| 1. |
- Engström, Elisabet, et al.
(författare)
-
Auditory event-related potentials and mismatch negativity in children with hearing loss using hearing aids or cochlear implants : A three-year follow-up study
- 2021
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. - : Elsevier. - 0165-5876 .- 1872-8464. ; 140
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: The primary aim was to examine how event-related potentials (ERPs) and mismatch negativity (MMN) change and develop over time among children with hearing loss (HL) using hearing aids (HAs) or cochlear implants (CIs). Children with normal hearing (NH) were tested as a reference group.Methods: This three-year follow-up study included 13 children with sensorineural HL (SNHL); 7 children using bilateral HAs and 6 children using CIs; and 10 children with NH as a reference group. ERPs were recorded at baseline and after three years. At time for the original study the children were approximately 5-8 years old and at the follow-up study 8-11 years old. ERP recordings and data processing were identical in both sessions. A standard stimulus alternated with five different deviants (gap, intensity, pitch, location and duration), presented in a pseudorandom sequence, thus following the multi-feature paradigm, Optimum-1. MMN was calculated from the average ERP of each deviant minus the standard stimuli. Repeated measures ANOVA was used for the statistical analyses and the results were based on samples within a specific time interval; 80-224 ms.Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the obligatory responses between the NH and HA groups at baseline, but this difference disappeared after three years in our follow-up study. The children with HA also showed a significant difference in mean ERP at baseline compared to follow-up, and significant differences between the deviants at follow-up but not at baseline. This suggests an improvement over time among the children with HAs. On the other hand, the children with CIs did not differ from the NH children at baseline, but after three years their mean ERP was significantly lower compared to both the children with HA and NH, indicating a reduced development of the central auditory system in this age span among the children with CIs. Regarding MMN, there was an interaction between the duration deviant and time for the children with HA, also indicating a possible improvement over time among the HA children.Conclusions: This three-year follow-up study shows neurophysiological differences between children with HL and children with NH. The results suggest a delay in the central auditory processing among the HA children compared to children with NH, but a possible catch-up, over time, and this potential may be worth to be utilized. Regarding the CI children, similar improvement in this age span is missing, meaning there are differences between the subgroups of children with HL, i.e. the children with HAs vs. CIs. The results highlight the importance of distinguishing between subgroups of children with HL in further research.
|
|
| 2. |
- Hellmark Lindgren, Birgitta, 1965-
(författare)
-
Pregnoscape : Den gravida kroppen som arena för motstridiga perspektiv på risk, kön och medicinsk teknik
- 2006
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Pregnancy and birth are not only physiological processes but also socially and culturally organized events. Pregnancy is an individual experience as well as the focus of collective concerns and values. In this dissertation the pregnant body is understood as an arena of social truths and contesting perspectives: a public stage where different perspectives on medical technology, risk and gender are acted out. Swedish maternity care dominates the arena, and women have to adjust to the authority of medical knowledge. This, however, does not mean that women comply without questions. As the study shows they struggle for voice and agency which is reflected in pregnant women’s differing views and uses of biomedical knowledge and technology. Although the discourse on pregnancy and birth is highly ideological and marked by strong opinions, pregnant women in practice tend to be motivated by pragmatics rather than ideology. In order to understand the complexities and nuances of reproductive culture in Sweden, we need to move beyond distinctions such as the one between technology and the body, and instead focus on the experiential world of pregnant women in which technology is an integral part in everyday life and therefore taken for granted rather than problematised. The thesis is based on fieldwork at a maternity care center and interviews with pregnant women. Furthermore, discussion groups on the Internet and debates in mass media have been valuable sources of information.
|
|
| 3. |
- Tham, Richard, et al.
(författare)
-
Vestibulo-ocular disturbances in rats exposed to organic solvents
- 1984
-
Ingår i: Acta Pharmacologica et Toxicologica. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0001-6683. ; 54:1, s. 58-63
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The influence of different kinds of industrial solvents on the vestibular function of rats has been studied by recording nystagmus, induced by accelerated rotation. The effect was related to the blood levels of the solvents. One group of solvents, including halogenated saturated hydrocarbons like dichloromethane, caused depression of the vestibulo-oculomotor reflex (VOR). Another group, including benzene compounds like xylene, toluene, styrene and cumene and halogenated unsaturated hydrocarbons like trichloroethylene caused an excitation of the VOR. The most striking chemical similarity between the different solvents in the last group is the occurence of double-bonds. If the animals were exposed simultaneously to solvents from both groups the excitatory effect prevailed and was even potentiated. It is suggested that solvents cause depression or excitation of the VOR by interaction with central pathways in the reticular formation and the cerebellum.
|
|
| 4. |
- Aspán, Margareta, 1965-
(författare)
-
Delade meningar : Om värdepedagogiska invitationer för barns inflytande och inkännande
- 2009
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In two studies efforts to enhance children’s possibilities to participate and to improve the school as a social meeting place are followed. The first focuses on a three year project, aimed to work out new forms for pupils (grades 6-9) to participate in the school organization. The second study follows younger children (grades 1-5) in specific lessons where social dilemmas are discussed and solved, which can be characterized as social and emotional learning. Both studies concern the school’s option to handle the child fostering to individual actors, their independence and ability to take part through ’self-expression’, and at the same time instill the society’s ‘common value system’. By following pedagogical interventions by participant observations and interviews, it appears that there is little interest to let the children get involved out of their own questions and problem definitions. In the participation project it appears that children often are rather strictly directed by adults, and they are not so often let to use their critical and reflective thinking. In the second study each exercise is scrutinized for what it affords the children. Also these results show that the underlying intentions are not to create pedagogical conditions that support communication that involves the children’s own perspectives and interests, in an ‘exploratory’ speech in learning about one’s self, about the other and the world. The children’s resistance to perform properly can be seen as a way to recapture some of their autonomy to break the ‘ritualized' communication. In both studies children’s use of a field of free action is restricted. The interventions are analyzed through the concept of intersubjectivity and of child perspective. I conclude that the basis for why and how these efforts are done can be seen in a cultural childhood narrative: they are in certain aspects seen as ‘not yets’ despite the late modern emphasis on competence and responsibility.
|
|
| 5. |
- Borgström, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
-
Brain measures of toddlers’ shape recognition predict language and cognitive skills at 6–7 years
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Frontiers in Psychology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-1078. ; 10:AUG
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- While a number of studies have found that an improvement in object shape recognition is associated with language growth in infants and toddlers, no published studies have investigated the longitudinal relation between early shape recognition, and language abilities in later childhood. An electrophysiological measure of semantic processing (the N400) was used to assess shape recognition and general object recognition in a naming context in 20-month-olds. The measures of shape recognition strongly predicted language and cognitive abilities at 6–7 years even after controlling for toddler vocabulary size. The electrophysiological measures of general object recognition were not related to future language or cognitive abilities. These results suggest that early shape recognition abilities may play a role in language acquisition and influence even long-term language outcomes.
|
|
| 6. |
- Carlsson, H., et al.
(författare)
-
Experiences of SENSory Relearning of the UPPer Limb (SENSUPP) after Stroke and Perceived Effects: A Qualitative Study
- 2022
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI AG. - 1660-4601 .- 1661-7827. ; 19:6
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Recently, it was shown that sensory relearning of the upper limb (SENSUPP) is a promising intervention to improve sensorimotor function after stroke. There is limited knowledge, however, of how participants perceive the training. Here, we explored how persons with sensory impairments in the upper limb experienced the SENSUPP protocol (combined sensory- and motor training and home exercises for 5 weeks) and its effect. Fifteen persons (mean age 59 years; 10 men; >6 months post-stroke) were individually interviewed, and data were analyzed with qualitative content analysis. An overall theme 'Sensory relearning was meaningful and led to improved ability to perform daily hand activities' and two categories with six subcategories emerged. The outpatient training was perceived as meaningful, although the exercises were demanding and required concentration. Support from the therapist was helpful and training in small groups appreciated. The home training was challenging due to lack of support, time, and motivation. Small improvements in sensory function were perceived, whereas increased movement control and ability in performing daily hand activities were reported. In conclusion, the SENSUPP protocol is meaningful and beneficial in improving the functioning of the UL in chronic stroke. Improving compliance to the home training, regular follow-ups, and an exercise diary are recommended.
|
|
| 7. |
|
|
| 8. |
- Engström, Elisabet, et al.
(författare)
-
Computer-assisted reading intervention for children with hearing impairment using cochlear implants : Effects on auditory event-related potentials and mismatch negativity
- 2020
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. - : Elsevier. - 0165-5876 .- 1872-8464. ; 137
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: The primary aim was to find out whether a computer-assisted reading intervention program with a phonic approach can affect event-related (ERPs) and mismatch negativity (MMN) in hearing impaired (HI) children using cochlear implants (CIs).METHODS: This study involved a test group of 15 HI children with CIs and a control group of 14 normal hearing (NH) children. The children were 4 years and 10 months to 8 years and 1 month old. ERPs were recorded immediately before and after 4 weeks of training with a computer-assisted reading intervention, GraphoGame. A multi-feature paradigm, Optimum-1, was used, i.e. a standard stimulus alternated with five different deviants: gap intensity, pitch, location and duration. MMN was calculated from the mean amplitude ERP of each deviant minus the standard stimulus response in a specific time interval, 80 - 224 ms. Repeated measures ANOVA was used for the statistical analysis.RESULTS: The results did not show any significant changes with the computerassisted training in the ERPs and MMNs among the HI children with CIs. The presence of both MMN and a positive mismatch response (pMMR), which might reflect an immaturity, complicates interpreting the results in this age group. Individually, there was a mix of MMNs and pMMRs among all participants, pre and post training, and the change of each deviant after intervention was not predictable.CONCLUSIONS: There are no significant changes in ERP or MMN after intervention, however lack of significances must be interpreted with caution. Besides the presence of both MMNs and pMMRs, only modest changes are to be expected on an individual basis and small samples hinder making statistical conclusions regarding the training's effects. The study contributes to some more descriptive pieces of ERPs and MMNs among the HI children with CIs. The issues of MMN and pMMR are highlighted.
|
|
| 9. |
- Engström, Elisabet, et al.
(författare)
-
Computer-assisted reading intervention for children with sensorineural hearing loss using hearing aids : Effects on auditory event-related potentials and mismatch negativity
- 2019
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. - : Elsevier. - 0165-5876 .- 1872-8464. ; 117, s. 17-25
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: The primary aim was to investigate whether computer-assisted reading intervention somehow can affect event-related potentials (ERP) and mismatch negativity (MMN) in hearing impaired (HI) children with hearing aids (HAs) and normal hearing (NH) children.METHODS: The study included 15 HI children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) using bilateral HAs and 14 NH children as a reference group; all children between the ages of 5 and 8. A multi-feature MMN-paradigm, Optimum-1, with a standard stimulus alternating with 5 different deviants was used. ERPs were recorded pre and post intervention, i.e. one month of repeatedly computer-assisted training (GraphoGame). MMN was calculated from the average ERP of each deviant minus standard. Data were based on samples within a specific time interval, 80-224 ms, and repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze possible interactions.RESULTS: There was a significant difference between groups before training, though, the mean obligatory responses or MMN was not statistically significantly different before versus after training, neither among the NH nor the HI children. Further, the HI children did generally achieve lower levels in GraphoGame compared to the NH children. Altogether, our findings indicate differences between the groups and that training may affect the neurophysiological processing in the brain, gaining the HI children. Both MMN and positive mismatch response (pMMR) were seen among both the HA and NH children, irrespective to deviant type. Individually, changes of the MMN and pMMR after training seem unpredictable.CONCLUSION: There are statistically significant differences in both the obligatory responses in ERP and the MMNs between the NH and HI groups before the computer-assisted training. Though, these differences disappear after the intervention. This suggests possible training effects regarding the central auditory processing among the HI children.
|
|
| 10. |
|
|
