Journal of Research in Rehabilitation Sciences
Year:2019 | Volume:15 | Issue:2|Papers Count:10

Introduction: Rehabilitation robots have the ability to assist the patients with paralysis and semi-paralysis. Besides, these robots are capable of being programmed to perform various rehabilitation methods. However, evaluating their functions and their effects on human’ s body are still two of the main challenges of theses robots. The purpose of the present study was to introduce a method for assessing the function of a rehabilitation robot in modifying the crouch gait to normal gait, by using online biomechanics and computational software. Materials and Methods: Rehabilitation robot and human leg were simulated using Inventor (Autodesk, Inc. ) and OpenSim (Stanford University) software. User’ s muscle strength was calculated according to a crouch gait. The system got the position of each joint and muscle strength as input, and determined the torque required for each hip and knee joints. Results: The performance of rehabilitation robot on human body was evaluated by relating the simulation in biomechanical and computational software. The kinematic and kinetic effects of robots on model of human model with crouch gait pattern was confirmed. In addition, the error of tracking normal gait with wearable robot was less than 0. 06 rad for user with crouch gait. Conclusion: By using a simulation method and analyzing the motion data of a person gait pattern, an optimal path can be defined individually for each person, which reduces the risk and error of tracking while using the rehabilitation robot. It is also possible to change the mechanical and control structure of wearable robots in simulation without the cost and risk of laboratory evaluation.

Introduction: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders, and is related to biomechanical factors of the lower extremities. Hip and knee muscle strengthening is a well-known method for the treatment of PFPS, but there is insufficient evidence for its effectiveness in combination with other effective interventions. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of hip and knee strengthening with internal instruction exercises on pain and dynamic knee valgus in patients with PFPS. Materials and Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental intervention. 50 men and women with PFPS (18 to 45 years) participated in this study. Subjects were assigned to experimental (n = 25) and control (n = 25) groups. Evaluation of pain was conducted using visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaire, and dynamic knee valgus by two-dimensional video camera. Subjects in the control group received hip and knee strengthening exercises, and in the experimental group performed hip and knee strengthening with internal instruction exercise for six weeks, three sessions per week and each session for 45 minutes. Independent and dependent t tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: Adding internal focus instruction on hip and knee strengthening exercises affected the dynamic knee valgus angle of the patients with PFPS, and significantly reduced the dynamic knee valgus angle (P < 0. 001). Moreover, there was no significant statistical effect on pain with the addition of internal focus on hip and knee strengthening exercises. Conclusion: Hip and knee strengthening with internal instructions exercises seem to be more effective in improving dynamic knee valgus than exercises that focus solely on strengthening the hip and knee muscles.

Introduction: The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of educational computer games on the management of the creative thinking in children using interactive approaches. Materials and Methods: In this randomized controlled clinical trial study, the statistical population consisted of all first-grade students in Shiraz City, Iran, in the academic year of 2019-2020. 60 children were selected using cluster random sampling method. Data were collected using a questionnaire that measured the subjects' abilities in interactive performance and creative thinking skills. Children were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group was exposed to computer games training, and the control group continued traditional training. The results were analyzed using covariance method. Results: Educational computer game strategy had a significant effect on creative thinking management with the impact intensity of 17. 8%. The f statistic was 9. 83 for social skills (P = 0. 003), and the impact intensity was 49. 9%. Conclusion: Probably educational computer games may enhance creativity and social interactions in children, which in turn has a great impact on individual life, as well as social and personal skills.

Introduction: Studies report that mobility changes could be present in early stages of Alzheimer’ s disease (AD) or even in previous stages, such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The use of motor tests, involving dual task, could facilitate screening and differentiation between the elderly with AD and MCI. The goal of this study is to design and validate dual-tasks based on Kinect sensor in a virtual reality environment to evaluate cognitive disorders in the elderly. Materials and Methods: This was a validating study with the statistical society including the psychologists who were expert in the field of AD treatment, cognitive disorders, and the educational technologies, among whom 10 people were purposefully selected. A package of dual tasks based on Kinect sensor in a virtual reality environment was developed and evaluated for assessing cognitive disorders in geriatrics. The tools used in this study included a three dimensional game made by Unity, a Kinect sensor, and a virtual reality headset. To determine the content validity of the software, a questionnaire was prepared by the technical team concerning the software content, and then was filled by the psychologists. The software validity was determined using the Kappa coefficient. Results: Applying the revisions based on the comments received, the experts’ opinions were analyzed and resulted in the Kappa coefficient of 93. 4%. Conclusion: The software developed seems to have the acceptable content validity. Dual tasks based on the Kinect sensor may be used to accurately evaluate the cognitive function in the elderly.

Introduction: Today, with the advancement of technology and the expansion of the use of computers and mobile phones, mobility and health care through gamification has reached a special place. Despite increasing people health, gamification can create a small step towards a green city and create new job opportunities. Materials and Methods: In this study, a motor was attached to the pedal or rotary axis of a stationary bicycle as a generator to convert the produced mechanical energy into the electrical form. Some buttons were also mounted on the bicycle handlebar so that the user could control the game character in the Android application. All required hardware and circuits were also initially selected and designed to provide the power needed to charge the mobile and send the sensor information to the software via a Bluetooth module. Results: Referring to the latest achievements in health care, the complete design and manufacturing process of the control hardware required to read the information of the sensors connected to the bicycle and send them by a microcontroller to a mobile application as well as the design of a related android game with its software challenges, were provided. Two IoT-based Android developing tools, Flutter and Flame, were also briefly introduced. Conclusion: The output of this study was a full version of a small-scale stationary bicycle attached to the sensor, which was a comprehensive example of a set of interconnected bicycles. It can be widely used at sports clubs, parks, and gardens to enhance sport culture through gamification.

Introduction: Motion capturing is a concept which has been taken into consideration in recent decades and it has been used for various purposes like improving the performance of patients with motor problems and increasing motivation and creativity of users. It can also be used in film industry both in two-and three-dimensional animations. Research has shown that this system may be used to enhance creativity and intellect. The aim of this study is to use the Vicon motion capturing device to convert creative human movements into a conceptual painting with the help of music. Materials and Methods: For cultural adaption of the system, the first chapter of “ HAFTVAD” music album called “ The Introduction” composed by Masoud Nekoyi and the story of Rostam and Sohrab from Shahnameh, written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi, were chosen as the musical groundwork and the scenario for this survey. A human model was trained to perform movements in accordance with the musical and fictional workarounds of the study; the model was also allowed to use self-created styles in movements in the final performance. The segmental movements of the model body were identified in the Vicon Vero system by wearing clothes equipped with reflective markers. This information was transmitted into the Unity engine, and without modeling the body's segments, different colors and brushes were defined to illustrate the path of the movements of the hands, feet, head, and heart. Results: By defining various brushes in different colors, human movements were converted into a conceptual painting in accordance with the music. Conclusion: This study discussed a creative process, entitled Motion Paint, which was implemented in Iran for the first time. This method can be used to make the process of exercise therapy more attractive, especially in chronic motor problems.

Introduction: The importance of education in today's world is evident for anyone. Nowadays, with the advancement of technology, educational centers seek electronic approaches to train the students. On the other hand, education authorities encounter difficulties like abundant educational material, limited learning time, lack of interactive media, and poor quality of education that negatively influence student’ s motivation and engagement. An effective solution in this regard is gamification in the electronic learning. Additionally, software developers encounter many complexities in producing courses that use game elements for learning, including lack of precise understanding of the concepts of the field, which makes the development of the software a time-consuming process. Materials and Methods: In this study, the process of designing and implementing courses was simplified for developers by modeling the concepts of gamification using the model driven approach. A metamodel was designed for e-learning domain using Eclipse framework, and then a model was has developed based on this metamodel that represented a gamification course. Results: A meta-model was created for modeling gamification of electronic education using a model driven approach and then a model was developed based on this metamodel that indicated a gamification course for educational purposes. Conclusion: In this study, the learning process became more attractive by applying gamification, in addition to facilitating e-course development process, which was usually implemented in web platforms using the model driven approach. Different models may be driven from the metamodel presented in this study according to the requirements of customers. These models may be used in transformation programs to generate implementation code for e-courses.

Introduction: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of persistent abnormalities in body posture and movement resulting from non-destructive lesions in the fetal or neonatal brain that can lead to impaired body structure and functions, and activity limitations. Therefore, timely treatment is necessary due to such disorders. The kinesiotaping technique is a non-invasive, cost-effective, relatively modern, and available method to treat some of the lesions and function in these children. The purpose of this article was to review the literature to investigate the effect of long-term application of kinesiotape technique on improving the function and balance of children with spastic cerebral palsy. Materials and Methods: Using Kinesiotape, Kinesiotaping, CP, Cerebral Palsy, Function, and Balance keywords in databases such as Pubmed, Google Scholar, Science direct, Proquest, Ovid, Scopus, and Scientific Information Database (SID), 14 articles were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and then sorted according to the placement of application of kinesotape on the body. Results: A review of related articles showed that in most studies, the kinesiotape improved activities such as standing up, walking, sitting, grasping, and releasing, separate movements of fingers, upper and lower limb movement patterns, daily living activities, and trunk balance while sitting or walking. Conclusion: Long-term use of kinesiotape appears to be effective in combination with other rehabilitation therapies to improve the function and balance of children with spastic cerebral palsy.