The measurement of tibial acceleration in runners. A review of the factors that can affect tibial acceleration during running and evidence based guidelines for its use

Publication date: Available online 14 September 2018

Source: Gait & Posture

Author(s): Kelly R. Sheerin, Duncan Reid, Thor F. Besier

Abstract

Background

Impact loading in runners, assessed by the measurement of tibial acceleration, has attracted substantial research attention. Due to potential injury links, particularly tibial fatigue fractures, tibial acceleration is also used as a clinical monitoring metric. There are contributing factors and potential limitations that must be considered before widespread implementation.

Aim

The objective of this review is to update current knowledge of the measurement of tibial acceleration in runners and to provide recommendations for those intending on using this measurement device in research or clinical practice.

Methods

Literature relating to the measurement of tibial acceleration in steady-state running was searched. A narrative approach synthesised the information from papers written in English. A range of literature was identified documenting the selection and placement of accelerometers, the analysis of data, and the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

Results and discussion

Tibial acceleration is a proxy measurement for the impact forces experienced at the tibia commonly used by clinicians and researchers. There is an assumption that this measure is related to bone stress and strain, however this is yet to be proven. Multi-axis devices should be secured firmly to the tibia to limit movement relative to the underlying bone and enable quantification of all components of acceleration. Additional frequency analyses could be useful to provide a more thorough characterisation of the signal.

Conclusions

Tibial accelerations are clearly affected by running technique, running velocity, lower extremity stiffness, as well as surface and footwear compliance. The interrelationships between muscle pre-activation and fatigue, stiffness, effective mass and tibial acceleration still require further investigation, as well as how changes in these variables impact on injury risk.

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Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Coordination Disorder, and typical development differ in characteristics of dynamic postural control: a preliminary study

Publication date: Available online 14 September 2018

Source: Gait & Posture

Author(s): Haylie L. Miller, Priscila Caçola, Gabriela Sherrod, Rita M. Patterson, Nicoleta L. Bugnariu

Abstract

Background

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) are developmental disorders with distinct definitions and symptoms. However, both conditions share difficulties with motor skills, including impairments in postural control. While studies have explored postural sway variables in children with DCD and ASD as compared to typical development (TD), few have used kinematic data to assess the magnitude of differences between these two neurodevelopmental conditions. There are few sensitive and specific measures available to assess balance impairment severity in these populations.

Research Question

Do individuals with ASD, DCD, and TD differ in dynamic postural control?

Methods

We quantified postural control differences between ASD, DCD, and TD during a dynamic balance task. 10 ASD, 10 DCD, and 8 TD agematched children completed a dynamic postural control task in a virtual environment. They leaned to shift their center of pressure (CoP) to match a user-controlled object to an oscillating target (0.1 Hz-0.8 Hz).

Results

The DCD group had higher CoP accelerations compared to ASD or TD. While the DCD and TD groups did not differ in their medial-lateral velocity, the ASD group had low medial-lateral velocity and acceleration as compared to DCD and TD. ASD group velocity and acceleration did not differ from that of the TD group in the anterior-posterior direction. Higher accelerations in the DCD group reflected non-fluid movements; by contrast, the ASD group had slower, more fluid movements. Results may reflect differences in how children with ASD and DCD plan, execute, and modify motor actions.

Significance

This study demonstrates the potential utility of CoP acceleration and velocity as a sensitive and specific means of differentiating between ASD, DCD, and TD. Results indicating group differences between ASD and DCD in velocity and acceleration profiles represent an important step toward understanding how these populations modify motor plans during dynamic tasks.

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The measurement of tibial acceleration in runners. A review of the factors that can affect tibial acceleration during running and evidence based guidelines for its use

Publication date: Available online 14 September 2018

Source: Gait & Posture

Author(s): Kelly R. Sheerin, Duncan Reid, Thor F. Besier

Abstract

Background

Impact loading in runners, assessed by the measurement of tibial acceleration, has attracted substantial research attention. Due to potential injury links, particularly tibial fatigue fractures, tibial acceleration is also used as a clinical monitoring metric. There are contributing factors and potential limitations that must be considered before widespread implementation.

Aim

The objective of this review is to update current knowledge of the measurement of tibial acceleration in runners and to provide recommendations for those intending on using this measurement device in research or clinical practice.

Methods

Literature relating to the measurement of tibial acceleration in steady-state running was searched. A narrative approach synthesised the information from papers written in English. A range of literature was identified documenting the selection and placement of accelerometers, the analysis of data, and the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

Results and discussion

Tibial acceleration is a proxy measurement for the impact forces experienced at the tibia commonly used by clinicians and researchers. There is an assumption that this measure is related to bone stress and strain, however this is yet to be proven. Multi-axis devices should be secured firmly to the tibia to limit movement relative to the underlying bone and enable quantification of all components of acceleration. Additional frequency analyses could be useful to provide a more thorough characterisation of the signal.

Conclusions

Tibial accelerations are clearly affected by running technique, running velocity, lower extremity stiffness, as well as surface and footwear compliance. The interrelationships between muscle pre-activation and fatigue, stiffness, effective mass and tibial acceleration still require further investigation, as well as how changes in these variables impact on injury risk.

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Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Coordination Disorder, and typical development differ in characteristics of dynamic postural control: a preliminary study

Publication date: Available online 14 September 2018

Source: Gait & Posture

Author(s): Haylie L. Miller, Priscila Caçola, Gabriela Sherrod, Rita M. Patterson, Nicoleta L. Bugnariu

Abstract

Background

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) are developmental disorders with distinct definitions and symptoms. However, both conditions share difficulties with motor skills, including impairments in postural control. While studies have explored postural sway variables in children with DCD and ASD as compared to typical development (TD), few have used kinematic data to assess the magnitude of differences between these two neurodevelopmental conditions. There are few sensitive and specific measures available to assess balance impairment severity in these populations.

Research Question

Do individuals with ASD, DCD, and TD differ in dynamic postural control?

Methods

We quantified postural control differences between ASD, DCD, and TD during a dynamic balance task. 10 ASD, 10 DCD, and 8 TD agematched children completed a dynamic postural control task in a virtual environment. They leaned to shift their center of pressure (CoP) to match a user-controlled object to an oscillating target (0.1 Hz-0.8 Hz).

Results

The DCD group had higher CoP accelerations compared to ASD or TD. While the DCD and TD groups did not differ in their medial-lateral velocity, the ASD group had low medial-lateral velocity and acceleration as compared to DCD and TD. ASD group velocity and acceleration did not differ from that of the TD group in the anterior-posterior direction. Higher accelerations in the DCD group reflected non-fluid movements; by contrast, the ASD group had slower, more fluid movements. Results may reflect differences in how children with ASD and DCD plan, execute, and modify motor actions.

Significance

This study demonstrates the potential utility of CoP acceleration and velocity as a sensitive and specific means of differentiating between ASD, DCD, and TD. Results indicating group differences between ASD and DCD in velocity and acceleration profiles represent an important step toward understanding how these populations modify motor plans during dynamic tasks.

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A real-time silent speech system for voice restoration after total laryngectomy

Publication date: Available online 14 September 2018

Source: Revista de Logopedia, Foniatría y Audiología

Author(s): Jose A. Gonzalez, Phil D. Green

Abstract

Background and aim

Individuals who have lost their voice following a laryngectomy as a treatment for cancer will inevitably struggle with their daily communication. Unfortunately, the current methods for speaking after laryngectomy all have limitations, either because of the poor acoustics generated by these methods or because they are potentially harmful. The aim of this work is thus to explore an alternative method for post-laryngectomy voice restoration in which the movement of the intact articulators is captured and then converted into audible speech using machine learning techniques.

Materials and methods

To demonstrate the feasibility of speech generation from captured articulator movement, 6 healthy adults were recruited. For each subject, both the speech acoustics and the subject's articulator movements were recorded simultaneously. Articulator movements were captured using a technique known as permanent magnet articulography (PMA), in which small magnets are attached to the articulators (typically tongue and lips) and the magnetic field generated by the magnets is captured with sensors located close to the mouth. Deep artificial neural networks were then used to model the mapping between the sensor data and the speech acoustics, thus, enabling the synthesis of speech from captured articulatory data.

Results

The proposed silent speech system is able to generate speech that sounds natural, resembles the subject's own voice and is fairly intelligible (up to 92% intelligibility for some speakers on a phonetically-rich corpus).

Conclusions

With further research, the proposed system could in future be a real option to restore lost voice after laryngectomy.

Resumen

Antecedentes y objetivo

Aquellas personas que han perdido su voz después de una laringectomía se ven limitadas irremediablemente en su comunicación diaria. A pesar de existir en la actualidad métodos para recuperar el habla tras la laringectomía, todos ellos presentan limitaciones. El objetivo de este trabajo es explorar un método alternativo para hablar tras la laringectomía, en el que el movimiento de los órganos de la voz se transforma en una señal acústica utilizando técnicas de aprendizaje automático.

Materiales y métodos

En esta investigación participaron 6 adultos sanos. Para cada sujeto se grabó tanto su voz como los movimientos de sus labios y lengua. Los movimientos de los órganos del habla fueron capturados usando una técnica conocida como Articulografía de Imán Permanente (PMA), en la cual pequeños imanes se colocan sobre estos órganos y el campo magnético generado por los imanes se captura usando unos sensores sensibles al campo magnético. Se utilizaron redes neuronales artificiales profundas para modelar la transformación entre los datos de los sensores y la acústica de la voz.

Resultados

El sistema de habla silenciosa propuesto es capaz de generar voz que suena natural, se asemeja a la propia voz del sujeto y es inteligible (hasta un 92% de inteligibilidad para algunos sujetos).

Conclusiones

El sistema propuesto podría ser en el futuro una opción viable para restaurar la voz tras una laringectomía total.

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Fiabilidad y validez del cuestionario observacional de las conductas de alimentación en neonatos prematuros (COCANP)

Publication date: Available online 14 September 2018

Source: Revista de Logopedia, Foniatría y Audiología

Author(s): Andrea Vallés-Sasot, Josep Vila-Rovira, Óscar García-Algar, Mercè Casanovas-Pagès

Resumen

Objetivo

Es conocida la preocupación por las dificultades de alimentación en neonatos prematuros. Con el objetivo de disponer de un instrumento que recoja las características y severidad de dichas dificultades, se ha diseñado un cuestionario observacional de conductas alimentarias y se ha estudiado su fiabilidad y validez.

Material y métodos

Para el diseño del cuestionario se han consultado las principales referencias actualizadas. Se ha definido un cuestionario formado por 8 apartados: historia clínica, características orofaciales, características intraorales, sensibilidad, reflejos orales, respiración, alimentación y características de la alimentación. Se observó el comportamiento alimentario de una muestra de 100 neonatos en el Hospital Clínic-Maternitat de Barcelona.

Resultados

Los resultados mostraron una buena fiabilidad del cuestionario presentando un valor alfa de Cronbach de .891 y una correlación con el test Apgar de .63. Así como el conjunto de apartados, en los que encontramos correlaciones positivas que oscilan entre un .38 y un .54. Con el objetivo de valorar la sensibilidad se ha calculado el estadístico ANOVA de cada uno de los apartados y del total para cada nivel de prematuridad. Se han encontrado diferencias significativas en todos los apartados del cuestionario. Por último, para valorar la capacidad discriminativa del cuestionario COCANP con relación a los bebés prematuros o a término, se calculó el área bajo curva con un resultado de .979, que consideramos muy alto.

Conclusión

El cuestionario COCANP se ha evidenciado como un instrumento fiable y de validez para las características de los patrones de alimentación del bebé prematuro.

Abstract

Objective

There is a known concern about feeding difficulties in preterm infants. In order to have an instrument that collects the characteristics and severity of these difficulties, an observational questionnaire on feeding behaviors has been designed and its reliability and validity have been examined.

Material and methods

The main updated references were consulted for the design of the protocol. A questionnaire has been defined consisting of 8 sections: medical history, orofacial features, intraoral features, sensitivity, oral reflexes, breathing, feeding and feeding features.

The feeding behavior of a sample of 100 neonates was observed in the Hospital Clínic-Maternitat de Barcelona.

Results

The results showed a good reliability of the questionnaire presenting a score of Cronbach's Alpha of .891 and a correlation with the Apgar test of .63, as well as the set of sections, in which we find positive correlations that range between .38 and .54. In order to assess sensitivity, the ANOVA statistic for each of the sections and the total for each level of prematurity has been calculated. Significant differences have been found in all the sections of the questionnaire. Finally, to assess the discriminative capacity of the COCANP questionnaire in connection with premature or full-term babies, the area under the curve was calculated with a result of .979, which we consider very high.

Conclusion

The COCANP questionnaire has proven to be a reliable and valid tool for the features of the premature baby's feeding patterns.

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A real-time silent speech system for voice restoration after total laryngectomy

Publication date: Available online 14 September 2018

Source: Revista de Logopedia, Foniatría y Audiología

Author(s): Jose A. Gonzalez, Phil D. Green

Abstract

Background and aim

Individuals who have lost their voice following a laryngectomy as a treatment for cancer will inevitably struggle with their daily communication. Unfortunately, the current methods for speaking after laryngectomy all have limitations, either because of the poor acoustics generated by these methods or because they are potentially harmful. The aim of this work is thus to explore an alternative method for post-laryngectomy voice restoration in which the movement of the intact articulators is captured and then converted into audible speech using machine learning techniques.

Materials and methods

To demonstrate the feasibility of speech generation from captured articulator movement, 6 healthy adults were recruited. For each subject, both the speech acoustics and the subject's articulator movements were recorded simultaneously. Articulator movements were captured using a technique known as permanent magnet articulography (PMA), in which small magnets are attached to the articulators (typically tongue and lips) and the magnetic field generated by the magnets is captured with sensors located close to the mouth. Deep artificial neural networks were then used to model the mapping between the sensor data and the speech acoustics, thus, enabling the synthesis of speech from captured articulatory data.

Results

The proposed silent speech system is able to generate speech that sounds natural, resembles the subject's own voice and is fairly intelligible (up to 92% intelligibility for some speakers on a phonetically-rich corpus).

Conclusions

With further research, the proposed system could in future be a real option to restore lost voice after laryngectomy.

Resumen

Antecedentes y objetivo

Aquellas personas que han perdido su voz después de una laringectomía se ven limitadas irremediablemente en su comunicación diaria. A pesar de existir en la actualidad métodos para recuperar el habla tras la laringectomía, todos ellos presentan limitaciones. El objetivo de este trabajo es explorar un método alternativo para hablar tras la laringectomía, en el que el movimiento de los órganos de la voz se transforma en una señal acústica utilizando técnicas de aprendizaje automático.

Materiales y métodos

En esta investigación participaron 6 adultos sanos. Para cada sujeto se grabó tanto su voz como los movimientos de sus labios y lengua. Los movimientos de los órganos del habla fueron capturados usando una técnica conocida como Articulografía de Imán Permanente (PMA), en la cual pequeños imanes se colocan sobre estos órganos y el campo magnético generado por los imanes se captura usando unos sensores sensibles al campo magnético. Se utilizaron redes neuronales artificiales profundas para modelar la transformación entre los datos de los sensores y la acústica de la voz.

Resultados

El sistema de habla silenciosa propuesto es capaz de generar voz que suena natural, se asemeja a la propia voz del sujeto y es inteligible (hasta un 92% de inteligibilidad para algunos sujetos).

Conclusiones

El sistema propuesto podría ser en el futuro una opción viable para restaurar la voz tras una laringectomía total.

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Fiabilidad y validez del cuestionario observacional de las conductas de alimentación en neonatos prematuros (COCANP)

Publication date: Available online 14 September 2018

Source: Revista de Logopedia, Foniatría y Audiología

Author(s): Andrea Vallés-Sasot, Josep Vila-Rovira, Óscar García-Algar, Mercè Casanovas-Pagès

Resumen

Objetivo

Es conocida la preocupación por las dificultades de alimentación en neonatos prematuros. Con el objetivo de disponer de un instrumento que recoja las características y severidad de dichas dificultades, se ha diseñado un cuestionario observacional de conductas alimentarias y se ha estudiado su fiabilidad y validez.

Material y métodos

Para el diseño del cuestionario se han consultado las principales referencias actualizadas. Se ha definido un cuestionario formado por 8 apartados: historia clínica, características orofaciales, características intraorales, sensibilidad, reflejos orales, respiración, alimentación y características de la alimentación. Se observó el comportamiento alimentario de una muestra de 100 neonatos en el Hospital Clínic-Maternitat de Barcelona.

Resultados

Los resultados mostraron una buena fiabilidad del cuestionario presentando un valor alfa de Cronbach de .891 y una correlación con el test Apgar de .63. Así como el conjunto de apartados, en los que encontramos correlaciones positivas que oscilan entre un .38 y un .54. Con el objetivo de valorar la sensibilidad se ha calculado el estadístico ANOVA de cada uno de los apartados y del total para cada nivel de prematuridad. Se han encontrado diferencias significativas en todos los apartados del cuestionario. Por último, para valorar la capacidad discriminativa del cuestionario COCANP con relación a los bebés prematuros o a término, se calculó el área bajo curva con un resultado de .979, que consideramos muy alto.

Conclusión

El cuestionario COCANP se ha evidenciado como un instrumento fiable y de validez para las características de los patrones de alimentación del bebé prematuro.

Abstract

Objective

There is a known concern about feeding difficulties in preterm infants. In order to have an instrument that collects the characteristics and severity of these difficulties, an observational questionnaire on feeding behaviors has been designed and its reliability and validity have been examined.

Material and methods

The main updated references were consulted for the design of the protocol. A questionnaire has been defined consisting of 8 sections: medical history, orofacial features, intraoral features, sensitivity, oral reflexes, breathing, feeding and feeding features.

The feeding behavior of a sample of 100 neonates was observed in the Hospital Clínic-Maternitat de Barcelona.

Results

The results showed a good reliability of the questionnaire presenting a score of Cronbach's Alpha of .891 and a correlation with the Apgar test of .63, as well as the set of sections, in which we find positive correlations that range between .38 and .54. In order to assess sensitivity, the ANOVA statistic for each of the sections and the total for each level of prematurity has been calculated. Significant differences have been found in all the sections of the questionnaire. Finally, to assess the discriminative capacity of the COCANP questionnaire in connection with premature or full-term babies, the area under the curve was calculated with a result of .979, which we consider very high.

Conclusion

The COCANP questionnaire has proven to be a reliable and valid tool for the features of the premature baby's feeding patterns.

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