Computer-based Exercise Research Articles

The effect of CLOSER-computer-based exercise program in older adults with a history of falls: a pilot study

ABSTRACT CLOSER is a computer-based exercise program that aims to improve older adults’ health, fitness and social lives. This pilot study aimed to examine the effect of CLOSER, the first computer-based exercise program developed for older adults on a national scale, on those with a history of falls. Forty-eight older adults (71.33 ± 7.47) with a history of falling at least once in the last year were included in the study. Older adults performed CLOSER exercises for (balance maintenance, neck rotation, rhythmic walking, knee flexion and trunk rotation) 2 sessions per week for eight weeks. All individuals were evaluated at baseline and the end of the eighth week. The primary outcome measures were the 30-s Chair-Stand Test (p = 0.002), the Berg Balance Scale (p = 0.002), the Falls Efficacy Scale International (p = 0.003), the Timed Up and Go Test (p = 0.008) and the motivation level (p = 0.007) statistically significant improvements were observed. The results show that a CLOSER-computer-based exercise program effectively increases balance and reduces the risk and fear of falling. In the future, CLOSER could significantly contribute to the healthcare system as an alternative aid for home-based exercise.

Computer-Based Exercise Program for Elderly (CLOSER): Pilot Study

Aim: The Computer Based Exercise Program (CLOSER), developed for the elderly, provides the elderly with the opportunity to do exercises by receiving feedback about the exercises thanks to its dynamic structure. The aim of our study is a pilot study to examine the applicability of this developed system in elderly.
 
 Materials and Methods: 54 elderly (mean age:70.53±7.87 years) who applied to the Hacettepe University, Occupational therapy department Geriatric Clinic were included in the study. System includes a front landing page where the sociodemographic characteristics of the individuals are recorded, and 5 basic exercises involving all parts of the body, including maintaining balance, neck rotation, rhythmic gait, knee flexion and trunk rotation. Participants were asked questions covering the exercises in order to get their feedback on the content, applicability and accessibility of the system. A total of 38 crossquestions, consisting of 3 separate answers as agree, partially agree and disagree, were created by the researchers.
 
 Results: It can be said that most of the participants (more than 80%) found the CLOSER system easy, understandable and enjoyable. All of the participants stated that they found the instructions given to exercise sufficient and understandable and encouraging to exercise. There are a small number of participants (11%) who stated that they had some difficulties and problems in using the application.
 
 Conclusion: CLOSER is the first national health application developed for the elderly to exercise correctly in terms of scope and content. It is thought that it will contribute to future research in terms of giving visual and written feedback on the participants correct and motivated exercise at home.

ZO-1 Sequence Analysis – A Paper and Computer-based Exercise in Cloning

ZO-1 Sequence Analysis – A Paper and Computer-based Exercise in Cloning

Multifactor consciousness level assessment of participants with acquired brain injuries employing human\u2013computer interfaces

BackgroundA lack of communication with people suffering from acquired brain injuries may lead to drawing erroneous conclusions regarding the diagnosis or therapy of patients. Information technology and neuroscience make it possible to enhance the diagnostic and rehabilitation process of patients with traumatic brain injury or post-hypoxia. In this paper, we present a new method for evaluation possibility of communication and the assessment of such patients’ state employing future generation computers extended with advanced human–machine interfaces.MethodsFirst, the hearing abilities of 33 participants in the state of coma were evaluated using auditory brainstem response measurements (ABR). Next, a series of interactive computer-based exercise sessions were performed with the therapist’s assistance. Participants’ actions were monitored with an eye-gaze tracking (EGT) device and with an electroencephalogram EEG monitoring headset. The data gathered were processed with the use of data clustering techniques.ResultsAnalysis showed that the data gathered and the computer-based methods developed for their processing are suitable for evaluating the participants’ responses to stimuli. Parameters obtained from EEG signals and eye-tracker data were correlated with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores and enabled separation between GCS-related classes. The results show that in the EEG and eye-tracker signals, there are specific consciousness-related states discoverable. We observe them as outliers in diagrams on the decision space generated by the autoencoder. For this reason, the numerical variable that separates particular groups of people with the same GCS is the variance of the distance of points from the cluster center that the autoencoder generates. The higher the GCS score, the greater the variance in most cases. The results proved to be statistically significant in this context.ConclusionsThe results indicate that the method proposed may help to assess the consciousness state of participants in an objective manner.

Computer-Based Exercise Program: Effects of a 12-Week Intervention on Mood and Fatigue in Pediatric Patients With Cancer .

Increasing rates of survival present a new set of physical and psychological challenges for children dealing with side effects during cancer treatment. Physical activity has been shown to be an effective strategy to reduce several side effects. . The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the benefits of a 12-week computer-based exercise intervention on perceived physical, motivational, and fatigue syndrome and psychological state. . Nine inpatient and outpatient pediatric patients with cancer participated in a 12-week intervention consisting of supervised computer-based exercise sessions. Participants completed measures assessing mood and fatigue pre- and postintervention. . The intervention was feasible and provided preliminary evidence for the benefits on mood and fatigue in pediatric patients with cancer. The results promote the effectiveness of physical activity in pediatric oncology and call for continuing research in pediatric patients with cancer where sedentary behavior and the associated side effects are a growing concern.

Health Literacy and Education as Mediators of Racial Disparities in Patient Activation Within an Elderly Patient Cohort.

The Patient Activation Measure (PAM) assesses facets of patient engagement to identify proactive health behaviors and is an important predictor of health outcomes. Health literacy and education are also important for patient participation and successful navigation of the health care system. Because health literacy, education, and patient activation are associated with racial disparities, we sought to investigate whether health literacy and education would mediate racial differences in patient activation. Participants were 265 older adults who participated in a computer-based exercise interventional study. Health literacy was assessed using the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA). Of 210 eligible participants, 72% self-identified as Black and 28% as White. In adjusted analyses, education and health literacy each significantly reduced racial differences in patient activation. These findings are especially important when considering emerging data on the significance of patient activation and new strategies to increase patient engagement.

Teaching Inorganic Photophysics and Photochemistry with Three Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complexes: A Computer-Based Exercise

Among computational methods, DFT (density functional theory) and TD-DFT (time-dependent DFT) are widely used in research to describe, inter alia, the optical properties of transition metal complexes. Inorganic/physical chemistry courses for undergraduate students treat such methods, but quite often only from the theoretical point of view. In the calculation exercise herein described, students are guided step by step through the computational study of the photophysics and photochemistry of polypyridyl Ru(II) d6-metal complexes. In particular, by means of DFT and TD-DFT calculations, they are asked to examine and interpret a set of experimental data describing the absorption, emission, and photochemical behavior of three structurally related ruthenium complexes, namely, [Ru(bpy)3]2+ (1), [Ru(tpy)2]2+ (2), and [Ru(bpy)2(py)2]2+ (3). These complexes are particularly suitable for an educational purpose since they exhibit distinct optical and photochemical properties despite being structurally akin to each othe...

Pilot mental workload: how well do pilots really perform?

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of increasing mental demands on various aspects of aircrew performance. In particular, the robustness of the prioritization and allocation hierarchy of aviate–navigate–communicate was examined, a hierarchy commonly used within the aviation industry. A total of 42 trainee pilots were divided into three workload groups (low, medium, high) to complete a desktop, computer-based exercise that simulated combinations of generic flight deck activities: flight control manipulation, rule-based actions and higher level cognitive processing, in addition to Air Traffic Control instructions that varied in length from one chunk of auditory information to seven chunks. It was found that as mental workload and auditory input increased, participants experienced considerable difficulty in carrying out the primary manipulation task. A similar decline in prioritization was also observed. Moreover, when pilots were under a high mental workload their ability to comprehend more than two chunks of auditory data deteriorated rapidly.

One response to a recent challenge from the institute of medicine: a system to credential medical computer skills

Our objective was to survey, evaluate, improve and credential the basic medical computer skills of all residents in our obstetrics and gynecology program. All of our residents were surveyed for their individual prior experience and attitude toward using computers. We then tested each resident individually using a clinical simulation, similar to the approach we have used for teaching and evaluating clinical skills. In this computer-based exercise, each resident is presented a clinical scenario outlining a virtual patient and then asked to accomplish, under direct observation, a predefined series of activities. We documented a wide range of prior training and experience among our residents. Although all reported a comfort level of “average” or “expert”, only 18% (2/11) were able to demonstrate competence in all areas tested; these residents were immediately credentialed without further instruction. The remaining 82% (9/11) demonstrated both some minor deficiencies that the examiner was able to rectify with minimal instruction, as well as significant difficulties using the slide preparation program that required formal classes to correct. Of the residents needing additional training in slide preparation, 67% (6/9) had had prior experience with that same software but nevertheless were unable to demonstrate correct use. After completing additional training, all of our residents were able to demonstrate acceptable competence in all areas of medical computer use that we tested, and they also were credentialed. Our conclusions were as follows: 1) Ob/Gyn residents initially may have varying levels of computer experience; their competence cannot be assumed simply based on prior education. 2) Basic medical computer skills of residents can be objectively evaluated using a testing system analogous to that applied to clinical skills. 3) Properly designed testing can identify specific areas of deficiency that can be efficiently addressed by individualized tutoring and/or group classes. 4) Such a system allows credentialing of residents for medical computer use.

The educational effectiveness of computer-based instruction

Although numerous studies have shown that computer-based education is effective for enhancing rote memorization, the impact of these tools on higher-order cognitive skills, such as critical thinking, is less clear. Existing methods for evaluating educational effectiveness, such as surveys, quizzes and pre- or post-interviews, may not be effective for evaluating impact on critical thinking skills because students are not always aware of the effects the software has on their thought processes. We review an alternative evaluation strategy whereby the student's mastery of a specific cognitive skill is directly assessed both before and after participating in a computer-based exercise. Methodologies for assessing cognitive skill are based on recent advances in the fields of cognitive science. Results from two studies show that computer-based exercises can positively impact the higher-order cognitive skills of some students. However, a given exercise will not impact all students equally. This suggests that further work is needed to understand how and why CAI software is more or less effective within a given population.

Using Computer-Based Simulation Exercises to Teach Business Ethics

This paper discusses how to introduce ethical dilemmas into computer-based business simulation exercise to teach business ethics. Simulations have an inherent advantage over other pedagogies for teaching ethics because simulations provide students with both an intellectual and a behavioral exposure to the topic. Issues addressed include considerations before writing ethical dilemmas, the writing of ethical dilemmas, and process issues for introducing ethical dilemmas. An example is developed and discussed. Through the process described, instructors can better prepare students for a lifetime of tough business decisions.

Examining the Effects of Questioning on Thinking Processes with a Computer-Based Exercise

Computers are used widely for many purposes in educational settings. In this article the computer is used as a tool in an experimental setting. This study investigates the effects of self-generated questions and external questions on thinking processes. Thirty-three subjects received the program under three conditions of questioning: 1) external higher order questions, 2) external lower order questions, and 3) self-generated questions. The results revealed that question conditions were unrelated to the quality of explanations of a complex situation constructed by subjects. Note-taking was related to the quality of the explanations. The nonsignificant findings for question conditions were interpreted as indicating that questions and prompts to generate questions may elicit overt compliance without necessarily motivating the subjects to actually interrogate the material.

General manufacturing management learning through computer simulation

The potential usefulness of independent small computer systems in teaching engineering management is illustrated in this paper by describing the development and use of a continuous computer-based exercise for production planning and control. Entitled Ashton Automation, the exercise provides facilities for up to eight competing companies, each tendering for and manufacturing general engineering contracts. Within each of the companies it is necessary to manage nine line (manufacturing) and three managerial departments, with up to three hundred contracts available in the market at any one time, each containing details on materials required, process standard hours and tender information. The exercise takes place in continuous real time for twenty weeks, allowing simulation of over three years of manufacture at monthly intervals. All data base information and computer programs are available throughout this period for unsupervised use, giving a high degree of computer based learning. For participants, operating a company revolves around a nine-part, menu driven program suite, covering Tendering and Estimation, Materials Management, Production Control and Executive functions. Supervising the exercise is also computerised for purposes of efficiency and consists of four main tasks: the simulation of each monthly manufacturing period, creating and controlling the contract market, monitoring company activities and adjusting company resources. Simulation of monthly manufacture is the most extensive single task. The case for using computers is supported in the paper by comments drawn from a recent application of the exercise, the depth of the exercise being evident from output of over two thousand four hundred pages and approx. 4500 computer transactions in 15 months of work. On the basis of developing and using the exercise as described, four general summary conclusions are presented with respect to the use of computers in educational manufacturing simulations.

Utilizing Computer Assisted Instruction in Training School Administrators

The preparation of school administrators has ad vanced progressively over the years, and yet shares a common fault with training programs in other fields. The fault lies in the discrepancy between laboratory experience and the actual demands of the job. Prac titioners often find that their training does not provide them with the realistic tools necessary to function effec tively. The training, especially if happens to be at the university level, often is later discovered to have been inconsistent with the actualities of current job require ments. Training programs in school administration have in many instances failed to keep pace with technological advances. The belief that the administrator works with people, not with technology, and that only his skills in human engineering are significant to job performance, is too limited for today's world. The preparation of educational administrators must, in some manner, en compass the development of two distinct skills : ( 1 ) the ability to direct the educational program in a social setting, and (2) the ability to direct the educational pro gram in a technological setting. This paper, while recog nizing the importance of the first of these abilities, is comcerned primarily with the second. Bruner sets the stage for the administrator in train ing when he states that we are increasingly concerned with the nature of the educational process, with educa tional goals, with the impact of change, and with the available techniques and devices for improving the edu cational enterprise. To the outside observer, he says, it must seem as if we were preparing to embark upon a permanent revolution in education.1 The school administrator is caught in this revolu tion whether he likes or not. The student in training faces an administrative career in which the throes of revolutionary ideas and decisions involving technology are to be his daily routine. During the period since 1955 several significant types of material and methodology have been designed to strengthen the training programs of administrators. The direction taken was intended t? include a greater degree of reality in the programs developed. The initial major use of simulated materials in educational administration is credited by some to Sargent and Belisle. Their book developed for the Harvard Administrative Career Program first demonstrated the case method to teaching school administrators.2 The Madison In basket materials,3 prepared eight years later for the Uni versity Council for Educational Administration and now used by many training programs, appear to be a second reference point. Bunderson and Bessent at the Universiy of Texas have devised a computerized in-basket exercise4 that is based on the information retrieval capability of the computer. The Negotiations Game developed by Horvat5 as an aid in learning the negotiation process recently demonstrated a new approach to materials de signed to introduce new elements of realism into in structional practice. These few examples seem to indi cate a trend toward supplementing printed textbook material with increased use of games, devices, and tech nology in an effort to obtain an increased level of reality in the instructional process. The writers, with experience in the method approach and with a strong conviction that computers are making a major impact on education, determined in May of 1968 to supplement an existing program for training school administrators by developing a demon stration computer-based exercise for students of school administration. The rationale for this project, conducted under a local grant from Texas A&M University, was: 1) School systems are moving rapidly into the use of computers for the handling of administrative data. 2) Computer equipment is becoming increasingly avail able to public school administrators. 3) Instruction by computer is being introduced in simpli fied form in many school systems. 4) Administrators need to know more about the capa bilities and the limitations of this media of instruc tion. 5) The best method of enabling school administrators to know something about computer assisted instruction is to provide personal experience at the computer terminal.

The diagnosis game. A computer-based exercise in clinical problem solving

Simulated medical diagnostic problems are being used to supplement traditional medical teaching. Although they are computer mediated, these problems are easily and rapidly created by teachers with no experience in programming.