Leisure Tasks Research Articles

Посредничество в функциональной структуре библиотек

The promotion and popularization of scientific knowledge among all members of society is one of the most important tasks of all scientific and cultural institutions. The related library also solves this problem. But does its functional structure change at the same time? The author examines the essence of communicative and intermediary functions. The purpose of the article is to find an answer to the question: what function does the library perform in order to promote the interaction of science and society. The author shows the differences between the communicative and intermediary functions of libraries of different types in the formation of a scientific worldview. The author comes to the conclusion that, due to the humanitarian education of their employees, municipal, city and regional libraries are able and obliged to perform a communicative function for solving leisure tasks, and intermediation – through a system of mass events – for the development of a scientific worldview. University libraries, depending on their direction, can perform both a communicative and intermediary function (this is especially true for libraries of technical and natural science universities). The author believes that theoretically it is possible to explain the intermediary function only on the basis of studying the more general ability of the library to "communicate". This function is the original universal. And in this universality intermediation tasks come to the fore in the library in the interaction of science and society. In order to implement the communicative and intermediary functions, librarians need to possess certain knowledge, not formal, but substantive: the communicative function requires not only "purely" library and bibliographic knowledge of service, but also knowledge ranging from the history of science to understanding its modern problems and tasks. It may seem that the knowledge that cultural universities currently provide is enough to implement the intermediary function. But advanced training courses are needed tо introduce new popular science literature on any scientific field, new names, new scientific achievements. This is necessary not just in order to hold mass events known from university library education, but to invite certain scientists and specialists.

Studying Driver’s Perception Arousal and Takeover Performance in Autonomous Driving

The driver’s perception level and takeover performance are two major factors that result in accidents in autonomous vehicles. This study’s goal is to analyze the change in drivers’ perception level and its influence on takeover performance during autonomous driving. A takeover behavior test platform is implemented based on a high-fidelity driving simulator. The fog zone is selected as the takeover scenario. Thus, a 2 (takeover request time: 5 s, 10 s) by 2 (non-driving-related task: work task, entertainment task) takeover experiment was conducted. A generalized linear mixed model is developed to explore the influence of the perception level on takeover performance. The study finds out that, after the takeover request is triggered, the driver’s gaze duration is shortened and the pupil area is enlarged, which is helpful for the driver to extract and understand the road information faster. Male drivers have greater perception levels than female drivers, and they prioritize leisure tasks more than professional ones. The drivers’ perception level decreases when age increases. The shorter the gaze duration is, and the larger the pupil area is, the shorter the takeover response time will be. In addition, drivers’ perception level has a positive effect on takeover performance. Finally, this study provides a reference for revealing the changing rules of drivers’ perception level in autonomous driving, and the study can provide support for the diagnosis of takeover risks of autonomous vehicles from the perspective of human factors.

Reasons Affecting the Choice of Patient-Identified Goals Set by Occupational Therapists in Low Vision Rehabilitation.

Goal setting is done in collaboration with the patient, but patient identified (PID) goals are not always addressed. The purpose of this study was to determine reasons PID goals are not set in low vision rehabilitation and for which tasks. Occupational therapists completed an individualized survey to determine from 15 probable reasons why they did not set a PID for specific tasks. PID goals were not set for 3 ADL, 13 IADL, 4 Social Participation, and 10 Leisure tasks. Further research is needed to understand how prioritization of PID goals differ between therapist and patient.

Exhibition Activities of the Pavlovsk Palace and Park Ensemble in the 1950s

During the period of active post-war restoration of the palace and park ensembles of Leningrad, in the absence of permanent expositions, exhibitions were one of the few ways of museum communication. The article focuses on the exhibitions of the Pavlovsk Palace Museum and Park in the 1950s. As a research base, the author uses articles from the newspaper “Vperyod” issued in the city of Pushkin, and unpublished materials of the Central State Archive of Literature and Art of St. Petersburg: reports and plans of the directorate, programs of festive events, minutes of the scientific department employees’ meetings, financial reports of the 1950s, etc.On the example of Pavlovsk, the article reveals the essence of exhibitions as a typical phenomenon for a museum complex, as well as for a culture and recreation park, which allowed forming civic consciousness and implementing state cultural policy. The exhibitions helped to solve a set of political, educational, personality-developing, leisure, and cultural tasks of Soviet cultural institutions.The author conducts a comparative quantitative analysis of the total number of exhibitions by year. Based on the content of the exhibitions, there is provided a universal thematic classification. The article shows the connection of the disclosed topics and the number of exhibitions with the cultural and political situation in the country during that period. There is determined the organizational specifics of the process, within which the main sites, time and forms of exhibitions are identified.The article concludes that most of the exhibitions did not correspond to the museum’s essence, but those that related directly to the history of the museum and its collections were in tourist demand. Some of the exhibitions of the museum profile, over time, determined the content of the future permanent expositions of the State Museum-Reserve “Pavlovsk”. The emergence and growth of such exhibitions, covered in the media, contributed to the activation of visitor interest in Pavlovsk as a museum and the development of cultural tourism, primarily at the local and regional level.

The effect of opportunity costs on mental fatigue in labor/leisure trade-offs.

Most people experience the feeling of mental fatigue on a daily basis. Previous research shows that mental fatigue impacts information processing and decision making. However, the proximal causes of mental fatigue are not yet well understood. In this research, we test the opportunity cost model of mental fatigue, which proposes that people become more fatigued when the next-best alternative to the current task is higher in value. In 4 preregistered experiments (N = 430), participants repeatedly reported their current level of fatigue and chose to perform a paid labor task versus an unpaid leisure task. In Study 1, all participants were offered the same labor/leisure choice. In Studies 2 and 3, we manipulated the opportunity costs of a labor task by varying the value of an alternative leisure task. In Study 4, we manipulated the opportunity costs of a labor task by varying the value of that labor task. In all studies, we found that people were more likely to choose for leisure as they became more fatigued. In Studies 2 through 4, we did not find that the manipulated leisure value influenced the amount of fatigue participants experienced nor the likelihood to choose for leisure. However, in exploratory analyses, in all studies, we found that participants who reported to value the leisure task more got more fatigued during labor and less fatigued during leisure. Collectively, these results provide cautious support for the opportunity cost model, but they also show that cost-benefit analyses relating to labor and leisure tasks are fleeting. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

The Role of Passion in Psychological and Cardiovascular Responses: Extending the Field of Passion and Positive Psychology in New Directions.

The present study fills a void in research on passion by examining for the first time the role of passion in physiological responses. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of passion, and the mediating role of cognitive appraisals, in the psychological and physiological responses to a stressful situation related to one’s passion. Students (43 women, 12 men, M age = 27.21 years), who were passionate for their studies, completed the Passion Scale for their studies and the Cognitive Appraisal Scale (assessing perceptions of challenge/threat). Then, they engaged in an education task under stressful conditions, and a subsequent unrelated leisure task under no-stress. Physiological reactivity was measured throughout the entire session and their perceptions of situational vitality and positive and negative emotions were assessed directly after the education task. Results showed that harmonious passion (HP) positively predicted challenge appraisals that, in turn, were positively related to positive emotions, vitality, and positive cardiovascular adaptation while engaging in the stressful education task, but less so with the leisure task (unrelated to one’s passion for academia). On the other hand, obsessive passion (OP) positively predicted threat appraisals. In turn, threat appraisals were positively related to negative emotions, negatively associated with vitality, and not related to cardiovascular reactivity. The present findings suggest that HP creates the onset of an adaptive psychological and physiological response whereas the response is less adaptive with OP.

Loneliness and Social Isolation in Older Adults: The Effects of a Pandemic

Purpose: This clinical focus article examines the effect of social isolation and loneliness forced by the pandemic on the geriatric population. Since March 11, 2020, when a global pandemic was declared, a new concept of social distancing has swept the United States and the world. While these efforts have been challenging for the entire population, there has been a disproportionate effect on minority groups, low-income communities, and one especially vulnerable group that has emerged: older adults. Method: A review of existing scientific research on social isolation and loneliness in the aging population was conducted. Current demographic data on the aging population were gathered to determine clinical applicability of research evidence. Principles of bioethics were considered within a risk/benefit assessment related to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Social determinants of health were examined within the context of the pandemic. Results: Research supports the link between social isolation, loneliness, and negative outcomes in older adults. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the prevalence of these negative effects, including anxiety/depression, neuroinflammation, substance abuse, physical or nutritional deficits, and a decline in overall health. Conclusion: Strategies to mitigate the negative effects of social isolation may include technological intervention, attendance at virtual events, socially distanced outdoor activities, family connection, and cognitive stimulation or leisure tasks.

Impact of Melorheostosis on Fatigue and Activity Engagement

Abstract Date Presented 04/6/21 Melorheostosis is a rare skeletal disorder with symptoms that include loss of range of motion and pain. Four measures were used to understand the burden of these symptoms on activity engagement. Results revealed decreased participation in high-demand leisure and lower extremity tasks. There was a correlation between physical and reduced activity fatigue constructs and activity engagement. Further study will provide insight on disease burden across the life cycle within this population. Primary Author and Speaker: Kathleen Farrell Additional Authors and Speakers: Danielle Cawley, Rebecca Irwin, Paige Pachuilo, and Kaitlin Wheeler

Power of good old days: how leisure nostalgia influences work engagement, task performance, and subjective well-being

ABSTRACT Employees can experience high levels of stress due to excessive job demands, negatively influencing their subjective well-being. Given the crucial role of leisure experience in life, the effects of post-leisure experience on employees’ work and subjective well-being were measured in this study. Specifically, this study examined the relationships among leisure nostalgia, work engagement, task performance, and subjective well-being. Data were collected from school teachers in Singapore. Results showed that leisure nostalgia had a positive effect on work engagement, task performance, and subjective well-being. In addition, work engagement positively influenced task performance and subjective well-being; task performance positively affected subjective well-being. The findings of this study extend the theoretical and empirical evidence of the concept of leisure nostalgia and contribute to the understanding of the role of leisure nostalgia in work and life.

Adaptation and transcultural translation into Spanish of the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability questionnaire

BackgroundFunctional ankle instability can hinder the ability to work and perform leisure tasks. Some questionnaires have been used to identify subjects with ankle instability. The English version of the identification functional ankle instability (IdFAI) questionnaire has been broadly used, but there is not a cross-cultural adaptation into Spanish. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to cross-culturally adapt the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability questionnaire to a Spanish speaking population from Spain. DesignCross-sectional study. MethodsOne hundred and four patients with history of lateral ankle sprain completed the Spanish version of this questionnaire and the Spanish version of the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool. The psychometric properties were measured for structural validity, internal consistency, convergent validity, test-retest reliability, standard error of each measurement, ceiling effect and floor effect. ResultsThe Spanish version of the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability questionnaire had a strong correlation with the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (rho = −0.717) with excellent reliability (ICC = 0.9) and internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.9). No ceiling or floor effects were detected. ConclusionThe results of the present study show that the Spanish version of the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability questionnaire is a valid and reliable measurement tool that can be use in a Spanish population from Spain with functional ankle instability for clinical and research purposes.

Освітньо-творчий проєкт «Разом до прекрасного»: опановуємо образотворче мистецтво

УДК 711.16 : [37.043.2 : 111.85] : 37.16 : 75 https://doi.org/10.32405/2308-8885-2021-2(100)-38-44 Презентовано авторський освітньо-творчий проєкт «Разом до прекрасного» для учнів молодшого шкільного й підліткового віку та методику його впровадження, що реалізують підхід авторки до опанування учнями образотворчого мистецтва у режимі онлайн-занять. Розкрито мету, особливості організації проєкту та методику його реалізації. Описано перший цикл занять на тему «Мистецтво графіки: його величність силует» з виокремленням форм і методів роботи із школярами. Представлено результати проведеного проєкту, висновки щодо його розробки та реалізації на практиці. Напрацювання авторки будуть корисними у розробці новітніх форм навчання образотворчого мистецтва в умовах формальної і неформальної освіти. Ключові слова: освітньо-творчий проєкт, «Разом до прекрасного», заняття онлайн, організація навчання образотворчого мистецтва, школярі, мистецтво графіки, силует. Halyna Vasylivna Kuzmenko, PhD in Pedagogical Sciences, Senior Scientific Researcher, Institute of the gifted child of NAPS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine; glnkuzmenko@36gmail.com; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0613-3934 Educational and creative project “Together for the Beautiful”: Mastering of Fine Arts The challenges of a global pandemic and transition of education to distance and blended learning formats, teaching community is searching new, alternative to traditional, forms and technologies of teaching school-age students. The issue of learning in the new conditions of art, in particular fine arts, due to the specifics of this art form and the peculiarities of conducting fine arts lessons is considered.  The author notes a separate creative experience of teachers on the Internet, which is a practical component of teaching fine arts (video workshops, practical lessons on teaching various art techniques). The author’s educational and creative project “Together for the Beautiful” for primary schoolchildren and adolescence as well as methods of its implementation is presented. It covers the author's approach in mastering of fine arts by students in the online lessons. The purpose, features of the project and its organization are presented. The project contains: interpersonal communication between students and teachers with feedback; various types of artistic activity of students (perception, interpretation and evaluation of art works, mastery of artistic concepts, artistic and game activities, artistic and creative activities); individualization of education (multilevel tasks) with the prospect of mastering fine arts in depth; educational, self-educational, developmental and entertaining functions due to the possibility of multiple views of lessons recording on YouTube video hosting by students, by their parents and all together; educational and leisure task, which was provided by the developed content of lesson, with the possibility for  joint knowledge of art in organized family leisure. The ways how to implement the project is described. The first cycle combines such lessons as: “The beauty of the ordinary spot” and “The art of graphics: his majesty’s silhouette”. Forms and methods how to work with students, taking into account different students’ ages capabilities are identified. The results of the project, conclusions on the developed idea and it implementation into practice are presented. The author’s work will be useful in order to develop the latest forms of teaching fine arts in formal and non-formal education. Key words: educational and creative project, “Together for the Beautiful”, online lessons, organization of fine arts education, schoolchildren, art of graphics, silhouette.   СПИСОК ДЖЕРЕЛ: Кузьменко Г. В. Від STEM- до STEAM-освіти: ключові аспекти на прикладі ініціатив уряду США. Освіта та розвиток обдарованої особистості. № 4 (79). С. 18–24. Лотоцька А., Пасічник О. Організація дистанційного навчання в школі. Методичні рекомендації. 2020. Відновлено з https://mon.gov.ua/storage/app/media/zagalna%20serednya/metodichni%20recomendazii/2020/metodichni%20recomendazii-dustanciyna%20osvita-2020.pdf. Наказ Міністерства освіти і науки України від 25.04.2013 № 466 «Про затвердження Положення про дистанційне навчання», реєстрація в Міністерстві юстиції України 30 квітня 2013 р. за № 703/23235. Відновлено з https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/z0703-13#Text Пенг, Ху. Хирамеки. Рисуй то, что видишь / Пенг, Ху; пер. с нем. О. Бычковой. Москва : Манн, Иванов и Фербер, 2016. 192 с. Durães, D., Carneiro, D., Jiménez, A., Novais, P.: Intelligent tutoring system to improve learning outcomes. AI Commun., 1–14 (2019). (Preprint). URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S092523121731113X?via%3Dihub. Toala R., Durães D., Novais P. (2021) Emotion Analysis in Distance Learning. In: Auer M.E., Rüütmann T. (eds) Educating Engineers for Future Industrial Revolutions. ICL 2020. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 1328. Springer, Cham. URL:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68198-2_58 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350017217_Emotion_Analysis_in_Distance_Learning.

Desktop lighting for comfortable use of a computer screen.

BACKGROUND:The contrast between a bright computer screen and a dark ambient environment may influence comfort of the users, especially on their eyes.OBJECTIVE:The objective of this research is to identify the optimal desktop lighting for the comfortable use of the computer screen in a dark environment.METHODS:An experiment was designed where seven illumination setups were introduced for the users to perform their leisure tasks on a computer screen. Fifteen healthy subjects participated in the experiments. During each session, durations of the eye blinks, fixations and saccades of the user were recorded by an eye tracker. His/her neck and trunk movements were recorded by a motion tracking system as well. The comfort/discomfort questionnaire, localized postural discomfort questionnaire, NASA task load index and computer user questionnaire were used to record the overall comfort/discomfort, the local perceived physical discomfort, the cognitive workload, and general/eye health problems, respectively.RESULTS:Subjective and objective measurement results indicated that users felt more comfortable with high intensity warm lights using a computer screen. We also identified that the eye fixation durations, as well as the scores of two questions in the computer user questionnaire, have significant negative correlations with comfort. On the other side, the durations of blinks and the scores of three questions in the computer user questionnaire, were significantly correlated with discomfort.CONCLUSION:The warm (3000K) and high intensity (1500 lux) light reduced the visual and cognitive fatigue of the user and therefore improve the comfort of the user during the use of a computer screen.

Diseño y usabilidad de interfaces para entornos educativos de realidad aumentada

The aim of the paper is to determine the elements, components and key facts to design interactive interfaces for augmented reality environments, focusing on the design and development of virtual worlds for educational applications.The article focuses on the usability study of three augmented reality applications interfaces developed for non touchable natural environments. The aim is to determine the menu and interactive items the user accesses without difficulty and also their navigation patterns. The most viewed elements and the ones that can´t be seen by the user, generating problems of navigation and usability, are analyzed too. The research results indicate that applications developed for non-touch environments can be stressful for the user, especially because of the time they spend with their hands up. The space around the student is also important for the learning process, and all the applications must be designed with some educational, rather than leisure tasks, or a fully open navigation.

Evaluation of Vibrotactile Warning Systems for Supporting Hazard Awareness and Safety of Distracted Pedestrians

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS We evaluated prototype vibrotactile warning systems for supporting pedestrian awareness of approaching hazards. Mobile devices are used by people on the move for leisure and essential task activities in many work domains. While they can be a source of distraction, they also offer sensing capabilities and computing power that can detect and direct attention to approaching hazards. By presenting vibrations from devices distributed around the body, as if embedded in personal protective equipment, these systems can quickly and intuitively convey the risk of collision with a hazard and its approach direction to guide avoidance maneuvers. Results of a simulator study suggest these vibratory warnings improve response time to and avoidance of true hazards, especially when conducting distracting secondary tasks. Future developments of such systems offer promise for increasing safety for distracted pedestrians, as well as for workers in domains that impose high demand on visual and/or auditory senses.TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: Mobile devices can be considered essential tools for many daily activities, though there are potential safety risks associated with distraction when hazards are present (e.g., pedestrians near heavily-trafficked roads or workers in industrial settings). Yet, these devices offer onboard sensor and computing capabilities that can be leveraged to improve safety by capturing and guiding attention to approaching hazards. In domains that heavily load vision and audition, vibrotactile cues can reliably support hazard awareness and provide guidance for hazard avoidance. Purpose: We evaluated the effectiveness of prototype vibrotactile warning systems in enhancing recognition of hazards and appropriate avoidance maneuvers. Methods: Participants (n = 27) walked on a treadmill, following a virtual pedestrian path, under varied distracting task conditions. Vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists approached from multiple directions, representing “true” (would result in a collision if not avoided) and “false” hazards. Performance was compared with and without each of two experimental displays that presented directional vibrations via devices affixed to suspenders and to an industrial helmet. Signal detection theory and response time analyses were used to determine how well each display supported detection and avoidance of true hazards under each task condition. Results: Each vibrotactile display (suspenders- or helmet-mounted) significantly improved hazard detection in terms of hit rates and response times. Task conditions that included texting and (to a lesser extent) music negatively impacted performance, but decrements were smaller when vibrotactile displays were used. Although conditions involving the vibrotactile displays did not differ significantly in response times or signal detection theory measures, subjective ratings suggested the suspenders display was more comfortable and preferred overall. Conclusions: Vibrotactile displays improved hazard detection and avoidance; however, sensitivity in distinguishing true and false hazards could be improved. Advanced versions of these warning systems offer potential to improve hazard awareness and safety for distracted pedestrians and workers.

Fitting with an electronic knee for a schizophrenic patient with bilateral amputation of lower limbs: What's the point?

The replacement of a mechanical knee with prosthetic class I foot fitting by an electronic knee with prosthetic class II foot was proposed to a 54-years-old schizophrenic patient, active, with right femoral and left tibial traumatic amputation. This fitting evolution was assessed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Compared evaluation of electronic knee with prosthetic class II foot versus mechanical polycentric knee with prosthetic class I foot (fitting unchanged moreover) in: – functional abilities and quality of life using standardized scores (Functional Ambulation Classification, Houghton, Functional Independence Measurement, B.A-BA, MOS-SF36), satisfaction VAS, walking perimeter, stair climbing abilities, crutches use; – walking and balance analysis using GAITRITE system, stabilometric platform, Get up and Go test. Functional abilities: walking perimeter was increased by approximately 2 km; walking outdoors was now performed with a single crutch; walking indoors without crutches was made possible on short perimeter, leaving both hands free for everyday or leisure tasks; walking downstairs was realized in a continuous sequence of steps. Quantified analysis of gait and balance: spatiotemporal parameters recorded on GAITRITE with 1 single crutch improved (speed, cadence, step length and support time), no improvement with 2 crutches. No improvement in static balance recorded on stabilometric platform. Get up and Go test improved (14.85 s vs. 19.77 s with mechanical knee). Standardized scores: improvement of Houghton's score (10/12 vs. 6/12), of FAC score (7/8 vs. 6/8), of B.A-BA (15/20 vs. 13.6/20). Slightly modified FIM score (123/126 vs. 120/126), yet there is an improvement of the SF36-MOS for physical scores (55.8/100 vs. 43.1/100) as well as mental scores (64.3/100 vs. 47.1/100). Global satisfaction improved (90/100 mm vs. 32/100 mm) using the VAS. This new fitting allowed an objective improvement of walk and quality of life. Compliance for the new femoral prosthesis is total although this schizophrenic patient was not spontaneously asking for prosthetic improvement initially. This is pleading for a systematic information of active patients, even non-demanding ones but regularly followed and evaluated, on fitting techniques evolution that might improve their daily lives.

Religiosidad, ocio y "entretenimientos". Ocupando el tiempo de la mujer honesta (Fr. Alonso Remón, siglo XVII)

This paper addresses the issue of leisure and entertainment (recreation) of women in the seventeenth century, according to major writers on the family (on family topics) of the Modern Age. It focuses on the advices (warnings) for the use of the leisure time of the deemed “honest women”. And among moralists, highlights Fray Alonso Remon, mercedarian chronicler and writer of comedies, well known at the time of Lope de Vega. One of his many moral writings, serves us as a guide of “educational” and recreational proposals aimed at women. In it he will provide leisure and entertainment tasks of selective character, classified by age, status and gender. An estamental society, patriarchal and therefore unequal, which defends different forms of entertainment according to the women status. Issues that, in fact, squarely connect with the religious models of femininity, and in which gender and status ratify the social stratification criteria advocated by law.

Measuring activity and participation in children and adolescents with disabilities: A literature review of available instruments

This article aims to (1) identify instruments available to measure activity and participation in children with disabilities; (2) describe the reliability and validity of these instruments; and (3) consider whether the available instruments capture the extent of involvement, as well as the difficulty and satisfaction/enjoyment associated with performance in all life areas. A literature review was completed by undertaking an electronic search to identify instruments that measure activity and participation in children with disabilities. A further electronic search was conducted to obtain an adequate description of the instruments, including psychometric properties. The search identified 20 instruments purporting to measure activity and participation, however, no single instrument measured extent of involvement, difficulty and satisfaction/enjoyment in all life areas. There were instances in which each of these aspects was captured, but not within the one instrument. Instruments assessed combinations of frequency, difficulty, assistance, environment and satisfaction across varying contexts, for example, school, domestic life, recreational tasks, leisure tasks or all life areas. Although a large number of instruments exist to measure varying aspects of activity and participation, there is currently no single instrument available to measure the extent of involvement, difficulty and satisfaction/enjoyment in all life areas. This finding indicates that there is the opportunity to develop a single instrument to measure activity and participation across all life areas.

Effectiveness of rehabilitation based on recreational activities: A systematic review

AIM: To summarize the evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the rehabilitation effects of recreational activities. METHODS: Studies were eligible if they were RCTs. Studies included one treatment group in which recreational activity was applied. We searched the following databases from 1990 to May 31, 2012: MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Ichushi-Web. We also searched all Cochrane Databases and Campbell Systematic Reviews up to May 31, 2012. RESULTS: Eleven RCTs were identified, which included many kinds of target diseases and/or symptoms such as stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, acquired brain injury, chronic non-malignant pain, adolescent obesity, high-risk pregnancy, and the frail elderly. Various intervention methods included gaming technology, music, dance, easy rider wheelchair biking, leisure education programs, and leisure tasks. The RCTs conducted have been of relatively low quality. A meta-analysis (pooled sample; n = 44, two RCTs) for balance ability using tests such as “Berg Balance Scale” and “Timed Up and Go Test” based on game intervention revealed no significant difference between interventions and controls. In all other interventions, there were one or more effects on psychological status, balance or motor function, and adherence as primary or secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION: There is a potential for recreational activities to improve rehabilitation-related outcomes, particularly in psychological status, balance or motor function, and adherence. © 2013 Baishideng. All rights reserved.

Context-dependent awareness support in open collaboration environments

The widespread adoption of online services for performing work, home and leisure tasks enables users to operate in the ubiquitous environment provided by the Internet by managing a possibly high number of parallel (private and shared) activity contexts. The provision of awareness information is a key factor for keeping users up-to-date with what happens around them; e.g., with the operations performed by their collaborators. However, the delivery of notifications describing the occurred events can interrupt the users’ activities, with a possible disruptive effect on their emotional and attentional states. As a possible solution to the trade-off between informing and interrupting users, we defined two context-dependent notification management policies which support the selection of the notifications to be delivered on the basis of the user’s current activities, at different granularity levels: general collaboration context versus task carried out. These policies are offered by the COntext depeNdent awaReness informAtion Delivery (CONRAD) framework. We tested such policies with users by applying them in a collaboration environment that includes a set of largely used Web 2.0 services. The experiments show that our policies reduce the levels of workload on users while supporting an up-to-the-moment understanding of the interaction with their shared contexts. The present paper presents the CONRAD framework and the techniques underlying the proposed notification policies.

Otiŭm: A web based planner for tourism and leisure

This paper introduces the Otiŭm planner system for scheduling of leisure tasks in tourism. This novel service allows users to create their own agenda of activities within specified dates. Activities are selected from a list of recommended events according to last selected events, user preferences and other parameters. The proposed restrictions on the recommendation procedure have been found to capture static and dynamic user context. The recommendation function is linear and shows low computational cost. The events are extracted from web sources with almost no human manipulation, so the recommender is always showing new and recent events. The Ajax-based web interface eases the creation of the final plan, offering an interactive experience to the user. We consider that the trade-off between interactivity and recommendation complexity exits, and that the second issue is preferable in this type of services. The details about the design and implementation of the system are described, along with the issues the system resolves and some guidelines for enhancement.