Subjective Comfort Scores Research Articles

Human Modeling and CAE Based Subjective Seat Comfort Score Correlation

Human Modeling and CAE Based Subjective Seat Comfort Score Correlation

Differences in proprioception, muscle force control and comfort between conventional and new-generation knee and ankle orthoses

The aim of this study was to compare muscle force control and proprioception between conventional and new-generation experimental orthoses. Sixteen healthy subjects participated in a single-blind controlled trial in which two different types of orthosis were applied to the dominant knee or ankle, while the following variables were evaluated: muscle force control (accuracy), joint position sense, kinesthesia, static balance as well as subjective outcomes. The use of experimental orthoses resulted in better force accuracy during isometric knee extensions compared to conventional orthoses (P=0.005). Moreover, the use of experimental orthoses resulted in better force accuracy during concentric (P=0.010) and eccentric (P=0.014) ankle plantar flexions and better knee joint kinesthesia in the flexed position (P=0.004) compared to conventional orthoses. Subjective comfort (P<0.001) and preference scores were higher with experimental orthoses compared to conventional ones. In conclusion, orthosis type affected static and dynamic muscle force control, kinesthesia, and perceived comfort in healthy subjects. New-generation experimental knee and ankle orthoses may thus be recommended for prophylactic joint bracing during physical activity and to improve the compliance for orthosis use, particularly in patients who require long-term bracing.

Sitting posture in design position of automotive interiors

Three dimensional digital human body models have been developed and incorporated in an optimisation algorithm for seating package design. These models represent the small female, medium male and large male sitting in erect, neutral and slumped spinal postures. The software has been used to evaluate seating comfort with a math-based sitting model in 84 production vehicles. A sample of these cars (n = 30) shows that comfort scores, which have a 0.8 correlation with subjective driver comfort scores, are consistently high for the medium male. The small female and to a lesser extent, the large male, are uncomfortable as calculated in this model. Since this is a virtual model, it can be used at the start of vehicle design to objectively define the location of controls and design a seating surface for all drivers with specifications that are manufacturable and verifiable. The resulting design will produce a faster time to market and greater objective quality in the car interior.

Patient Knowledge of Physician Responsibilities and Their Preferences for Care in Ophthalmology Teaching Clinics

To determine how well patients understand the hierarchy of a teaching hospital, what factors influence patient knowledge, and how patients feel about their role in training physicians. Prospective cross-sectional survey. A total of 312 patients attending 1 of 3 ophthalmology clinics at the Kresge Eye Institute in July 2006. Survey of knowledge about the training and responsibilities of medical students, residents, and attending physicians was conducted, as well as subjective evaluation regarding patient comfort with treatment by physicians in training. Knowledge Score was correlated with subjective Comfort Score and demographics using analysis of variance. Knowledge Score and subjective Comfort Score. A total of 312 surveys were completed. Some 56% of questions were answered correctly. Higher education was the only significant factor for increased Knowledge Score (P<0.001). Respondents with a higher Knowledge Score had a correspondingly higher Comfort Score (P = 0.004) and are significantly more comfortable with treatment provided by physicians in training (residents). Clinic site (P = 0.002) and increasing age (P = 0.02) are also significant independent factors for increased comfort with treatment provided by physicians in training. Patients have moderate knowledge of the training and hierarchy of medical students, residents, and attending physicians. Increased patient knowledge is a significant independent factor for increased patient comfort with treatment by physicians in training. Clinic site and increased age are also significant factors for comfort with treatment by physicians in training. The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Objective evaluation of patient–ventilator interactions during noninvasive ventilation (NIV)

The success of NIV depends on patient–ventilator interactions. These interactions are evaluated with the subjective comfort score which is not always reliable. An objective evaluation is thus required. To evaluate these interactions, we use a statistical measure of the variability of a physiological signal, i.e the Shannon entropy. Our purpose is to show whether estimating Shannon entropy from airway pressure (SP) and from the total duration of ventilatory cycles (ST) may evaluate objectively the patient–ventilator interactions during NIV.Pressure support NIV was applied to 4 COPD patients, 4 OHS patients in stable state and 4 healthy subjects during six successive 10-min periods with various inspiratory pressure. The flow and the airway pressure signals were recorded with sensors located near the mask. Good patient–ventilator interactions were assumed to correspond to patient well synchronized (low ineffective efforts) and with low ventilatory variability. All the subjects were awaked and both Shannon entropies SPand STwere computed for each ventilatory tracing.The incidence of ineffective efforts (IE) varied from 0 to 64.7 %. SPappeared to be strongly correlated to this incidence (r = 0.91). STquantified precisely the ventilatory variability. When SPwas plotted versus ST, 4 distinct groups of patients were distinguished as follows:SP&lt;1 and ST&lt;1: IE&lt;10% but no ventilatory variabilitySP&lt;1 and ST&gt;1: IE &lt;10% with high ventilatory variabilitySP&gt;1 and ST&lt;1: IE &gt;10% but no ventilatory variabilitySP&gt;1 and ST&gt;1: IE &gt; 10% with high ventilatory variabilityShannon entropies objectively evaluate the patient–ventilator interactions in terms of ineffective efforts and ventilatory variability. Good patient–ventilator interactions occur when there is only few ineffective efforts (SP&lt;1) and a low ventilatory variability (ST&lt;1).

Selected Sports Bras: Comparisons of Comfort and Support

This study compared seven sports bras on quantitative and subjective measures of support and comfort for small, medium, and large breasted women during exercise. Fifty-nine subjects representing A, B, C, and D cup sizes were filmed while jogging on a treadmill at 6 mph in each bra style and in the nude condition. The average vertical displacement of the breast relative to the body was calculated for each condition. Subsequently, subjects completed questionnaires after engaging in vigorous exercise in each bra to assess subjectively comfort and support for each of the seven sports bras. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA's and subsequent pairwise comparisons indicated significant differences by bra style in subjective mean comfort scores and a significant interaction between subjects' cup sizes and subjective mean support scores. Pearson product moment correlation coefficients among vertical displacement values, subjective measures of support, and subjective measures of comfort indicated that bras that effectively controlled breast displacement tended to score lower on comfort. There were, however, exceptions to this trend, and no single bra rated well on all three measures of performance.