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- Innala Ahlmark, Daniel, et al.
(author)
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An Initial Field Trial of a Haptic Navigation System for Persons with a Visual Impairment
- 2015
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In: Journal of Assistive Technologies. - 1754-9450 .- 2042-8723. ; 9:4, s. 199-206
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to describe conceptions of feasibility of a haptic navigation system for persons with a visual impairment (VI). Design/methodology/approach– Six persons with a VI who were white cane users were tasked with traversing a predetermined route in a corridor environment using the haptic navigation system. To see whether white cane experience translated to using the system, the participants received no prior training. The procedures were video-recorded, and the participants were interviewed about their conceptions of using the system. The interviews were analyzed using content analysis, where inductively generated codes that emerged from the data were clustered together and formulated into categories. Findings– The participants quickly figured out how to use the system, and soon adopted their own usage technique. Despite this, locating objects was difficult. The interviews highlighted the desire to be able to feel at a distance, with several scenarios presented to illustrate current problems. The participants noted that their previous white cane experience helped, but that it nevertheless would take a lot of practice to master using this system. The potential for the device to increase security in unfamiliar environments was mentioned. Practical problems with the prototype were also discussed, notably the lack of auditory feedback. Originality/value– One novel aspect of this field trial is the way it was carried out. Prior training was intentionally not provided, which means that the findings reflect immediate user experiences. The findings confirm the value of being able to perceive things beyond the range of the white cane; at the same time, the participants expressed concerns about that ability. Another key feature is that the prototype should be seen as a navigation aid rather than an obstacle avoidance device, despite the interaction similarities with the white cane. As such, the intent is not to replace the white cane as a primary means of detecting obstacles.
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| 2. |
- Johansson Strandkvist, Viktor, et al.
(author)
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Hand grip strength is associated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second among subjects with COPD : report from a population-based cohort study
- 2016
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In: The International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. - : Dove Medical Press. - 1176-9106 .- 1178-2005. ; 11, s. 2527-2534
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Cardiovascular diseases and skeletal muscle dysfunction are common comorbidities in COPD. Hand grip strength (HGS) is related to general muscle strength and is associated with cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality, while the results from small selected COPD populations are contradictory. The aim of this population-based study was to compare HGS among the subjects with and without COPD, to evaluate HGS in relation to COPD severity, and to evaluate the impact of heart disease. Subjects and methods: Data were collected from the Obstructive Lung disease in Northern Sweden COPD study, where the subjects with and without COPD have been invited to annual examinations since 2005. In 2009-2010, 441 subjects with COPD (postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]/vital capacity,0.70) and 570 without COPD participated in structured interviews, spirometry, and measurements of HGS. Results: The mean HGS was similar when comparing subjects with and without COPD, but those with heart disease had lower HGS than those without. When compared by Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) grades, the subjects with GOLD 3-4 had lower HGS than those without COPD in both sexes (females 21.4 kg vs 26.9 kg, P=0.010; males 41.5 kg vs 46.3 kg, P=0.038), and the difference persisted also when adjusted for confounders. Among the subjects with COPD, HGS was associated with FEV1% of predicted value but not heart disease when adjusted for height, age, sex, and smoking habits, and the pattern was similar among males and females. Conclusion: In this population-based study, the subjects with GOLD 3-4 had lower HGS than the subjects without COPD. Among those with COPD, HGS was associated with FEV1% of predicted value but not heart disease, and the pattern was similar in both sexes.
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| 3. |
- Johansson Strandkvist, Viktor, et al.
(author)
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Impact of heart disease on hand grip strength in COPD: epidemiological data
- 2016
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Hand grip strength (HGS) and heart disease (HD) are related to mortality. Peripheral muscle dysfunction and HD are both frequently observed among subjects with COPD, but the relationship between HGS and HD in COPD is unclear.Aim: To evaluate HGS and the impact of HD among subjects with and without COPD.Methods: Data was collected from the OLIN (Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden) COPD study, where subjects with COPD have been invited to annual examinations since 2005 together with age- and sex-matched subjects without COPD. During 2009, 441 subjects with COPD and 570 without COPD participated in examinations including structured interviews, spirometry and measurements of HGS. COPD was defined as post-bronchodilator FEV1/VC<0.70.Results: Both among subjects with and without COPD, and in both sexes, those with HD had significantly lower HGS. The proportion of subjects below estimated normal value for HGS was similar in subjects with and without COPD and in both sexes; among women (35.4 vs. 33.4%, p=0.714) and men (19.1 vs 15.9%, p=0.315). In a linear regression model among subjects with COPD only, HGS was significantly associated with age, beta coefficient (B) = -0.46 (p<0.001), sex, B=19.85 (p<0.001) and FEV1 % of predicted normal value, B=0.06 (p=0.007), but not with HD or smoking habits. When a similar model was estimated among subjects without COPD, HGS was only associated with age and sex.Conclusions: In this population-based study, subjects with heart disease had lower hand grip strength regardless if they had COPD or not. Among COPD subjects, hand grip strength was associated with age, sex and FEV1, but not with heart disease.
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