Monitoring of the human body and brain behavior using optical motion capture system and EEG utilizing horseback riding simulator: an extended case study

The effects of mechanical hippotherapy riding on postural control, balance, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with stroke

PURPOSED

This study aimed to investigate the effects of exercises by mechanical hippotherapy devices on postural control, balance, mobility, and Quality of Life in patients with stroke.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This was a randomized controlled clinical trial with a total of 30 which were randomly divided into two groups. The participants in the mechanical hippotherapy group (MHG) (n = 15) were given exercises with a mechanical hippotherapy device for 15 min in addition to intensive conventional treatments (45 min), while the control group (CG) (n = 15) received additional 15 min of postural control and balance exercises for five days per week for four consecutive weeks. The primary outcome was The Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Secondary outcomes were the Fugl-Meyer (FM) Rating Scale, Biodex Balance Measurement (BBM), Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) and quality of Life Short Form (SF-36).

RESULTS

In the MHG, FM-Lower extremity score (-6.4, p = 0.024), FM-Upper extremity score (-12.87, p = 0.013), TIS (-5.87, p = 0.04) and TUG (5.73, p = 0.027) improved statistically significant compared to CG.

CONCLUSION

Exercises using mechanical hippotherapy devices could improve postural control, functional mobility and balance in patients with stroke. It may also improve the quality of life.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03528993IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONNCT03528993It was concluded from our results that mechanical hippotherapy could be included in the treatment programs of stroke patients.

Optimized EEG based mood detection with signal processing and deep neural networks for brain-computer interface

Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a very promising and widely implemented procedure to study brain signals and activities by amplifying and measuring the post-synaptical potential arising from electrical impulses produced by neurons and detected by specialized electrodes attached to specific points in the scalp. It can be studied for detecting brain abnormalities, headaches, and other conditions. However, there are limited studies performed to establish a smart decision-making model to identify EEG's relation with the mood of the subject. In this experiment, EEG signals of 28 healthy human subjects have been observed with consent and attempts have been made to study and recognise moods. Savitzky-Golay band-pass filtering and Independent Component Analysis have been used for data filtration.Different neural network algorithms have been implemented to analyze and classify the EEG data based on the mood of the subject. The model is further optimised by the usage of Blackman window-based Fourier Transformation and extracting the most significant frequencies for each electrode. Using these techniques, up to 96.01% detection accuracy has been obtained.

Trunk Kinematics of Experienced Riders and Novice Riders During Rising Trot on a Riding Simulator

Asymmetry of horses and humans is widely acknowledged, but the influence of one upon the other during horse riding is poorly understood. Riding simulators are popular for education of beginners and analysis of rider biomechanics. This study compares trunk kinematics and saddle forces of 10 experienced riders (ER) and 10 novice riders (NR) performing rising trot on a simulator. Markers were placed on the 4th lumbar (L4) and 7th cervical (C7) spinous processes, and both acromion processes. Displacements in three axes of motion were tracked using 10 high-speed video cameras sampling at 240 Hz. Displacement trajectories at L4 and C7 were similar between both groups, displaying an asymmetrical butterfly pattern in the frontal plane, which reversed when changing diagonal. Comparison between groups, NR displayed greater vertical displacement and higher saddle impact forces at L4 (P = .034), greater amplitude of medio-lateral displacement on the right diagonal between C7 and L4, and on the right diagonal while seated they rotated left (acromion processes) while the ER rotated right. Within group comparison demonstrated that on the right diagonal both groups produced significantly greater medio-lateral displacement at L4, and NR displayed significantly greater medio-lateral displacement between C7 and L4. On the left diagonal NR produced significantly greater vertical displacement and higher saddle impact forces. The findings of this study suggest that ER were more stable, symmetrical, and had lower impact force on the saddle. These issues could be addressed in beginners using a simulator to avoid unnecessary stresses on horses.

Repeatability vs complexity: kinematic comparison between a dressage simulator and real horses

Riding simulators are designed to replicate movement of a horse for the purpose of assessment and training of horse riders, but little is known about their similarity in replicating movement of horses. This study tested the validity of a dressage simulator, by measuring cycle/stride duration, range and symmetry of displacement of the simulator and comparing displacement vectors to that of real horses trotting on a treadmill. A reflective marker was placed on the midline of the simulator at the estimated level of the 18th thoracic vertebrae (T18), and over the T18 spinous process of ten horses. The simulator displacement was recorded in trot mode, while the real horses trotted at a comfortable speed on a treadmill. Displacements in three axes of motion were measured using 10 high-speed video cameras sampling at 240 Hz. Correlation tests showed high levels of statistical repeatability and symmetry of the simulator between multiple runs. Mean cycle/stride duration of the simulator was significantly faster than the group of horses by 0.17 s. Significant differences between the simulator and horses were shown in overall displacement in two axes, the simulator displaying 70% greater displacement in the mediolateral axis, 22% greater displacement in the craniocaudal axis, but displaying 12% less movement in the dorsoventral axis, which was not statistically significant. Displacement trajectories showed similarities in the frontal plane, displaying a butterfly-shaped sequence, but clear differences in the sagittal plane, with the horses showing an oval pattern of displacement and the simulator a clear linear displacement. Caution must therefore be taken with assumptions that riders will move in the same way on a simulator as they would on a real horse.

Asymmetry and Tightness of Lower Limb Muscles in Equestrian Athletes: Are They Predictors for Back Pain?

Athletes may suffer from low back pain (LBP). Some studies have considered restricted range of motion (ROM) as a risk factor for LBP in athletes; however, ROM has not been evaluated in equestrian athletes (EAs) with LBP. The aims of this research in EAs were (I) to analyze the relationship between lower limb ROM (tightness and asymmetry) and LBP and (II) to determine the reference values for lower limb ROM indicating high risk of LBP. Forty-three young (9–18 years old) EAs were voluntarily recruited in technical training camps. The EAs were assessed for 11 passive lower limb ROMs using the ROM-SPORT I Battery. LBP data were taken at the end of a 1-year period through a questionnaire. Binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated. Sixty-seven percent of EA had suffered LBP. Hip adduction (OR = 1.347, medium; p = 0.015) and knee flexion (OR = 1.109, small; p = 0.023) were predictors of LBP in EAs. A hip adduction of 26° and knee flexion of 128° were found to be the optimal cutoff values for predictive screening of EAs at high risk of LBP.