Manida Swangnetr

Emotional State Classification in Patient–Robot Interaction Using Wavelet Analysis and Statistics-Based Feature Selection

Due to a major shortage of nurses in the U.S., future healthcare service robots are expected to be used in tasks involving direct interaction with patients. Consequently, there is a need to design nursing robots with the capability to detect and respond to patient emotional states and to facilitate positive experiences in healthcare. The objective of this study was to develop a new computational algorithm for accurate patient emotional state classification in interaction with nursing robots during medical service. A simulated medicine delivery experiment was conducted at two nursing homes using a robot with different human-like features. Physiological signals, including heart rate (HR) and galvanic skin response (GSR), as well as subjective ratings of valence (happy-unhappy) and arousal (excited-bored) were collected on elderly residents. A three-stage emotional state classification algorithm was applied to these data, including: (1) physiological feature extraction; (2) statistical-based feature selection; and (3) a machine-learning model of emotional states. A pre-processed HR signal was used. GSR signals were nonstationary and noisy and were further processed using wavelet analysis. A set of wavelet coefficients, representing GSR features, was used as a basis for current emotional state classification. Arousal and valence were significantly explained by statistical features of the HR signal and GSR wavelet features. Wavelet-based de-noising of GSR signals led to an increase in the percentage of correct classifications of emotional states and clearer relationships among the physiological response and arousal and valence. The new algorithm may serve as an effective method for future service robot real-time detection of patient emotional states and behavior adaptation to promote positive healthcare experiences.

Usability and Safety in Electronic Medical Records Interface Design: A Review of Recent Literature and Guideline Formulation

Objective The objectives of this study were to (a) review electronic medical record (EMR) and related electronic health record (EHR) interface usability issues, (b) review how EMRs have been evaluated with safety analysis techniques along with any hazard recognition, and (c) formulate design guidelines and a concept for enhanced EMR interfaces with a focus on diagnosis and documentation processes. Background A major impact of information technology in health care has been the introduction of EMRs. Although numerous studies indicate use of EMRs to increase health care quality, there remain concerns with usability issues and safety. Method A literature search was conducted using Compendex, PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases to find EMR research published since 2000. Inclusion criteria included relevant English-language papers with subsets of keywords and any studies (manually) identified with a focus on EMR usability. Results Fifty studies met the inclusion criteria. Results revealed EMR and EHR usability problems to include violations of natural dialog, control consistency, effective use of language, effective information presentation, and customization principles as well as a lack of error prevention, minimization of cognitive load, and feedback. Studies focusing on EMR system safety made no objective assessments and applied only inductive reasoning methods for hazard recognition. Conclusion On the basis of the identified usability problems and structure of safety analysis techniques, we provide EMR design guidelines and a design concept focused on the diagnosis process and documentation. Application The design guidelines and new interface concept can be used for prototyping and testing enhanced EMRs.

Prevalence of low back pain and associated factors among farmers during the rice transplanting process.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of low back pain and associated factors in Thai rice farmers during the rice transplanting process. [Subjects and Methods] Three hundred and forty-four farmers, aged 20–59 years old, were asked to answer a questionnaire modified from the Standard Nordic Questionnaire (Thai version). The questionnaire sought demographic, back-related, and psychosocial data. [Results] The results showed that the prevalence of low back pain was 83.1%. Farmers younger than 45 years old who worked in the field fewer than six days were more likely to experience low back pain than those who worked for at least six days. Farmers with high stress levels were more likely to have low back pain. [Conclusion] In the rice transplanting process, the low back pain experienced by the farmers was associated with the weekly work duration and stress.

Evaluation of an Augmented Virtual Reality and Haptic Control Interface for Psychomotor Training

This study investigated the design of a virtual reality (VR) simulation integrating a haptic control interface for motor skill training. Twenty-four healthy participants were tested and trained in standardized psychomotor control tasks using native and VR forms with their nondominant hands in order to identify VR design features that might serve to accelerate motor learning. The study was also intended to make preliminary observations on the degree of specific motor skill development that can be achieved with a VR-based haptic simulation. Results revealed significant improvements in test performance following training for the VR with augmented haptic features with insignificant findings for the native task and VR with basic haptic features. Although performance during training was consistently better with the native task, a correspondence between the VR training and test task interfaces led to greater improvement in test performance as reported by a difference between baseline and post-test scores. These findings support use of VR-based haptic simulations of standardized psychomotor tests for motor skill training, including visual and haptic enhancements for effective pattern recognition and discrete movement of objects. The results may serve as an applicable guide for design of future haptic VR features.

Effects of restrictive clothing on lumbar range of motion and trunk muscle activity in young adult worker manual material handling

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of wearing restrictive trousers on lumbar spine movement, trunk muscle activity and low back discomfort (LBD) in simulations of manual material handling (MMH) tasks. Twenty-eight young adults participated in the study performing box lifting, liquid container handling while squatting, and forward reaching while sitting on a task chair when wearing tight pants (sizes too small for the wearer) vs. fit pants (correct size according to anthropometry). Each task was repeated three times and video recordings were used as a basis for measuring lumbar range of motion (LRoM). The response was normalized in terms on baseline hip mobility. Trunk muscle activity of rectus abdominis (RA) and erector spinae (ES) muscles were also measured in each trial and normalized. At the close of each trial, participants rated LBD using a visual analog scale. Results revealed significant effects of both pants and task types on the normalized LRoM, trunk muscle activity and subjective ratings of LBD. The LRoM was higher and trunk muscle (ES) activity was lower for participants when wearing tight pants, as compared to fit pants. Discomfort ratings were significantly higher for tight pants than fit. These results provide guidance for recommendations on work clothing fit in specific types of MMH activities in order to reduce the potential of low-back pain among younger workers in industrial companies.

Prevalence and risk factor analysis of lower extremity abnormal alignment characteristics among rice farmers.

Background Rice farming activities involve prolonged manual work and human–machine interaction. Prolonged farming risk-exposure may result in lower limb malalignment. This malalignment may increase the risk of lower extremity injury and physical disabilities. However, the prevalence and factors associated with lower extremity malalignment have not yet been reported. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of lower extremity malalignment among rice farmers. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 249 rice farmers. Lower extremity alignment assessment included: pelvic tilt angle, limb length equality, femoral torsion, quadriceps (Q) angle, tibiofemoral angle, genu recurvatum, rearfoot angle, and medial longitudinal arch angle. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze participant characteristics and prevalence of lower extremity malalignment. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors. Results The highest prevalence of lower extremity malalignment was foot pronation (36.14%), followed by the abnormal Q angle (34.94%), tibiofemoral angle (31.73%), pelvic tilt angle (30.52%), femoral antetorsion (28.11%), limb length inequality (22.49%), tibial torsion (21.29%), and genu recurvatum (11.24%). In females, the risk factors were abnormal Q angle, tibiofemoral angle, and genu recurvatum. Being overweight was a risk factor for abnormal pelvic tilt angle, Q angle, and tibiofemoral angle. Age was a risk factor for limb length inequality. Years of farming were a major risk factor for abnormal Q angle, tibiofemoral angle, and foot malalignment. Conclusion Prevalence of lower extremity malalignment was reported in this study. Female sex, being overweight, and years of farming were major risk factors for lower extremity malalignment. Lower extremity screening should assist in the identification of foot and knee malalignment in rice farmers. This may then lead to early prevention of musculoskeletal disorders arising from such malalignment.

Ergonomics-related risk identification and pain analysis for farmers involved in rice field preparation

BACKGROUND A previous ergonomic screening of rice field preparation revealed farmer exposure to high risks of musculoskeletal disorders at the shoulders, hands, wrists and back. The screening method was not applied to muddy soil farming in which analysts could not observe farmer legs and feet. This study analyzed farmer pain in all stages of field preparation. OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship of farmer experience and demographics to perceptions of pain and to identify body areas exposed to ergonomics risks, unknown to farmers. Results were expected to support interventions and guidelines for famers on physical behaviors towards minimizing risk of injury as well as validation of the screening approach. METHODS Comparison of analyst screening results and farmer pain ratings using self-ratings and interviews. RESULTS Farmer experience and age were significantly correlated with occurrence of pain and cramping. Less experienced farmers reported less pain in high-risk body parts (e.g., neck and lower back). More experienced farmers reported more pain in the legs, as compared with analyst risk ratings. CONCLUSIONS Results demonstrated less experienced farmers to be unaware of critical areas of exposure to ergonomics risks. Correlation of farmer ratings of pain with analyst risk assessments support validity of the screening method for hazard identification and control.

The influence of rice plow handle design and whole-body posture on grip force and upper-extremity muscle activation

A previous job screening study revealed ergonomics risk factors in rice field plowing. This work motivated the present experimental investigation of the influence of plow handle design and farmer whole-body posture on grip force and arm muscle activity. A total of 24 experienced farmers performed a simulated plowing task, including walking on even and uneven ground while rolling a tiller equipped with conventional horizontal and proposed vertical handles. Results revealed the proposed handles, designed to promote neutral wrist posture, to increase upper-arm muscle use between 47% and 70% across ground types, as compared with conventional handles. The ratio of grip force to forearm muscle activity (or efficiency in muscle use) increased from 1.85 when using conventional handles on uneven ground to 2.16 when using the proposed handles with symmetrical body posture on even ground. However, participants perceived higher discomfort when using the proposed handles, as they were accustomed to the conventional design. Practitioner Summary: The findings of this work may be used to educate farmers on the potential for hand and arm injury in rice cultivation activities. Results may also provide a basis for redesign of existing tiller handles to promote neutral wrist posture, greater efficiency in muscle use and machine control.

Assessing the Effects of Humanoid Robot Features on Patient Emotion during a Medicine Delivery Task

Human perceptions of the “humanness” of robots have been found to be influenced by face, voice and interactivity features. These features have been studied individually in a human robot interaction (HRI) and facial features appear to be strongest in promoting positive human emotions. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of combined humanoid robot features on human emotions during a medicine delivery task. Seven robot prototypes with various combinations of face, voice and interactivity features were developed and classified in terms of levels of humanness. A “Wizard of Oz” experiment was conducted in which 32 subjects received and accepted a simulated bag of medicine from each of the robot prototypes. Both subjective (arousal and valence ratings) and physiological (HR and GSR) measures were collected as indicators of participant emotional states. Results revealed robot configurations with higher levels of humanness promoted positive emotions. Arousal and valence ratings and the HR response had utility for predicting emotions. We also found that additional humanoid features lead to higher GSR ratings, but the trend was not strictly linear with the pre-defined level of robot humanness.

Effects of seated lumbar extension postures on spinal height and lumbar range of motion during prolonged sitting

Prolonged sitting during sedentary work has been reported as a potential risk factor for low back pain. Furthermore, prolonged sitting can result in both reduced spinal height (SH) and lumbar range of motion (LROM). This study compared the effects of no intervention (control) with two recovery postures on SH and LROM (flexion and extension) during prolonged sitting. Twenty-four participants were randomly assigned to three interventions for three consecutive days. The interventions comprised two seated lumbar extension recovery postures (unsupported sustained and supported dynamic lumbar extension postures) and a control. Both interventions facilitated a relatively short recovery period for both SH and LROM. Supported dynamic lumbar extension conditions significantly helped SH recovery, as compared with control condition, after the first recovery posture intervention, and both postures have potential to maintain LROM. However, both postures failed to induce SH recovery over an extended time. Practitioner Summary: Unsupported sustained lumbar extension and supported dynamic lumbar extension postures may serve as effective and practical methods for reducing rate of SH loss and maintaining LROM. However, these postures should be further examined in various ‘doses’ to define optimal protocol for effectively minimising SH loss over time.