10 research outputs found
Design and development of muscle monitoring system to visualize and monitor the activity of Bicep Brachii with varying load
No full textUnderstanding the neurological mechanism involved in enhanced memory recall task following binaural beats: a pilot study
No full textBinaural beat (BB) is a promising technique for memory improvement in elderly or people with neurological conditions. However, the related modulation of cortical networks followed by behavioral changes has not been investigated. The objective of this study is to establish a relationship between BB oscillatory brain activity evoked by stimulation and a behavioral response in a short term memory task. Three Groups A, B, and C of 20 participants each received alpha (10 Hz), beta (14 Hz), and gamma (30 Hz) BB, respectively, for 15 min. Their EEG was recorded in pre, during, and post BB states. Participants performed a digit span test before and after a BB session. A significant increase in the cognitive score was found only for Group A while a significant decrease in reaction time was noted for Groups A and C. Group A had a significant decrease of theta and increase of alpha power, and a significant increase of theta and decrease of gamma imaginary coherence (ICH) post BB. Group C had a significant increase in theta and gamma power accompanied by the increase of theta and gamma ICH post BB. The effectiveness of BB depends on the frequency of stimulation. A putative neural mechanism involves an increase in theta ICH in parieto-frontal and interhemispheric frontal networks
Underpinning the neurological source of executive function following cross hemispheric tDCS stimulation
No full textTranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising technique for enhancement of executive functions in healthy as well as neurologically disturbed patients. However, the evidence regarding the neuropsychological and behavioral change with neurophysiological shifts as well as the mechanism of tDCS action as evidenced by activation of neuronal sources important for executive functions have remained unaddressed. The study thereby endeavors to (1) determine the neuropsychological, behavioral, and neurophysiological change induced with five sessions of bilateral tDCS stimulation and (2) identify putative neuronal sources related to the executive functions responsible for neuropsychological and behavioral change. For this single blinded study, a total of 40 healthy participants, randomly allocated to active (n = 19) or sham (n = 21) groups completed five sessions of 2 mA tDCS stimulation administered over Dorso-Lateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) (F3 as anode, F4 as cathode). Repeated measure analysis was performed on neuropsychological (Everyday Memory Questionnaire and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale), and behavioral assessment (n-Back and Stroop tests) to investigate within and between group differences. Pre and post neurophysiological (Electroencephalogram) results showed that bilateral tDCS stimulation activates cortical regions responsible for executive functions including updation (working memory) and inhibition (interference control or attention). Multiple sessions of bilateral tDCS stimulation results in a significant increase in theta, alpha, and beta-band activity in the DLPFC, cingulate and parietal cortex. This study provides evidence that tDCS can be used for performance enhancement of executive functions in able-bodied people
Efficacy of audiovisual neurofeedback training for attention enhancement: A multimodal approach
No full textAttention is a cognitive process that involves focusing mental resources on specific stimuli and plays a fundamental role in perception, learning, memory, and decision-making. Neurofeedback (NF) is a useful technique for improving attention, providing real-time feedback on brain activity in the form of visual or auditory cues, and allowing users to learn to self-regulate their cognitive processes. This study compares the effectiveness of different cues in NF training for attention enhancement through a multimodal approach. We conducted neurological (Quantitative Electroencephalography), neuropsychological (Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale-15), and behavioral (Stroop test) assessments before and after NF training on 36 healthy participants, divided into audiovisual (G1) and visual (G2) groups. Twelve NF training sessions were conducted on alternate days, each consisting of five subsessions, with pre- and post-NF baseline electroencephalographic evaluations using power spectral density. The pre-NF baseline was used for thresholding the NF session using the beta frequency band power. Two-way analysis of variance revealed a significant long-term effect of group (G1/G2) and state (before/after NF) on the behavioral and neuropsychological assessments, with G1 showing significantly higher Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale-15 scores, higher Stroop scores, and lower Stroop reaction times for interaction effects. Moreover, unpaired t -tests to compare voxel-wise standardized low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography images revealed higher activity of G1 in Brodmann area 40 due to NF training. Neurological assessments show that G1 had better improvement in immediate, short-, and long-term attention. The findings of this study offer a guide for the development of NF training protocols aimed at enhancing attention effectively
User Perspectives and Psychophysiological Manifestations of Fatigue with Trunk Orthosis for Dystrophinopathy Patients
No full textThe chair-mounted passive trunk orthosis (CMPTO) is designed to enhance wheelchair safety for individuals with dystrophinopathy during their daily activities. Given the disease’s progressive nature, it is crucial to ensure that assistive devices are carefully evaluated to prevent overexertion. This study aims to assess the CMPTO’s user experience and its impact on fatigue-related psychophysiological measurements. We conducted electromyography (EMG) evaluations of four trunk muscles and assessed perceived exertion using the Borg CR-10 scale in 40 healthy subjects while they performed seated maximal reaching tasks with the CMPTO. Additionally, fifteen dystrophinopathy patients evaluated the CMPTO for usability with the System Usability Scale. Paired t-tests were employed to compare the median frequency (MDF) of EMG signals, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for evaluating exertion, and the Mann–Whitney U test to compare the usability reported by patients to those of healthy subjects. The 4-way ANOVA revealed that MDF patterns were significantly influenced by task orientation for each muscle. The CMPTO did not cause a significant reduction in the MDF. Tasks requiring greater trunk rotation were perceived as more exhaustive. Patients reported acceptable usability with the CMPTO, with scores higher than those of healthy subjects. The CMPTO’s usability was comprehensively evaluated in both healthy subjects and patients with dystrophinopathy. Our findings indicate that the CMPTO can be safely used by individuals with dystrophinopathy as an assistive device to improve seated comfort and functional abilities
Sensor Fusion and Machine Learning for Seated Movement Detection With Trunk Orthosis
No full textAdvanced assistive devices developed for activities of daily living use machine learning (ML) for motion intention detection using wearable sensors. Trunk assistive devices provide safety, balance, and independence for wheelchair users individuals who spend prolonged hours in sitting positions. We used ML for trunk movement intention detection with a trunk orthosis. Sensor fusion technique with four electromyography (EMG) and one inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor signals are used to develop a three-level classification system. Forty participants engaged in seated trunk movement trials wearing the orthosis. The trials comprised 30 movements involving trunk flexion/extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. The wrapper method was used to reduce essential EMG features. Ensemble (ES), k-nearest neighbors (KNN), and support vector machine ML classifiers were used. Twenty-six features (five EMG for each of four muscles and six for IMU) were used to develop ten individual ML models, resulting in an average accuracy of 95.44%. Eight models achieved the highest accuracy with the ES and two with KNN. The models were then cascaded to form a trunk motion detection system that achieved a test accuracy of 87.0%. The promising result of this study can be implemented for trunk motion recognition with active trunk orthosis
Comparison of the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis between combined rectal indomethacin and sublingual nitroglycerin with that of rectal indomethacin alone
No full textBackground: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is now widely accepted as a therapeutic modality for benign and malignant diseases of the pancreaticobiliary tree. Acute pancreatitis is the most common and feared complication of ERCP, associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to compare the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis in combined rectal indomethacin and sublingual nitroglycerin with that of rectal indomethacin alone.
Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial conducted in the Department of Gastroenterology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from July, 2019 to September, 2020. In this study, 100 hospitalized patients of >18 years age undergoing ERCP based on clinical indication and proper investigation were included. The study population was randomly divided into two groups - group A (patients who were given indomethacin suppository plus sublingual glyceryl trinitrate) and group B (patients who were given indomethacin alone).
Results: In this study, we found that PEP developed in 11 out of 100 patients (11%). Post-ERCP pancreatitis developed in 2 (4%) in group A and 9 (18%) in group B (p=0.025), which was statistically significant. Mild PEP developed in none in group A and 4 (8%) in group B whereas moderate in 2 (4%) in group A and 3 (6%) in group B. Severe pancreatitis occurred in none in group A and 2 (4%) in group B (p=0.231) which was not statistically significant.
Conclusions: This study showed that the combination of indomethacin suppository and sublingual GTN is superior to indomethacin suppository alone in preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis
Comparative Neurological and Behavioral Assessment of Central and Peripheral Stimulation Technologies for Induced Pain and Cognitive Tasks
No full textPain is a multifaceted, multisystem disorder that adversely affects neuro-psychological processes. This study compares the effectiveness of central stimulation (transcranial direct current stimulation—tDCS over F3/F4) and peripheral stimulation (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation—TENS over the median nerve) in pain inhibition during a cognitive task in healthy volunteers and to observe potential neuro-cognitive improvements. Eighty healthy participants underwent a comprehensive experimental protocol, including cognitive assessments, the Cold Pressor Test (CPT) for pain induction, and tDCS/TENS administration. EEG recordings were conducted pre- and post-intervention across all conditions. The protocol for this study was categorized into four groups: G1 (control), G2 (TENS), G3 (anodal-tDCS), and G4 (cathodal-tDCS). Paired t-tests (p < 0.05) were conducted to compare Pre-Stage, Post-Stage, and neuromodulation conditions, with t-values providing insights into effect magnitudes. The result showed a reduction in pain intensity with TENS (p = 0.002, t-value = −5.34) and cathodal-tDCS (p = 0.023, t-value = −5.08) and increased pain tolerance with TENS (p = 0.009, t-value = 4.98) and cathodal-tDCS (p = 0.001, t-value = 5.78). Anodal-tDCS (p = 0.041, t-value = 4.86) improved cognitive performance. The EEG analysis revealed distinct neural oscillatory patterns across the groups. Specifically, G2 and G4 showed delta-power reductions, while G3 observed an increase. Moreover, G2 exhibited increased theta-power in the occipital region during CPT and Post-Stages. In the alpha-band, G2, G3, and G4 had reductions Post-Stage, while G1 and G3 increased. Additionally, beta-power increased in the frontal region for G2 and G3, contrasting with a reduction in G4. Furthermore, gamma-power globally increased during CPT1, with G1, G2, and G3 showing reductions Post-Stage, while G4 displayed a global decrease. The findings confirm the efficacy of TENS and tDCS as possible non-drug therapeutic alternatives for cognition with alleviation from pain
