1,720,986 research outputs found
Effectiveness analysis of traditional and mixed reality simulations in medical training: a methodological approach for the assessment of stress, cognitive load and performance
Get PDFLa simulazione nell'educazione in medicina è considerata un metodo di formazione in grado di migliorare le competenze cliniche e il comportamento degli operatori sanitari e, di conseguenza, la qualità dell'assistenza per il paziente. Inoltre, l'utilizzo di nuove tecnologie come la Realtà Aumentata, offre ai discenti l'opportunità di esercitarsi in un ambiente immersivo. L'opportunità di sperimentare questo innovativo metodo didattico è efficace non solo nel ridurre il rischio di errori e approcci sbagliati ma anche nel provare ansia e stress simili a quelli avvertiti nella pratica reale. La sfida sta nel trovare il giusto equilibrio. I discenti devono infatti provare lo stesso stress che avvertirebbero lavorando ad un vero caso clinico ma, allo stesso tempo, devono essere controllati ed evitati possibili disturbi da stress post-traumatico, verificabili soprattutto nel campo della gestione delle emergenze (pronto soccorso). Inoltre, è fondamentale anche ottenere alte prestazioni e un apprendimento adeguato, evitando sovraccarichi cognitivi che influenzerebbero negativamente l’apprendimento.
Tuttavia, ad oggi mancano ancora studi approfonditi sull'impatto che le simulazioni mediche hanno su stress, frustrazione, carico cognitivo e apprendimento dei discenti.
Per questo motivo, l'obiettivo principale di questo studio è valutare l'efficacia del training tramite simulazione, analizzando prestazioni, ansia, stress e carico cognitivo durante simulazioni cliniche tradizionali (con manichino) ed avanzate (in realtà mista).
A questo scopo, è stato sviluppato un approccio metodologico strutturato e completo per valutare le prestazioni, le condizioni emotive e cognitive degli studenti. Questo comprende l'acquisizione e l'analisi di parametri psicologici (valutazione soggettiva), segnali biometrici (valutazione oggettiva) e prestazioni. Questa indagine consente di evidenziare i punti deboli delle simulazioni e offre l'opportunità di definire utili linee guida per la riprogettazione e l'ottimizzazione delle stesse.
La metodologia è stata applicata su tre casi studio: il primo si riferisce a simulazioni ad alta fedeltà per la gestione del paziente in pronto soccorso, il secondo si riferisce a simulazioni a bassa fedeltà per la pratica della rachicentesi. Per il terzo caso studio, è stato progettato e sviluppato un prototipo di simulatore in realtà mista per la rachicentesi, con l'obiettivo di migliorare il senso di realismo e immersione della simulazione a bassa fedeltà.
148 studenti sono stati coinvolti nei primi due casi studio osservazionali, mentre soltanto 36 studenti hanno preso parte allo studio pilota sulla simulazione in realtà mista.
In tutti i casi di studio sono state effettuate analisi descrittive delle prestazioni, degli stati cognitivi ed emotivi. Per le simulazioni ad alta e bassa fedeltà, le analisi di regressione statistica hanno evidenziato quali variabili influenzano le prestazioni, lo stress e il carico cognitivo degli studenti. Per lo studio pilota sulla realtà mista, l'analisi della user experience ha sottolineato i limiti tecnici della nuova tecnologia.Simulation in medical education is considered a training method capable of improving clinical competence and practitioners’ behaviour, and, consequently quality of care and patient’s outcome. Moreover, the use of new technologies, such as augmented reality, offers to the learners the opportunity to engage themselves in an immersive environment. The opportunity to experiment with this innovative instructional method is effective not only in reducing the risk of errors and wrong approaches but also in experiencing anxiety and stress as in real practice. The challenge is to find the right stress balance: learners have to feel as if they were practicing in the real stressful clinical case, and, at the same time, post-traumatic stress disorders, verifiable especially in the emergency field, must be controlled and avoided. Moreover, it is fundamental also to obtain high performance and learning, thus avoiding cognitive overloads. However, extensive researches about the impact of medical simulations on students’ stress, frustration, cognitive load, and learning are still lacking.
For this reason, the main objective of this study is to assess simulation training effectiveness by analysing performance, anxiety, stress, and cognitive load during traditional (with manikin) and advanced (with augmented reality) clinical simulations.
A structured and comprehensive methodological approach to assess performance, emotional and cognitive conditions of students has been developed. It includes the acquisition and analysis of psychological parameters (subjective assessment), biometric signals (objective assessment), and task performance. This investigation allows to point out simulations’ weaknesses and offers the opportunity to define useful optimisation guidelines.
The methodology has been applied to three case studies: the first one refers to high-fidelity simulations, for the patient management in the emergency room, the second one refers to low-fidelity simulation for rachicentesis. For the third case study, a prototype of a mixed reality simulator for the rachicentesis practice has been designed and developed aiming at improving the sense of realism and immersion of the low-fidelity simulation.
While 148 students have been enrolled in the first two case studies, only 36 students have taken part in the pilot study about mixed reality simulation.
Descriptive analysis about performance, cognitive and emotional states have been done in all the case studies. For the high-fidelity and low-fidelity simulations, the statistical regression analysis has pointed out which variables affect students’ performance, stress, and cognitive load. For the pilot study about mixed reality, the user experience analysis highlighted the technical limitations of the new technology
An innovative orbital implant positioner for the proper restoration of eye-socket defects
No full textA Virtual Design Approach to Simulate the Hob Energy Performance
No full textEco-design strategies aim to integrate environmental considerations into product design and development. Several regulations, directives and standards have been issued on this topic during last years. In particular, European Directive (2009/125/EC) establishes the eco-design requirements related to domestic and commercial kitchen appliances (e.g. cookers, hobs, grills). The present paper focuses on the virtual product eco-design of domestic induction heating cookers, which are becoming one of the leading cooking systems due to their advantages, e.g. energy efficiency, rapid heating, cleanliness, and user safety. The adoption of numerical analysis tools for the simulation of cooktops use phase, based on thermodynamic modelling, allows to provide useful information regarding the performance of cooking system at each phase of cooking. The paper provides a progress beyond the state-of-art on thermodynamic models for induction hob simulation considering interaction between the cooktop and the pot in the work environment. The goal of the paper is therefore to propose a methodology able to support designers in evaluating heating performances of induction cooking appliances, early in the design phases, through a virtual and multi-physical product model. Thermodynamic performances are determined by measuring several parameters and reproducing the energy consumption test by the mean of a virtual prototyping tool. Results highlight how the proposed model is adherent with the real tests following a specific standard in this sector with a maximum deviation of 3.2% considering the different cooking pot sizes
Preliminary investigation of a wearable device for evaluating muscular effort and fatigue at workplace
Get PDFControls and prevention activities for musculoskeletal disorders are increasingly encouraged in the industrial context. Several ergonomic assessment techniques exist. However, they primarily focus on the biomechanical and postural load requirements of job tasks and rely on self-report and observational methods rather than direct measurements, which are often too intrusive. This study investigates whether a commercially available low-intrusive and low-cost wearable sensor can be utilised to assess muscular effort and fatigue, thereby improving decision-making in work and workstation design. For this purpose, the potential of the MyoTM armband has been explored. The electrical activity of the upper limbs (arm and forearm) was evaluated through 15 physically tasks (manual handling and assembly) conducted in laboratory conditions. Satisfactory results were obtained from the correlation and significance analysis, considering the EMG signal, the Borg scale, and the activity level (e.g., load, distance, n° of repetitions). Further experimentation was conducted to validate the proposed approach in a real production facilit
Foot plantar pressure offloading: How to select the right material for a custom made insole
No full textDigital technology for elders better living: a usability and user-experience assessment
No full textThe population aging phenomenon has been increasing in the last years and will become prevailing in the future ones. In the era of Healthcare 4.0, the application of information and communication technologies (ICT) is the main enabler for the health and social care sectors, advancing user-centered care and preventing or delaying frailty conditions. This work focuses on a preliminary usability and user experience (UX) assessment regarding a self-monitoring device, smartphone, and tablet, with a 5-users sample. The user interface layout and content of smartphone and tablet have been previously simplified according to the human-computer interaction principles, to hinder the digital divide inherent to the Silver Generation. Structured and semi-structured interviews have been conducted to evaluate users' expectations, familiarity, and acceptance of ICT devices. A specific assessment protocol has been designed to evaluate the usability of devices. Preliminary results show that all participants were able to complete the test with few committed errors. However, even if a good inclination toward the use of smart technologies emerged, the need for digital mediation and individual training sessions is undisputed
A comparative study for the assessment of marker-less mixed reality applications for the operator training
No full textWith the rising concept of Industry 5.0, the worker’s needs and well-being are placed at the center of the production process. The use of extended reality can be exploited to provide the operator with interactive training, allowing independent, step-by-step learning in the real environment, with instructional digital contents, superimposed over the machinery in the workplace. This kind of training promotes the operator’s skills, and consequently empowers the industrial competitiveness. The aim of this paper is to assess and compare the effectiveness of two different marker-less mixed reality (MR) applications to train the operator in the wire harness activities over a tractor’s drivetrain. An application based on Azure Spatial Anchors by Microsoft and another one based on the CAD model of the tractor’s drivetrain have been developed and tested through the comparison with the traditional paper-based instructions. On-field trials have been accomplished with 10 end-users. User experience, usability, perceived workload, and training effectiveness have been assessed through specific questionnaires and by analyzing user performances. Even if the Anchors-based app showed better outcomes in terms of effectiveness and acceptability, both MR applications resulted in good usability. Operators’ willingness of using this technology as a standard tool for training and support emerge
A Medical Device for Correctly Positioning Custom-Made Implants for Fractured Orbital Cavities
No full textHealthy Ageing: A Decision-Support Algorithm for the Patient-Specific Assignment of ICT Devices and Services
Get PDFIn response to rapid population ageing, digital technology represents the greatest resource in supporting the implementation of active and healthy ageing principles at clinical and service levels. However, digital information platforms that deliver coordinated health and social care services for older people to cover their needs comprehensively and adequately are still not widespread. The present work is part of a project that focuses on creating a new personalised healthcare and social assistance model to enhance older people’s quality of life. This model aims to prevent acute events to favour the elderly staying healthy in their own home while reducing hospitalisations. In this context, the prompt identification of criticalities and vulnerabilities through ICT devices and services is crucial. According to the human-centred care vision, this paper proposes a decision-support algorithm for the automatic and patient-specific assignment of tailored sets of devices and local services based on adults’ health and social needs. This decision-support tool, which uses a tree-like model, contains conditional control statements. Using sequences of binary divisions drives the assignation of products and services to each user. Based on many predictive factors of frailty, the algorithm aims to be efficient and time-effective. This goal is achieved by adequately combining specific features, thresholds, and constraints related to the ICT devices and patients’ characteristics. The validation was carried out on 50 participants. To test the algorithm, its output was compared to clinicians’ decisions during the multidimensional evaluation. The algorithm reported a high sensitivity (96% for fall monitoring and 93% for cardiac tracking) and a lower specificity (60% for fall monitoring and 27% for cardiac monitoring). Results highlight the preventive and protective behaviour of the algorithm
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