Personal Training Research Articles

Personality and Its Influence on Pain Sensitivity Based on Different Hormonal Responses to Individual vs. Group Exercise Styles

Individual differences in pain sensitivity are thought to relate to personality traits, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Exercise influences hormonal secretion via the hypothalamic–pituitary system, which may link personality, hormonal responses, and pain perception. This study investigated these relationships in 14 healthy participants (3 females, 11 males, aged 20–50 years, mean 28 ± 9.25 years). Participants rated thermal pain stimuli and completed the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO-PI-R) to identify their personality. Each participant engaged in personal and group training sessions, with blood samples collected to measure cortisol, growth hormone, and other indicators. Participants were clustered into cortisol hypersecretors and hyposecretors based on their hormonal response. Hypersecretors exhibited significantly lower neuroticism scores and pain ratings than hyposecretors. These findings suggest a potential association between cortisol responsiveness during exercise, neuroticism, and pain sensitivity. This study highlights potential links between personality traits and reactive hormonal patterns, offering insights into the psychophysiological mechanisms underlying pain expression.

Dermatologist Driven Aesthetic Nail Enhancement.

Nail aesthetic procedures so far have been a neglected domain of nail medicine. With changing times, more people are getting sensitized towards nail enhancement; hence, there is an ever-increasing need for dermatologist driven aesthetic nail procedures. The management of various nail disorders takes a long time and might not be very rewarding with regard to complete aesthetic improvement. The aesthetic procedures can be utilized to camouflage and provide some relief to the patient. These procedures could also be a treatment modality for various common conditions like brittle nails, onychotillomania, and other habit tic deformities. The aesthetic procedures that we discussed in this article include nail peels, gel nails, and lasers for aesthetic indications. Many side effects of these procedures have been reported in the literature. This can be attributed to the fact that these procedures are currently being done at salons and not by dermatologists. Nail peels are a useful modality for nail surface irregularities and can be safely recommended. Gel nail technique is simple and when done by a trained person can be used to benefit patients with superficial nail plate abnormalities to improve their quality of life. The usage of lasers in the aesthetic improvement of nails is still in a nascent stage.

Confronting needlestick and sharp injuries in healthcare: a decade of struggle and progress in a university teaching hospital.

Needlestick and sharp injuries (NSIs) among healthcare workers (HCWs) are a significant concern in infection prevention. This study analyzes theincidence and characteristics of NSIs at Queen Mary Hospital and assesses the effectiveness of targeted training programs for interns. A retrospective analysis was conducted on NSI reports from 2014 to 2023, focusing on episodes involving medical, nursing, allied health, and other staff. Personal coaching training programs for newly recruited interns were implemented in 2019 to enhance safety practices. NSI episodes were analyzed in relation to patient days and full-time equivalents (FTE). During the study period, there was a mean of 464,118 patient days per year,with an average of 5,928 HCWs per year. A total of 1,076 NSI episodes were reported, resulting in a mean of 2.31 episodes per 10,000 patient days and 1.82 episodes per 100 FTE. Medical staff accounted for 502 episodes (47%), while nursing staff had 339 episodes (32%). The mean NSI episodes among medical staff were significantly higher than nursing staff per year, measured per 10,000 patient days (1.08 ± 0.21 vs. 0.73 ± 0.16, p = 0.001) and per 100 FTE (8.46 ± 1.95 vs. 1.62 ± 0.40, p < 0.001). Of the 1,076 episodes, 430 (40%) occurred in HCWs with less than 1year of experience, with 278 (65%) attributed to interns, contributing to 26% of the overall NSI burden. Most incidents among interns occurred in wards (95%, 264/278), with 95% (252/264) involving hollow needles. Notably, 54% (149/278) involved safety-equipped devices, yet 94% (140/149) of these were not activated properly. Following targeted training, NSI rates among interns significantly decreased from 0.82 to 0.46 per 10,000 patient days (R2 = 0.977, p = 0.001) and from 6.84 to 3.40 per 100 FTE (R2 = 0.874, p = 0.020) from 2019 to 2023. The study highlights the ongoing issue of NSIs among HCWs, especially inexperienced interns. While training programs have shown promise in reducing NSI rates, the high incidence of safety devices not being effectively utilized underscores the need for continuous education and hands-on training to enhance safety practices and prevent NSIs in healthcare settings.

Artificial Intelligence in Nursing: New Opportunities and Challenges

ABSTRACTTo explore the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) in nursing and its impact. Bibliographic review using Arksey and O'Malley's framework, enhanced by Levac, Colquhoun and O'Brien and following PRISMA guidelines, including qualitative and mixed studies. MeSH terms and keywords such as nursing education and ethical considerations were used in databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, IEEE Xplore and Google Scholar. Of all, 53 studies were included, highlighting various opportunities and challenges of AI integration and opportunities for personalised learning, training improvement and evaluation. Highlighting challenges related to academic integrity, accuracy, data privacy and security, for the development of critical thinking skills. The integration of AI in nursing education offers significant advantages for improving the quality and effectiveness of education, such as academic integrity, critical thinking and equitable access, for this reason, faculty training should be geared toward the integration of AI in nursing education.

Web-Based Exercise and Nutrition Intervention to Improve Leg Muscle Strength and Physical Functioning in Older Adults: Pre-Post Pilot Study.

The lifestyle intervention ProMuscle, which combines resistance exercise and an increased protein intake, was effective in improving muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical functioning in older adults. However, due to a growing shortage of health care professionals, the rapidly growing aging population cannot be personally guided in the future. Therefore, Uni2Move, a scalable web-based variant of ProMuscle, was designed to reach larger groups of older adults without putting additional burden on health care professionals. The current study investigated the effects of a web-based lifestyle intervention on muscle strength, protein intake, and physical functioning in healthy older adults. In addition, we conducted a qualitative study to gather key insights of the participants involved, as little is known about older adults' perceptions of web-based lifestyle interventions. A pre-post pilot study was conducted in the Netherlands. In the 24-week intervention, 19 healthy adults aged >55 years were included. They performed resistance training at home twice a week for 24 weeks via web-based workout videos. Videos (45-60 minutes) were recorded by the fitness trainer and mainly focused on training leg muscles. In addition, older adults were advised on increasing protein intake via two web-based consultations by a dietitian in the first 12 weeks and via an e-learning course in the second 12 weeks. Intervention adherence and acceptance was measured in week 25. The 1 repetition maximum knee extension strength, repeated chair rise test, and protein intake were measured at baseline, week 13, and week 25. Linear mixed models were used to test differences over time. Semistructured interviews were used to gather experiences of participants. Atlas.ti version 22 was used to analyze the interviews. The mean age of participants (n=19) at baseline was 69 (SD 7) years. The 1 repetition maximum knee extension strength and repeated chair rise test improved significantly during the 24-week intervention with a mean difference of 7.0 kg (95% CI 4.8-9.3; P<.001) and -1.2 seconds (95% CI -1.7 to -0.6; P<.001), respectively. Total protein intake per day did not change, whereas protein intake during breakfast had increased significantly after 13 weeks with a mean difference of 6.9 g (95% CI 1.1-12.7; P=.01). Qualitative research revealed that advantages of the program included no need to travel and exercising in their own environment. Disadvantages were the lack of physical interaction and no corrections by the trainer. The results of the web-based exercise and nutrition intervention Uni2Move indicate potential improvements of muscle strength and physical functioning in healthy middle-aged and older adults. Providing such lifestyle interventions on the internet could reach an increased number of older adults, providing the opportunity to contribute to the health and independence of the rapidly growing aging population.

2788 Exercise trainers as key enablers in the remote delivery of dementia prevention interventions in the homes of older adults

Abstract Introduction Social support for physical activity is important for engaging older adults in physically active lifestyles. Few studies examined the impact of individual exercise trainers (IETs) in the context of dementia prevention interventions with physical activity. We aimed to assess the contributions of IETs in the remote delivery of a home-based dementia prevention program combining physical exercise and cognitive training targeting older adults at risk for dementia. Methods Convergent mixed-method analysis was conducted using data from SYNERGIC@Home, a feasibility study of a 16-week intervention that included one-on-one supervised physical exercise (3 sessions/week) fully delivered through Zoom. Quantitative data consisted of descriptive statistics, measures of adherence, participants’ preference and satisfaction. Qualitative interviews centred on participants’ experience and motivation were conducted post-intervention. Results Of the 60 participants randomised to one of four intervention arms (mean age 68.9, 76.7% female), 52 completed the interventions with high overall adherence (87.5%). Pre-intervention, participants expressed a clear preference for cognitive interventions, but post-intervention preference shifted to exercise. IETs (n = 21) were part-time research assistants, each assigned to one participant after completing CSEP Certified Personal Trainer® or Clinical Exercise Physiologist™ certification as part of their training. One full-time Lead IET coordinated and supervised the other trainers. IETs worked the closest with study participants, also working closely with study coordinator and with study physician for adverse event monitoring. Interviewed participants (n = 15) often described the positive relationships that developed with their IET. Trainers were instrumental in participants’ motivation and enjoyment, personalising the sessions and addressing technological issues. Satisfaction rates with IETs (n = 54 exit survey respondents) were high. Conclusions Exercise trainers played crucial roles that extended beyond the supervision of exercise sessions and contributed to participant engagement in the interventions. Access to these allied health professionals should be featured more prominently in strategies/programs promoting active lifestyles among older adults.

German Version of the Child Sexual Abuse Myth Scale (CSAMS-G): Translation, Expansion, and Construct Validation

Research is needed on the myths regarding child sexual abuse in order to address commonly held misconceptions in persons training for professional careers in relevant fields for child protection. We present our translated, validated, and expanded Child Sexual Abuse Myth Scale (CSAMS-G). It was tested on a sample of 569 students studying either education, social work, law, or policing. Results of confirmatory factor analysis revealed a good model fit for our assumed factorial structure. Acceptable results on internal consistency were confirmed with McDonald’s ω. We also present the first results on the acceptance of child sexual abuse myths in our sample. Overall, myth acceptance was low, but a few exceptions were found, especially for the newly added items. We found group differences in factor scores for gender as well as between survivors and non-survivors of child sexual abuse.

Government, business and making China an educational powerhouse since the 1980s

This article examines how China successfully built a highly competent K-12 education system since the 1980s achieving high literacy rates, broad basic education, and gender equality. It argues that this success was driven by a strategy of blending public and private interests, known as the ‘walking on two legs’ approach, within an examination-oriented system. K-12 education was delivered through a combination of Central and local governments, state-owned enterprises, and the private sector with the rise of private tutoring, or ‘shadow education’. It goes on to explore why the Chinese government launched a major policy reversal after 2016 designed to transform what appeared a successful system. The article argues that this was in response to systemic dysfunctions and regional disparities in access to more prestigious schools and private training programs, as well as reflecting broader policy shifts towards greater centralisation.

Inter-subject variability in muscle synergies during squatting movements.

This study investigated muscle synergies during squats, focusing on the individual variability in motor control strategies. Sixteen healthy young adults performed 20 squats at a consistent speed. Muscle synergies were extracted using non-negative matrix factorization, followed by k-means clustering and discriminant analysis to categorize similar muscle synergies. The analysis revealed an average of 3.3±0.4 muscle synergies per squat. Further clustering analysis identified six distinct types of muscle synergies across subjects. Among them, one synergy involving trunk, hip, and knee extensors was universal across all subjects, representing a fundamental motor strategy for successful squat execution. In contrast, the remaining synergies varied across subjects, exhibiting mutual exclusivity, where individuals systematically select one synergy type or another during the same squatting phase. These findings demonstrate inter-subject variability in muscle synergies during the squat and underscore the coexistence of universal and individualized muscle synergies in human motor control, providing practical insights for designing personalized squat training and rehabilitation strategies guided by neuromechanical principles.

Breed differences in olfactory performance of dogs

Most studies on dogs’ olfactory performance focused only on some individuals pre-trained for a task or on specially selected/trained detection dogs. Here, using the Natural Detection Task (NDT) that does not require training, we assessed the effect of several potential factors on the performance of a large sample of dogs (N = 527/tested, 484/analysed). Olfactory success was associated with breeds, but breed groups (selected for olfaction, cooperation, or both) were proven non-relevant, suggesting that breed-specific traits are more influential than functional breed group characteristics. Border collies, selected for herding, reached higher success levels than golden retrievers, Hungarian/German vizslas and basset/bloodhounds, selected for hunting/olfaction tasks. Beagles found the hidden food quicker than border collies, basset/bloodhounds, golden retrievers, Labradors, and cocker spaniels. Dogs with higher Responsiveness to training personality scores were more successful, while higher training level linked to slower successful search. Activity/Excitability scores, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder scores, and owners’ rewarding style were not associated with performance. Overall, large within-breed/breed-group variabilities reflect complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors influencing performance. Given the complex nature of life-like detection tasks, the NDT may provide more information about dogs’ olfactory ability than on their potential effectiveness in detection work.

Umbrella review of economic evaluations of interventions for the prevention and management of healthcare-associated infections in adult hospital patients.

Healthcare-associated infections result in worse outcomes for patients and greater financial burden. An estimated 4.8 million HCAIs occurred in hospitals across Europe in 2022-23. Sixty-four percent of antibiotic-resistant infections in Europe are associated with healthcare. It is therefore vital to identify cost-effective interventions. Our objective was to summarise the cost-effectiveness evidence of interventions addressing HCAIs in hospitals. An umbrella review was conducted to identify evidence on the cost-effectiveness of antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention and control, and microbiology and diagnostic stewardship interventions for the prevention and clinical management of HCAIs in adult hospital patients. Medline, Embase and EconLit databases were searched. A qualitative synthesis was undertaken. Twenty-four systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria, with 101 separate analyses extracted and grouped into 10 intervention and 14 infection/organism categories, across various countries and settings. Most evidence focussed on screening followed by contact precautions, isolation and/or decolonisation, with selective screening most cost-effective. Most IPC bundles were cost-effective, although interventions were heterogeneous. The evidence base was sparse for the remaining intervention categories, with more research required. The limited evidence suggests standalone environmental cleaning, hand hygiene, diagnostics, surveillance, ABS, and decolonisation interventions were mostly cost-effective. The cost-effectiveness of standalone personal protective equipment, and education and training interventions was mixed. Most interventions focussed on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and other Gram-positive infections, with more research needed on Gram-negative infections. The comparator was unclear in many extracted analyses. Cost-effective interventions to address HCAIs in hospitals exist, although more evidence is needed for most interventions.

Actualization of Fisip Unila’s Partnership with Atpusi Lampung Province Through Personal Rebranding Training for Librarians in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

Abstract: In the contemporary landscape characterized by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), the profession of librarianship is experiencing a noteworthy transformation, thereby necessitating a re-evaluation and re-branding of the role in order to maintain its relevance. Librarians are transitioning from their traditional role as custodians of physical books to emerging as essential stakeholders in the domains of digital literacy, privacy, and information ethics. They currently fulfill the roles of information strategists, data analysts, and educators, demonstrating proficiency in navigating intricate digital environments. Notwithstanding these advancements, public perception frequently remains outdated, perceiving librarians primarily as engaged in rudimentary administrative activities. This stereotype inhibits the recognition of their extensive contributions to society. Re-branding initiatives center on emphasizing the evolving roles of librarians, which encompass the management of comprehensive digital resources and the promotion of critical information literacy within the context of the artificial intelligence era. The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at the University of Lampung (Unila), in conjunction with the Association of Indonesian Political Science Students (ATPUSI), has commenced the implementation of training programs aimed at facilitating the re-branding efforts of the institution. These initiatives aim to enhance the digital competencies of librarians and transform public perceptions by positioning them as crucial facilitators in the process of knowledge dissemination. The results of the training indicate a significant enhancement in participants' comprehension of personal re-branding, thereby suggesting the efficacy of these initiatives in preparing librarians with the requisite skills for a future increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence. Keywords: librarian re-branding, artificial intelligence (AI) era, librarian skill improvement.

Actualization of Fisip Unila’s Partnership with Atpusi Lampung Province Through Personal Rebranding Training for Librarians in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

Abstract: In the contemporary landscape characterized by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), the profession of librarianship is experiencing a noteworthy transformation, thereby necessitating a re-evaluation and re-branding of the role in order to maintain its relevance. Librarians are transitioning from their traditional role as custodians of physical books to emerging as essential stakeholders in the domains of digital literacy, privacy, and information ethics. They currently fulfill the roles of information strategists, data analysts, and educators, demonstrating proficiency in navigating intricate digital environments. Notwithstanding these advancements, public perception frequently remains outdated, perceiving librarians primarily as engaged in rudimentary administrative activities. This stereotype inhibits the recognition of their extensive contributions to society. Re-branding initiatives center on emphasizing the evolving roles of librarians, which encompass the management of comprehensive digital resources and the promotion of critical information literacy within the context of the artificial intelligence era. The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at the University of Lampung (Unila), in conjunction with the Association of Indonesian Political Science Students (ATPUSI), has commenced the implementation of training programs aimed at facilitating the re-branding efforts of the institution. These initiatives aim to enhance the digital competencies of librarians and transform public perceptions by positioning them as crucial facilitators in the process of knowledge dissemination. The results of the training indicate a significant enhancement in participants' comprehension of personal re-branding, thereby suggesting the efficacy of these initiatives in preparing librarians with the requisite skills for a future increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence.Keywords: librarian re-branding, artificial intelligence (AI) era, librarian skill improvement.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.61436/bsscd/v3i1.pp08-18

Functional contractility of young soccer players' muscles in the context of playing positions

The high-intensity activity of soccer players during a match are affected by the basic contractile properties of lower limb muscles. Several studies have confirmed that playing position crucially determines absolute performance and physical load and also determines the intensity of fast movements during matches. However, little is known whether muscle contractile properties vary in relation to a specific playing position. The aim of this paper is to describe differences in functional contractility of muscles in young soccer players in the context of playing position. U14-U15 soccer players (n = 127) were divided into 6 groups based on their playing position: G - Goalkeeper (n = 14), FB - Fullback (n = 23), CB – Centre-back (n = 28), W – Winger (n = 15), M – midfielder, (n = 28), F - Forward (n = 19). Functional contractility of the biceps femoris and rectus femoris in the dominant lower limb was assessed from the following variables: contraction time (tc), maximal displacement of the muscle contraction (dm) and contraction velocity (vc) measured by a non-invasive method of tensiomyography using a TMG S2 system (TMG-BMC Ltd, Slovenia). The Shapiro-Wilk test showed a violation of normality of the data distribution. Differences in contractile properties in terms of the playing position factor were evaluated using Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance (K-W Anova) with multiple pairwise comparisons. The K-W Anova results showed significant differences in the maximal amplitude (dm) and velocity of contraction (vc) for the biceps femoris muscle (H = 19.008; p = 0.002 and H = 24.421; p = 0.001, respectively). In the variable of time of contraction (tc), a significant difference between the playing positions was identified for the rectus femoris muscle (H = 18.257; p = 0.003). The results of the study suggest that different playing positions of young soccer players are associated with specific muscle contractility requirements. These differences suggest that muscle characteristics are influenced by the functional demands of each playing position. The findings point to the need for personalised training interventions that consider the specific biomechanical and functional demands of playing positions, which may contribute to performance enhancement and injury prevention.

AECuration: Automated event curation for spike sorting.

Spike sorting is a commonly used analysis method for identifying single-units and multi-units from extracellular recordings. The extracellular recordings contain a mixture of signal components, such as neural and non-neural events, possibly due to motion and breathing artifacts or electrical interference. Identifying single and multi-unit spikes using a simple threshold-crossing method may lead to uncertainty in differentiating the actual neural spikes from non-neural spikes. The traditional method for classifying neural and non-neural units from spike sorting results is manual curation by a trained person. This subjective method suffers from human error and variability and is further complicated by the absence of ground truth in experimental extracellular recordings. Moreover, the manual curation process is time consuming and is becoming intractable due to the growing size and complexity of extracellular datasets. To address these challenges, we, for the first time, present a novel automatic curation method based on an autoencoder model, which is trained on features of simulated extracellular spike waveforms. The model is then applied to experimental electrophysiology datasets, where the reconstruction error is used as the metric for classifying neural and non-neural spikes. As an alternative to the traditional frequency domain and statistical techniques, our proposed method offers a time-domain evaluation model to automate the analysis of extracellular recordings based on learned time-domain features. The model exhibits excellent performance and throughput when applied to real-world extracellular datasets without any retraining, highlighting its generalizability. This method can be integrated into spike sorting pipelines as a pre-processing filtering step or a post-processing curation method.

Improving Human Activity Recognition Through 1D-ResNet: A Wearable Wristband for 14 Workout Movements

This study presents a 1D Residual Network(ResNet)-based algorithm for human activity recognition (HAR) focused on classifying 14 different workouts, which represent key exercises commonly performed in fitness training, using wearable inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors. Unlike traditional 1D Convolutional neural network (CNN) models, the proposed 1D ResNet incorporates residual blocks to prevent gradient vanishing and exploding problems, allowing for deeper networks with improved performance. The IMU sensor, placed on the wrist, provided Z-axis acceleration data, which were used to train the model. A total of 901 data samples were collected from five participants, with 600 used for training and 301 for testing. The model achieved a recognition accuracy of 97.09%, surpassing the 89.03% of a 1D CNN without residual blocks and the 92% of a cascaded 1D CNN from previous research. These results indicate that the 1D ResNet model is highly effective in recognizing a wide range of workouts. The findings suggest that wearable devices can autonomously classify human activities and provide personalized training recommendations, paving the way for AI-driven personal training systems.

Technology Acceptance and Service Experience of Elderly Users with AI Translation Tools

With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), AI-assisted translation tools have become vital for daily communication. However, elderly users often face various challenges and obstacles when adopting these technologies. Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Service-Dominant Logic (SDL), this study delves into the behaviors and experiences of elderly users engaging with AI translation tools. Based on interviews with multiple elderly participants, the findings reveal that their acceptance of new technologies depends not only on ease of use and functionality but also on factors like service experience, emotional support, and social networks. The study highlights that simplifying interface design, improving translation accuracy, and providing personalized training and service support are key to enhancing technology acceptance among the elderly. Theoretically, this study extends the application of TAM and SDL, while practically, it offers actionable recommendations for the design and promotion of AI translation tools.

Human–Robot Interactions: A Pilot Study of Psychoaffective and Cognitive Factors to Boost the Acceptance and Usability of Assistive Wearable Devices

Robotic technology to assist rehabilitation provides practical advantages compared with traditional rehabilitation treatments, but its efficacy is still disputed. This controversial effectiveness is due to different factors, including a lack of guidelines to adapt devices to users’ individual needs. These needs include the specific clinical conditions of people with disabilities, as well as their psychological and cognitive profiles. This pilot study aims to investigate the relationships between psychological, cognitive, and robot-related factors playing a role in human–robot interaction to promote a human-centric approach in robotic rehabilitation. Ten able-bodied volunteers were assessed for their anxiety, experienced workload, cognitive reserve, and perceived exoskeleton usability before and after a task with a lower-limb exoskeleton (i.e., 10 m path walking for 10 trials). Pre-trial anxiety levels were higher than post-trial ones (p &lt; 0.01). While trait anxiety levels were predictive of the experienced effort (Adjusted-r2 = 0.43, p = 0.02), the state anxiety score was predictive of the perceived overall workload (Adjusted-r2 = 0.45, p = 0.02). High–average cognitive reserve scores were predictive of the perception of exoskeleton usability (Adjusted-r2 = 0.45, p = 0.02). A negative correlation emerged between the workload and the perception of personal identification with the exoskeleton (r = −0.67, p-value = 0.03). This study provides preliminary evidence of the impact of cognitive and psychoaffective factors on the perception of workload and overall device appreciation in exoskeleton training. It also suggests pragmatic measures such as familiarization time to reduce anxiety and end-user selection based on cognitive profiles. These assessments may provide guidance on the personalization of training.

Information and Communication Technology: Strategies to Optimize Hospital Services

Objective: The objective of this study is to identify Information and Communication Technology: Strategy for optimizing hospital services. Theoretical Benchmark: Research provides possibilities that Information and Communication Technology has been outstanding in the health sector, for its relevance in providing innovation strategies to health institutions. Method: The method of descriptive bibliographic research was adopted, with qualitative hanging. For a more objective and precise investigation, field research was adopted, with qualitative and quantitative hangings. The data collection was carried out by means of questionnaires, applied at the Hospital Santo Antônio, Alenquer-PA, in loco for health professionals. Results and Discussion: The results achieved and presented, are conclusive to the objectives that identified that actions of Information and Communication Technology, are strategies to optimize hospital services and that the institution seeks to make innovations in the technological area to better serve patients through skilled employees. Although exhaustive, but provided, knowledge, personal and professional training. Implications of Research: Due to the importance of Information and Communication Technology, it is necessary that the result obtained be extended to the other health institutions of the municipality of Alenquer-PA, by adding values. Originality/Value: The result may contribute with technological advances and science in the search for innovative strategies and solutions in the area of health. It will extend to the other health institutions of the municipality, professionals, managers, health secretariats, future health professionals and the whole scientific area.

Effects of a Wearable-Based Intervention on the Hemiparetic Upper Limb in Persons With Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction Wearables have emerged as a transformative rehabilitation tool to provide self-directed training in the home. Objective. In this study, we examined the efficacy of a novel wearable device, “Smart Reminder” (SR), to provide home-based telerehabilitation for hemiparetic upper limb (UL) training in persons with stroke. Methods Forty stroke survivors from community support groups were randomized (stratified by the period after stroke onset and impairment severity) to either the SR group or the sham device group. Participants received either 20 hours of telerehabilitation using the SR device or training with pictorial handouts and a sham device over 4 weeks. In addition, all participants wore a standard accelerometer for 3 hours each day, 5 times a week, outside the prescribed training. Participants were assessed by a masked assessor at baseline, post-intervention (week 4), and follow-up (week 8). The outcome measures included Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Action Research Arm Test, Motor Activity Log, muscle strength, active range of motion and amount of movement of the UL, and compliance rate of training. Results The SR group improved substantially in their FMA-UE scores after treatment (mean difference = 2.05, P = .036) compared to the sham group. Also, adherence to the training using the SR device was significantly higher, 97%, than the sham group, 82.3% (P = .038). Conclusion The 4-week telerehabilitation program using a “SR” device demonstrated potential efficacy in improving FMA-UE scores of the hemiparetic upper limb. However, it did not significantly enhance the performance of the affected limb in daily activities. The trial was registered on ClinicalTrial.gov (URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov) with the identifier NCT05877183.