Subjective Discomfort Research Articles

Vision-based postural balance assessment of sit-to-stand transitions performed by younger and older adults.

The use of inertial measurement units (IMUs) in assessing fall risk is often limited by subject discomfort and challenges in data interpretation. Additionally, there is a scarcity of research on attitude estimation features. To address these issues, we explored novel features and representation methods in the context of sit-to-stand transitions. This study recorded sit-to-stand transition test data from three groups: community-dwelling elderly, elderly in day care centers (DCC), and college students, captured using mobile phone cameras. We employed pose estimation technology to extract key point kinematic features from the video data and used 10-fold cross-validation to train a random forest classifier, mitigating the impact of individual differences. We trained classifiers with the top 5, 10, and 15 features, calculating the average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for each model to compare feature importance. Our results indicated that elbow key point features, such as (KP08) mean Y, (KP08)RMS Y, (KP09) mean Y, and (KP09) RMS Y, are crucial for distinguishing between subject groups. Statistical tests further validated the significance of these features. The application of human pose estimation and key point signals shows promise for clinical postural balance screening. The identified features can be utilized to develop non-invasive tools for assessing postural instability risk, contributing to fall prevention efforts. This study lays the groundwork for integrating additional measurement modalities into sit-to-stand transition analysis to enhance clinical strategies.

Vibration discomfort of supine human body exposed to whole-body vibration: effect of vibration direction and magnitude

Supine postures are increasingly adopted in medical transport, long-duration flights, and other healthcare environments. This study is aimed to identify the effect of vibration direction and magnitude on the objective and subjective responses of the human body in a supine posture. The transmissibilities to the head, chest, abdomen, and thighs of 12 male subjects were measured with single-axis random vibrations in longitudinal (z axis), lateral (y axis), and vertical (x axis) direction at 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 ms−2 r.m.s. Subjective discomfort was determined using the absolute magnitude estimation method. It was found factors of 1.0, 1.5 and 1.0 multiplying with the weighted r.m.s. of input accelerations in x, y, and z axes, respectively, can predict the discomfort. Alternatively, the unweighted acceleration measured at the body, such as at the chest, which was found to highly correlate with vibration discomfort, can be used to predict vibration discomfort of supine subjects.

Acupuncture and electroacupuncture for cyclic vomiting syndrome with tachygastria in an adult: A case report.

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is characterized by recurrent episodes of acute vomiting lasting <1 week, occurring independently and chronically. Management typically involves lifestyle interventions, supportive care, and preventative medication. In rare cases, CVS persists for decades in adults, requiring a multidisciplinary approach to improve symptoms and quality of life. A 30-year-old male patient presented with a 7-year history of recurrent nausea and vomiting, which initially began in 2017. The episodes occurred without identifiable triggers such as alcohol or overeating, increasing in frequency from once every 4 months to 2 months. He expressed fear of severe deterioration, impacting his ability to eat freely, work, and enjoy his hobbies. He was diagnosed with CVS based on the Rome criteria. Cutaneous electrogastrography showed postprandial power decrease and tachygastria. Regular acupuncture treatments, including electroacupuncture at ST36 with 3 Hz, were administered twice a week for 3 weeks, followed by weekly sessions for 5 additional weeks. Over 11 treatment sessions across 8 weeks, no nausea or vomiting was observed. The visual analog scale (VAS) score for subjective gastrointestinal discomfort decreased from 67 to 0 after 4 weeks. The Nausea Severity Scale (NSS) score dropped from 14 to 0 after 4 weeks. The Functional Dyspepsia-related QoL score decreased from 16 to 0 after 8 weeks. The Nepean Dyspepsia Index-Korean version decreased from 80 to 8 after 8 weeks. Furthermore, the patient expressed high satisfaction with the treatment, and no adverse events were observed. Acupuncture offers a significant and safe approach to relieving symptoms and enhancing the quality of life for patients with nausea and vomiting. Although this is a single case report, the findings suggest that acupuncture can improve treatment compliance and manage symptoms in adults with CVS. Further research, including clinical trials, is required to confirm these findings and understand the underlying mechanisms.

Artificial intelligence enabled smart mask for speech recognition for future hearing devices

In recent years, Lip-reading has emerged as a significant research challenge. The aim is to recognise speech by analysing Lip movements. The majority of Lip-reading technologies are based on cameras and wearable devices. However, these technologies have well-known occlusion and ambient lighting limitations, privacy concerns as well as wearable device discomfort for subjects and disturb their daily routines. Furthermore, in the era of coronavirus (COVID-19), where face masks are the norm, vision-based and wearable-based technologies for hearing aids are ineffective. To address the fundamental limitations of camera-based and wearable-based systems, this paper proposes a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based smart mask for a Lip-reading framework capable of reading Lips under face masks, enabling effective speech recognition and fostering conversational accessibility for individuals with hearing impairment. The system uses RFID technology to make Radio Frequency (RF) sensing-based Lip-reading possible. A smart RFID face mask is used to collect a dataset containing three different classes of vowels (A, E, I, O, U), Consonants (F, G, M, S), and words (Fish, Goat, Meal, Moon, Snake). The collected data are fed into well-known machine-learning models for classification. A high classification accuracy is achieved by individual classes and combined datasets. On the RFID combined dataset, the Random Forest model achieves a high classification accuracy of 80%.

Comparison of sitting positions on a pressure sensing mat over time

Abstract These days, many jobs like working in an office include sitting in chairs for a long time which could lead to work-related disorders such as musculoskeletal issues. Inappropriate postures can cause muscle fatigue in certain regions, resulting in pain and discomfort. Analysis of different types of postures to indicate discomfort could help us choose an optimal posture. This study evaluates five different sitting postures in an office chair for comfort and discomfort. Each posture was held for 18 minutes with a two minute break between postures. Six participants with an equal number of male and female subjects were chosen. The sitting posture correlates with the distribution of the weight on the seat, which can be measured by pressure sensors. The pressure distribution was obtained using a custom-built pressure mat and the maximum pressure were evaluated. The McGill Questionnaire construct was used to find subjective discomfort at each minute. There was no difference in results for both sexes. Overall, leaning to one side was felt more comfortable while sitting with a curved back caused the highest discomfort.

New photochromic spectacle lenses improve glare discomfort and photostress recovery

PurposeTo investigate the influence of a new photochromic spectacle lens on glare discomfort (GD) and photostress recovery time (PRT) in normal healthy subjects. A subject-masked within-subject comparison was performed using the fully activated state of Transitions® Gen STM and clear control. Methods30 participants (M = 19.2 ± 1.3 years) were tested. GD was assessed both physically, by measuring palpebral fissure size, and subjectively, via a 5-point Likert scale. PRT was measured as the amount of time necessary to regain visual function after an intense (∼15 % bleach) 5-second exposure to a broadband (emulated sunlight) light stressor. ResultsGD, measured both physically and subjectively was significantly reduced (p < 0.001) when participants viewed the stimulus through the test lens compared to the clear control lens. PRT was also significantly reduced when using the test lens (p < 0.001). ConclusionsThese data are consistent with past findings but show that they apply to a commonly used photochromic tint. The results highlight the potential of specialized lenses to enhance visual comfort and performance in varying lighting conditions.

Visual discomfort and chromatic flickers

Flickering patterns that shift in chromaticity can be uncomfortable and may trigger epileptic seizures, though the underlying factors are not fully understood. In the spatial domain, chromatic contrast in images is a potential predictor of visual discomfort, with higher contrast generally leading to increased discomfort. This study investigated whether chromatic contrast between two flickering colors in a uniform field influences discomfort. Participants rated their subjective discomfort for various flickering color combinations defined by the CIE L*a*b* uniform color space. Overall, discomfort increased with both chromatic and brightness contrasts. Additionally, flickers containing highly saturated red generally caused greater discomfort compared to those without red, an effect not observed with low saturation. Our findings suggest that visual discomfort induced by time-varying chromatic patterns is partly influenced by chromatic contrast over time. Furthermore, unlike the spatial domain, discomfort in the temporal domain may be specifically associated with the hue of red.

Subjective spatial orientation discomfort is associated with decreased real-world spatial performance and lower cognitive function.

Spatial memory and orientation deficits often precede cognitive impairment in incipient dementia, e.g., Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, early diagnosis of spatial impairment may be crucial to the initiation of an adequate therapeutic intervention. Subjective tests, such as spatial anxiety and spatial discomfort questionnaires, and objective tests in the form of quantitative measures of orientation, are available. In these tests, vestibular hypofunction has often been neglected as a potential confounder. The major research question in this study was how self-assessed questionnaires correlate with the data from objective measures in participants with proven normal vestibular function. A heterogeneous group of 135 participants (72 females, 63 males, mean age 62.75 ± 14.46 years) from a tertiary center for vertigo and balance disorders consisting of two cohorts, with (n = 49) and without (n = 86) cognitive deficits in a screening test (MoCA), was examined (a) with a newly introduced inventory for subjective spatial discomfort (Extended Inventory for Spatial Orientation Discomfort, EISOD), (b) a well-established questionnaire for subjective spatial skills (Santa Barbara Sense of Direction Scale, SBSODS), and (c) the objective three-dimensional real-world pointing task (3D-RWPT) before and after horizontal body rotations. In all patients, acute central or peripheral vestibular deficits were ruled out by neuro-orthoptics, bithermal water calorics and video head impulse testing. Self-assessed spatial orientation discomfort (EISOD) correlated with the amount of spatial impairment in the 3D-RWPT for both cohorts. The cognitively impaired patients showed significantly higher levels of spatial discomfort (i.e., lower scores; Welch's t-test t-2.58, p < 0.01, Cohen's d - 0.46), and higher angular deviations in the (cognitively demanding) transformation paradigm of the 3D-RWPT (t 2.37, p 0.02, Cohen's d 0.44). They preferred retinotopic/egocentric spatial encoding strategies in the pointing task (Welch's t-test t-2.61, p < 0.01, Cohen's d - 0.47). In contrast, the self-report of spatial abilities (SBSODS) yielded no significant group differences (t - 1.66, p 0.10) and was not reliably associated with objective accuracy in the pointing task. In patients without vestibular deficits, subjective spatial discomfort (EISOD) correlated with the accuracy in an objective 3D-pointing task for both cohorts, and higher discomfort was associated with more severe cognitive impairment. EISOD-scores showed higher correlation indices than a self-report of spatial skills using the SBSODS. When investigating spatial abilities in patients with suspected cognitive impairment, it appears reasonable that both subjective spatial discomfort, subjective spatial abilities, and objective spatial measures should be combined. Future research in patients with vestibular dysfunction is needed to understand the role of vestibular deficits for the development of spatial orientation discomfort.

INTEGRATING A VIRTUAL REALITY MASK IN FUNCTIONAL UROLOGICAL SURGERIES UNDER LOCAL ANESTHESIA: A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY ON UTILITY AND SATISFACTION

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of a virtual reality (VR) mask as a distraction tool during minimally invasive functional urological interventions as part of the local anesthesia protocol. METHODSThis is a single-centre prospective observational pilot cohort study which included all consecutive patients undergoing intradetrusor botulinum toxin injection, sacral neuromodulation, and urethral bulking agent injection with combined anesthetic protocol composed by local anesthesia and a VR mask (Hypno VRTM virtual reality mask, Strasbourg, France). Preoperative and postoperative evaluation included the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) index. Intraoperatively, a 4-point Likert anxiety rating scale and a visual analog scale (VAS) pain score were assessed. Vital signs were measured preoperative and intraoperatively. Postoperatively, two questionnaires exploring patient satisfaction were administered. The evaluated outcomes were the tolerability of the device and patient’s reported intraoperative pain and anxiety. RESULTSThirty-nine patients were included. Mean age was 64 years. Eleven patients (28%) were affected by neurological conditions. Two patients experienced subjective discomfort. Preoperative and intraoperative mean arterial pressure was 105 and 111 mmHg (p=0.01), respectively. Preoperative and intraoperative mean heart rate was 72 and 75 bpm (p=0.12), respectively. Preoperative and postoperative STAI index were 34.8+-10 and 32.8+-10.3 (p=0.88). Mean Likert anxiety scale value was 2.2+-1.1, mean intraoperative VAS score was 5.3+-2.5. Thirty-four (87%) patients declared themselves satisfied with the surgical procedure and 36 (92.3%) patients would have recommended the same procedure to a relative. CONCLUSIONSVirtual reality mask may play a role in reducing pain and anxiety in minimally-invasive functional urological interventions.

Comparison of Samfilcon A and Balafilcon A Bandage Contact Lenses in Reducing Postoperative Symptoms After Pterygium Surgery.

To compare differences in postoperative pain, foreign body sensation, photophobia, and lacrimation between balafilcon A and samfilcon A bandage contact lenses (BCLs) in the early stage following pterygium surgery. A total of 66 eyes with pterygium conjunctival grafts fixed with sutures were included in this study, comprising 32 eyes fixed with samfilcon A and 34 eyes fixed with balafilcon A. Demographic data, postoperative corneal epithelialization time, and subjective discomfort, such as pain (using the visual analog scale [VAS]), were recorded and compared. Significant differences were noted in VAS scores between the first day (P<0.01) and the second day post-surgery (P=0.03), suggesting that patients experienced less pain after wearing samfilcon A. However, no significant differences were observed in corneal epithelialization time, VAS score before lens removal, foreign body sensation, photophobia, lacrimation, insomnia, and demographic data between the two groups. Finally, only two balafilcon A patients required nonsteroidal analgesics. After pterygium surgery, samfilcon A BCL was associated with lower pain levels compared with balafilcon A BCL and could assist in reducing postoperative discomfort in patients and concurrently improving patient satisfaction.

Simple Epithelial Transplantation for Ocular Surface Reconstruction After Severe Ocular Burn Injury.

To manage ocular surface complications and recover conjunctival and corneal epithelia after unilateral severe chemical burn. We performed simple conjunctival epithelial transplantation (SCET) to obtain renewal of fornix and bulbar-tarsal conjunctiva epithelium, followed by simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET) to recover limbal function and epithelial corneal surface. Slit-lamp examination, fluorescein staining, in vivo confocal microscopy, Kheirkhah grading system for symblepharon severity, Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, and best-corrected visual acuity were assessed before surgery, at 1 to 3 months after SCET and SLET, and thereafter at 6 to 12 to 36 months. Two patients with unilateral burn injuries underwent surgery. Eye mobility and fornix reconstruction were promptly achieved, and conjunctival epithelium with goblet cells was observed on the bulbar and tarsal conjunctiva 3 months after SCET. After SLET, corneal epithelium and cornea-conjunctiva transition zone were observed at 3 and 6 months, respectively. From before surgery to 6 months after SLET, symblepharon improved from grade IVa2 and IIIb2 to Ic0 and Ib0, the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale changed from grade 6 and 4 to 0, and best-corrected visual acuity upgraded from 1.40 and 1.10 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution to 0.5 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, in patient 1 and 2, respectively. After 3 years, results remained stable. SCET effectively healed the bare conjunctival area relieving subjective symptoms and discomfort. Sequential SCET and SLET showed to be feasible in restoring a normal ocular surface with long-lasting results suggesting the aim in patients with severe ocular burn is not merely corneal epithelium renewal but also the regeneration of ocular surface homeostasis.

Influences of mechanical decompression using different forces on knee joint space, range of motion, and hamstring flexibility in asymptomatic subjects

INTRODUCTION: Knee joint decompression is one of the promising methods for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Yet, the most appropriate decompression force is not conclusive. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effect of different distraction force magnitudes on knee joint space, active range of motion (ROM), hamstring flexibility, and self-reported discomfort in asymptomatic subjects. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty-five asymptomatic participants were recruited in this study. The dominant knee was distracted for 30 minutes in a 30° flexion position using three force magnitudes (10%, 20%, and 30% body weight (BW)). The traction forces were randomized with one week in between knee distractions. Joint space, range of motion (ROM), and hamstring flexibility were assessed before, immediately after, and 30 minutes after the distraction. The self-reported discomfort was assessed immediately after the distraction only. RESULTS: Medial joint space, ROM, and discomfort showed a significant difference between different force magnitudes post-distraction. The 20% and 30% BW force magnitudes significantly, but equally, increased joint space and ROM post distraction. The discomfort level was directly related to distraction force magnitude and the least comforting was the 30% BW force. Follow-up data was not significantly different than that for post-distraction. Hamstring muscle flexibility showed a significant. Yet, small increase after the 30% BW distraction force. CONCLUSION: Continued mechanical distraction of the knee joint using force magnitudes of 20% and 30% of body weight was effective in increasing medial joint space, active knee ROM, and hamstring flexibility in asymptomatic individuals. 20% force magnitude was more comfortable than the 30% percent.

A Case Report of Chest Discomfort Accompanying Insomnia in a Taeeumin Improved with Korean Medicine Treatment Focused on Gami Cheongsim-tang

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to report the case of a patient with chest discomfort and insomnia.Methods: The patient in this case was hospitalized for 11 days and improved after the administration of Korean medicine, mainly Gami Cheongsim-tang. The Beck Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory were taken, and the insomnia severity index was measured on the first day and last day of the hospitalization. The patient’s subjective discomfort level was also evaluated daily.Results: Chest discomfort was reduced, mental breakdown symptoms such as depression and anxiety were greatly improved, and the quality of sleep was also enhanced after the Korean medicine treatment.Conclusion: This study suggests that Korean medicine might be effective in chest discomfort with anxiety and sleep disorder in a patient exhibiting Taeeumin-type personality.

Relationship between the intraindividual interplay of negative and positive exam-related emotions and the behavioral-emotional dimensions of academic procrastination

Although achievement situations trigger multiple emotions and learners experience both negative and positive emotions simultaneously, procrastination research typically examines isolated relationships between specific emotions and procrastination. The potential interplay of negative and positive emotions regarding procrastination is often overlooked, although this perspective can shed light on their dynamic relationships. Moreover, past studies primarily address the behavioral aspect of procrastination (delay) while overlooking its emotional facet (subjective discomfort), albeit this differentiation could enhance understanding of procrastination and its correlates. The present study explores the understudied interplay of the two most frequently experienced negative (anxiety) and positive (hope) exam-related emotions regarding students’ procrastination tendencies with differentiated behavioral and emotional dimensions. The study analyzes cross-sectional data from two independent studies (Nstudy1 = 266, Nstudy2 = 468) conducted in Germany among university students. Latent profile analyses (LPA) reveal three similar profiles across both studies—High Anxiety–Low Hope, Low Anxiety–High Hope and Moderate Anxiety–Moderate Hope— and two study-specific profiles namely, Low Anxiety–Moderate Hope (Study 1) and High Anxiety–Moderate Hope (Study 2). Females compared to males are more likely to belong to the anxiety-dominated profiles. Overall, students in anxiety-dominated profiles report higher scores whereas students in hope-dominated profiles report lower scores on both behavioral and emotional dimensions of academic procrastination. This study advances an integrated approach that incorporates the combined effects of both negative and positive emotions concerning procrastination. Findings further inform research efforts towards identifying risk and protective emotional factors to develop tailored intervention against academic procrastination.

Discomfort in pedestrian-electric scooter interactions during frontal approaches

BackgroundAs urban landscapes rapidly integrate e-scooters into their transportation ecosystems, understanding pedestrian-e-scooter interactions becomes paramount for safety and planning. This study investigates pedestrian discomfort levels and avoidance strategies when encountering an e-scooter approaching from the front. Methods25 participants were exposed to e-scooters approaching at three different speeds and lateral distances. Avoidance paths were plotted, and subjective discomfort levels were recorded and analysed. ResultsOur findings underscored two key behaviours: 1) As the speed of the e-scooter increased, participants initiated avoidance manoeuvres from a further distance ahead, suggesting a heightened perception of risk. 2) Regardless of the e-scooter's speed, the lateral distance maintained during passing remained fairly constant. However, when the e-scooter's initial lateral position was closer to participants, both the initiation distance for avoidance and the reported discomfort level increased noticeably. ConclusionThe findings underscore the critical influence of lateral distance and e-scooter speed on pedestrian comfort and avoidance behaviour. These insights can guide urban planners and policymakers in designing safer and more efficient shared spaces.

Early oral hydration on demand in postanesthesia care unit effectively relieves postoperative thirst in patients after gynecological laparoscopy: a prospective randomized controlled trial

BackgroundPostoperative thirst is one of the most intense, common and easily ignored subjective discomforts in patients after gynecological surgery. This study aimed to investigate whether early oral hydration on demand in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) after gynecological laparoscopy under general anesthesia can appease postoperative thirst and increase patient comfort.MethodsParticipants were randomized into the intervention and control groups. Patients in the intervention group were allowed to achieve early oral hydration on demand in the PACU if they were evaluated as fully conscious, with stable vital signs, grade 5 muscle strength, and well-recovered cough and swallowing reflex. However, the total amount of water intake throughout the entire study should not exceed 0.5mL/kg. During the study, the frequency of water intake, the total amount of water intake and adverse events were accurately recorded. The control group was managed according to the routine procedures and began to drink water 2 h after anesthesia. The intensity of thirst and subjective comfort in patients were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) when they entered and left the PACU.ResultsNo statistically significant differences were identified in age, height, weight, body mass index, pre-operative fasting time, duration of surgery, intraoperative fluid intake, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative urine volume, and thirst intensity and subjective comfort scores between the groups before intervention (P > 0.05). After intervention, the VAS score for thirst intensity in the intervention group significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the VAS score for subjective comfort in the intervention group significantly increased (P < 0.05). No adverse events were detected in both groups during the entire study.ConclusionEarly oral hydration on demand in the PACU can safely and effectively relieve postoperative thirst in patients, and improve patient comfort after gynecological laparoscopy.Trial registrationThis single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Center on April 27, 2023. The registration number of this study is ChiCTR2300070985.

(260) PATIENT SATISFACTION WITH VIRTUAL VERSUS IN-PERSON VASECTOMY CONSULTATIONS

Abstract Introduction Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a rise in the use of telehealth pre-vasectomy consults. Several studies have demonstrated that rates of vasectomy completion do not seem affected by consultation type, suggesting that a pre-vasectomy physical exam is not necessary for successful procedure completion, which contrasts recommendations in the current American Urological Association vasectomy guidelines. While the current research offers a preliminary evaluation of the feasibility of virtual consultations for vasectomy, it has not included patient experiences with the consultation and the procedure. Objective We used data from post-procedure surveys of patients undergoing vasectomy at our institution to evaluate differences in patient preference and procedure experience by consultation type. We hypothesized that patients following vasectomy would be unlikely to regret their choice for having an in-person or virtual consultation. However, we suspected patients who had a virtual consultation would report greater subjective discomfort during vasectomy given the lack of physical exam prior to their procedure. Methods All patients being scheduled for vasectomy consultation with two fellowship-trained infertility specialists at our institution between October 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023 were given the option of an in-person or virtual visit. As these are done during the same clinic block, there was no difference in appointment availability based on consult modality. Patients were asked to complete post-procedure surveys assessing their satisfaction their procedure, procedural pain rating, preferred modality for the consultation, and anxiolytic use as a quality assurance initiative for our clinic. Demographic data and clinical characteristics were collected via retrospective chart review. Statistical analyses were performed using R Core Team (2024). Results A total of 169 patients completed post-procedure surveys, of which 76% were seen in-person while 24% were seen virtually. There was no difference in age, BMI, race, ethnicity, prior inguinal or scrotal surgical history, child status, or distance travelled to clinic between patients in either consultation type (Table 1). There was a statistically significant difference in anxiolytic use between the cohorts with 48% of patients seen in-person reporting use of pre-procedure diazepam versus only 30% of patients who had virtual consultations (p = 0.046). However, there were no demographic differences between patients based on anxiolytic use. Following vasectomy, only 5 (4.4%) of patients who had an in-person consult reported they would have preferred to have a virtual consult. In the virtual consult cohort, only 3 (8.6%) patients would have preferred an in-person consult. No statistical difference was observed between the groups regarding preference for alternate consult type (p = 0.39). There were no differences in pain rating or reported comfort with vas manipulation in patients who had an in-person versus virtual consult (p = 0.21 and p = 0.17, respectively). Conclusions Our study suggests that most patients still choose in-person consultations over virtual consultations for vasectomy despite equal availability to both. Patients reported similar satisfaction and pain scores regardless of their consultation method, either in-person or virtual, following their vasectomy. Virtual consultation can be offered without compromising patient experience. Disclosure No.

Human-Robot Collaboration With a Corrective Shared Controlled Robot in a Sanding Task.

Physical and cognitive workloads and performance were studied for a corrective shared control (CSC) human-robot collaborative (HRC) sanding task. Manual sanding is physically demanding. Collaborative robots (cobots) can potentially reduce physical stress, but fully autonomous implementation has been particularly challenging due to skill, task variability, and robot limitations. CSC is an HRC method where the robot operates semi-autonomously while the human provides real-time corrections. Twenty laboratory participants removed paint using an orbital sander, both manually and with a CSC robot. A fully automated robot was also tested. The CSC robot improved subjective discomfort compared to manual sanding in the upper arm by 29.5%, lower arm by 32%, hand by 36.5%, front of the shoulder by 24%, and back of the shoulder by 17.5%. Muscle fatigue measured using EMG, was observed in the medial deltoid and flexor carpi radialis for the manual condition. The composite cognitive workload on the NASA-TLX increased by 14.3% for manual sanding due to high physical demand and effort, while mental demand was 14% greater for the CSC robot. Digital imaging showed that the CSC robot outperformed the automated condition by 7.16% for uniformity, 4.96% for quantity, and 6.06% in total. In this example, we found that human skills and techniques were integral to sanding and can be successfully incorporated into HRC systems. Humans performed the task using the CSC robot with less fatigue and discomfort. The results can influence implementation of future HRC systems in manufacturing environments.

Ultrasonic Scalpel vs. Polymeric Clip Laparoscopic Varicocelectomy in Adolescents with Symptomatic Varicocele.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate treatment outcomes in adolescents who underwent laparoscopic surgery with an ultrasonic scalpel for symptomatic varicocele compared with adolescents who underwent surgery with a polymer clip. Methods: A total of 270 adolescents with a median age of 16 (interquartile range, IQR 13-17) years were included in the study. Taking into account the laparoscopic varicocelectomy technique used, the patients were divided into two groups. In the first group (n = 151), a polymer clip was used, while in the second group (n = 119), an ultrasonic scalpel was used to resect the spermatic vessels. The primary outcome measure was the effect of the laparoscopic technique used on treatment outcomes (postoperative complications and recurrence rates). Secondary outcomes were the duration of surgery and anesthesia and the length of hospital stay. Results: The duration of the surgical procedure (12 min (IQR 11, 15) versus 15 min (12, 19), p = 0.029) and anesthesia (21.5 min (16, 29.5) versus 28 min (23, 34), p = 0.003) was shorter in the group of adolescents in whom laparoscopic varicocelectomy was performed with an ultrasonic scalpel than in the group in which a polymer clip was used. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups studied in terms of length of hospital stay, recurrence rate (p >0.999), and complications (p = 0.703). There were no cases of testicular atrophy in either group. In the group of patients who underwent laparoscopic varicocelectomy with an ultrasonic scalpel, a slightly higher incidence of hydroceles was found (n = 4, 3.4%) than in the group in which a polymer clip was used (n = 2, 1.3%) (p = 0.410). At six-month follow-up, it was found that the majority of patients showed moderate or significant improvement in the spermogram after laparoscopic varicocelectomy (n = 85, 89.5%). In addition, the subjective discomfort or pain disappeared in the majority of patients (n = 71, 93.4%). The testicular volume increased significantly in 132 adolescents (89.8%). Conclusions: Laparoscopic varicocelectomy with a polymer clip or ultrasonic scalpel is safe and effective in adolescents with symptomatic varicocele. Treatment outcomes after laparoscopic varicocelectomy are the same regardless of whether a polymer clip or an ultrasonic scalpel is used to resect the spermatic vessels. The use of an ultrasonic scalpel for resection of the spermatic vessels shortens the overall duration of surgery and anesthesia.

Effect of age-related extended high frequency hearing loss on the subjective impressions of dental drill noise

Fear and anxiety among patients are sometimes evoked in dental clinics due to the sound of dental drills. This study aimed to explore the impact of age-related hearing loss in the extended high frequency (EHF) range above 8 kHz on individuals' subjective discomfort towards dental drill noise. After measuring pure-tone audiometric thresholds at both conventional and extended high frequencies, we used a psychoacoustic approach to evaluate subjective impressions of four dental drill sound stimuli, which featured varying frequency components, in 62 participants (aged 12–67 years). We found a significant decrease in hearing sensitivity within the EHF range as age increased, with notable differences in hearing thresholds at 14 kHz between teenage and older adults exceeding 65 dB. Furthermore, significant differences were observed between younger and older (above 40 years) participants in the subjective impressions of dental drill noise, emphasizing age as a critical factor in the perception of high frequency components. Consequently, age may influence the unpleasantness of dental drilling noise. Compared to older individuals, young participants may exhibit increased fear of dental procedures owing to physiological factors. These results underscore the need for age-appropriate noise control strategies in dental clinics to mitigate anxiety and improve patient comfort.