrence of the golden ratio as the the ratio of the durations of specific walking gait subphases. Such harmonic proportions may be affected—partially or even totally destroyed—by several neurological and/or systemic disorders, thus drastically reducing the smooth, graceful, and melodic flow of movements and altering gait self-similarities. Aim. In this paper we aim at, preliminarily, showing the reliability of a technologically assisted methodology—performed with an easy to use wearable motion capture system—for the evaluation of motion abilities in Ataxia-Telangiectasia (AT), a rare infantile onset neurodegenerative disorder, whose typical neurological manifestations include progressive gait unbalance and the disturbance of motor coordination. Methods. Such an experimental methodology relies, for the first time, on the most recent accurate and objective outcome measures of gait recursivity and harmonicity and symmetry and double support subphase consistency, applied to three AT patients with different ranges of AT severity. Results. The quantification of the level of the distortions of harmonic temporal proportions is shown to include the qualitative evaluations of the three AT patients provided by clinicians. Conclusions. Easy to use wearable motion capture systems might be used to evaluate AT motion abilities through recursivity and harmonicity and symmetry (quantitative) outcome measures.
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Ricci M, Lazzaro GD, Errico V, Pisani A, Giannini F, Saggio G. The impact of wearable electronics in assessing the effectiveness of levodopa treatment in Parkinsons disease. IEEE J Biomed Health Inform 2022; 26:2920-2928. [PMID: 35316198 DOI: 10.1109/jbhi.2022.3160103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In order to evaluate Parkinson disease patients response to therapeutic interventions, sources of information are mainly patient reports and clinicians assessment of motor functions. However, these sources can suffer from patients subjectivity and from inter/intra raters score variability. Our work aimed at determining the impact of wearable electronics and data analysis in objectifying the effectiveness of levodopa treatment. METHODS Seven motor tasks performed by thirty-six patients were measured by wearable electronics and related data were analyzed. This was at the time of therapy initiation (T0), and repeated after six (T1) and 12 months (T2). Wearable electronics consisted of inertial measurement units each equipped with 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope, while data analysis of ANOVA and Pearson correlation algorithms, in addition to a support vector machine (SVM) classification. RESULTS According to our findings, levodopa-based therapy alters the patients conditions in general, ameliorating something (e.g. bradykinesia), leaving unchanged others (e.g. tremor), but with poor correlation to the levodopa dose. CONCLUSION A technology-based approach can objectively assess levodopa-based therapy effectiveness. SIGNIFICANCE Novel devices can improve the accuracy of the assessment of motor function, by integrating the clinical evaluation and patient reports.
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Iosa M, Verrelli CM, Gentile AE, Ruggieri M, Polizzi A. Gaming Technology for Pediatric Neurorehabilitation: A Systematic Review. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:775356. [PMID: 35155305 PMCID: PMC8832052 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.775356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The emergence of gaming technologies, such as videogames and virtual reality, provides a wide variety of possibilities in intensively and enjoyably performing rehabilitation for children with neurological disorders. Solid evidence-based results are however required to promote the use of different gaming technologies in pediatric neurorehabilitation, while simultaneously exploring new related directions concerning neuro-monitoring and rehabilitation in familiar settings. AIM OF THE STUDY AND METHODS In order to analyze the state of the art regarding the available gaming technologies for pediatric neurorehabilitation, Scopus and Pubmed Databases have been searched by following: PRISMA statements, PICOs classification, and PEDro scoring. RESULTS 43 studies have been collected and classified as follows: 11 feasibility studies; six studies proposing home-system solutions; nine studies presenting gamified robotic devices; nine longitudinal intervention trials; and eight reviews. Most of them rely on feasibility or pilot trials characterized by small sample sizes and short durations; different methodologies, outcome assessments and terminologies are involved; the explored spectrum of neurological conditions turns out to be scanty, mainly including the most common and wider debilitating groups of conditions in pediatric neurology: cerebral palsy, brain injuries and autism. CONCLUSION Even though it highlights reduced possibilities of drawing evidence-based conclusions due to the above outlined biases, this systematic review raises awareness among pediatricians and other health professionals about gaming technologies. Such a review also points out a definite need of rigorous studies that clearly refer to the underlying neuroscientific principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Iosa
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS) Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Amalia Egle Gentile
- National Centre for Rare Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Martino Ruggieri
- Unit of Rare Diseases of the Nervous System in Childhood, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Agata Polizzi
- Department of Educational Science, Chair of Pediatrics, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Technology-based therapy-response and prognostic biomarkers in a prospective study of a de novo Parkinson's disease cohort. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2021; 7:82. [PMID: 34535672 PMCID: PMC8448861 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-021-00227-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Early noninvasive reliable biomarkers are among the major unmet needs in Parkinson's disease (PD) to monitor therapy response and disease progression. Objective measures of motor performances could allow phenotyping of subtle, undetectable, early stage motor impairments of PD patients. This work aims at identifying prognostic biomarkers in newly diagnosed PD patients and quantifying therapy-response. Forty de novo PD patients underwent clinical and technology-based kinematic assessments performing motor tasks (MDS-UPDRS part III) to assess tremor, bradykinesia, gait, and postural stability (T0). A visit after 6 months (T1) and a clinical and kinematic assessment after 12 months (T2) where scheduled. A clinical follow-up was provided between 30 and 36 months after the diagnosis (T3). We performed an ANOVA for repeated measures to compare patients' kinematic features at baseline and at T2 to assess therapy response. Pearson correlation test was run between baseline kinematic features and UPDRS III score variation between T0 and T3, to select candidate kinematic prognostic biomarkers. A multiple linear regression model was created to predict the long-term motor outcome using T0 kinematic measures. All motor tasks significantly improved after the dopamine replacement therapy. A significant correlation was found between UPDRS scores variation and some baseline bradykinesia (toe tapping amplitude decrement, p = 0.009) and gait features (velocity of arms and legs, sit-to-stand time, p = 0.007; p = 0.009; p = 0.01, respectively). A linear regression model including four baseline kinematic features could significantly predict the motor outcome (p = 0.000214). Technology-based objective measures represent possible early and reproducible therapy-response and prognostic biomarkers.
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Verrelli CM, Iosa M, Roselli P, Pisani A, Giannini F, Saggio G. Generalized Finite-Length Fibonacci Sequences in Healthy and Pathological Human Walking: Comprehensively Assessing Recursivity, Asymmetry, Consistency, Self-Similarity, and Variability of Gaits. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:649533. [PMID: 34434095 PMCID: PMC8381873 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.649533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Healthy and pathological human walking are here interpreted, from a temporal point of view, by means of dynamics-on-graph concepts and generalized finite-length Fibonacci sequences. Such sequences, in their most general definition, concern two sets of eight specific time intervals for the newly defined composite gait cycle, which involves two specific couples of overlapping (left and right) gait cycles. The role of the golden ratio, whose occurrence has been experimentally found in the recent literature, is accordingly characterized, without resorting to complex tools from linear algebra. Gait recursivity, self-similarity, and asymmetry (including double support sub-phase consistency) are comprehensively captured. A new gait index, named Φ-bonacci gait number, and a new related experimental conjecture—concerning the position of the foot relative to the tibia—are concurrently proposed. Experimental results on healthy or pathological gaits support the theoretical derivations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marco Iosa
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Laboratory for the Study of Mind and Action in Rehabilitation Technologies, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Roselli
- Department of Mathematics of University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,Institut de Recherche en Mathématique et Physique, Universite' Catholique de Louvain, Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Antonio Pisani
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientific Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Franco Giannini
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Saggio
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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Pallotti A, Orengo G, Saggio G. Measurements comparison of finger joint angles in hand postures between an sEMG armband and a sensory glove. Biocybern Biomed Eng 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbe.2021.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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9
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Clark CCT, Bisi MC, Duncan MJ, Stagni R. Technology-based methods for the assessment of fine and gross motor skill in children: A systematic overview of available solutions and future steps for effective in-field use. J Sports Sci 2021; 39:1236-1276. [PMID: 33588689 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2020.1864984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The present review aims at providing researchers and practitioners with a holistic overview of technology-based methods for the assessment of fine and gross motor skill in children. We conducted a search of electronic databases using Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar, including studies published up to March 2020, that assessed fine and/or gross motor skills, and utilized technological assessment of varying study design. A total of 739 papers were initially retrieved, and after title/abstract screening, removal of duplicates, and full-text screening, 47 were included. Results suggest that motor skills can be quantitatively estimated using objective methods based on a wearable- and/or laboratory-based technology, for typically developing (TD) and non-TD children. Fine motor skill assessment solutions were; force transducers, instrumented tablets and pens, surface electromyography, and optoelectronic systems. Gross motor skill assessment solutions were; inertial measurements units, optoelectronic systems, baropodometric mats, and force platforms. This review provides a guide in identifying and evaluating the plethora of available technological solutions to motor skill assessment. Although promising, there is still a need for large-scale studies to validate these approaches in terms of accuracy, repeatability, and usability, where interdisciplinary collaborations between researchers and practitioners and transparent reporting practices should be advocated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cain C T Clark
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, UK.,Warwickshire InStitute for Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
| | - Maria Cristina Bisi
- Department of Electric, Electronic and Information Engineering "Guglielmo Marconi" - DEI, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michael J Duncan
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
| | - Rita Stagni
- Department of Electric, Electronic and Information Engineering "Guglielmo Marconi" - DEI, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Chiappara C, Campisciano V, Arrabito G, Errico V, Saggio G, Buscarino G, Scopelliti M, Gruttadauria M, Giacalone F, Pignataro B. Bending Sensors Based on Thin Films of Semitransparent Bithiophene‐Fulleropyrrolidine Bisadducts. Chempluschem 2020; 85:2455-2464. [DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202000526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Chiappara
- Department of Physics and Chemistry Emilio Segrè, and INSTM-UdR University of Palermo Building 17, Viale delle Scienze Palermo 90128 Italy
| | - Vincenzo Campisciano
- Department of Biological Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies University of Palermo Building 17, Viale delle Scienze Palermo 90128 Italy
| | - Giuseppe Arrabito
- Department of Physics and Chemistry -Emilio Segrè University of Palermo Building 17 Viale delle Scienze Palermo 90128 Italy
| | - Vito Errico
- Department of Electronic Engineering University of Roma “Tor Vergata” Via del Politecnico 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Giovanni Saggio
- Department of Electronic Engineering University of Roma “Tor Vergata” Via del Politecnico 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Gianpiero Buscarino
- Department of Physics and Chemistry -Emilio Segrè University of Palermo Building 17 Viale delle Scienze Palermo 90128 Italy
| | - Michelangelo Scopelliti
- Department of Physics and Chemistry -Emilio Segrè University of Palermo Building 17 Viale delle Scienze Palermo 90128 Italy
| | - Michelangelo Gruttadauria
- Department of Biological Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies University of Palermo Building 17, Viale delle Scienze Palermo 90128 Italy
| | - Francesco Giacalone
- Department of Biological Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies University of Palermo Building 17, Viale delle Scienze Palermo 90128 Italy
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Department of Physics and Chemistry -Emilio Segrè University of Palermo Building 17 Viale delle Scienze Palermo 90128 Italy
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Ruscello B, Esposito M, Siligato G, Lunetta L, Marcelli L, Pantanella L, Gabrielli PR, D'ottavio S. Gender differences in instep soccer kicking biomechanics, investigated through a 3D human motion tracker system. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2020; 60:1072-1080. [PMID: 32955833 DOI: 10.23736/s0022-4707.20.10676-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aims at describing and comparing each other male and female soccer players kicking instep a stationary ball. The different measures we collected by the 3D motion capture system Movit G1 and the High-Speed Camera (240 fps) were considered as dependent variables, whereas the gender was considered as the independent one. METHODS Twenty soccer well trained non-professional players: 10 men (age: 25.3±6.5 yrs; height 1.80±0.07 m; body mass 76.9±13.2 kg) and 10 women (age: 19±3.34 yrs; height 1.64±0.07 m; body mass 58.2±7.2 kg) volunteered to participate in the study. RESULTS Gender differences were found, with a statistical significance (P<0.05) or interesting magnitude (Cohen d>0.5). The most relevant ones were the differences in hip extension of the kicking leg when the foot of the supporting one touches the ground, just before the impact on the ball (independent sample t-Test; P=0.03; Cohen d=1.64) and the speed of the ball, reached immediately after kicking (P<0.001;d=1.23). CONCLUSIONS These results, together with the greater pelvic acceleration shown by men compared to women, highlight the need to develop a gender-differentiated training model, in order to customize the kicking technique in women and to reduce the likelihood, currently higher than for men, of kicking related injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Ruscello
- School of Sport Sciences and Exercise, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy - .,School of Sports and Exercise Sciences, San Raffaele University, Rome, Italy - .,Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy - .,LUISS SportLab, LUISS University, Rome, Italy -
| | - Mario Esposito
- School of Sport Sciences and Exercise, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Siligato
- School of Sport Sciences and Exercise, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Lunetta
- School of Sport Sciences and Exercise, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy.,Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Marcelli
- School of Sport Sciences and Exercise, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Pantanella
- School of Sport Sciences and Exercise, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo R Gabrielli
- School of Sport Sciences and Exercise, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy.,LUISS SportLab, LUISS University, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano D'ottavio
- School of Sport Sciences and Exercise, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy.,LUISS SportLab, LUISS University, Rome, Italy.,Department of Clinical Science and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
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12
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Saggio G, Cavallo P, Ricci M, Errico V, Zea J, Benalcázar ME. Sign Language Recognition Using Wearable Electronics: Implementing k-Nearest Neighbors with Dynamic Time Warping and Convolutional Neural Network Algorithms. SENSORS 2020; 20:s20143879. [PMID: 32664586 PMCID: PMC7411686 DOI: 10.3390/s20143879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We propose a sign language recognition system based on wearable electronics and two different classification algorithms. The wearable electronics were made of a sensory glove and inertial measurement units to gather fingers, wrist, and arm/forearm movements. The classifiers were k-Nearest Neighbors with Dynamic Time Warping (that is a non-parametric method) and Convolutional Neural Networks (that is a parametric method). Ten sign-words were considered from the Italian Sign Language: cose, grazie, maestra, together with words with international meaning such as google, internet, jogging, pizza, television, twitter, and ciao. The signs were repeated one-hundred times each by seven people, five male and two females, aged 29–54 y ± 10.34 (SD). The adopted classifiers performed with an accuracy of 96.6% ± 3.4 (SD) for the k-Nearest Neighbors plus the Dynamic Time Warping and of 98.0% ± 2.0 (SD) for the Convolutional Neural Networks. Our system was made of wearable electronics among the most complete ones, and the classifiers top performed in comparison with other relevant works reported in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Saggio
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Pietro Cavallo
- Data Analysis Group, MathWorks, Matrix House, Cambridge Business Park, Cambridge CB4 0HH, UK;
| | - Mariachiara Ricci
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Vito Errico
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.S.); (M.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Jonathan Zea
- Department of Informatics and Computer Science, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito 170517, Ecuador; (M.E.B.); (J.Z.)
| | - Marco E. Benalcázar
- Department of Informatics and Computer Science, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito 170517, Ecuador; (M.E.B.); (J.Z.)
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Di Lazzaro G, Ricci M, Al-Wardat M, Schirinzi T, Scalise S, Giannini F, Mercuri NB, Saggio G, Pisani A. Technology-Based Objective Measures Detect Subclinical Axial Signs in Untreated, de novo Parkinson's Disease. JOURNAL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2020; 10:113-122. [PMID: 31594252 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-191758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Technology-based objective measures (TOMs) recently gained relevance to support clinicians in the assessment of motor function in Parkinson's disease (PD), although limited data are available in the early phases. OBJECTIVE To assess motor performances of a population of newly diagnosed, drug free PD patients using wearable inertial sensors and to compare them to healthy controls (HC) and differentiate different PD subtypes [tremor dominant (TD), postural instability gait disability (PIGD), and mixed phenotype (MP)]. METHODS We enrolled 65 subjects, 36 newly diagnosed, drug-free PD patients and 29 HCs. PD patients were clinically defined as tremor dominant, postural instability-gait difficulties or mixed phenotype. All 65 subjects performed seven MDS-UPDRS III motor tasks wearing inertial sensors: rest tremor, postural tremor, rapid alternating hand movement, foot tapping, heel-to-toe tapping, Timed-Up-and-Go test (TUG) and pull test. The most relevant motor tasks were found combining ReliefF ranking and Kruskal- Wallis feature-selection methods. We used these features, linked to the relevant motor tasks, to highlight differences between PD from HC, by means of Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier. Furthermore, we adopted SVM to support the relevance of each motor task on the classification accuracy, excluding one task at time. RESULTS Motion analysis distinguished PD from HC with an accuracy as high as 97%, based on SVM performed with measured features from tremor and bradykinesia items, pull test and TUG. Heel-to-toe test was the most relevant, followed by TUG and Pull Test. CONCLUSIONS In this pilot study, we demonstrate that the SVM algorithm successfully distinguishes de novo drug-free PD patients from HC. Surprisingly, pull test and TUG tests provided relevant features for obtaining high SVM classification accuracy, differing from the report of the experienced examiner. The use of TOMs may improve diagnostic accuracy for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Di Lazzaro
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariachiara Ricci
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Mohammad Al-Wardat
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Tommaso Schirinzi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Scalise
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Giannini
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola B Mercuri
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Santa Lucia Foundation, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Saggio
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Pisani
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Santa Lucia Foundation, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Ricci M, Di Lazzaro G, Pisani A, Scalise S, Alwardat M, Salimei C, Giannini F, Saggio G. Wearable Electronics Assess the Effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Balance and Gait in Parkinson's Disease Patients. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 19:E5465. [PMID: 31835822 PMCID: PMC6960759 DOI: 10.3390/s19245465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Currently, clinical evaluation represents the primary outcome measure in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, clinical evaluation may underscore some subtle motor impairments, hidden from the visual inspection of examiners. Technology-based objective measures are more frequently utilized to assess motor performance and objectively measure motor dysfunction. Gait and balance impairments, frequent complications in later disease stages, are poorly responsive to classic dopamine-replacement therapy. Although recent findings suggest that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can have a role in improving motor skills, there is scarce evidence for this, especially considering the difficulty to objectively assess motor function. Therefore, we used wearable electronics to measure motor abilities, and further evaluated the gait and balance features of 10 PD patients, before and (three days and one month) after the tDCS. To assess patients' abilities, we adopted six motor tasks, obtaining 72 meaningful motor features. According to the obtained results, wearable electronics demonstrated to be a valuable tool to measure the treatment response. Meanwhile the improvements from tDCS on gait and balance abilities of PD patients demonstrated to be generally partial and selective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariachiara Ricci
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.R.); (F.G.)
| | - Giulia Di Lazzaro
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.D.L.); (A.P.); (S.S.); (M.A.); (C.S.)
| | - Antonio Pisani
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.D.L.); (A.P.); (S.S.); (M.A.); (C.S.)
| | - Simona Scalise
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.D.L.); (A.P.); (S.S.); (M.A.); (C.S.)
| | - Mohammad Alwardat
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.D.L.); (A.P.); (S.S.); (M.A.); (C.S.)
| | - Chiara Salimei
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.D.L.); (A.P.); (S.S.); (M.A.); (C.S.)
| | - Franco Giannini
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.R.); (F.G.)
| | - Giovanni Saggio
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.R.); (F.G.)
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15
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Ricci M, Di Lazzaro G, Pisani A, Mercuri NB, Giannini F, Saggio G. Assessment of Motor Impairments in Early Untreated Parkinson's Disease Patients: The Wearable Electronics Impact. IEEE J Biomed Health Inform 2019; 24:120-130. [PMID: 30843855 DOI: 10.1109/jbhi.2019.2903627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The complex nature of Parkinson's disease (PD) makes difficult to rate its severity, mainly based on the visual inspection of motor impairments. Wearable sensors have been demonstrated to help overcoming such a difficulty, by providing objective measures of motor abnormalities. However, up to now, those sensors have been used on advanced PD patients with evident motor impairment. As a novelty, here we report the impact of wearable sensors in the evaluation of motor abnormalities in newly diagnosed, untreated, namely de novo, patients. METHODS A network of wearable sensors was used to measure motor capabilities, in 30 de novo PD patients and 30 healthy subjects, while performing five motor tasks. Measurement data were used to determine motor features useful to highlight impairments and were compared with the corresponding clinical scores. Three classifiers were used to differentiate PD from healthy subjects. RESULTS Motor features gathered from wearable sensors showed a high degree of significance in discriminating the early untreated de novo PD patients from the healthy subjects, with 95% accuracy. The rates of severity obtained from the measured features are partially in agreement with the clinical scores, with some highlighted, though justified, exceptions. CONCLUSION Our findings support the feasibility of adopting wearable sensors in the detection of motor anomalies in early, untreated, PD patients. SIGNIFICANCE This work demonstrates that subtle motor impairments, occurring in de novo patients, can be evidenced by means of wearable sensors, providing clinicians with instrumental tools as suitable supports for early diagnosis, and subsequent management.
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