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Vision Research Oct 2023Monocular blindness impairs visual depth perception, yet patients seldom report difficulties in targeted actions like reaching, walking, or driving. We hypothesized that...
Monocular blindness impairs visual depth perception, yet patients seldom report difficulties in targeted actions like reaching, walking, or driving. We hypothesized that by utilizing monocular depth information and calibrating actions with haptic feedback, monocular patients can perceive egocentric distance and perform targeted actions. We compared targeted reaching in monocular patients, monocular-viewing, and binocular-viewing normal controls. Sixty observers reached either a far or a near target, calibrating reaches to the near target with accurate or false feedback while leaving reaches to the far target uncalibrated. Reaching accuracy and precision were analyzed. Results indicated no difference in reaching accuracy between monocular patients and normal controls; all groups initially underestimated distances before until calibration. Monocular patients responded to calibration sensitively, achieving accuracy in calibrated reaches and generalizing this effect to uncalibrated distances. Thus, with monocular depth information and haptic feedback, monocular patients could perceive distance and accomplish targeted reaching.
Topics: Humans; Distance Perception; Haptic Technology; Vision, Ocular; Depth Perception; Feedback; Vision, Monocular; Vision, Binocular
PubMed: 37343461
DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2023.108274 -
Translational Vision Science &... Dec 2023The purpose of this study was to determine changes in spatial and depth vision with increasing severity of keratoconus and to model the structure-function relationship...
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to determine changes in spatial and depth vision with increasing severity of keratoconus and to model the structure-function relationship to identify distinct phases of loss in visual function with disease severity.
METHODS
Best-spectacle corrected, monocular high-contrast visual acuity, contrast sensitivity function (CSF) and stereoacuity of 155 cases (16-31 years) with mild to advanced bilateral keratoconus was determined using standard psychophysical tests. Disease severity was quantified using the multimetric D-index. The structure-function relationship was modeled using linear, positive exponential, negative exponential, and logistic nonlinear regression equations.
RESULTS
The logistic regression model explained the highest proportion of variance for spatial vision, without bias in the residual plots (R2 ≥ 66%, P < 0.001). Visual acuity showed a distinct ceiling phase and a steeper loss rate with increasing D-index (1.8 units/D-index) in this model. The area under the CSF lacked this ceiling phase and had a shallower loss rate (0.28 units/D-index). Stereoacuity loss with D-index was poorly explained by all models tested (P ≤ 0.2). Cases with lower and bilaterally symmetric D-index had better stereoacuity (181.6-376 arc seconds) than those with higher D-index (>400 arc second); both were significantly poorer than controls (approximately 30 arc second).
CONCLUSIONS
Vision loss in keratoconus varies with the visual function parameter tested. Contrast sensitivity may be an earlier indicator of spatial vision loss than visual acuity. Depth perception is significantly deteriorated from very early stages of the disease.
TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE
The study outcomes may be used to forecast longitudinal vision loss in keratoconus and to apply appropriate interventions for timely preservation/enhancement of vulnerable visual functions.
Topics: Humans; Keratoconus; Visual Acuity; Structure-Activity Relationship
PubMed: 38149965
DOI: 10.1167/tvst.12.12.21 -
World Neurosurgery: X Jul 2024Spine surgery is continually evolving, with the application of new technologies often serving as a catalyst for improved clinical outcomes. Exoscope-assisted spinal... (Review)
Review
Spine surgery is continually evolving, with the application of new technologies often serving as a catalyst for improved clinical outcomes. Exoscope-assisted spinal surgery has recently emerged as a notable technological advancement offering a refined approach to visualisation, thereby potentially contributing to improved surgical precision, reduced complication rates, and optimised patient outcomes. The application of exoscopes have improved spine surgeries such as spinal fusion procedures, decompression surgeries, instrumentation surgeries, minimally invasive and complex surgeries. These improvements include enhanced visualisation, improved ergonomics, improved surgical precision, reduced operation times and postoperative infection rates. The integration of robotics in exoscope-assisted spine surgery enables autofocus function, ensuring the integrity of the sterile field, providing superior image quality, resolution, and three-dimensional perception. However, challenges such as decrease in depth perception and the lack of long-term follow-up data hinder its widespread adoption. Ethical considerations regarding patient safety, technology dependency, and health inequity add another dimension to these challenges. Despite these challenges, exoscope-assisted spine surgery holds significant potential for transforming clinical practice and improving patient outcomes. This review seeks to provide a concise overview of the benefits and limits of exoscope-assisted spine surgeries, while highlighting its challenges and ethical considerations. Addressing these limitations by conducting large-scale clinical trials and exploring the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) could assist in realising the potential of exoscopes in spine surgery."
PubMed: 38544786
DOI: 10.1016/j.wnsx.2024.100335 -
Cancer Medicine Sep 2023With the rapid increase in the prevalence of cancer worldwide, the utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has increased among cancer patients. This... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
With the rapid increase in the prevalence of cancer worldwide, the utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has increased among cancer patients. This review aimed to understand the perception, attitudes, and knowledge of healthcare professionals toward using CAM for cancer patients.
METHODS
A mixed-methods systematic review was undertaken in four databases. Inclusion criteria were primary studies reporting perception, attitudes, and knowledge of healthcare professionals for using CAM for cancer patients were eligible. A mixed-methods convergent synthesis was carried out, and the findings were subjected to a GRADE-CERQual assessment of confidence.
RESULTS
Forty-two studies were chosen. The majority of the studies were quantitative and had less than 100 participants. Most publications were from European countries, and oncology was the highest among the specialties. The review found the following themes: feasibility of having negative adverse effects, low expectations of using CAM among HCPs, potential positive effects of using CAM, specific CAM training may be helpful, no concrete regulations to promote CAM practice, and poor physician-patient communication.
CONCLUSIONS
Nurses had more positive views than other professions; oncologists were concerned regarding herb-drug interactions; integration of CAM into the healthcare system was favorable; HCPs felt the need to participate in specific CAM training; and HCPs agreed that CAM education should be provided more regularly. Future studies should explore the studies views of cancer patients and details of in-depth evidence of CAM in oncology settings.
PubMed: 37676102
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6499 -
IEEE Transactions on Visualization and... May 2024Spatial User Interfaces along the Reality-Virtuality continuum heavily depend on accurate depth perception. However, current display technologies still exhibit...
Spatial User Interfaces along the Reality-Virtuality continuum heavily depend on accurate depth perception. However, current display technologies still exhibit shortcomings in the simulation of accurate depth cues, and these shortcomings also vary between Virtual or Augmented Reality (VR, AR: eXtended Reality (XR) for short). This article compares depth perception between VR and Video See-Through (VST) AR. We developed a digital twin of an existing office room where users had top erform five depth-dependent tasks in VR and VST AR. Thirty-two participants took part in a user study using a 1 × 4 within-subjects design. Our results reveal higher misjudgment rates in VST AR due to conflicting depth cues between virtual and physical content. Increased head movements observed in participants were interpreted as a compensatory response to these conflicting cues. Furthermore, a longer task completion time in the VST AR condition indicates a lower task performance in VST AR. Interestingly, while participants rated the VR condition as easier and contrary to the increased misjudgments and lower performance with the VST AR display, a majority still expressed a preference for the VST AR experience. We discuss and explain these findings with the high visual dominance and referential power of the physical content in the VST AR condition, leading to a higher spatial presence and plausibility.
PubMed: 38437131
DOI: 10.1109/TVCG.2024.3372061 -
Cureus Sep 2023Advancements in neurosurgical visualization have been made possible by the introduction of the operating microscope (OM) and the emergence of exoscopic technology (EX)....
Advancements in neurosurgical visualization have been made possible by the introduction of the operating microscope (OM) and the emergence of exoscopic technology (EX). Both OMs and EXs provide enhanced magnification and illumination, but they come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. OMs provide high-quality magnification and illumination and have been used successfully in a variety of surgical procedures. They can be customized to fit the specific needs of the surgeon and are a well-established technology. However, they can be bulky, expensive, and cause discomfort during extended procedures. EXs provide high-definition magnification and illumination, improved depth perception and ergonomics, and can be cost-effective. They can be customized to fit the specific needs of the surgeon and can be made using locally available materials, reducing the need for expensive imports. However, they may require adjustment and have a learning curve for surgeons who are used to operating with OMs. Additionally, they may have limited availability in some healthcare settings. The choice between OMs and EXs will depend on the specific needs of the surgeon and the healthcare setting. The integration of 3D EX systems has revolutionized neurosurgery, offering improved depth perception and ergonomics. EX's cost-effectiveness addresses accessibility concerns, making it an attractive alternative, particularly for low and middle-income healthcare settings. The exoscope seems to be a safe alternative compared to an operative microscope for the most common brain and spinal procedures. The exoscope may help expand access to neurosurgical care and training worldwide. In conclusion, both technologies have their own set of advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between them will depend on the specific needs of the surgeon and the healthcare setting.
PubMed: 37849576
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.45350 -
The Behavioral and Brain Sciences Jul 2023De Neys's incisive critique of empirical and theoretical research on the exclusivity feature underscores the depth of the challenge of explaining the interplay of fast...
De Neys's incisive critique of empirical and theoretical research on the exclusivity feature underscores the depth of the challenge of explaining the interplay of fast and slow processes. We argue that a closer look at research on mindreading reveals abundant evidence for the exclusivity feature - as well as methodological and theoretical perspectives that could inform research on fast and slow thinking.
Topics: Humans; Social Perception; Thinking
PubMed: 37462173
DOI: 10.1017/S0140525X22002898 -
Improving Depth Perception in Immersive Media Devices by Addressing Vergence-Accommodation Conflict.IEEE Transactions on Visualization and... Nov 2023Recently, immersive media devices have seen a boost in popularity. However, many problems still remain. Depth perception is a crucial part of how humans behave and...
Recently, immersive media devices have seen a boost in popularity. However, many problems still remain. Depth perception is a crucial part of how humans behave and interact with their environment. Convergence and accommodation are two physiological mechanisms that provide important depth cues. However, when humans are immersed in virtual environments, they experience a mismatch between these cues. This mismatch causes users to feel discomfort while also hindering their ability to fully perceive object distances. To address the conflict, we have developed a technique that encompasses inverse blurring into immersive media devices. For the inverse blurring, we utilize the classical Wiener deconvolution approach by proposing a novel technique that is applied without the need for an eye-tracker and implemented in a commercial immersive media device. The technique's ability to compensate for the vergence-accommodation conflict was verified through two user studies aimed at reaching and spatial awareness, respectively. The two studies yielded a statistically significant 36% and 48% error reduction in user performance to estimate distances, respectively. Overall, the work done demonstrates how visual stimuli can be modified to allow users to achieve a more natural perception and interaction with the virtual environment.
PubMed: 37956016
DOI: 10.1109/TVCG.2023.3331902 -
BMJ Open Oct 2023The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose challenges for global public healthcare, even with the authorisation of several vaccines worldwide. To better understand rural...
OBJECTIVE
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose challenges for global public healthcare, even with the authorisation of several vaccines worldwide. To better understand rural communities' knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and barriers towards these vaccines, we conducted a qualitative cross-sectional study with adults in rural Bangladesh.
SETTING
This cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural areas of Sylhet and Natore in Bangladesh from August 2021 to February 2022.
PARTICIPANTS
Our study involved 15 in-depth interviews with rural adults and 2 key informant interviews with health workers.
RESULTS
We analysed data thematically, resulting in four main themes: (1) knowledge and perception aspects, (2) myths and misconceptions, (3) practice and attitude and (4) barriers and challenges of COVID-19 vaccines.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate that rural populations lack sufficient knowledge about COVID-19 vaccines but have a more favourable attitude towards them. Misconceptions, beliefs and personal experiences were found to be the main reasons for vaccine avoidance. To address these challenges and dispel the spread of misinformation, health education programmes play a pivotal role in improving vaccine management. Policy-makers should initiate these programmes without delay to create a well-informed and enlightened community, given that the COVID-19 is still spreading.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Bangladesh; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Cross-Sectional Studies; Pandemics; Perception; Rural Population; Vaccines; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 37852776
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-074357 -
Early Human Development Jan 2024This bibliometric analysis provides an in-depth exploration of the scholarly landscape in the field of Prechtl General Movement Assessment (GMA) research, spanning the...
This bibliometric analysis provides an in-depth exploration of the scholarly landscape in the field of Prechtl General Movement Assessment (GMA) research, spanning the period from 1961 to 2023. It offers valuable insights into the evolutionary trajectory and global impact of GMA. The study employs a longitudinal approach, meticulously tracking trends in scholarly output, international collaborations, and authorship patterns. Notably, our findings reveal a significant increase in GMA-related publications, highlighting the growing prominence of this field. The dominance of Australia and Austria in scholarly contributions underscores their pivotal roles. International collaborations are prominent, with active participation from European nations and the Americas. However, it is essential to acknowledge certain limitations, including potential data source biases and a reliance on English-language publications. This analysis serves as a valuable resource for stakeholders in the field, emphasizing the need for ongoing evaluation and collaborative efforts to enhance GMA applications and further our understanding of its clinical implications.
Topics: Humans; Movement; Bibliometrics; Australia; Language; Austria
PubMed: 38142466
DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2023.105924