Independent Movement Research Articles

Experiences of children with congenital Zika syndrome while using motorized mobility: a qualitative study using the photovoice method

Aim The congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) often leads to severe motor impairment in affected children, making independent walking unlikely. Early introduction of motorized mobility through ride-on cars has been recommended for young children with severe motor impairment, enabling independent movement in various environments. This study aims to explore mothers’ perceptions of their children’s experiences while using ride-on cars at home and in the community, focusing on children with CZS. Methods This is a qualitative and descriptive study design using the Photovoice method. Four mothers of children with CZS, participating in the ‘Go Zika Go’ intervention project, were included. The research involved the following six steps: 1) Presentation of guide questions and Photovoice training; 2) Participants capturing photos; 3) Individual interviews to contextualize the photos; 4) Transcription and data analysis using thematic analysis principles; 5) Validation of analyses by mothers; and 6) Exhibition of photos to the community. Results The mothers and researchers selected the 21 most relevant photographs, which revealed five main themes related to the use of motorized ride-on cars: 1) Experiences of participation; 2) Independence in mobility; 3) Characteristics of mobility devices; 4) Family support; and 5) Accessibility of the environment. Conclusion The narratives provided by participants, along with photographs depicting the daily lives of children with CZS, shed light on aspects of functionality, autonomy, and participation. The use of these devices contributes to overall equity, breaking down social and cultural barriers and enabling children with disabilities to be seen as equals by their peers.

Visual place recognition for autonomous mobile robot navigation using LoFTR and MAGSAC++

Autonomous mobile robots are defined as robotic entities capable of independent movement and intelligent decision-making, relying on their ability to perceive and analyze their surroundings, including objects in their environment. In Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) systems, loop closure is often achieved through visual place recognition techniques, where the system compares the current visual input with previously observed scenes to identify matches. In computer vision applications, Speeded-Up Robust Features (SURF) and Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) are popular feature extraction algorithms used for such as key point detection, matching, and image registration tasks. The choice of inlier threshold should be based on the specific characteristics of the application and the nature of the images being processed. It often requires experimentation and tuning to find the optimal balance between robustness and accuracy. It Utilizes the pre-trained Local Feature Transformer (LoFTR) and MAGSAC++ estimator to address these drawbacks by employing the number of inliers to determine the similarity between two images for visual place recognition. Our experiment demonstrates that the number of inliers can determine the similarity of locations between two images. Scale variations and translation in location significantly influence the resulting number of inliers. Comparing images from the same location and from different locations yields varying numbers of inliers. The number of inliers significantly influences the similarity of locations. At the same location, the number of inliers is above 150, while at different locations, the number is below 150.

Baby Observational Selective Control AppRaisal (BabyOSCAR): Scores at 3 months predict functional ability, spastic cerebral palsy distribution, and diagnosis at 2 years.

To assess the predictive capabilities of the Baby Observational Selective Control AppRaisal (BabyOSCAR) tool, administered at 3 months corrected age, in determining spastic cerebral palsy (CP) outcome, functional abilities, and body topography at 2 years of age or later. Independent joint motions were measured at age 10 to 16 weeks from video recordings of spontaneous movement using BabyOSCAR in a sample of 75 infants. All included infants had known 2-year outcomes (45 with spastic CP and 30 without CP) including Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) levels and CP body distribution. Receiver operating characteristic curves and cut points indicating greatest sensitivity and specificity were generated for predictive performance. Total BabyOSCAR score was a strong predictor of future outcome of spastic CP (cut score of 22.5, sensitivity = 98%, specificity = 100%, area under the curve = 0.99), and was able to distinguish children classified in GMFCS levels I and II from those in III to V (cut score of 13.5, sensitivity = 92%, specificity = 89%, area under the curve = 0.94). Having an (absolute) asymmetry score on the BabyOSCAR of more than 5 was a predictor of having unilateral CP at age 2 years (sensitivity = 56%, specificity = 100%, area under the curve = 0.86). BabyOSCAR scores are predictors of diagnosis, body distribution, and future gross motor function in infants with spastic CP at 2 years of age or later. Decreased independent joint movement at 3 months predicts spastic cerebral palsy (CP) at 2 years. Baby Observational Selective Control AppRaisal (BabyOSCAR) scores ≤13 are predictive of Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III to V. BabyOSCAR scores of 14 to 22 are predictive of GMFCS levels I and II. A BabyOSCAR total asymmetry score >5 predicts unilateral CP. Stereotyped movements are more prominent in those who will be diagnosed with spastic CP at 2 years.

Daily ranging and den usage patterns structure the spatiotemporal properties of social encounters in spotted hyenas

Fission–fusion dynamics describe the tendency for members of some animal societies to associate in subgroups that change size and structure fluidly over time. These dynamics shape social complexity and social structure, but are difficult to study because they unfold simultaneously over large spatial scales. Here we use simultaneous, fine-scale GPS data from spotted hyenas to examine fission–fusion dynamics through a dyadic analysis of merge-split events between pairs of individuals. We introduce a species-agnostic framework for identifying merge-split events and discretizing them into three phases (merging, together, and splitting), enabling analysis of each phase as well as the connections among phases. Applying this framework to the hyena data, we examine the temporal and spatial properties of merges and splits between dyads and test the extent to which social encounters are driven by key locations. Specifically, we focus on communal dens—shelters for juvenile hyenas where classical observational studies often report large aggregations of adults. We find that overall, 62% of merges occurred at communal dens, supporting the idea that dens facilitate meet-ups and subsequent social behavior. Social encounters most commonly involved close approaches within a few meters between hyenas, while co-travel together occurred in only 11% of events. Comparison to permutation-based reference models suggests that independent movement decisions structure broad-scale patterns of social encounters but do not explain the fine-scale dynamics of interactions that unfold during these encounters. We reflect on how physical features such as dens can become social hotspots, causing social and spatial processes to become fundamentally intertwined.

Polish research on publishing in Poland between 1945 and 2015: Themes, legacy and implications for further research

The history of publishing in Poland encompasses many issues associated with the emergence and dissemination of printed books. Of fundamental significance to the study of these issues are the records of the publishing output: while we have nearly complete, though still underexamined, records of this output for the period from the 15th to the 18th century, documented in bibliographies and catalogues, the situation is worse when it comes to the 19th and 20th centuries, until the outbreak of the Second World War. In this respect, what we need is not only a continuation, but a radical intensification of bibliographic work. This concerns works published in the Latin, Cyrillic, Hebrew and Greek scripts, as well as musical notation. Polish book scholars have devoted a lot of attention to the beginnings of printing in Poland. The historiography concerning various typographic workshops located in the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth is rich; however, it still requires further extensive studies. Scholars have also been interested in phenomena influ- encing the content structure of printed publications, such as publishing privileges (in the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth), censorship and restrictions imposed by the partitioning powers and later by Poland’s communist authorities, as a result of which Polish publications had to be printed abroad and an independent publishing movement emerged. The scholars’ research interests have also focused on books as products of printers and publishers and on the publication of written works. Scholars have examined both the various components of the book (title page, printer’s signet, stemmata, etc.) and its editorial composition as a whole. Their undoubted achievements in the studies of the history of publishing in Poland are significant, yet in many areas they need to be continued and expanded (one important task is the edition of sources for the study of the history of Polish publishing) and to investigate the phenomena that stem from developmental tendencies in modern book studies.

Svetlov, I., Lukicheva, K. and Arias-Vikhil, M., eds. (2023). Paris around the 1900s. Joséphin Péladan’s Society of ‘Rose + Croix.’ St. Petersburg: Aleteya. (In Russ.)

The review discusses a collection of articles produced by a team of scholars under the supervision of professor Igor Svetlov. The book focuses on alternative experiments in late 1800s — early 1900s French art, which, although they failed to grow into independent movements, succeeded in producing several interesting concepts. The study is especially concerned with the Paris-based salon of ‘Rose + Croix’ and its founder Josephin Peladan — a writer, philosopher, occultist, and an able organizer. The book considers his artistic interests and views on the connection between art and religion, the role of symbolism in artistic thought, and the relationship between the modernity of his day and the previous epochs, including the esoteric and magical traditions. The collection covers a broad variety of subjects, such as the fantastic and the demonic in Paris, the mystical components in landscape paintings of the late 1800s, illustrations in the era of decadent art, intellectualism and intuition of the regulars of Peladan’s salons, esotericism and symbolism as a bridge into otherness, the existential and the universal in 1900s’ Parisian architecture, M. Voloshin’s turn-of-the-century spiritual and aesthetic experiments, the Parisian ‘imprint’ in Kandinsky’s early works, and Paris photographed at nighttime.

The Independent Mosque Movement in Improving Empowerment Towards the Welfare of Muslims in Medan City, Indonesia

Mosques have an important role in the spiritual value of Muslims. The effort to transform the Mosque into a multifunctional center that contributes to the welfare of Muslims in Medan City is a step in restoring the center of Islamic civilization in the Mosque. This condition can be realized with the independence of the Mosque that does not depend on aid. The problems of welfare around the Mosque, infrastructure, and legal issues faced by the Mosque in Medan City are obstacles to bringing independence. Independent Mosques that aim for social welfare and economic development of the community around the Mosque have challenges in their development. The research method used in this study was descriptive qualitative and involved collecting data from interviews, observations, and document analysis. The research findings show that in strengthening the identity of Muslims, independent mosques have a positive impact on encouraging community welfare and overcoming social problems in the environment around the Mosque. The motivation of the Mosque manager determines the quality of service in providing education, economic empowerment, and health. The intensity of collaboration in encouraging independent Mosques can increase community independence and trust as a step towards making the Mosque not only a place of worship, but also a center of Islamic civilization. It is important to ensure the benefits of sustainable social impact by fulfilling the criteria of an independent Mosque in providing religious services and maintaining religious values.

Mechatronic Hand Exoskeleton for Rehabilitation after Stroke

The article presents the results of the development of a prototype of a functional layout of a soft exoskeleton of the hand, which is part of a robotic complex for restoring the function of the upper limb of patients after a stroke. The use of the layout will allow for therapy based on a mixed approach, which implements both assistance in carrying out independent movements of the patient’s hand, and their full implementation using data on its movement recorded during rehabilitation procedures. The authors of the manuscript present a comparative and quantitative analysis of two options for laying a cable system that drives the patient’s hand and fingers. To determine the best option for laying cables, a parametric study of the amount of work performed and the bending time of one finger was carried out, depending on the options for laying with and without taking into account the load. In the first variant, the cables were laid with small stitches of the order of one centimeter along the lower surface of the finger. In the second variant, the cable passed through the glove in places of natural attachment of tendons to bones. Testing was carried out on the index finger of a relaxed healthy person. At the initial moment of time, the hand occupied a position along the body, the fingers were completely unclenched, while a load was fixed on the distal phalanx. The flexion time of the finger was determined by a touch sensor attached to the palm of the hand. The results of experimental studies showed that cables with a minimum number of attachment points to the base of the exoskeleton in places of natural attachment of tendons to the bone give maximum effort and ensure the achievement of the largest range of possible positions of the phalanges of the fingers. The results of studies of the developed efforts on the part of the device on the fingers of a healthy person are also presented, which allow us to conclude that it can be used for rehabilitation purposes.

Dose-response association between 24-hour total movement activity and testosterone deficiency in adult males.

Previous studies on the relationship between physical activity and testosterone are limited and controversial. Hence we investigated whether high level of physical activity is associated with a low risk of testosterone deficiency (TD). This cross-sectional analysis was conducted in a representative sample of US adult males who participated in the 2011-2014 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We used the monitor independent movement summary (MIMS) to assess activity intensity, a novel physical activity metrics developed using raw data collected by accelerometers. Multivariable regression and smooth curve fitting was used to describe the relationships between physical activity and TD, and segmented regression model were used to analyze the threshold effect between them. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using interaction and stratified analysis. A U-shaped relationship between daily MIMS units and risk of TD was observed. The optimal value of daily MIMS units for the lowest risk of TD was 14.77 (×103), the risk of TD decreased by 5% in patients per unit increase of daily MIMS units when daily MIMS units <14.77 (×103) (adjusted OR = 0.95, 95%CI: 0.91, 0.99), but increased by 12% per unit increase of daily MIMS units when daily MIMS units ≥14.77 (×103) (adjusted OR = 1.12, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.23). In sensitivity analyses, the threshold effect was also similar according to baseline characteristics (P-interaction >0.05). In a nationally representative sample of US adult males, light to moderate intensity physical activity is associated with a lower odds of TD, while high-intensity physical activity is associated with a higher risk of TD.

A 360° video as visual training support for independent movement acquisition—benefit evaluation with the TAM

A 360° video combines the potential of conventional video technology with immersive–interactive design opportunities. The multi-perspective viewing option within a 360° video also enables possible applications as visual training support for motor learning. There are already first methodological–didactic approaches to movement learning; nevertheless, research on 360° video technology can largely be classified as exploratory. This article presents the use of 360° video as a visual training aid for the independent movement acquisition of various fascial movement exercises. In an intervention study, two randomized groups (N = 48) were used to evaluate the subjective benefit. Following the technology acceptance model, subjective benefit perception and rating of format were compared after two crossover interventions with 360° videos and/or conventional training videos. No significant differences were found for perceived usefulness (z = −1.014, p = 0.31, r = 0.105) or perceived ease of use (z = −1.278, p = 0.201, r = 0.132). The same applies for intensity of use (z = −0.247, p = 0.805, r = 0.025) and overall subjective rating (z = −1.745, p = 0.081, r = 0.18). Although no significant differences were found in the evaluation of benefits, the participants tended to use 360° videos as visual training support (M = 3.4, SD = 1.581) on a 7-point scale (1 = 360° videos). Although a generalized statement on 360° videos as visual training support is not possible due to low effect strengths, it can be stated that 360° videos are perceived at least as useful as visual training tools.

Design and Implementation of an Autonomous Wheelchair with Medical Kit Access Using Raspberry Pi

This paper presents an autonomous wheelchair system designed to enhance the mobility of elderly individuals and people with disabilities through advanced automation and artificial intelligence. Recognizing the importance of independent movement for promoting physical and psychological well-being, this system addresses the challenges faced by those with limited mobility. The wheelchair leverages various sensors to minimize the need for human intervention, thereby fostering autonomy and reducing reliance on caregivers. The system includes an Android interface connected via Bluetooth, allowing for intuitive user interaction and control. Utilizing Raspberry Pi technology, the research aims to create a reliable framework that can adapt to user needs through data processing and analysis. Additionally, the system enables effective communication through head-mounted support, allowing users to record and relay information. Ultimately, this autonomous wheelchair aims to improve mobility and confidence for individuals with disabilities while enhancing their overall independence and quality of life.

Dementia, nurse staffing, and health outcomes in nursing homes.

To estimate and contrast the relationships between nurse staffing and health outcomes in nursing homes with low and high dementia census, to understand the association of staffing hours with dementia care quality. A national sample of nursing homes during 2017-2019 (pre-COVID). Data included the Payroll-Based Journal, Medicare Claims, Nursing Home Care Compare, and Long-Term Care Focus. Retrospective, regression analyses. We estimated separate linear models predicting six long-term facility-level outcomes. Independent variables included staffing hours per resident-day (HPRD) interacted with the facility percentage of dementia residents, controlling for other resident and facility characteristics. Hospital-based nursing homes, those with fewer than 30% dementia residents, and missing data were excluded. We found that registered nurses and certified nurse assistants HPRDs were likely to exhibit positive returns in terms of outcomes throughout most of the range of HPRD for both high and low-census dementia facilities, although, high- and low-dementia facilities differed in most outcome rates at all staffing levels. Average predicted antipsychotics and activities of daily living as functions of HPRD were worse in higher dementia facilities, independent movement, and hospitalizations did not differ significantly, and Emergency Rooms and pressure sores were worse in lower dementia facilities. Average marginal effects were not statistically different [CI included zero] between the high and low dementia facilities for any outcome. These findings suggest that increasing staffing will improve outcomes by similar increments in both low- and high-dementia facilities for all outcomes. However, at any given level of staffing, absolute differences in outcomes between low- and high-dementia facilities remain, suggesting that additional staffing alone will not suffice to close these gaps. Further studies are required to identify opportunities for improvement in performance for both low- and high-dementia census facilities.

An original hybrid-architecture finger mechanism for wearable hand exoskeletons

Robotic devices for rehabilitation and assistance are becoming crucial tools for improving the life quality of people with disabilities. The hand is one of the most affected upper-limb parts, but also fundamental for the subject’s interaction with the external environment. Wearability and portability, safety and comfort, lightness and small sizes, independent finger movement, efficacy in daily activities, sense-of-touch preservation, and affordability are the main features such devices should have. This paper will present an in-depth study of a thumb module for wearable hand exoskeletons, designed as a base concept to be adapted to the other fingers. Specifically, it exploits a new hybrid architecture (meaning that rigid and soft elements are included in the finger mechanism) to reduce the overall dimensions while remaining effective in force transmission. An embodiment of the mechanism is also presented and tested. As well as turning out to be small, light, and cheap, the new concept design demonstrates a minimum coverage of the finger range of motion of about 84% and an exerted force up to 16.78 N.

The Integral Role of Magnesium in Muscle Integrity and Aging: A Comprehensive Review.

Aging is characterized by significant physiological changes, with the degree of decline varying significantly among individuals. The preservation of intrinsic capacity over the course of an individual's lifespan is fundamental for healthy aging. Locomotion, which entails the capacity for independent movement, is intricately connected with various dimensions of human life, including cognition, vitality, sensory perception, and psychological well-being. Notably, skeletal muscle functions as a pivotal nexus within this intricate framework. Any perturbation in its functionality can manifest as compromised physical performance and an elevated susceptibility to frailty. Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a central role in approximately 800 biochemical reactions within the human body. Its distinctive physical and chemical attributes render it an indispensable stabilizing factor in the orchestration of diverse cellular reactions and organelle functions, thereby rendering it irreplaceable in processes directly impacting muscle health. This narrative review offers a comprehensive exploration of the pivotal role played by magnesium in maintaining skeletal muscle integrity, emphasizing the critical importance of maintaining optimal magnesium levels for promoting healthy aging.

‘Our Pacific Through Native Eyes’: Māori Activism in the Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific Movement, 1980–5

ABSTRACT The Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific movement (NFIP) developed a grassroots regionalism in opposition to nuclear colonialism in the Pacific. This article concerns Māori interactions with other Indigenous Pacific peoples within the NFIP movement from 1980–5, and what this meant for the Pacific as a conceptual and political region. Voyaging back across the Pacific, Māori drew on whakapapa, identified cultural commonalities, and parallel colonial legacies between themselves and other Pacific peoples. They saw a shared Pacific struggle: that between Indigenous and colonizer. While this was contentious to some, this article argues that it allowed Pacific peoples to draw upon an alternative network of political action outside formal politics or peace and humanitarian discourses.

Effect of 6-week karate (kihon) and basic movement exercise on balance performance in visually impaired individuals.

Today, the participation of visually impaired individuals in sports activities is essential. Because the ability to move independently starts to develop with a delay in visually impaired individuals, physical activity is necessary to compensate for developmental delay, eliminate the problem of independent movement in social life by reducing obstacle perception problems, develop self-confidence, and provide regular muscle activation and motivation to move. The study investigated the effect of 6weeks of karate (kihon) and basic movement training on balance performance in individuals with congenital visual impairment. Fifteen visually impaired individuals aged between 10 and 14 participated in the study, and three groups were formed: experiment 1, experiment 2, and the control group. After the pre-tests were taken, the experimental groups received karate and basic movement training in addition to physical education classes for 6weeks, while the control group received only physical education classes. When the study results were examined, there were highly significant differences between the pre- and post-test values of the groups receiving karate and basic movement training. At the same time, no progress was observed in the control group. In the post-test comparison of the karate and control groups, positive significance was found in the values of the karate group. In the same way, in the post-test comparison of the basic movement training group and the control group, positive progress was made in the basic movement training group. The post-test comparison of the basic movement training and karate groups was the same. As a result, it was concluded that basic movement training and karate exercises applied for 6weeks positively affected the balance development in visually impaired individuals aged 10-14years. No difference was found between the exercise protocols regarding effectiveness, and no improvement was observed in individuals who did not participate in any exercise.

THE IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE ELDERLY THROUGH SMART MOVEMENT EFFORTS (Healthy, Independent, Active and Productive)

Realizing "Smart" Elderly, elderly people are closely related to various changes such as changes in anatomy/physiology, various diseases or pathological conditions as a result of aging as well as psychosocial influences on organ function. Decreased physical and psychological conditions can cause problems for the elderly. The aim of community service is to improve the quality of life of the elderly through the efforts of the SMART (Healthy, Independent, Active and Productive) movement. Preparation, implementation and reporting methods. The results of the implementation of the program to improve the quality of life of the elderly through the efforts of the SMART (Healthy, Independent, Active and Productive) movement include the formation of elderly cadres from the RT community and youth organizations and the implementation of elderly training. Community Service Activities (PKM) have been carried out in the form of education and training for elderly cadres. As well as activities for the elderly at the elderly Posyandu. The follow-up to these activities is preparing education and training for elderly cadres towards SMART elderly.&#x0D;

‘Bless and do not curse’: Weaponisation of the Spoken Word in African Pentecostal/Charismatic Christianity

Christianity in Africa has changed in several ways since the rise of the independent church movement early in the twentieth century. Among the changes that have taken place is the way in which Christianity is instrumentalised against the forces of evil that impair human efforts at flourishing. In contemporary Pentecostal/charismatic Christianity with its emphasis on prosperity and well-being, imprecatory prayers and curses have become important in dealing with the shortfalls of this gospel of success and upward mobility. The use of curses, although justified by its exponents by appeal to various scriptures, also resonates with African traditional systems of thought in which sources of evil are cursed in libation prayers to remove them as obstacles to human self-actualisation believed to be promised by God.

The second clinical study investigating the surgical method for the kineticomyographic control implementation of the bionic hand

In 2018, during our first clinical study on the kineticomyographic (KMG)-controlled bionic hand, we implanted three magnetic tags inside the musculotendinous junction of three paired extensor-flexor transferred tendons. However, the post-operative tissue adhesions affected the independent movements of the implanted tags and consequently the distinct patterns of the obtained signals. To overcome this issue, we modified our surgical procedure from a one-stage tendon transfer to a two-stage. During the first surgery, we created three tunnels using silicon rods for the smooth tendon gliding. In the second stage, we transferred the same three pairs of the forearm agonist–antagonist tendons through the tunnels and implanted the magnetic tags inside the musculotendinous junction. Compared to our prior clinical investigation, fluoroscopy and ultrasound evaluations revealed that the surgical modification in the current study yielded more pronounced independent movements in two specific magnetic tags associated with fingers (maximum 5.7 mm in the first trial vs. 28 mm in the recent trial with grasp and release) and thumb (maximum 3.2 mm in the first trial vs. 9 mm in the current trial with thumb flexion–extension). Furthermore, we observed that utilizing the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendons for the flexor component in finger and thumb tendon transfer resulted in more independent movements of the implanted tags, compared with the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) in the prior research. This study can help us plan for our future five-channel bionic limb design by identifying the gestures with the most significant independent tag displacement.

Redesign and ergonomic assessment of a chest-support baby walker.

Parents often use baby walkers (BWs) as assistive devices to improve their infants' independent movement and motor skill acquisition. However, the literature suggests that conventional baby walkers (CBW) may cause delays in an infant's ability to walk independently and musculoskeletal burden on parents. In the current study, a baby walker (RBW) with chest support was redesigned and ergonomically assessed during an infant-walking task. The anthropometric dimensions of 90 infants aged 7-11 months were measured in the city of Urmia, northwestern Iran. Following redesigning based on the results from expert panel meetings and prototyping of the RBW, 18 mothers (age: 28.33±4.27 and height: 163.75±5.32 and weight: 59.45±5.99) with their infants (9 boys and 9 girls) performed a simulated infant walking task in two experimental sessions using the CBW and RBW over a repeated measurements design. The infants' feet track patterns, including the number of steps and step distances were assessed via the image analysis of the footprints. The mothers' body posture and lower back spinal load were evaluated using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) technique and 3D Static Strength Prediction Program (3DSSPP), respectively. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests showed infants walked more steps with the RBW (p = 0.002). Similarly, the distance between the infants' left heel strike (p = 0.008) and their right and left toe-off (p = 0.03 and 0.02 respectively) was also significantly lower in the RBW use. Additionally, the body posture of mothers was improved (RULA final score from 7 for CBW to 5 for RBW). Moreover, lower back compression and shear forces were reduced significantly (p = 0.002) by the RBW use. According to the feet track pattern, infants took more balanced steps when the RBW was used. In addition, mothers were subjected to less pressure on the lumbar region when they placed and lifted their infant from the RBW. However, further work is necessary to investigate potential long-term effects of the RBWs use.