• Title/Summary/Keyword: Visual Impairments

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Development of a Wearable Vibrotactile Display Device (착용 가능한 진동촉감 제시 장치 개발)

  • Seo, Chang-Hoon;Kim, Hyun-Ho;Lee, Jun-Hun;Lee, Beom-Chan;Ryu, Je-Ha
    • Journal of the HCI Society of Korea
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    • v.1 no.1
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    • pp.29-36
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    • 2006
  • Tactile displays can provide useful information without disturbing others and are particularly useful for people with visual or auditory impairments. They can also complement other displays. In this paper, we present a new vibrotactile display device for wearable, mobile, and ubiquitous computing environments. The proposed vibrotactile device has a $5{\times}5$ array configuration for displaying complex information such as letters, numbers, and haptic patterns as well as simple directional ques and situation awareness alarms. Commercially available coin-type vibration motors are embedded vertically in flexible mounting pads in order to best localize vibrations on the skin. An embedded microprocessor controls the motors sequentially with an advanced tracing mode to increase recognition rate. User studies with the vibrotactile device on the top of the foot show 86.7% recognition rate for alphabet characters after some training. In addition, applying vibrotactile device to driving situation shows 83.9% recognition rate. We also propose some potentially useful application scenarios including Caller Identification for mobile phones and Navigation Aids for GPS systems while driving.

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The Comparison of the Neurocognitive Functions between Dysthymic Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder (기분부전장애 환자군과 주요우울장애 환자군의 신경인지학적 기능 비교)

  • Kang, Rhee-Hun;Ham, Byung-Joo;Cha, Ji-Hyun;Lee, Min-Soo
    • Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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    • v.9 no.2
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    • pp.103-111
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    • 2002
  • Neurocognitive research focusing on cognitive deficits in Depression has resulted in several important but yet potentially contradictory findings. Much literature documents the presence of significant neurocognitive impairments in depressive patients. Studies have shown that dysthymic disorder patients demonstrate a diffuse pattern of cognitive impairment which is frequently indistinguishable from that of focal braindamaged patients. Some reports have suggested that there is a focal pattern of deficit, such as anterior cingulate dysfunction, frontal lobe impairment, or dysfunction of the temporal-limbic cortex. The aim of this study is to evaluate the neurocognitive functions in dysthymic disorder patients, and to compare the functions with those of major depressive disorder patients. The subjects are 17 dysthymic disorder patients. And their neurocognitive functions are compared with those of 23 major depressive episode patients. Patients with a history of neurologic disease, alcohol dependence, substance abuse and mental retardation are excluded. They are assessed with a part of Vienna Test System which is computerized neurocognitive function tests and can evaluate attention, eductive ability, reproductive ability, visuoperceptual analysis, vigilance, visual immediate memory, the speed of information-processing, judgement, and fine motor coordinations. There are no other specific difference between two groups, except the result of cognitrone test. This study provides information about the neurocognitive functions and some difference between major depressive disorder patients and carefully diagnosed dysthymic disorder patients.

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Assessment of Quality of Life in 26 Patients with Primary Hyperhidrosis before and after Oriental Medicine Treatment (일차성 다한증 환자 26명의 한의학적 치료 후 삶의 질 변화에 대한 임상적 평가)

  • Lee, Sung-Hun;Roh, Young-Lae;Hwang, Joon-Ho;Jeong, Seung-Yeon;Jeong, Sung-Ki;Jung, Hee-Jae
    • The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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    • v.28 no.3
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    • pp.597-607
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    • 2007
  • Backgrounds and Objectives: Primary hyperhidrosis deeply affect a patient's quality of life, resulting in impairments of daily activities, social interactions and occupational activities. The objectives of the study were to assess quality of life(QOL) in patients with primary hyperhidrosis before and after treatment with oriental medicine. Methods : Between December 2006 and July 2007, 26 patients underwent oriental medicine treatment. which consisted of herb medicine. acupuncture and iontophosis (if palmar/plantar hyperhidrosis) treatment. QOL questionnaires comprised of dermatology life quality index (DLQI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were employed before and after treatment Results : All 26 patients were evaluated. The treatment controlled primary hyperhidrosis in 84.6% of cases. The mean of DLQI score before treatment was 16.65 after treatment mean DLQI score was 8.18. The mean of VAS before treatment was 91.35 after treatment mean VAS was 49.92. QOL in patients with primary hyperhidrosis significantly improved after oriental medicine treatment. The improvements in QOL were similar in patientswith palmar/plantar, head, and systemic hyperhidrosis. Conclusions : Oriental medicine treatment leads to significantly improved QOL in patients with primary hyperhidrosis. Further studies are needed to evaluate the objective efficacy in patients with primary hyperhidrosis before and after oriental medicine treatment.

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Neurodevelopmental outcomes of very low birth weight infants in the Neonatal Research Network of Japan: importance of neonatal intensive care unit graduate follow-up

  • Kono, Yumi
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.64 no.7
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    • pp.313-321
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    • 2021
  • Here we describe the neurodevelopmental outcomes of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (birth weight ≤1,500 g) at 3 years of age in the Neonatal Research Network of Japan (NRNJ) database in the past decade and review the methodological issues identified in follow-up studies. The follow-up protocol for children at 3 years of chronological age in the NRNJ consists of physical and comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessments in each participating center. Neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI)-moderate to severe neurological disability-is defined as cerebral palsy (CP) with a Gross Motor Function Classification System score ≥2, visual impairment such as uni- or bilateral blindness, hearing impairment requiring hearing amplification, or cognitive impairment with a developmental quotient (DQ) of Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development score <70 or judgment as delayed by pediatricians. We used death or NDI as an unfavorable outcome in all study subjects and NDI in survivors using number of assessed infants as the denominator. Follow-up data were collected from 49% of survivors in the database. Infants with follow-up data had lower birth weights and were of younger gestational age than those without follow-up data. Mortality rates of 40,728 VLBW infants born between 2003 and 2012 were 8.2% before discharge and 0.7% after discharge. The impairment rates in the assessed infants were 7.1% for CP, 1.8% for blindness, 0.9% for hearing impairment, 15.9% for a DQ <70, and 19.1% for NDI. The mortality or NDI rate in all study subjects, including infants without follow-up data, was 17.4%, while that in the subjects with outcome data was 32.5%. The NRNJ follow-up study results suggested that children born with a VLBW remained at high risk of NDI in early childhood. It is important to establish a network follow-up protocol and complete assessments with fewer dropouts to enable clarification of the outcomes of registered infants.

Short-term Benefits of Mobilization for Patients with Non-Specific Neck Pains: Executive Function and Neck Pain Intensity

  • Choi, Wansuk;Heo, Seoyoon
    • Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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    • v.10 no.2
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    • pp.1803-1809
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    • 2019
  • Background: Cervical mobilization has been applied mainly for the improvement of arm and neck movements and pain reduction, and little research has been done to improve the executive function. Since this kind of so-called mechanical neck pain is one of most common symptoms, there are controversial issues about this with spine alignment. Posteroanterior (PA) mobilization from the Maitland concept is a process of examination, assessment, and treatment of neuromusculoskeletal disorder by manipulative physical therapy. Objective: To examine the short-term benefits of mobilization for patients with non-specific neck pain. Design: Dual-group Pretest-Posttest Design from the Quasi-Experimental research Methods: Fourteen participants (male 8, female 6; 20's of their age) with non-specific neck pains which are distributed all the unilateral or bilateral body side were recruited. Participants were categorized to Neck Pain with Movement Coordination Impairments (NPMCI) and Neck Pain with Mobility Deficits (NPMD) groups according to the results of physical examination. Professional physical therapist who has over 15-years-of clinical experience applicated manipulative therapy for the neck pain, an occupational therapist only conducted evaluations; K-NDI (Korean version of the Neck Disability Index), VAS (Visual Analog Scale), BDS-K (Korean version of Behavioral Dyscontrol Scale) for decreasing possible adverse effects; there were no person who reported other symptoms followed 4 weeks from the trial. Results: In the NPMCI group, data analysis indicated statistical differences between the PA mobilization interventions in NDI and BDS-K; even though, pain was reduced in VAS, this is not a significantly differ. In the NPMD group, data analysis represented statistical differences between the PA mobilization interventions in NDI, VAS and BDS-K; the scores were represented to be increased or the pain got relief. Conclusions: PA mobilization techniques according to Maitland concept have beneficial effects in patients with neck pain and other clinical positive effects which included neck disability, pain itself and motor function of upper extremity.

A Study on the Safety Clip of Electrical Pot and Safety Cup Design for the Blind and Senior (시각장애인과 노약자를 위한 전기 포트용 안전클립과 안전 컵 디자인 연구)

  • Beck, Han
    • Journal of Digital Convergence
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    • v.19 no.3
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    • pp.363-369
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    • 2021
  • This study improves the design of electric pot and cup that can safely pour and drink hot beverages among daily necessities for the blind and the elderly. It looks at the electric pot and cup that people with visual impairments usually use through their use perspective and studies and improves the safety problems that arise when using them based on the principle of universal design. Through this prior study, we study designs that can be used and shared by all disabled and socially disadvantaged people together and improve the design of household goods to expand the scope of use of general products and create new social values. In addition, through this design improvement process, everyone pursues an equal and virtuous life together, forms a well-off inclusive society, and takes advantage of the current position of the disabled and value of life once again.

Application Development to provide General Phrase Medication Guidance for Visually Impaired (시각장애인을 위한 일반의약품 복용 방법 제공 애플리케이션 연구)

  • Min-Seok Cho;Min-Ki Yoon;Min-Su Seo;Young-Hoon Hwang;Won-Whoi Huh
    • The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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    • v.23 no.2
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    • pp.201-208
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    • 2023
  • Visually impaired people have difficulty accessing medical services and drug information, and it is not easy for them to take the correct drugs. A health law has been established to deal with this, but the plans are not unified and not applicable to all over-the-counter medicines. Therefore, we planned an application that provides instructions for taking general medicines using image recognition technology, bar code, and QR recognition technology for visually impaired people who are in the blind spot of taking general medicines. In this research, we will optimize the camera shooting environment standards and UI and UX screens for image recognition for the visually impaired, and improve the accessibility for the visually impaired to make it more convenient. If you can apply the results of your research to an application and provide it, it will help people with visual impairments learn the correct way to take over-the-counter medicines.

Impact of the Ventricle Size on Alzheimer's Disease Progression: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study

  • Ji-seon Lee;Do-yun Heo;Kyung-Hae Choi;Hee-Jin Kim
    • Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
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    • v.23 no.2
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    • pp.95-106
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    • 2024
  • Background and Purpose: Ventricle enlargement has been implicated in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We studied the relationship between ventricular size and cognitive function in patients with AD. We focused on the effect of the initial ventricle size on the rate of cognitive decline in patients with AD. Methods: A retrospective analysis of probable clinical AD participants with more than 2 magnetic resonance imaging images was performed. To measure ventricle size, we used visual rating scales of (1) Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) score and (2) conventional linear measurement method. Results: Increased clinical dementia rating (CDR) was correlated with a decreased Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) score, and increased medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTLA) and global ventricle size (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.021, respectively). There was a significant correlation between the change in cognitive function in the group (70%-100%ile) with a large initial ventricle size (p=0.021 for ∆CDR, p=0.01 for ∆MMSE), while the median ventricle size (30%-70%ile) showed correlation with other brain structural changes (MTLA, frontal atrophy [FA], and white matter) (p=0.036 for initial MTLA, p=0.034 for FA). Conclusions: In this study, the initial ventricle size may be a potential new imaging biomarker for initial cognitive function and clinical progression in AD. We found a relationship between the initial ventricle size and initial AD-related brain structural biomarkers.

Barrier Free Accessibility to Trains for All

  • Rentzsch, Manfred;Seliger, Denis;Meissner, Thomas;Wessner, Claudia
    • International Journal of Railway
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    • v.1 no.4
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    • pp.143-148
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    • 2008
  • This paper is the output of a collaborative European project concerning the barrier free accessibility for disabled persons to regional and long distance trains in Europe. Disabled people represent around 13% of the population in Europe. This is approximately 63 million people. The range of disabilities includes people with reduced mobility including wheel chair users, viewing and hearing impaired people and other forms of impairment. Improving accessibility aims at contributing to the provision of public transport services to all citizens in an equitable way. The purpose of the project was to analyse and to evaluate the existing solutions at selected European railways for all required modules at the entrance (doors, information and safety solutions), to derive a design concept, to develop a mock-up in meeting the needs of rail travellers with the above mentioned impairments and to test it with user groups. The project also aims at deriving components for the determination of standards. The EUPAX Design Mock-up test was performed to verify the advantages of the layout of the train segment including the different modules such as access area (including the access door, gaps between platform and train as well as boarding aid devices), entrance vestibule, information systems inside and outside the train, emergency facilities, toilet with all conveniences and the additional test arrangements regarding push buttons, steps and emergency equipment. For this purpose a questionnaire was developed for the assessment of the EUPAX segment and the additional test arrangements. With the help of this questionnaire it was possible to execute a quantitative and qualitative evaluation. During three test phases 67 experts and handicapped persons from 6 countries have evaluated the Industrial Design mock-up based on this questionnaire. The test group covered persons from North (Denmark) to the South (Italy) and from the West (Spain) to the Middle of Europe (Germany). This is especially important for the generalization (harmonisation) of the results for all European countries. According to COST 335 the information for people with reduced mobility should be clear, concise, accurate and timely. So that all information can be received from persons, they must be transferred on at least two of the three possible ways (acoustical, visual, tactile), a so called "2-sense-principle". Based on the results ergonomic specifications/ solutions for the ergonomic design of the access area, the acoustic, visual and tactile information and the emergency devices including the emergency communication system were developed, related to the benefiting passenger groups.

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A Study on Fall Accident (1개 종합병원 환자의 낙상에 관한 조사)

  • Lee, Hyeon-Suk;Kim, Mae-Ja
    • The Korean Nurse
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    • v.36 no.5
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    • pp.45-62
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    • 1998
  • The study was conducted from November 1995 to May 1996 at the one general hospital in Seoul. The total subjects of this study were 412 patients who have the experience of fall accident, among them 31 was who have fallen during hospitalization and 381 was who visited emergency room and out patient clinic. The purposes of this study were to determine the characteristics, risk factors and results of fall accident and to suggest the nursing strategies for prevention of fall. Data were collected by reviewing the medical records and interviewing with the fallers and their family members. For data analysis, spss/pc+ program was utilized for descriptive statistics, adjusted standardized $X^2$-test. The results of this study were as follows: 1) Total subjects were 412 fallers, of which 245(59.5%) were men and 167(40.5%) were women. Age were 0-14 years 79(19.2%), 15-44 years 125(30.4%), 45-64 years 104(25.2%), over 65 years 104(25.2%). 2) There was significant association between age and the sexes ($X^2$=39.17, P=0.00). 3) There was significant association between age and history of falls ($X^2$=44.41. P= .00). And history of falls in the elderly was significantly associated with falls. 4) There was significant association with age and medical diagnosis ($X^2$=140.66, P= .00), chief medical diagnosis were hypertension(34), diabetis mellitus(22), arthritis(11), stroke(8), fracture(7), pulmonary tuberculosis(6), dementia(5) and cataract(5), 5) There was significant association between age and intrinsic factors: cognitive impairment, mobility impairment, insomnia, emotional problems, urinary difficulty, visual impairments, hearing impairments, use of drugs (sedatives , antihypertensive drugs, diuretics, antidepressants) (P < 0.05). But there was no significant association between age and dizziness ($X^2$=2.87, P=.41). 6) 15.3% of total fallers were drunken state when they were fallen. 7) Environmental factors of fall accident were unusual posture (50.9%), slips(35.2%), trips (9.5%) and collision(4.4%). 8) Most of falls occurred during the day time, peak frequencies of falls occurred from 1pm to 6pm and 7am to 12am. 9) The places of fall accident were roads(22.6%), house-stairs 06.7%), rooms, floors, kitchen (11.2%), the roof-top, veranda, windows(10.9%), hospital(7.5%), ice or snowy ways(5.8%), bathroom(4.9%), playground, park(4.9%), subway-stairs(4.4%) and public-bathrooms (2.2%). 10) Activities at the time of fall accident were walking(37.6%), turning around or reaching for something(20.9%), going up or down stairs09.2%), exereise, working07.4%), up or down from a bed(2.7%), using wheelchair or walking aids, standing up or down from a chair(2.2%) and standing still(2.2%). 11) Anatomical locations of injuries by falls were head, face, neck(31.3%), lower extremities (29.9%). upper extremities(20.6%), spine, thorax, abdomen or pelvic contents(l1.4%) and unspecified(2.9%). 12) Types of injures were fracture(47.6%), bruises03.8%), laceration (13.3%), sprains(9.0%), headache(6.6%), abrasions(2.9%), intracranial hemorrage(2.4%) and burns(0.5%). 13) 41.5% of the fallers were hospitalized and average of hospitalization was 22.3 days. 14) The six fallers(1.46%) died from fall injuries. The two fallers died from intracranial hemorrage and the four fallers died of secondary infection; pneumonia(2), sepsis(1) and cell lulitis(1). It is suggested that 1) Further study is needed with larger sample size to identify the fall risk factors. 2) After the fall accident, comprehensive nursing care and regular physical exercise should be emphasized for the elderly person. 3) Safety education and safety facilities of the public place and home is necessary for fall prevention.

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