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Journal of Neuroengineering and... Jul 2015Sensory impairments decrease quality of life and can slow or hinder rehabilitation. Small, computationally powerful electronics have enabled the recent development of... (Review)
Review
Sensory impairments decrease quality of life and can slow or hinder rehabilitation. Small, computationally powerful electronics have enabled the recent development of wearable systems aimed to improve function for individuals with sensory impairments. The purpose of this review is to synthesize current haptic wearable research for clinical applications involving sensory impairments. We define haptic wearables as untethered, ungrounded body worn devices that interact with skin directly or through clothing and can be used in natural environments outside a laboratory. Results of this review are categorized by degree of sensory impairment. Total impairment, such as in an amputee, blind, or deaf individual, involves haptics acting as sensory replacement; partial impairment, as is common in rehabilitation, involves haptics as sensory augmentation; and no impairment involves haptics as trainer. This review found that wearable haptic devices improved function for a variety of clinical applications including: rehabilitation, prosthetics, vestibular loss, osteoarthritis, vision loss and hearing loss. Future haptic wearables development should focus on clinical needs, intuitive and multimodal haptic displays, low energy demands, and biomechanical compliance for long-term usage.
Topics: Feedback, Sensory; Humans; Prostheses and Implants; Prosthesis Design; Sensation Disorders; Wireless Technology
PubMed: 26188929
DOI: 10.1186/s12984-015-0055-z -
Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases Dec 2006KBG syndrome is a rare condition characterised by a typical facial dysmorphism, macrodontia of the upper central incisors, skeletal (mainly costovertebral) anomalies and... (Review)
Review
KBG syndrome is a rare condition characterised by a typical facial dysmorphism, macrodontia of the upper central incisors, skeletal (mainly costovertebral) anomalies and developmental delay. To date, KBG syndrome has been reported in 45 patients. Clinical features observed in more than half of patients that may support the diagnosis are short stature, electroencephalogram (EEG) anomalies (with or without seizures) and abnormal hair implantation. Cutaneous syndactyly, webbed short neck, cryptorchidism, hearing loss, palatal defects, strabismus and congenital heart defects are less common findings. Autosomal dominant transmission has been observed in some families, and it is predominantly the mother, often showing a milder clinical picture, that transmits the disease. The diagnosis is currently based solely on clinical findings as the aetiology is unknown. The final diagnosis is generally achieved after the eruption of upper permanent central incisors at 7-8 years of age when the management of possible congenital anomalies should have been already planned. A full developmental assessment should be done at diagnosis and, if delays are noted, an infant stimulation program should be initiated. Subsequent management and follow-up should include an EEG, complete orthodontic evaluation, skeletal investigation with particular regard to spine curvatures and limb asymmetry, hearing testing and ophthalmologic assessment.
Topics: Abnormalities, Multiple; Adolescent; Adult; Bone and Bones; Child; Child, Preschool; Developmental Disabilities; Face; Female; Growth Disorders; Humans; Incisor; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Nervous System Diseases; Rare Diseases; Sensation Disorders; Syndrome; Young Adult
PubMed: 17163996
DOI: 10.1186/1750-1172-1-50 -
Brain : a Journal of Neurology Jul 2017Post-traumatic stress disorder is characterized by exaggerated threat response, and theoretical accounts to date have focused on impaired threat processing and...
Post-traumatic stress disorder is characterized by exaggerated threat response, and theoretical accounts to date have focused on impaired threat processing and dysregulated prefrontal-cortex-amygdala circuitry. Nevertheless, evidence is accruing for broad, threat-neutral sensory hyperactivity in post-traumatic stress disorder. As low-level, sensory processing impacts higher-order operations, such sensory anomalies can contribute to widespread dysfunctions, presenting an additional aetiological mechanism for post-traumatic stress disorder. To elucidate a sensory pathology of post-traumatic stress disorder, we examined intrinsic visual cortical activity (based on posterior alpha oscillations) and bottom-up sensory-driven causal connectivity (Granger causality in the alpha band) during a resting state (eyes open) and a passive, serial picture viewing state. Compared to patients with generalized anxiety disorder (n = 24) and healthy control subjects (n = 20), patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (n = 25) demonstrated intrinsic sensory hyperactivity (suppressed posterior alpha power, source-localized to the visual cortex-cuneus and precuneus) and bottom-up inhibition deficits (reduced posterior→frontal Granger causality). As sensory input increased from resting to passive picture viewing, patients with post-traumatic stress disorder failed to demonstrate alpha adaptation, highlighting a rigid, set mode of sensory hyperactivity. Interestingly, patients with post-traumatic stress disorder also showed heightened frontal processing (augmented frontal gamma power, source-localized to the superior frontal gyrus and dorsal cingulate cortex), accompanied by attenuated top-down inhibition (reduced frontal→posterior causality). Importantly, not only did suppressed alpha power and bottom-up causality correlate with heightened frontal gamma power, they also correlated with increased severity of sensory and executive dysfunctions (i.e. hypervigilance and impulse control deficits, respectively). Therefore, sensory aberrations help construct a vicious cycle in post-traumatic stress disorder that is in action even at rest, implicating dysregulated triangular sensory-prefrontal-cortex-amygdala circuitry: intrinsic sensory hyperactivity and disinhibition give rise to frontal overload and disrupt executive control, fuelling and perpetuating post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Absent in generalized anxiety disorder, these aberrations highlight a unique sensory pathology of post-traumatic stress disorder (ruling out effects merely reflecting anxious hyperarousal), motivating new interventions targeting sensory processing and the sensory brain in these patients.
Topics: Adult; Alpha Rhythm; Anxiety Disorders; Case-Control Studies; Executive Function; Female; Frontal Lobe; Gamma Rhythm; Gyrus Cinguli; Humans; Male; Neural Inhibition; Photic Stimulation; Rest; Sensation Disorders; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Visual Cortex; Visual Perception; Young Adult
PubMed: 28582479
DOI: 10.1093/brain/awx116 -
Physiological Reviews Oct 2013To enhance weak sounds while compressing the dynamic intensity range, auditory sensory cells amplify sound-induced vibrations in a nonlinear, intensity-dependent manner.... (Review)
Review
To enhance weak sounds while compressing the dynamic intensity range, auditory sensory cells amplify sound-induced vibrations in a nonlinear, intensity-dependent manner. In the course of this process, instantaneous waveform distortion is produced, with two conspicuous kinds of interwoven consequences, the introduction of new sound frequencies absent from the original stimuli, which are audible and detectable in the ear canal as otoacoustic emissions, and the possibility for an interfering sound to suppress the response to a probe tone, thereby enhancing contrast among frequency components. We review how the diverse manifestations of auditory nonlinearity originate in the gating principle of their mechanoelectrical transduction channels; how they depend on the coordinated opening of these ion channels ensured by connecting elements; and their links to the dynamic behavior of auditory sensory cells. This paper also reviews how the complex properties of waves traveling through the cochlea shape the manifestations of auditory nonlinearity. Examination methods based on the detection of distortions open noninvasive windows on the modes of activity of mechanosensitive structures in auditory sensory cells and on the distribution of sites of nonlinearity along the cochlear tonotopic axis, helpful for deciphering cochlear molecular physiology in hearing-impaired animal models. Otoacoustic emissions enable fast tests of peripheral sound processing in patients. The study of auditory distortions also contributes to the understanding of the perception of complex sounds.
Topics: Animals; Auditory Diseases, Central; Cochlea; Humans; Ion Channels; Mechanotransduction, Cellular; Models, Animal; Models, Theoretical; Sensation Disorders
PubMed: 24137017
DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00029.2012 -
Neurologic Clinics May 2013Chronic sensory or sensorimotor polyneuropathy is a common cause for referral to neurologists. Despite extensive diagnostic testing, up to one-third of these patients... (Review)
Review
Chronic sensory or sensorimotor polyneuropathy is a common cause for referral to neurologists. Despite extensive diagnostic testing, up to one-third of these patients remain without a known cause, and are referred to as having cryptogenic sensory peripheral neuropathy. Symptoms progress slowly. On examination, there may be additional mild toe flexion and extension weakness. Electrophysiologic testing and histology reveals axonal neuropathy. Prognosis is usually favorable, as most patients maintain independent ambulation. Besides patient education and reassurance, management is focused on pharmacotherapy for neuropathic pain and physical therapy for balance training, and, occasionally, assistive devices.
Topics: Aged, 80 and over; Electrodiagnosis; Genetic Testing; Humans; Male; Neural Conduction; Pain Management; Polyneuropathies; Sensation Disorders
PubMed: 23642719
DOI: 10.1016/j.ncl.2013.01.008 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023The aim of this study is to investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between sensory impairments (SIs) including single vision impairment (SVI),...
Is there a correlation between sensory impairments and social isolation in middle-aged and older Chinese population? Cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence from a nationally representative survey.
PURPOSE
The aim of this study is to investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between sensory impairments (SIs) including single vision impairment (SVI), single hearing impairment (SHI), and dual sensory impairments (DSI) with social isolation in the middle-aged and older Chinese population.
METHODS
Data were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS). In total, 11,674 Chinese older adults aged over 45 were included at baseline 2011, and 6,859 participants who accomplished all four interviews from 2011 to 2018 were adapted for longitudinal analyses. Sensory status and social isolation measurements including social disconnectedness and self-perceived loneliness were collected. Assessment of social disconnectedness included the number of types of social activities in which they participated and the frequency of such participation. Loneliness referred to the subjective perception of loneliness. Other covariates included socio-demographic characteristics, medical conditions, and lifestyle-related factors. The impacts of baseline sensory status on social disconnectedness and loneliness were assessed using univariate and multivariate generalized linear models. A generalized linear model with generalized estimation equations (GEE) was used to assess the association between time-varying sensory statuses with social disconnectedness or loneliness over 8 years after being adjusted with multi-confounding factors.
RESULTS
Participants with SIs had significantly higher levels of social disconnectedness and self-perceived loneliness, compared to those who were free of SI. All kinds of SIs were significantly associated with loneliness according to both cross-sectional and longitudinal data. The correlations between DSI and social disconnectedness or loneliness at baseline and over 8 years were also noticed. SHI was found to be significantly associated with both frequency and types of social activities according to cross-sectional data and with the frequency of social activity participation in longitudinal analysis. SVI was only associated with the types of social activities at baseline (all values < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Sensory impairments, especially dual sensory impairments, have explicitly detrimental effects on social isolation among the older Chinese population. Over time, single hearing impairment specifically jeopardizes their frequency rather than types of social activities participation.
Topics: Aged; Humans; Middle Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; East Asian People; Hearing Loss; Loneliness; Social Isolation; Health Surveys; Sensation Disorders; China; Longitudinal Studies; Deaf-Blind Disorders; Blindness; Social Participation
PubMed: 37050954
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1098109 -
Journal of Autism and Developmental... Jan 2020Sensory abnormalities (SAs) are recognized features in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and a relationship between SAs and ASD traits is also suggested in general...
Sensory abnormalities (SAs) are recognized features in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and a relationship between SAs and ASD traits is also suggested in general population. Our aims were to estimate the prevalence of SAs in three different settings, and to study the association between SAs and quantitative autism traits (QAT) using the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) and a parental questionnaire. In an epidemiological population of 8-year-old children (n = 4397), the prevalence of SAs was 8.3%, in an ASD sample (n = 28), 53.6%, and in a non-ASD sample (n = 4369), 8.0%, respectively. Tactile and auditory hypersensitivity predicted an ASD diagnosis. The ASSQ was able to differentiate children with and without SA. In conclusion, QAT level and SAs were associated in all study samples.
Topics: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Case-Control Studies; Child; Comorbidity; Female; Finland; Humans; Male; Parents; Prevalence; Sensation Disorders; Sex Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 31583623
DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-04237-0 -
Qualitative Health Research May 2011In this article we explore the concept of balance in the context of health. We became interested in balance during a grounded theory study of lay conceptualizations of... (Review)
Review
In this article we explore the concept of balance in the context of health. We became interested in balance during a grounded theory study of lay conceptualizations of cancer risk in which participants were concerned with having a good life, which relied heavily on balancing processes. This led us to the qualitative literature about balance in the context of health, which was large and in need of synthesis. We identified 170 relevant studies and used Thomas and Harden's technique of thematic synthesis to identify key balance-related themes and develop these into more abstract analytic categories. We found that balance and balancing were salient to people in three health-related contexts: health maintenance, disease or disability management, and lay or professional caregiving. In each of these contexts, balance or imbalance could be a state or a process. In addition, those using the word balance had either an internally or externally focused orientation to the world around them. Clinicians and public health practitioners might benefit from using these insights in their research and communication.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Communication; Disease Management; Health Behavior; Health Status; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Postural Balance; Psychological Theory; Qualitative Research; Risk; Sensation Disorders; Social Support; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 21343435
DOI: 10.1177/1049732311399781 -
Autism Research : Official Journal of... Sep 2016Heightened interest in sensory function in persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents an unprecedented opportunity for impactful, interdisciplinary work... (Review)
Review
Heightened interest in sensory function in persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents an unprecedented opportunity for impactful, interdisciplinary work between neuroscientists and clinical practitioners for whom sensory processing is a focus. In spite of this promise, and a number of overlapping perspectives on sensory function in persons with ASD, neuroscientists and clinical practitioners are faced with significant practical barriers to transcending disciplinary silos. These barriers include divergent goals, values, and approaches that shape each discipline, as well as different lexical conventions. This commentary is itself an interdisciplinary effort to describe the shared perspectives, and to conceptualize a framework that may guide future investigation in this area. We summarize progress to date and issue a call for clinical practitioners and neuroscientists to expand cross-disciplinary dialogue and to capitalize on the complementary strengths of each field to unveil the links between neural and behavioral manifestations of sensory differences in persons with ASD. Joining forces to face these challenges in a truly interdisciplinary way will lead to more clinically informed neuroscientific investigation of sensory function, and better translation of those findings to clinical practice. Likewise, a more coordinated effort may shed light not only on how current approaches to treating sensory processing differences affect brain and behavioral responses to sensory stimuli in individuals with ASD, but also on whether such approaches translate to gains in broader characteristics associated with ASD. It is our hope that such interdisciplinary undertakings will ultimately converge to improve assessment and interventions for persons with ASD. Autism Res 2016, 9: 920-925. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Topics: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Brain; Electroencephalography; Humans; Interdisciplinary Communication; Intersectoral Collaboration; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neurosciences; Occupational Therapy; Sensation; Sensation Disorders; Translational Research, Biomedical
PubMed: 27090878
DOI: 10.1002/aur.1612 -
Headache Oct 2021To better characterize differences in interictal sensory experience in adults with migraine and more comprehensively describe the relevance of anxiety to these...
OBJECTIVE
To better characterize differences in interictal sensory experience in adults with migraine and more comprehensively describe the relevance of anxiety to these experiences.
BACKGROUND
Evidence suggests that sensitivity to sensory input may not be limited to migraine attacks but continues between them. However, there is a need to better understand whether this is the case across senses, and to clearly distinguish sensory experience from measured sensory threshold, which are not straightforwardly related. Previous literature also indicates a co-occurrence between sensory sensitivity, migraine, and anxiety, but this relationship remains to be fully elucidated.
METHODS
The present cross-sectional study used online questionnaires to investigate how self-reported sensory experiences relate to migraine in a large community sample including 117 individuals with probable migraine and 827 without. Mediation analyses were also used to determine whether any relationship between migraine and sensory sensitivity was mediated by anxiety.
RESULTS
Significant increases in subjective reports of sensory sensitivity (d = 0.80) and sensory avoidance (d = 0.71) were found in participants with migraine. Anxiety symptoms partially mediated the relationship between subjective sensory sensitivity and migraine. Finally, visual, movement, and auditory subscales were found to provide unique explanatory variance in analyses predicting the incidence of migraine (area under the curve = 0.73, 0.69, 0.62 respectively).
CONCLUSION
Subjective sensory sensitivities are present between attacks and across senses in individuals with migraine. Anxiety symptoms are relevant to this relationship; however, sensory sensitivities appear to exist independent of this affective influence. The implications of interictal sensitivities for the daily lives of those with migraine should, therefore, be considered in clinical management wherever appropriate.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anxiety; Cross-Sectional Studies; Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Migraine Disorders; Sensation Disorders; Young Adult
PubMed: 34669970
DOI: 10.1111/head.14219