Cognitive load of walking in people who are blind: Subjective and objective measures for assessment

Publication date: Available online 24 September 2018

Source: Gait & Posture

Author(s): Caroline Pigeon, Tong Li, Fabien Moreau, Gilbert Pradel, Claude Marin-Lamellet

Abstract

Background

Although walking without vision seems to carry a high cognitive cost, few studies have measured the cognitive load involved in this activity in blind people. The aim of this study was to assess the cognitive load of walking in blind people, using gait analysis, a dual task paradigm and a subjective assessment of cognitive load.

Methods

In a quantitative quasi-experimental design, 25 blind adults walked 40 meters. In one trial, participants walked normally (control condition). In another, they walked while performing an auditory simple reaction time task, and in the third trial they walked, performed the simple reaction time task and avoided obstacles. In addition to the simple reaction time task performance, walking speed was recorded, and participants provided a subjective assessment of cognitive load after each trial. Performance of participants aged less than 60 years were compared with those aged over than 60 years.

Results

Walking significantly reduced performance of the simple reaction time task; carrying out the simple reaction time task while walking significantly reduced walking performance and increased the subjective assessment of cognitive load; and simple reaction time task performance decreased and subjective assessment increased when obstacles were present. Few significant age effects were found.

Significance

Walking without vision involves a cognitive load that increases when the environment becomes complex. Each of the three methods used is relevant when assessing the cognitive load involved in walking in blind people, and could be useful in rehabilitation intervention. The results obtained allowed recommendations to be suggested for the design of technological mobility devices.

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Cognitive load of walking in people who are blind: Subjective and objective measures for assessment

Publication date: Available online 24 September 2018

Source: Gait & Posture

Author(s): Caroline Pigeon, Tong Li, Fabien Moreau, Gilbert Pradel, Claude Marin-Lamellet

Abstract

Background

Although walking without vision seems to carry a high cognitive cost, few studies have measured the cognitive load involved in this activity in blind people. The aim of this study was to assess the cognitive load of walking in blind people, using gait analysis, a dual task paradigm and a subjective assessment of cognitive load.

Methods

In a quantitative quasi-experimental design, 25 blind adults walked 40 meters. In one trial, participants walked normally (control condition). In another, they walked while performing an auditory simple reaction time task, and in the third trial they walked, performed the simple reaction time task and avoided obstacles. In addition to the simple reaction time task performance, walking speed was recorded, and participants provided a subjective assessment of cognitive load after each trial. Performance of participants aged less than 60 years were compared with those aged over than 60 years.

Results

Walking significantly reduced performance of the simple reaction time task; carrying out the simple reaction time task while walking significantly reduced walking performance and increased the subjective assessment of cognitive load; and simple reaction time task performance decreased and subjective assessment increased when obstacles were present. Few significant age effects were found.

Significance

Walking without vision involves a cognitive load that increases when the environment becomes complex. Each of the three methods used is relevant when assessing the cognitive load involved in walking in blind people, and could be useful in rehabilitation intervention. The results obtained allowed recommendations to be suggested for the design of technological mobility devices.

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The curcuminoid, EF-24, reduces cisplatin-mediated reactive oxygen species in zebrafish inner ear auditory and vestibular tissues.

The curcuminoid, EF-24, reduces cisplatin-mediated reactive oxygen species in zebrafish inner ear auditory and vestibular tissues.

J Clin Neurosci. 2018 Sep 19;:

Authors: Monroe JD, Millay MH, Patty BG, Smith ME

Abstract
Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapy drug that can damage auditory and vestibular tissue and cause hearing and balance loss through the intracellular release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Curcumin has anticancer efficacy and can also counteract cisplatin's damaging effect against sensory tissue by scavenging intracellular ROS, but curcumin's applicability is limited due to its low bioavailability. EF-24 is a synthetic curcumin analog that is more bioavailable than curcumin and can target cancer, but its effects against cisplatin-mediated ROS in auditory and vestibular tissue is currently unknown. In this study, we employed a novel zebrafish inner ear tissue culture system to determine if EF-24 counteracted cisplatin-mediated ROS release in two sensory endorgans, the saccule and the utricle. The zebrafish saccule is associated with auditory function and the utricle with vestibular function. Trimmed endorgans were placed in tissue culture media with a fluorescent reactive oxygen species indicator dye, and intracellular ROS release was measured using a spectrophotometer. We found that cisplatin treatment significantly increased ROS compared to controls, but that EF-24 treatment did not alter or even decreased ROS. Importantly, when equimolar cisplatin and EF-24 treatments are combined, ROS did not increase compared to controls. This suggests that EF-24 may be able to prevent intracellular ROS caused by cisplatin treatment in inner ear tissue.

PMID: 30243600 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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The curcuminoid, EF-24, reduces cisplatin-mediated reactive oxygen species in zebrafish inner ear auditory and vestibular tissues.

The curcuminoid, EF-24, reduces cisplatin-mediated reactive oxygen species in zebrafish inner ear auditory and vestibular tissues.

J Clin Neurosci. 2018 Sep 19;:

Authors: Monroe JD, Millay MH, Patty BG, Smith ME

Abstract
Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapy drug that can damage auditory and vestibular tissue and cause hearing and balance loss through the intracellular release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Curcumin has anticancer efficacy and can also counteract cisplatin's damaging effect against sensory tissue by scavenging intracellular ROS, but curcumin's applicability is limited due to its low bioavailability. EF-24 is a synthetic curcumin analog that is more bioavailable than curcumin and can target cancer, but its effects against cisplatin-mediated ROS in auditory and vestibular tissue is currently unknown. In this study, we employed a novel zebrafish inner ear tissue culture system to determine if EF-24 counteracted cisplatin-mediated ROS release in two sensory endorgans, the saccule and the utricle. The zebrafish saccule is associated with auditory function and the utricle with vestibular function. Trimmed endorgans were placed in tissue culture media with a fluorescent reactive oxygen species indicator dye, and intracellular ROS release was measured using a spectrophotometer. We found that cisplatin treatment significantly increased ROS compared to controls, but that EF-24 treatment did not alter or even decreased ROS. Importantly, when equimolar cisplatin and EF-24 treatments are combined, ROS did not increase compared to controls. This suggests that EF-24 may be able to prevent intracellular ROS caused by cisplatin treatment in inner ear tissue.

PMID: 30243600 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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ZPower to Exhibit at EUHA Conference

​ZPower (https://zpowerbattery.com/) will be showcasing its silver-zinc rechargeable batteries and rechargeable system for hearing aids at this year's International Congress of Hearing Aid Acousticians (EUHA) in Hannover, Germany. Attendees of the 63^rd EUHA will have the opportunity to examine rechargeable hearing aid models, learn about recent product enhancements, and gain valuable insights regarding battery functionality and best practices at the ZPower booth. The EUHA conference will feature speakers on topics ranging from Bluetooth connectivity for in-ear hearing aids, to opportunities and risks in the digital revolution, to machine learning in audiology applications on October 17–19. More than 100 exhibitors are expected to participate. ​

Published: 9/21/2018 1:27:00 PM

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New Canal Hearing Aids Market Report

​HTF Market Intelligence has released the World Canal Hearing Aids Market study on the devices’ market size, industry status and forecast, competition landscape and growth opportunity to 2023. The market study is segmented by key regions that are accelerating the marketization, and includes key players such as William Demant, Sonova, Sivantos, GN Hearing, ReSound, Starkey, and Widex, It also categorizes the international canal hearing aid market by companies, region, type, and end-use industry. The full report is available at http://bit.ly/2NCE52E.

Published: 9/21/2018 11:53:00 AM

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Audigy Group Statement On The Passing of Foundational Member

On behalf of Audigy and the entire hearing care community, it saddens me to inform you that our dear friend, Rich Burba, has unexpectedly passed away. We're absolutely heartbroken. Heartbroken for his wife, Linda, for their family, and for all those whose life he touched in the inimitable way he did with everyone he encountered. He was an undeniable example of a person who cared, who listened, who mentored, and, in my personal experience, loved those around him unconditionally. We all felt that love. And now is the time for us to give that love back to all those who are missing Rich right now.

There are few people in our industry who were more dedicated to patient care than Rich was. He might have had a finance-focused career in his past (Rich was a former VP of Finance for a Fortune 200 company), but in practice, Rich's heart and soul were dedicated to their patients. Were you a patient with no way of getting to the practice? No problem. Rich would be the first one to give you a ride.

He was involved in nearly every aspect of the practice — its operations, financials, human resources, marketing, and IT, precisely so Linda could focus her efforts on delivering great patient care. They were a team. And their teamwork was as infectious as it was admired. Rich was more than a colleague. More than a Member of our organization. He was a friend, and an advisor, and a mentor to so many of us. To put it more plainly, he was family.

We will all miss his influence, his guidance, and his sense of humor. But, to put it even more simply, we will just miss his presence. Rich and Linda are the most loyal, personal friends I have ever had. He and Linda, with their support, helped us transform Audigy from an idea to a reality. They believed in us. We believed in each other. Rich was the biggest advocate of our whole Audigy family. That support doesn't always come easy, and his, it seemed, was effortless. We all felt it — Audigy staff, peers across the membership, industry folks, everyone. That's who he was. And the generosity of his spirit is a reminder to all of us of who we can all be if we choose to.

To Linda, their friends and family, their team, and their patient community, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. You have our unconditional support. And to Rich, thank you for being who you were, and thank you for influencing the lives of so many in the manner you did. We were lucky to have you, and we're better for having known you. We should all be so lucky.

​Wishing you all peace,

Brandon M. Dawson, CEO, Audigy Group

Published: 9/18/2018 3:28:00 PM

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