Carlo Tacconi

Validity of a Smartphone-based instrumented Timed Up and Go

The Timed Up and Go (TUG) is one of the most widely used clinical tests to assess balance and mobility. An instrumented Timed Up and Go (iTUG) makes use of a specialized measurement system (e.g. an accelerometer) to identify and evaluate specific mobility skills. Nowadays a Smartphone (SP) comes with a large set of embedded sensors, including an accelerometer. An SP is a user-friendly device able to perform ubiquitous sensing with a variety of connectivity options. In this study we evaluate the validity of an SP for instrumenting the TUG. We examined 49 subjects (59 ± 16 years old), without defining any inclusion criteria, using both an SP and a McRoberts Dynaport Hybrid, a device specifically designed for movement analysis. The statistical agreement between the two measurement systems is good for some of the parameters described in literature, which are of clear clinical value. Inter-rater reliability is often excellent and intra-rater reliability has been assessed in a subgroup of 25 subjects finding the same results for the two devices. In conclusion we found evidence that the SP is capable of becoming a pervasive and low-cost tool for the quantitative analysis of balance and mobility.

Smartphone-based solutions for fall detection and prevention: the FARSEEING approach.

Falls are not an inevitable consequence of aging. The risk and rate of falls can be reduced. Recent improvements in smartphone technology enable implementation of a wide variety of services and applications, thus making the smartphone more of a digital companion than simply a communication tool. This paper presents the results obtained by the FARSEEING project where smartphones are one example of intervention in a population-based scenario. The applications developed take advantage of the smartphone-embedded inertial sensors and require that subjects wear the smartphone by means of a waist belt. The uFall Android application has been developed for monitoring the user’s motor activities at home. The application does not require any direct interaction with the user and it is also capable of running a real-time fall-detection algorithm. uTUG is a stand-alone application for instrumenting the Timed Up and Go test, which is a test often included in fall risk assessment protocols. The application acts like a pocket-sized motion laboratory, since it is capable not only of recording the trial but also of processing the data and immediately displaying the results. uTUG is designed to be self-administrable at home.ZusammenfassungStürze sind keine notwendige Folge des Alterns, sie können verhindert werden. Die jüngsten Entwicklungen der Smartphonetechnologie ermöglichen eine Vielzahl von Anwendungen und Applikationen, wodurch das Gerät nicht nur als Kommunikationswerkzeug, sondern zunehmend als digitaler Alltagsbegleiter dient. In diesem Artikel werden Ergebnisse des FARSEEING-Projekts präsentiert, bei dem Smartphones ein Interventionsbeispiel in einem populationsbezogenen Szenario sind. Die hier vorgestellten Applikationen nutzen die im Gerät integrierten Inertialsensoren. Das Smartphone wird dabei mit einem Hüftgurt getragen. Die uFall-Applikation dient zur innerhäuslichen Beobachtung der körperlichen Aktivität des Nutzers und ermöglicht eine algorithmusbasierte Echtzeitsturzerkennung. Die uTUG-Applikation instrumentalisiert den Timed-up-and-go(TUG)-Test (Zeit bis zum Aufstehen und Gehen), welcher häufig zur Messung des Sturzrisikos verwendet wird. Dieses „miniaturisierte Bewegungslabor“ erlaubt nicht nur die Durchführung einzelner Messungen, sondern stellt auch prozessierte Daten zur direkten Auswertung bereit. Die Applikationen ermöglichen die Eigenanwendung und erfordern keine direkte Interaktion des Nutzers mit dem Gerät.

Intrusion detection for secure clustering and routing in Mobile Multi-hop Wireless Networks

Intrusion detection and secure routing schemes have been proposed for increasing security and reliability in critical wireless scenarios. In this paper we present an integrated secure routing system based on Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Statistically Unique and Cryptographically Verifiable (SUCV) identifiers. The proposed IDS has been used for the support of secure Ad Hoc On Demand Distance Vector (AODV) routing, named IDS-based Secure AODV (IS-AODV), in wireless ad hoc and vehicular network scenarios. Our IDS is based on the detection of behavior anomalies on behalf of neighbor hosts, with passive reactions, aiming to create a cluster whose route paths will include only safe nodes, eventually. Simulation results show that the proposed IDS is effective in isolating misbehaving hosts, and it assists the AODV secure routing scheme to converge in finding safe end-to-end routes.

A wireless intrusion detection system for secure clustering and routing in ad hoc networks

Intrusion detection and secure routing schemes have been proposed for increasing the security and reliability in critical scenarios like mobile ad hoc networks. In this paper we present an integrated secure routing system based on Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and SUCV (Statistically Unique and Cryptographically Verifiable) identifiers. The proposed IDS has been used for the support of secure AODV routing, named IDS-based Secure AODV (IS-AODV), in a wireless ad hoc network scenario. Our IDS solution is based on the detection of behavior anomalies on behalf of neighbor hosts, with passive reactions, aiming to create a cluster whose route paths will include only safe nodes, eventually. Simulation results show that the proposed IDS is effective in isolating misbehaving hosts, and it assists the AODV secure routing scheme to converge in finding end-to-end safe routes.

A biofeedback based portable device to support elderly mobility in the home environment

We present a device to support elderly balance and mobility in the home environment based on the sensory augmentation principle. We designed and tested an audiobiofeedback system that is wireless and lightweight, and can be easily worn and operated by elderly subjects. Having in mind wearability and unobtrusiveness, it is based on a palmtop computer, a stereo headset, and body sensors networks. Preliminary validation was performed on a sample of 6 older people with Parkinson’s Disease and 3 age-matched control subjects. Promising results were obtained, both in terms of ease-of-use and users’ acceptability of the device, and in terms of postural improvement induced by the use of the biofeedback system. Keywords— ambient assisted living, assistive technologies, telemedicine, biofeedback.

UCD, Ergonomics and Inclusive Design: The HABITAT Project

Recent forecasts about the European population have highlighted the fact that the number of elderly people will grow rapidly in the upcoming years and that the economic impact of aging society will be relevant in all EU countries. In this perspective, a healthy, active, and independent aging, for as long as possible, is a goal that involves the whole community, as it can lead to an improvement in the quality of life and a great cost savings. In this scenario, digital technology can put itself at the service of healthy ageing also by empowering available tools and devices, and allowing the development of new support paradigms, like seamless anywhere-anytime medical treatment and home assistance, with sustainable quality and costs. The article aims at describing the application of a Human Centered design tool, like the QFD, to the selection and development of technological solutions related to physical and cognitive ergonomics issues in the design of smart objects connected to the Internet of Things for elderly. The applied methods take also in account the needs of all the people involved in the care and assistance of the elderly, trying to define the most inclusive and less intrusive design solutions. The analysis is based on the first results obtained by the Habitat project, a multidisciplinary design research focused on the development of a IOT platform for the Home Assistance of self-sufficient and non-self-sufficient elderly users.

Smart Environments and Systems for Maintaining Health and Independent Living: The FARSEEING and CuPiD Projects

Home Control and Automation systems are often modular and offer the flexibility and dependability to make life easier. Wearable sensor systems for health monitoring are an emerging trend and are expected to enable proactive personal health management. Using home-based technology and personal devices the aim is to motivate and support healthier lifestyle; this is a challenge which has been addressed in the framework of FARSEEING and CuPiD EU projects. Contrary to visions that consider home automation and personal health systems as a mean to replace or to simplify the subject control and actions, in the FARSEEING and CuPiD approach smartphones, wearable devices, and home based technology are used to stimulate the user by making life mentally and physically more challenging but without losing comfort.