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Applied Ergonomics Sep 2023While the biomechanical effects of exoskeletons are well studied, research about potential side-effects and adverse events are limited. The aim of this systematic review... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
While the biomechanical effects of exoskeletons are well studied, research about potential side-effects and adverse events are limited. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an overview of the side-effects and adverse events on shoulder- and back-support exoskeletons during work tasks.
METHODS
Four in-field studies and 32 laboratory studies were included in this review, reporting on n = 18 shoulder exoskeletons, n = 9 back exoskeletons, n = 1 full body with a supernumerary arm, and n = 1 combination of shoulder and back exoskeleton.
RESULTS
The most frequent side-effect reported is discomfort (n = 30), followed by a limited usability of the exoskeleton (n = 16). Other identified side-effects and adverse events were changes in muscle activity, mobility, task performance, balance and posture, neurovascular supply, gait parameters and precision. An incorrect fit of the exoskeleton and the decreased degrees of freedom are most often reported as causes of these side-effects. Two studies did not find any side-effects. This review also showed that there are differences in the occurrence of side-effects in gender, age, and physical fitness. Most studies (89%) were conducted in a laboratory setting. Most studies (97%) measured short-term effects only. Psychological and social side-effects or adverse events were not reported. Side-effects and adverse events for active exoskeletons were understudied (n = 4).
CONCLUSION
It was concluded that the evidence for side-effects and adverse events is limited. If available, it mainly consists of reports of mild discomfort and limited usability. Generalisation is limited because studies were conducted in lab settings and measured short term only, and most participants were young male workers.
Topics: Humans; Male; Shoulder; Exoskeleton Device; Upper Extremity; Posture; Task Performance and Analysis; Biomechanical Phenomena; Electromyography
PubMed: 37146320
DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2023.104042 -
Developmental Neurorehabilitation Apr 2023Objective of this review was to collate information on the effectiveness of trunk targeted intervention on children with cerebral palsy (CP) on three functional outcomes...
Objective of this review was to collate information on the effectiveness of trunk targeted intervention on children with cerebral palsy (CP) on three functional outcomes that are gross motor function, trunk control and balance. A comprehensive search was conducted on online databases from inception to August 2021, using relevant keywords. A total of 15 randomized controlled trials which enrolled children with cerebral palsy under 18 years met the inclusion criteria. A significant improvement was seen in the trunk targeted training groups on applying trunk targeted interventions. Trunk targeted interventions improve gross motor function, trunk control as well as balance, hence should be incorporated in the conventional physical therapy program delivered to children with CP and would help in greater functional recovery.
Topics: Child; Humans; Adolescent; Motor Skills; Cerebral Palsy; Physical Therapy Modalities
PubMed: 37021364
DOI: 10.1080/17518423.2023.2193265 -
Neurological Sciences : Official... Aug 2023Procedural perceptual-motor learning of sequences (PPMLS) provides perceptual-motor skills in many activities of daily living. Based on behavioral and neuroimaging... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Procedural perceptual-motor learning of sequences (PPMLS) provides perceptual-motor skills in many activities of daily living. Based on behavioral and neuroimaging results, theoretical models of PPMLS postulate that the cortico-striatal loop, the cortico-cerebellar loop and the hippocampus are specifically involved in the early stage of PPMLS while the cortico-striatal loop would be specifically involved in the late stage of PPMLS. Hence, current models predict that the early stage of PPMLS should be impaired in Parkinson's disease (PD: lesion of the cortico-striatal loop), in cerebellar disease (CD: lesion of the cortico-cerebellar loop) and in Alzheimer's disease (AD: lesion of the hippocampus), whereas the late stage of PPMLS should be specifically impaired in PD.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study is (1) to draw a complete picture of experimental results on PPMLS in PD, CD and AD (2) to understand heterogeneity of results as regard to participant and task characteristics.
METHOD
This review is based on the guideline proposed by the PRISMA statement.
RESULTS
Our review reveals (1) that the experimental results clarify the theoretical models and (2) that the impairment of PPMLS depends on both the personal characteristics of the participants and the characteristics of the task to-be-learnt rather than on the disease itself.
CONCLUSION
Our results highlight that these characteristics should be more carefully considered to understand the heterogeneity of results across studies on PPMLS and the effects of rehabilitation programs.
Topics: Humans; Activities of Daily Living; Learning; Parkinson Disease; Motor Skills; Cerebellum
PubMed: 36973591
DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-06724-w -
Epilepsy & Behavior : E&B May 2023Impaired processing speed (PS) can affect patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). However, it is usually considered a nonspecific clinical feature and is not... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Impaired processing speed (PS) can affect patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). However, it is usually considered a nonspecific clinical feature and is not measured, but this raises lexical and methodological problems. This review aims to evaluate the existing terminology and assessment methods of PS in patients with TLE.
METHODS
A scoping review was conducted based on the extended guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. The electronic literature search was conducted on Medline-PubMed, American Psychological Association-PsycINFO, Elton Bryson Stephens Company, and Google Scholar, using the keywords "temporal lobe epilepsy" and "speed" or "slowing" plus "processing," "cognitive," "psychomotor," or "mental." Peer-reviewed articles published before December 2022 were analyzed if they were in English, including patients older than 14 years and at least one neuropsychological measure, reported original research focused on PS and had the selected keywords in the title, keywords, and abstract.
RESULTS
Seven articles published between December 2004 and September 2021 were selected. The terms "processing speed," "psychomotor speed," and "information processing speed," based on similar theoretical constructs, were the most frequently used. Assessment methods included non-computerized or paper-and-pencil tests (WAIS-III Digit Symbol and Symbol Search subtests, Purdue Pegboard and Grooved Pegboard Tests, Trail Making Test and Stroop Color-Word Test) and computerized tests (Sternberg Memory Scanning Test, Pattern Comparison Processing Speed, Computerized Visual Searching). In some studies, impairment was associated with white and gray matter damage in the brain, independent of clinical and treatment variables.
CONCLUSION
Clinical research on TLE has focused inconsistently on PS. Different evaluation terms and methods have been used while referring to similar theoretical constructs. These findings highlight a gap between the clinical importance of PS and its assessment. Studies are needed to share terms and tools among clinical centers and clarify the position of PS in the TLE phenotype.
Topics: Humans; Processing Speed; Neuropsychological Tests; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe; Cognition; Temporal Lobe
PubMed: 36963317
DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109169 -
BMC Medical Education Mar 2023Repeated practice, or spacing, can improve various types of skill acquisition. Similarly, virtual reality (VR) simulators have demonstrated their effectiveness in...
OBJECTIVE
Repeated practice, or spacing, can improve various types of skill acquisition. Similarly, virtual reality (VR) simulators have demonstrated their effectiveness in fostering surgical skill acquisition and provide a promising, realistic environment for spaced training. To explore how spacing impacts VR simulator-based acquisition of surgical psychomotor skills, we performed a systematic literature review.
METHODS
We systematically searched the databases PubMed, PsycINFO, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, ERIC and CINAHL for studies investigating the influence of spacing on the effectiveness of VR simulator training focused on psychomotor skill acquisition in healthcare professionals. We assessed the quality of all included studies using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI) and the risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias assessment tool. We extracted and aggregated qualitative data regarding spacing interval, psychomotor task performance and several other performance metrics.
RESULTS
The searches yielded 1662 unique publications. After screening the titles and abstracts, 53 publications were retained for full text screening and 7 met the inclusion criteria. Spaced training resulted in better performance scores and faster skill acquisition when compared to control groups with a single day (massed) training session. Spacing across consecutive days seemed more effective than shorter or longer spacing intervals. However, the included studies were too heterogeneous in terms of spacing interval, obtained performance metrics and psychomotor skills analysed to allow for a meta-analysis to substantiate our outcomes.
CONCLUSION
Spacing in VR simulator-based surgical training improved skill acquisition when compared to massed training. The overall number and quality of available studies were only moderate, limiting the validity and generalizability of our findings.
Topics: Humans; Clinical Competence; Motor Skills; Psychomotor Performance; Simulation Training; User-Computer Interface; Virtual Reality
PubMed: 36907871
DOI: 10.1186/s12909-023-04046-1 -
Annals of Vascular Surgery Jul 2023The widespread introduction of minimally invasive endovascular techniques in cardiovascular surgery has necessitated a transition in the psychomotor skillset of trainees... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The widespread introduction of minimally invasive endovascular techniques in cardiovascular surgery has necessitated a transition in the psychomotor skillset of trainees and surgeons. Simulation has previously been used in surgical training; however, there is limited high-quality evidence regarding the role of simulation-based training on the acquisition of endovascular skills. This systematic review aimed to systematically appraise the currently available evidence regarding endovascular high-fidelity simulation interventions, to describe the overarching strategies used, the learning outcomes addressed, the choice of assessment methodology, and the impact of education on learner performance.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement using relevant keywords to identify studies evaluating simulation in the acquisition of endovascular surgical skills. References of review articles were screened for additional studies.
RESULTS
A total of 1,081 studies were identified (474 after removal of duplicates). There was marked heterogeneity in methodologies and reporting of outcomes. Quantitative analysis was deemed inappropriate due to the risk of serious confounding and bias. Instead, a descriptive synthesis was performed, summarizing key findings and quality components. Eighteen studies were included in the synthesis (15 observational, 2 case-control and 1 randomized control studies). Most studies measured procedure time, contrast usage, and fluoroscopy time. Other metrics were recorded to a lesser extent. Significant reductions were noted in both procedure and fluoroscopy times with the introduction of simulation-based endovascular training.
CONCLUSIONS
The evidence regarding the use of high-fidelity simulation in endovascular training is very heterogeneous. The current literature suggests simulation-based training leads to improvements in performance, mostly in terms of procedure and fluoroscopy time. High-quality randomized control trials are needed to establish the clinical benefits of simulation training, sustainability of improvements, transferability of skills and its cost-effectiveness.
Topics: Humans; High Fidelity Simulation Training; Treatment Outcome; Learning; Simulation Training; Computer Simulation; Clinical Competence
PubMed: 36906131
DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2023.02.025 -
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2023Children and adolescents with developmental disabilities are often impaired with motor function, and motor skills are related to the performance of daily living... (Review)
Review
Children and adolescents with developmental disabilities are often impaired with motor function, and motor skills are related to the performance of daily living activities, and their defects may limit social participation and reduce the quality of life. With the progress of information technology, virtual reality is used as an emerging and alternative intervention method for the intervention of its motor skills. However, the application of this field is still limited in our country, so it is of great significance to systematically analyze the foreign intervention in this field. The research used Web of Science, EBSCO, PubMed, and other databases to search the literature published in the past ten years on the application of virtual reality technology in the motor skill intervention of people with developmental disabilities, and analyzed the demographic characteristics, intervention target behavior, intervention time, intervention effect, and statistical methods. The advantages and disadvantages of research in this field are summarized, and on this basis, the reflection and prospects for follow-up intervention research are put forward.
Topics: Child; Adolescent; Humans; Motor Skills; Developmental Disabilities; Quality of Life; Virtual Reality; Technology
PubMed: 36901629
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054619 -
International Journal of Environmental... Feb 2023Previous literature shows the beneficial effects of an external focus of attention on various sports skills in young adults. The objective of this systematic review is... (Review)
Review
Previous literature shows the beneficial effects of an external focus of attention on various sports skills in young adults. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the effects of external and internal focus of attention on motor performance in healthy older adults. The literature search was conducted in five electronic databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, and Web of Science). Eighteen studies that met the inclusion criteria were evaluated. Most of the motor tasks targeting older adults were related to postural control and gait. Over 60% of the included studies reported that the effect of an external focus was superior to that of an internal focus on motor performance in older adults. An external focus generally results in better motor performance than an internal focus among healthy older adults. However, the advantage of an external focus on locomotion may not be as significant as those illustrated in previous attentional focus studies. A challenging cognitive task may allow more automatic motor control than an external focus. Practitioners might provide clear instruction cues guiding performers to divert their attention away from their body and towards the movement effect for better performance, particularly in balancing tasks.
Topics: Young Adult; Humans; Aged; Gait; Attention; Locomotion; Cues; Sports; Motor Skills
PubMed: 36901070
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054047 -
Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly :... Oct 2023Visual supports have been advocated as one strategy to teach children with autism in physical education. However, empirical studies documented inconsistencies in their... (Review)
Review
Visual supports have been advocated as one strategy to teach children with autism in physical education. However, empirical studies documented inconsistencies in their effectiveness, with some demonstrating positive effects while others reported limited support for their use. Without a clear synthesis of information, physical educators may have difficulties in identifying and meaningfully utilizing visual supports. A systematic literature review on visual supports was conducted with synthesized current literature for physical educators to make informed decisions regarding their use for children with autism in physical education. A total of 27 articles were reviewed, which included empirical- and narrative-based manuscripts. Results suggest that picture task cards, visual activity schedules, and video prompting can be potential strategies that physical educators can use to teach motor skills to children on the spectrum. However, video modeling may need to be further investigated to fully understand how to use it in the context of physical education.
Topics: Humans; Child; Autistic Disorder; Motor Skills; Exercise; Autism Spectrum Disorder
PubMed: 36898384
DOI: 10.1123/apaq.2022-0157 -
Child: Care, Health and Development Nov 2023Children with specific learning disorders (SLD) may have issues in cognitive, motor, and academic skills, affecting their mental health and level of participation in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Children with specific learning disorders (SLD) may have issues in cognitive, motor, and academic skills, affecting their mental health and level of participation in academic and nonacademic activities at school and in everyday life. Research shows that perceptual-motor (PM) exercises and physical activities can improve the cognitive and motor skills of typically developing children. To use PM exercises as an intervention in clinical practice for children with learning disorders, or to use it in future research, it seems necessary to discuss and summarize the existing documents in this group of children.
OBJECTIVES
We aimed to appraise the extent, and the quality of studies about PM interventions for enhancing cognitive, motor, and academic skills in children with learning disorders.
METHODS
The search was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Articles published between January 2000 and June 2022 were searched in the following scientific databases: PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane library, Science direct, and Google Scholar. The study eligibility criteria were previously established according to the PICOS model. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies, and the Cochrane Collaboration tool (ROB2) was used to assess the risk of bias.
RESULTS
The initial search yielded 2160 studies among which 10 studies were systematically reviewed. The total number of participants was 483 children (intervention: 251; control: 232). Findings showed significant improvements in cognitive skills (n = 7/8) such as working memory, attention, and information processing speed. In addition, studies showed that PM and physical activity interventions could increase academic performance (n = 4/5) and motor skills (n = 5/5) in children with LD. Results regarding the mental health effects of PM exercises (n = 1/3) are few in number and contradicting.
DISCUSSION
PM exercises may positively affect cognitive, motor, and academic skills in children with SLD; However, due to the small number of studies, fair methodological quality, and high risk of bias, caution should be taken when interpreting the results.
Topics: Child; Humans; Exercise; Cognition; Academic Performance; Learning Disabilities; Schools; Motor Skills
PubMed: 36872844
DOI: 10.1111/cch.13111