Smartphone-based Video Research Articles

Use of Smartphone-Based Video Directly Observed Therapy to Increase Tuberculosis Medication Adherence: An Interventional Study.

Tuberculosis (TB) treatment through Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) has an alternative form of video surveillance therapy (VOT) that utilizes the technological capabilities of smartphones to provide patients with low-cost access to doctors without impacting their work and personal life. We aimed to assess TB patients' drug compliance, perceptions, and feasibility towards smartphone-based video direct observed therapy (VDOT) in Jeddah, KSA. We conducted a prospective non-randomized interventional study. We delivered smartphone-based VDOT among previously unstudied patients to monitor adherence to the treatment regimen. The expected total number of VDOT sessions was1200. We conducted post-intervention interviews to assess acceptability and satisfaction. In this study, we included 20 participants, 16 of whom were males, with a mean age of 34.3 (±12.5) years. No side effects to the treatments were identified in all participants. The adherence rate for the total period was 93% and 99.5%, measured by the first and second methods, respectively. Most participants were satisfied with the VDOT experience, the time spent on sessions, and the approach's privacy. This study provides promising results for the feasibility and effectiveness of smartphone-based VDOT for TB treatment to increase adherence which was indicated by a high compliance rate, acceptability, and high satisfaction level.

Smartphone-Based Video Analysis for Guiding Shoulder Therapeutic Exercises: Concurrent Validity for Movement Quality Control

Neuromuscular re-education through therapeutic exercise has a determinant role in chronic shoulder pain rehabilitation. Smartphones are an interesting strategy to extend the rehabilitation to a home-based scenario as it can increase the attraction and involvement of users by providing feedback. Objective: To analyze the concurrent validity of a smartphone’s application based on 2D video analysis against the gold-standard 3D optoelectronic system for assessing movement quality during upper limb therapeutic exercises. Methods: Fifteen young adults were evaluated while executing two different shoulder exercises with a smartphone’s 2D video and a 3D optoelectronic system simultaneously in two conditions: (1) with the supervision and instructions of a physiotherapist (guided exercise), and (2) without the feedback of the physiotherapist (non-guided exercise). The data obtained during the guided and non-guided exercises were compared to calculate the movement quality index based on the approximation of the non-guided exercise to the guided exercise for the head, trunk, and shoulder’s range of movement. The agreement of the movement quality index assessed with the smartphone application and the optoelectronic system was carried out through Bland–Altman analysis. Results: The Bland–Altman analysis indicates the range of agreement and bias tendency. This tendency demonstrates that the percentage of difference between the two methods increases as the movement quality index decreases. Conclusions: There is agreement between the movement quality evaluated by a gold-standard method and the developed application, although the proposed method appears to have less sensitivity for evaluating movements with lower quality index.

Smartphone-based thermography to determine shunt patency in patients with hydrocephalus

BackgroundWhen shunt dysfunction is suspected, radiation exposure due to X-rays or a CT-scan is inevitable. Less-invasive and more reliable methods are warranted. In this study, we aimed to assess the usability of smartphone-based thermography to detect shunt patency in patients with hydrocephalus.MethodsThis prospective observational pilot study evaluated the use of smartphone-based video thermography to detect flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the shunt of 51 patients from the Department of Neurosurgery at a tertiary referral institute. Patients with a shunt for hydrocephalus without the suspect of dysfunction were included in the study from December 2021 to May 2022.ResultsWe included 51 patients with a mean age of 53.3 years. Of these patients 14 were male (27.5%) and 37 were female (72.5%). The most frequent cause of the hydrocephalus was the normal pressure hydrocephalus followed by the congenital hydrocephalus. Most patients (96%) had a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, whereas two had a ventriculo-atrial shunt. In total, 43 patient (84%) had a shunt on the right side and 8 patient (16%) had the shunt located on the left side. In 45 patients (88.2%), we observed a clear flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the cooled shunt trajectory.ConclusionsThe findings of this study indicate that in patients with a shunt to treat hydrocephalus, the smartphone-based video thermography may be a safe and simple alternative to show shunt patency without the exposure to radiation.

Smartphone-Based Video Antenatal Preterm Birth Education

Preterm birth is a leading cause of infant mortality and child morbidity. Preterm birth is not always unexpected, yet standard prenatal care does not offer anticipatory education to parents at risk of delivering preterm, which leaves parents unprepared to make health care choices during the pregnancy that can improve survival and decrease morbidity in case of preterm birth. To evaluate the effect of the Preemie Prep for Parents (P3) program on maternal knowledge of preterm birth, preparation for decision-making, and anxiety. Recruitment for this randomized clinical trial conducted at a US academic medical center took place from February 3, 2020, to April 12, 2021. A total of 120 pregnant persons with a risk factor for preterm birth were enrolled between 16 and 21 weeks' gestational age and followed up through pregnancy completion. Starting at 18 weeks' gestational age, P3 program participants received links delivered via text message to 51 gestational age-specific short animated videos. Control participants received links to patient education webpages from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. At 25 weeks' gestation, scores on the Parent Prematurity Knowledge Questionnaire (scored as percent correct), Preparation for Decision Making Scale (scored 0-100), and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Anxiety computerized adaptive test. Analysis was based on an intention to treat. A total of 120 pregnant participants (mean [SD] age, 32.5 [4.9] years) were included in the study; 60 participants were randomized to each group. Participants in the P3 group scored higher than those in the control group on knowledge of long-term outcomes at 25 weeks (88.5% vs 73.2%; estimated difference, 15.3 percentage points; 95% CI, 8.3-22.5 percentage points; P < .001). Participants in the P3 group reported being significantly more prepared than did participants in the control group for neonatal resuscitation decision-making at 25 weeks (Preparation for Decision Making Scale score, 76.0 vs 52.3; difference, 23.7; 95% CI, 14.1-33.2). There was no difference between the P3 group and the control group in anxiety at 25 weeks (mean [SE] PROMIS Anxiety scores, 53.8 [1.1] vs 54.0 [1.1]; difference, -0.1; 95% CI, -3.2 to 2.9). In this randomized clinical trial, pregnant persons randomly assigned to the P3 program had more knowledge of core competencies and were more prepared to make decisions that affect maternal and infant health, without experiencing worse anxiety. Mobile antenatal preterm birth education may provide a unique benefit to parents with preterm birth risk factors. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04093492.

Video-based Goniometer Applications for Measuring Knee Joint Angles during Walking in Neurological Patients: A Validity, Reliability and Usability Study.

Easy-to-use evaluation of Range Of Motion (ROM) during walking is necessary to make decisions during neurological rehabilitation programs and during follow-up visits in clinical and remote settings. This study discussed goniometer applications (DrGoniometer and Angles - Video Goniometer) that measure knee joint ROM during walking through smartphone cameras. The primary aim of the study is to test the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of the collected measurements as well as their concurrent validity with an electro-goniometer. The secondary aim is to evaluate the usability of the two mobile applications. A total of 22 patients with Parkinson's disease (18 males, age 72 (8) years), 22 post-stroke patients (17 males, age 61 (13) years), and as many healthy volunteers (8 males, age 45 (5) years) underwent knee joint ROM evaluations during walking. Clinicians and inexperienced examiners used the two mobile applications to calculate the ROM, and then rated their perceived usability through the System Usability Scale (SUS). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and correlation coefficients (corr) were calculated. Both applications showed good reliability (ICC > 0.69) and validity (corr > 0.61), and acceptable usability (SUS > 68). Smartphone-based video goniometers could be used to assess the knee ROM during walking in neurological patients, because of their acceptable degree of reliability, validity and usability.

Integrating Wearable Sensors and Video to Determine Microlocation-Specific Physiologic and Motion Biometrics-Method Development for Competitive Climbing.

Competitive indoor climbing has increased in popularity at the youth, collegiate, and Olympic levels. A critical aspect for improving performance is characterizing the physiologic response to different climbing strategies (e.g., work/rest patterns, pacing) and techniques (e.g., body position and movement) relative to location on climbing wall with spatially varying characteristics (e.g., wall inclinations, position of foot/hand holds). However, this response is not well understood due to the limited capabilities of climbing-specific measurement and assessment tools. In this study, we developed a novel method to examine time-resolved sensor-based measurements of multiple personal biometrics at different microlocations (finely spaced positions; MLs) along a climbing route. For the ML-specific biometric system (MLBS), we integrated continuous data from wearable biometric sensors and smartphone-based video during climbing, with a customized visualization and analysis system to determine three physiologic parameters (heart rate, breathing rate, ventilation rate) and one body movement parameter (hip acceleration), which are automatically time-matched to the corresponding video frame to determine ML-specific biometrics. Key features include: (1) biometric sensors that are seamlessly embedded in the fabric of an athletic compression shirt, and do not interfere with climbing performance, (2) climbing video, and (3) an interactive graphical user interface to rapidly visualize and analyze the time-matched biometrics and climbing video, determine timing sequence between the biometrics at key events, and calculate summary statistics. To demonstrate the capabilities of MLBS, we examined the relationship between changes in ML-specific climbing characteristics and changes in the physiologic parameters. Our study demonstrates the ability of MLBS to determine multiple time-resolved biometrics at different MLs, in support of developing and assessing different climbing strategies and training methods to help improve performance.

MVEGAS – mobile smartphone-based spatiotemporal gait analysis in healthy and ataxic gait disorders

BackgroundQuantitative gait assessment is increasingly applied in fall risk stratification, diagnosis, and disease monitoring of neuro-geriatric gait disorders. Its broad application, however, demands for low-cost and mobile solutions that facilitate high-quality assessment outside laboratory settings. The aim of this study was to present and evaluate the concurrent validity of a mobile and low-cost gait assessment tool (mVEGAS) that combines body-fixed inertial sensors and a smartphone-based video capture for spatiotemporal identification of gait sequences. MethodsInitially, we examined potential interferences of wearing mVEGAS with walking performance in a cohort of 20 young healthy individuals (31.1 ± 10.1 years; 8 females). Subsequently, we assessed the concurrent validity of mVEGAS as compared to a pressure-sensitive gait carpet (GAITRite) in a cohort of 26 healthy individuals (55.8 ± 14.3 years; 10 females) and 26 patients (55.7 ± 14.0; 14 females) with moderate to severe degrees of cerebellar gait ataxia. All participants were instructed to walk at preferred, slow, and fast walking speed and standard average and variability gait measures including velocity, stride length, stride time, base of support, swing and double support phase were examined for agreement between the two systems by absolute error and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). ResultsWearing mVEGAS did only marginally interfere with normal walking behavior. mVEGAS-derived average and variability gait measures exhibited good to excellent concurrent validity in healthy individuals (ICCs ranging between 0.645 and 1.000) and patients with gait ataxia (ICCs ranging between 0.788 and 1.000) SignificancemVEGAS may facilitate high-quality and long-term gait monitoring in different non-specialized environments such as medical practices, nursing homes or community centers.

P24: Impact of FiO2 on blood oxygenation in Pediatric MLung

Purpose: Patient-healthcare provider access, increasingly strained in recent years, was further limited dramatically by COVID. Reduced physical access to care necessarily sparked near total reliance on telehealth/telemedicine modalities, which undoubtedly will continue to grow in the future. Platforms such as Zoom, Teams and Meet, while effective in facilitating video interactions are limited as to capabilities for physical examination and dynamic assessment of patients. We developed and validated a methodology, a mobile motion capturesystem, employing visual markers, smartphone-based video capture and computational analytics, for motion capture and analysis via telehealth. Here we examined the translational clinical utility of this approach applied to two physical diagnostic testing maneuvers: 1. Finger abduction/adduction, and 2. Lateral flex. Methods: Bright colored markers were placed on human volunteers wearing dark attire. Finger abduction/adduction: 3 markers (2x2 mm.) were placed – two on the distal inter-phalangeal joint of the second and third digits, and one in between the metacarpal phalangeal joints of the second and third digits. Lateral bending: 2 markers (10x10 mm.) were placed – one at the inferior aspect of the cervical spine, and a second at thoracic/superior lumbar spine. Subjects were instructed and performed diagnostic maneuvers – either as full excursion or as limited excursion - as facsimiles of disease with reduced range-of motion, tele-videos were recorded, analyzed and range of motion reported (degrees of excursion). Results: For all maneuvers performed, smartphone videos of marker-tagged patients allowed tracking and capture of regional body motion and analysis of the extent of motion quantitatively. Range of motion for finger abduction/adduction was measured as 34.3o for full excursion vs. 23.3o for the disease facsimile. For lateral flex, full excursion was 32o vs. 18o for the disease facsimile. All measurements are consistent with values of in-person testing. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the translational clinical utility of video-based motion capture as a useful tool to enhance physical diagnosis for telemedicine. Visual marker tagging of patients combined with smartphone video capture and analysis is an effective method for adding outpatient remote physical examination capabilities to telemedicine visits to enhance quantitative follow-up.

P 51 Evaluation of a Visual-Analog Scale (VAS) for Remote DBS Programming (The REMOTE-Trial)

Introduction: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) represents the treatment of choice for advanced stages of Parkinson's disease (PD). In addition to careful patient selection and precise lead placement, postoperative programming of DBS devices is considered the most important factor for the individual patient. Despite expert-based recommendations for adjusting neurostimulation parameters, DBS programming remains time- and resource-consuming, thus impacting the postoperative treatment in particular for patients without easy access to specialist care. Currently, adaptive closed-loop stimulation systems that apply disease-specific biomarkers, such as local field potentials (LFPs), are being actively examined to facilitate programming. However, the most suitable feedback signal, still remains largely unknown. We previously tested the usefulness of the patient's subjective rating on a visual analogue scale (VAS) as a potential feedback signal for DBS adjustment and found no significant difference compared to standard programming 1 . Our results thus suggest that DBS patients are well able to adjust their IPG setting by themselves and will support the investigation of the patient's subjective perception as a valid and useful feedback signal for DBS programming. One of the practical advantages of using VAS-based programming strategies – in addition to saving time – is the principal applicability of such an approach to a remote programming setting, although a validation of such an approach is required. Patients & Methods : Within the scope of a prospective, randomized multicenter clinical trial (the REMOTE Trial), we will examine the effectiveness and safety of VAS-based remote DBS programming in PD by using a novel and recently introduced software platform (Abbott Neurosphere TM Virtual Clinic) that allows for the programming through a smartphone-based video connection with the patient. Therefore, n = 50 PD patients undergoing STN-DBS surgery will be randomized and subsequent to surgery will have their IPG settings adjusted either during regular visits at the hospital or alternatively be programmed remotely through a VAS-based approach. Expected Results: Prior to surgery and after a 90 days follow-up period, we will assess specific clinical (MDS-UPDRS, PDQ-39, BDI, MOCA) parameters to determine the effectivity and safety of the two different strategies on the patient outcome and to correlate it with VAS ratings and MRI data (Fig. 1). Conclusion: Our results will support the examination of remote-based DBS programming and evaluate the patient’s subjective judgment as a valid feedback signal.

Effects of smartphone-based collaborative vlog projects on EFL learners’ speaking performance and learning engagement

This study examined how smartphone-based collaborative video projects influenced English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners’ speaking performance and learning engagement using blended learning in China. The collaborative video projects helped students engage in two smartphone-based video filming tasks to combine language learning with real-life experiences simultaneously. A total of 65 college students used smartphones to participate in 3-minute collaborative video tasks that were related to the learning context of the classroom textbook. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected during this 8-week intervention. This included pretest and post-test speaking scores, a questionnaire on group collaboration, students’ final reflections and focus group interviews. A paired-sample t test, descriptive analysis and qualitative content analysis were used to analyse the data. The results indicate that students’ speaking abilities were significantly improved at the end of the intervention. They enjoyed group collaboration in the video projects and appreciated acquiring digital media production skills. Interview results highlight the opportunities for and challenges of the educational application of video projects in EFL classrooms.&#x0D; &#x0D; Implications for practice or policy:&#x0D; &#x0D; Integrating collaborative vlog projects in EFL classrooms can stimulate students’ speaking performance.&#x0D; Student-made collaborative vlogs can help students develop 21st century skills, especially in digital media production.&#x0D; Smartphone-based vlog projects can increase learners’ engagement and enhance their group collaboration skills.&#x0D; &#x0D;

Unraveling the Hook Effect: A Comprehensive Study of High Antigen Concentration Effects in Sandwich Lateral Flow Immunoassays.

Sandwich lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) are limited at high antigen concentrations by the hook effect, leading to a contradictory decrease in the test line (T) intensity and false-negative results. The hook effect is mainly associated with the loss of T, and research focuses on minimizing this effect. Nevertheless, the control line (C) intensity is also affected at higher analyte concentrations, undesirably influencing the T/C ratio in LFIA readers. The main aim of this work is to identify and understand these high antigen concentration effects in order to develop ubiquitous strategies to interpret and mitigate such effects. Four complementary experiments were performed: performance assessment of three different allergen LFIAs (two for hazelnut, one for peanut) over 0.075–3500 ppm, LFIAs with C only, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) binding experiments on the immobilized control antibody, and smartphone video recording of LFIAs during their development. As antigen concentrations increase, the C signal decreases before the T signal does, suggesting that distinct mechanisms underlie these intensity reductions. Reduced binding at the C occurred even in the absence of T, so the upfront T does not explain the loss of C. SPR confirmed that the C antibody favors binding with free labeled antibody compared with a labeled antibody–analyte complex, indicating that in antigen excess, binding is reduced at C before T. Finally, a smartphone-based video method was developed for dynamically monitoring the LFIA development in real time to distinguish between different concentration-dependent effects. Digitally analyzing the data allows clear differentiation of highly positive samples and false-negative samples and can indicate whether the LFIA is in the dynamic working range or at critically high concentrations. The aim of this work is to identify and understand such high antigen concentration effects in order to develop ubiquitous strategies to interpret and mitigate such effects.

Detecting Vehicles’ Relative Position on Two-Lane Highways Through a Smartphone-Based Video Overtaking Aid Application

In this paper we present a smartphone-based real-time video overtaking architecture for vehicular networks. The developed application aims to prevent head-on collisions that might occur due to attempts to overtake when the view of the driver is obstructed by the presence of a larger vehicle ahead. Under such conditions, the driver does not have a clear view of the road ahead and of any vehicles that might be approaching from the opposite direction, resulting in a high probability of accident occurrence. Our application relies on the use of a dashboard-mounted smartphone with the back camera facing the windshield, and having the screen towards the driver. A video is streamed from the vehicle ahead to the vehicle behind automatically, where it is displayed so that the driver can decide if it is safe to overtake. One of the major challenges is the way to pick the right video source and destination among vehicles in close proximity, depending on their relative position on the road. For this purpose, we have focused on two different methods: one relying solely on GPS data, and the other involving the use of the camera and vehicle heading information. Our experiments show that the faster method, using just the location information, is prone to errors due to GPS inaccuracies. A second method that depends on data fusion from the optical sensor and GPS, although accurate over short distances, becomes more computationally intensive, and its performance significantly depends on the quality of the camera.

The Detection of Spontaneous Venous Pulsation with Smartphone Video Ophthalmoscopy.

PurposeSpontaneous venous pulsation (SVP) has a high negative predictive value for raised intracranial pressure and is a useful sign when assessing patients with headache. The objective was to determine if smartphone-based video ophthalmoscopy can detect SVP.Patients and MethodsIn total 233 patients and 291 eyes were recruited from the Dunedin Hospital eye clinic from July to November 2018. Patients were examined by a clinician and graded for SVP with a slit lamp and 78 Dioptre lens. Videos were taken with a smartphone ophthalmoscope and graded by two separate clinicians blinded to the slit lamp findings.ResultsOnly 272 eyes of 215 patients were included, as others failed in the inclusion criteria for overall video quality. Sensitivity was calculated as how likely the presence of SVP on video was indicative of the presence of SVP on slit lamp. Sensitivity was 84.77% for Observer 1, with 128 videos graded as positive for SVP on video ophthalmoscopy of the 151 identified as positive on slit lamp examination. Sensitivity was 76.82% for Observer 2 with 116 videos correctly identified. The false positive rate was calculated as the number of videos graded positive for SVP that had been graded as negative on slit lamp examination. This was 10.74% for observer 1 and 31.40% for observer 2.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that SVP is detected by video ophthalmoscopy. This may be a useful triage, telemedicine and referral tool to be used for patients with headache in a primary care setting.

Using Video Feedback Through Smartphone Instant Messaging in Fundamental Nursing Skills Teaching: Observational Study.

BackgroundVideo feedback has been shown to be an effective teaching tool that can improve student learning when having them view their own performance. However, the literature on the effect of integrating smartphones with video feedback in fundamental nursing skills teaching is sparse.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the potential effects of video feedback through smartphone-based instant messaging on teaching undergraduate nursing students fundamental nursing skills.MethodsWe conducted a study on teaching fundamental nursing skills to 6 classes of second-year undergraduate nursing students. In 2 classes (the intervention group), the instructor elected to use smartphone-based video feedback to facilitate teaching; instructors in the other 4 classes (the control group) elected to use routine methods of teaching without video feedback. Scores from the final examination, in-class assignments, and the General Self-Efficacy Scale questionnaire were collected and compared between the two groups. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to estimate the independent effect of video feedback after adjusting for gender, age, and prior experience in the use of WeChat/QQ in learning applications. An ad hoc questionnaire was used for student evaluation of the novel smartphone-based video feedback teaching method.ResultsA total of 195 nursing students (65 in the video feedback group and 130 in the control group) completed the study and were included in the final analysis. Mean and standard deviation of scores on the final examination, bed making, aseptic procedure, vital signs measurement, and oxygen therapy were 91.29 (SD 2.36), 90.52 (SD 3.18), 93.23 (SD 3.16), 91.65 (SD 4.21), and 92.06 (SD 3.58), respectively, in the video feedback group and 89.99 (SD 3.12), 81.71 (SD 8.63), 87.12 (SD 5.50), 87.45 (SD 8.00), and 90.37 (SD 6.36), respectively, in the control group (differences were statistically significant). The mean and standard deviation of scores for assignments in catheterization and enema and General Self-Efficacy Scale were 89.69 (SD 3.22), 91.14 (SD 3.15), and 24.52 (SD 5.35), respectively, in the video feedback group and 88.82 (SD 7.48), 90.79 (SD 6.08), and 24.50 (SD 6.16), respectively, in the control group (differences were not statistically significant). The majority (over 98%) of nursing students were satisfied with this smartphone-based video feedback teaching method.ConclusionsVideo feedback through smartphone-based instant messaging may be an effective way to improve nursing students’ academic performance and professional skills.

Use of Smartphone-Based Video Directly Observed Therapy (vDOT) in Tuberculosis Care: Single-Arm, Prospective Feasibility Study.

BackgroundIndia accounts for nearly one-quarter of the global tuberculosis (TB) burden. Directly observed treatment (DOT) through in-person observation is recommended in India, although implementation has been heterogeneous due largely to resource limitations. Video DOT (vDOT) is a novel, smartphone-based approach that allows for remote treatment monitoring through patient-recorded videos. Prior studies in high-income, low disease burden settings, such as the United States, have shown vDOT to be feasible, although little is known about the role it may play in resource-limited, high-burden settings.ObjectiveThe goal of the research was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of vDOT for adherence monitoring within a resource-limited, high TB burden setting of India.MethodsWe conducted a prospective, single-arm, pilot implementation of vDOT in Pune, India. Outcome measures included adherence (proportion of prescribed doses observed by video) and verifiable fraction (proportion of prescribed doses observed by video or verbally confirmed with the patient following an incomplete/unverifiable video submission). vDOT acceptability among patients was assessed using a posttreatment survey.ResultsA total of 25 patients enrolled. The median number of weeks on vDOT was 13 (interquartile range [IQR] 11-16). Median adherence was 74% (IQR 62%-84%), and median verifiable fraction was 86% (IQR 74%-98%). More than 90% of patients reported recording and uploading videos without difficulty.ConclusionsWe have demonstrated that vDOT may be a feasible and acceptable approach to TB treatment monitoring in India. Our work expands the evidence base around vDOT by being one of the first efforts to evaluate vDOT within a resource-limited, high TB burden setting. To our knowledge, this is the first reported use of vDOT in India.

Smartphone telemedical emergency department consults for screening of nonacute dizziness

Each year, the United States spends over $4 billion on emergency department visits for evaluation of dizziness. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common cause of dizziness that can easily be diagnosed by observing characteristic eye movements during the Dix-Hallpike test (DHT). The DHT is easily performed; however, interpretation requires more advanced training. This may be part of the reason it is not commonly performed in emergency departments, and instead, patients undergo costly imaging tests. We evaluated whether smartphone-based video recordings of DHT could be assessed telemedically for screening of nonacute dizziness. Feasibility study. Dizzy patients underwent objective vestibular testing, but also had videos of their eye movements recorded via a smartphone during the DHT. The videos were remotely reviewed by two neuro-otologists for BPPV screening and were compared to objective and in-person exam findings. Overall, 30 dizzy patients were evaluated with seven cases of BPPV. The sensitivity for diagnosing BPPV via a smartphone-recording of eye movements of the DHT was 92.86%, with a specificity of 100% and a negative predictive value of 97.87%. Our initial proof-of-concept study shows that remote screening of BPPV is possible with high specificity. Because the DHT is easily taught, having a remote otolaryngologist interpret the resulting eye movements may increase usage of the test and may lead to cost savings. 4 Laryngoscope, 129:466-469, 2019.

Smartphone-based video for 3D modelling: Application to infant’s cranial deformation analysis

The use of smartphones cameras for photogrammetric purposes is increasing. However, the suitability of smartphones for 3D modelling for medical purposes in general, and for cranial deformation in particular, is still to be analysed. This paper investigates the suitability of smartphone video cameras to create 3D models for cranial deformation analysis compared to the digital single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras traditionally used in close-range photogrammetry. Two models are obtained, the first one from a slow-motion video recorded with a smartphone, and the second one from SLR camera imagery. The models are compared to evaluate the differences not only between themselves but also through the best fitting ellipsoid that allow the determination of the cranial deformations. The average distance between models is 0.5 mm, and below 1 mm for 86% of the model points. The maximum difference between the two fitted ellipsoid semiaxes is 1 mm. It can be stated that smartphones are a low-cost solution that can provide 3D models with a similar accuracy to that of SLR cameras for non-static objects in close range scenarios. More interestingly, slow-motion videos provide comparable results in real clinical conditions with infants in movement.

The Effect of Smartphone Video Camera as a Tool to Create Gigital Stories for English Learning Purposes

&lt;p&gt;The integration of smartphones in the language learning environment is gaining research interest. However, using a smartphone to learn to speak spontaneously has received little attention. The emergence of smartphone technology and its video recording feature are recognised as suitable learning tools. This paper reports on a case study conducted with 67 English as Foreign Language undergraduate students at Tohoku University, Japan. Students were encouraged to use their smartphone video recording feature to produce one 30-second video per week over a 12-week period addressing a teacher-selected theme. The results indicate that students were able to produce video digital stories to express their opinion regarding the teacher-selected themes, in the target language. The implications for teaching and learning clearly indicate that smartphone-based video storytelling is a relevant task for language learners who will have to become conversant with this medium of learning.&lt;/p&gt;

A randomized controlled trial of smartphone-based mindfulness training for smoking cessation: a study protocol.

BackgroundTobacco use is responsible for the death of about 1 in 10 individuals worldwide. Mindfulness training has shown preliminary efficacy as a behavioral treatment for smoking cessation. Recent advances in mobile health suggest advantages to smartphone-based smoking cessation treatment including smartphone-based mindfulness training. This study evaluates the efficacy of a smartphone app-based mindfulness training program for improving smoking cessation rates at 6-months follow-up.Methods/DesignA two-group parallel-randomized clinical trial with allocation concealment will be conducted. Group assignment will be concealed from study researchers through to follow-up. The study will be conducted by smartphone and online. Daily smokers who are interested in quitting smoking and own a smartphone (n = 140) will be recruited through study advertisements posted online. After completion of a baseline survey, participants will be allocated randomly to the control or intervention group. Participants in both groups will receive a 22-day smartphone-based treatment program for smoking. Participants in the intervention group will receive mobile mindfulness training plus experience sampling. Participants in the control group will receive experience sampling-only. The primary outcome measure will be one-week point prevalence abstinence from smoking (at 6-months follow-up) assessed using carbon monoxide breath monitoring, which will be validated through smartphone-based video chat.DiscussionThis is the first intervention study to evaluate smartphone-based delivery of mindfulness training for smoking cessation. Such an intervention may provide treatment in-hand, in real-world contexts, to help individuals quit smoking.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT02134509. Registered 7 May 2014.

Lights, camera…citizen science: assessing the effectiveness of smartphone-based video training in invasive plant identification.

The rapid growth and increasing popularity of smartphone technology is putting sophisticated data-collection tools in the hands of more and more citizens. This has exciting implications for the expanding field of citizen science. With smartphone-based applications (apps), it is now increasingly practical to remotely acquire high quality citizen-submitted data at a fraction of the cost of a traditional study. Yet, one impediment to citizen science projects is the question of how to train participants. The traditional “in-person” training model, while effective, can be cost prohibitive as the spatial scale of a project increases. To explore possible solutions, we analyze three training models: 1) in-person, 2) app-based video, and 3) app-based text/images in the context of invasive plant identification in Massachusetts. Encouragingly, we find that participants who received video training were as successful at invasive plant identification as those trained in-person, while those receiving just text/images were less successful. This finding has implications for a variety of citizen science projects that need alternative methods to effectively train participants when in-person training is impractical.