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Biomedical subjects

Patrice L Tamar Weiss

Publications and source records attributed to Patrice L Tamar Weiss.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

TIES that BIND: an introduction to domain mapping as a visualization tool for virtual rehabilitation.

The application of virtual reality (VR) to rehabilitation is a young, interdisciplinary field where clinical implementation very rapidly follows scientific discovery and technological advancement. Implementation is often so rapid that demonstration of intervention efficacy by investigators, and establishment of research and development priorities by funding bodies tend to be more reactive than proactive. An examination of the dynamic unfolding of the history of our young discipline may help us recognize the facilitators of current practice and identify the barriers that limit greater progress. This paper presents a first step towards the examination of the past and future growth of VR-based rehabilitation by presenting the use of concept maps to explore the publication history of application of VR to rehabilitation.

Bibliometrics↗
PubMed2006

Integrating haptic-tactile feedback into a video-capture-based virtual environment for rehabilitation.

Video-capture virtual reality (VR) systems are gaining popularity as intervention tools. To date, these platforms offer visual and audio feedback but do not provide haptic feedback. We contend that adding haptic feedback may enhance the quality of intervention for various theoretical and empirical reasons. This study aims to integrate haptic-tactile feedback into a video capture system (GX VR), which is currently applied for rehabilitation. The proposed multi-modal system can deliver audio-visual as well as vibrotactile feedback. The latter is provided via small vibratory discs attached to the patient's limbs. This paper describes the system, the guidelines of its design, and the ongoing usability study.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed2006

Reaching within video-capture virtual reality: using virtual reality as a motor control paradigm.

We have developed a virtual reality (VR) system that integrates a three-dimensional tracking device with a video-capture VR platform to record upper limb movements. The influence of target velocity on planning and execution of reaching movements was studied in five healthy subjects. Our initial results suggest that a target's velocity is considered when planning an interceptive action and that a hand reaching toward a moving virtual target is controlled in a similar way to how it is in the real visual environment.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed2006

BusWorld: designing a virtual environment for post-traumatic stress disorder in Israel: a protocol.

A number of carefully controlled studies have documented the effectiveness of traditional imaginal exposure for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy is based on a similar logic but rather than self-generating imagery, patients wear a VR helmet and go into a three-dimensional (3-D) computer generated virtual world to help them gain access to their memory of the traumatic event. Recent preliminary research has shown that some patients who fail to respond to traditional therapy benefit from virtual reality exposure therapy, presumably because VR helps the patient become emotionally engaged while recollecting/recounting/re-interpreting/emotionally processing what happened during the traumatic event. The present paper presents a brief overview of a new VR World we developed to provide virtual reality therapy for terrorist bus bombing victims in Israel, and a brief description of our research protocol and measures (for details, see www.vrpain.com).

Clinical Protocols↗
PubMed2004

The influence of seat adjustment and a thoraco-lumbar-sacral orthosis on the distribution of body-seat pressure in children with scoliosis and pelvic obliquity.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of a thoraco-lumbar-sacral orthosis (TLSO) on the distribution of body-seat interface pressure in children with concomitant scoliosis and pelvic obliquity and to determine the effects of two methods commonly used in customized seating--elevation (push up) of the lower side of the pelvis or a wedge insertion beneath the raised pelvis--on the distribution of body-seat interface pressure. METHODS: The study population comprised 15 children with an underlying neuromuscular disorder. All had scoliosis and pelvic obliquity when seated, and used a TLSO during sitting. Body-seat interface pressure was measured using the QA Pad. Maximum pressure, mean pressure and contact area were recorded at baseline and at 10 degrees 'push up' and 10 degrees wedge insertion, with and without the TLSO. X-rays were performed with and without the orthosis at baseline position. RESULTS: The TLSO reduced the scoliosis deformity by a mean of 5.3 degrees and significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the mean pressure and contact area in the sub-group of patients whose pelvic obliquity was contralateral to the side of the curve. Seat adjustment did not have any significant effect on pressure readings. CONCLUSION: Application of a TLSO in a child with scoliosis and contralateral pelvic obliquity significantly reduced the spinal curvature and interface sitting pressure. Manipulation of sitting by use of wedges under the pelvis had no significant effect on pressure distribution.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Mouse manipulation through single-switch scanning.

Given the current extensive reliance on the graphical user interface, independent access to computer software requires that users be able to manipulate a pointing device of some type (e.g., mouse, trackball) or be able to emulate a mouse by some other means (e.g., scanning). The purpose of the present study was to identify one or more optimal single-switch scanning mouse emulation strategies. Four alternative scanning strategies (continuous Cartesian, discrete Cartesian, rotational, and hybrid quadrant/continuous Cartesian) were selected for testing based on current market availability as well as on theoretical considerations of their potential speed and accuracy. Each strategy was evaluated using a repeated measures study design by means of a test program that permitted mouse emulation via any one of four scanning strategies in a motivating environment; response speed and accuracy could be automatically recorded and considered in view of the motor, cognitive, and perceptual demands of each scanning strategy. Ten individuals whose disabilities required them to operate a computer via single-switch scanning participated in the study. Results indicated that Cartesian scanning was the preferred and most effective scanning strategy. There were no significant differences between results from the Continuous Cartesian and Discrete Cartesian scanning strategies. Rotational scanning was quite slow with respect to the other strategies, although it was equally accurate. Hybrid Quadrant scanning improved access time but at the cost of fewer correct selections. These results demonstrated the importance of testing and comparing alternate single-switch scanning strategies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

An online learning course in Ergonomics.

For the past two years, the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Haifa has offered an online course to third year occupational therapists on the topic of Ergonomics for Health Care Professionals. The development and implementation of this course was funded by the Israeli Ministry of Education. Unique teaching materials, developed and uploaded to the University's server via "High Learn", included interactive and self-directed documents containing graphics, animations, and video clips. Extensive use was made of the discussion forum and survey tools, and students submitted all assignments online. For the final topic, an expert in ergonomics from Boston University delivered a lecture via two-way videoconferencing. The course site included comprehensive library listings in which all bibliographic materials were made available online. Students accessed course materials at the University in a computer classroom and at home via modem. In an accompanying research study, the frequency of student usage of the various online tools was tracked and extensive data were collected via questionnaires documenting students' demographic background, preferred learning style, prior usage of technology, satisfaction with the course and academic achievement. This paper focuses on the results of the research study that examined how the students responded to and coped with teaching material presented and accessed in this format.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Design and testing of a virtual environment to train stroke patients with unilateral spatial neglect to cross a street safely.

Virtual reality (VR) entails the use of advanced technologies, including computers and various multimedia peripherals, to produce a simulated (that is, virtual) environment that users perceive as comparable to real world objects and events. In recent years, virtual reality technologies have begun to be used as an assessment and treatment tool in occupational therapy, in part because of the ability to create environments that provide patients with opportunities to engage in meaningful, purposeful tasks that are related to real-life interests and activities. The objective of this study was to determine the suitability and feasibility of using a PC-based, non-immersive, VR system (that is, a system in which the user has a reduced sense of actual presence in and control over the simulated environment) for training individuals with unilateral spatial neglect to cross streets in a safe and vigilant manner. A virtual environment, consisting of a typical city street, was programmed using Superscape's 3D-Webmaster, a 3D web-authoring tool. Twelve subjects, aged 55 to 75 years, participated in the initial feasibility study and, to date, a further eight subjects have participated in the intervention study. Six of the initial subjects and all eight of the intervention subjects had sustained a right hemispheric stroke at least 6 weeks prior to the study. The remaining subjects were healthy age-matched adults who were independently mobile and had no difficulty in crossing streets. The results show that this virtual environment was suitable in both its cognitive and motor demands for the targeted population and indicate that the virtual reality training is likely to prove beneficial to people who have difficulty with crossing streets. The generalizability of these results, and recommendations regarding the use of virtual reality as an occupational therapy intervention, must be substantiated by further studies using a range of VR platforms with people with different cognitive and motor disabilities.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2003

Virtual reality provides leisure time opportunities for young adults with physical and intellectual disabilities.

Due to limitations in their physical abilities, adults with cerebral palsy (CP) have relatively few opportunities to engage in independent leisure activities. This pervasive lack of opportunity often leads to the development of dependent behavioral patterns and learned helplessness. The objective of this pilot study was to explore ways in which virtual reality can provide positive and enjoyable leisure experiences during physical interactions with different game-like virtual environments and potentially lead to increased self-esteem and a sense of self-empowerment. The study sample consisted of five young male adults with CP and severe intellectual disabilities who are non-speaking and who use wheelchairs for mobility. Each participant experienced three game-like virtual scenarios via VividGroup's Gesture Xtreme video capture virtual reality (VR) system. The participant's video captured image was processed on the same plane as screen graphical animations that react in real time in response to his movements. Outcome measures included the participants' responses to a five-item presence questionnaire, a 6-item task specific questionnaire and observation of their videotaped performance while participating in the virtual games. Participants' responses to the questionnaire showed a high level of presence in all three scenarios. These participants demonstrated an exceptional degree of enthusiasm during each VR experience; some reacted to the various stimuli via appropriate and goal-oriented responses, in other cases the response was more arbitrary. Documentation of behaviors during and following the VR experiences may provide insight into the important role that VR may play in nurturing their self-esteem and sense of empowerment.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Using data visualization and signal processing to characterize the handwriting process.

INTRODUCTION: Disturbances in handwriting legibility and speed are found among elementary school-aged children. The aim of this paper is to present a set of sophisticated analytical tools suitable for visualization and evaluation of handwriting disturbances. METHODS: Handwriting samples from 30 children, 15 proficient and 15 non-proficient handwriters, aged 8-9 years were collected with the aid of a digitizing tablet. Temporal and spatial measures of the handwriting process dynamics based on signal processing methods were developed and visually presented. RESULTS: Significant differences between proficient and non-proficient handwriters were found in handwriting characteristics such as the standard deviations of letter width (t=2.96, p=0.008), letter height (t=3.24, p=0.005) and pen elevation (t=2.91, p=0.008). Significant differences were also found for the number of pen lifts (t=2.27, p=0.03), for the value of the correlation coefficients between letter length and time (t= -6.62, p=0.000) and between the actual and computed number of words (t=2.79, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The techniques described in this paper provide objective measures for handwriting performance presented in a way designed to help clinicians and educators visualize handwriting difficulties during clinical evaluation and intervention. Data visualization and analysis appear to enhance information concerning the spatial and temporal dynamics of handwriting.

Agraphia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Video-capture virtual reality system for patients with paraplegic spinal cord injury.

This article presents results from a feasibility study of a video-capture virtual reality (VR) system used with patients who have paraplegic spinal cord injury (SCI) and who need balance training. The advantages of the VR system include providing the user with natural control of movements, the ability to use as many parts of the body as are deemed suitable within the context of therapeutic goals, and flexibility in the way the system can be adapted to suit specific therapeutic objectives. Thirteen participants with SCI experienced three virtual environments (VEs). Their responses to a Short Feedback Questionnaire showed high levels of presence. We compared performance in the environments with a group of 12 nondisabled participants. Response times for the patient group were significantly higher and percentage of success was significantly lower than that for the nondisabled group. In addition, significant moderate correlations were found between performance within a VE and static balance ability as measured by the Functional Reach Test. This study is a first step toward future studies aimed at determining the potential of using this VR system during the rehabilitation of patients with SCI.

Activities of Daily Living↗