Training Device Research Articles

Validity and test-retest reliability of a resistance training device for Smith machine back squat exercise

This study evaluated the validity and test-retest reliability of a resistance training device Jueying (Beijing, China) for Smith machine back squat exercise. Twelve male participants completed two test sessions with an interval of one week. In each test session, participants completed 30%, 45%, 60%, and 75% of 1RM back squats on a Smith machine equipped with Jueying and a linear position transducer GymAware (Canberra, Australia), which measured the velocity and power during the movement simultaneously. Results showed that Jueying was both valid (Pearson correlation coefficient [r]= 0.896-0.999, effect size [ES]= 0.004-0.192) when compared with GymAware and consistent between two tests in terms of reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]= 0.79-0.95) to assess speed and power within all exercises. The device could be applied to provide athletes and coaches with effective and reliable data in actual application.

Clinical Uptake of Pediatric Exoskeletons: Pilot Study Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

While the design and clinical evidence base of robot-assisted gait training devices has been advancing, few studies investigate user experiences with accessing and using such devices in pediatric rehabilitation. This pilot study aims to further the understanding of barriers encountered by clinicians and caregivers when implementing a robot-assisted gait training device. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted at a local outpatient pediatric therapy center with a robot-assisted gait training exoskeleton. Six caregivers and six clinicians participated in semistructured interviews with brief surveys. The surveys were summarized with descriptive statistics. The interviews were analyzed using directed content analysis guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. The five most mentioned Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research constructs were knowledge and beliefs, relative advantage, child attributes, complexity, and access to knowledge and information. Caregivers experienced obstacles to accessing and trialing robot-assisted gait training devices. Clinicians expressed concerns regarding the feasibility of incorporating robot-assisted gait training into their clinic and preferred lower-tech gait training techniques. While some aspects of access and usability may be addressed by device design and technological advancements, overcoming other barriers will require a deeper understanding of the roles of scientific evidence, personal beliefs, and current therapy workflows in the uptake of robotic interventions.

Evaluation of 3D-Printed Dog Teeth for Pre-clinical Training of Endodontic Therapy in Veterinary Dentistry.

Artificial teeth in dental training have become a valuable tool for students to gain hands-on experience in a safe and controlled environment. This training method allows students to practice various dental procedures and develop their skills without putting patients at risk. Artificial teeth can be used to simulate dental conditions, allowing students to gain experience in dealing with various situations and techniques. Although previous studies in human dentistry have demonstrated the feasibility of using 3D-printed teeth for teaching endodontic procedures such as root canal therapy, similar research has yet to be conducted in the veterinary field. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of creating 3D-printed teeth from an adult dog skull and validate their use as an alternative training tool for root canal therapy in this species. For this, cone beam computed tomography images from a medium-sized dog skull were used to replicate its teeth using a digital 3D printing system. Then, artificial mandibular first molar teeth and a 24-question survey were sent to specialized veterinary dentistry practitioners in Brazil to assess their perception of the model's characteristics during endodontic treatment. In conclusion, it was feasible to create 3D-printed models of dog teeth with high accuracy for the endodontic system. Despite the differences in the properties of the two materials between natural and artificial teeth, it was possible to use the artificial tooth as a training device for conventional endodontic treatment in dogs. The reliability level for the survey was reported as good, displaying a reliability coefficient above 0.86.

COMPARISON OF THE TRADITIONAL TRAINING METHOD TO TEACH HANDSTAND AND TRAINING THROUGH A RESEARCHER-MADE DEVICE AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE HANDSTAND DURATION, PAIN AND QUALITY OF PERFORMANCE IN 8-10-YEAR-OLD BEGINNER GYMNAST GIRLS

This research was conducted with the aim of comparing traditional handstand training and handstand training using a researcher-made device among beginner gymnast girls aged 8 to 10 years. To achieve this, 30 qualified female gymnasts were purposefully and conveniently selected and randomly assigned to two groups: one receiving educational assistance with the researcher-made device (n=15) and the other using the traditional method (n=15). Over a span of eight weeks, handstand movements were taught, with one group following traditional methods and the other utilizing the researcher-made device. Upon completion of the training period, various measurements were taken, including the duration of balance maintenance, balance quality as judged by experts, the range of motion in the wrist, elbow, shoulder, and ankle joints, and the assessment of pain in the wrist, elbow, shoulder, and lower back areas. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, MANOVA, and the Mann-Whitney test, with a significance level set at P≥ 0.05, and the analysis was conducted using SPSS 22 software. The results demonstrated that the use of the researcher-made balance training device led to a significant improvement in balance quality from the perspective of judges, as well as a notable reduction in pain in the shoulder, back, and wrist areas compared to the traditional training method. Additionally, there were no significant differences between the traditional method and the use of the device when considering factors such as balance performance quality as measured by deviation from the vertical line in various body joints, the duration of balance maintenance, the range of motion in the wrist, elbow, shoulder, ankle, and pain in the elbow and knee.

ROBOT-ASSISTED TARGETED GAIT TRAINING.

Millions of people are affected yearly by "runner's knee" and osteoarthritis, which is thought to be related to impact force. Millions are also affected by chronic falling, who are usually both difficult to identify and train. While at first glance, these topics seem to be entirely disconnected, there appears to be a need for a device that would address both issues. This paper proposes and investigates the use of the Variable Stiffness Treadmill (VST) as a targeted training device for the different populations described above. The VST is the authors' unique robotic split-belt treadmill that can reduce the vertical ground stiffness of the left belt, while the right belt remains rigid. In this work, heart rate and energy expenditure are measured for healthy subjects in the challenging asymmetric environment created by the VST and compared to a traditional treadmill setting. This study shows that this asymmetric environment results in an increase in heart rate and energy expenditure, an increase in activity in the muscles about the hip and knee, and a decrease in impact force at heel strike. Compliant environments, like those created on the VST, may be a beneficial tool as they can: reduce high-impact forces during running and walking, significantly engage the muscles surrounding the hip and knee allowing for targeted training and rehabilitation, and assist in identifying and training high fall-risk individuals.

Development and Testing of a Soft Exoskeleton Robotic Hand Training Device.

Hand-function recovery is often a goal for stroke survivors undergoing therapy. This work aimed to design, build, and verify a pneumatic hand training device for its eventual use in post-stroke rehabilitation. The system was built considering prior research in the field of robotic hand rehabilitation as well as specifications and design constraints developed with physiotherapists. The system contained pneumatic airbag actuators for the fingers and thumb of the hand, a set of flex, pressure, and flow sensors, and software and hardware controls. An experiment with the system was carried out on 30 healthy individuals. The sensor readings were analyzed for repeatability and reliability. Position sensors and an approximate biomechanical model of the index finger were used to estimate joint angles during operation. A survey was also issued to the users to evaluate their comfort levels with the device. It was found that the system was safe and comfortable when moving the fingers of the hand into an extension.

Effectiveness of haptic feedback devices in preclinical training of dental students—a systematic review

BackgroundAcquisition of psychomotor skills is of utmost importance for competent preclinical restorative dentistry. Recent advancements in haptic feedback technology have been incorporated into preclinical dental education to augment the conventional phantom head-based training.ObjectiveThis systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness of haptic feedback device, Simodont, in improving the skill development and learning outcomes of dental students during their preclinical training.Materials and methodsElectronic databases Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed were searched for relevant studies since inception up until March, 2023. Only English language studies that assessed the effectiveness of haptic feedback devices in preclinical dental education were included. We excluded studies that did not use Simodont as the haptic feedback device or did not involve preclinical restorative work. Study quality was assessed using the revised Cochrane risk of bias tool and ROBINS-I. The primary goal of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of Simodont as a complementary training modality for dentistry students.ResultsResults from 9 high-quality studies were analyzed and synthesized to evaluate the overall impact of haptic feedback devices on various aspects of preclinical training. The studies were conducted on 826 undergraduate dental students enrolled in various years of their training across dental colleges and universities in different parts of the world. A majority of studies showed some concerns regarding risk of bias. Haptic feedback devices added a new layer to Virtual Reality (VR) through the perception of touch and force feedback. It assisted junior dental students improve their psychomotor skills and movement skills. Instantaneous feedback on the students' performance helped enhance their self-assessment and correction, and also eliminated the subjectivity of evaluation. Data derived from virtual simulators helped stratify dental students and predict their clinical performance, providing an opportunity to tailor the learning process to meet individual diversity in students' expertise.ConclusionBased on the limited evidence available, Simodont was effective in preclinical training of dental students, offering advantages such as unlimited reproducibility, objective evaluation of preparation by computer assessment, and cost reduction. And further studies are warranted to explore the incorporation of patient's oral environment simulation for better skill training.

A Preliminary Assessment of the Effectiveness of Training Using a Virtual Reality Simulator of the Anti-aircraft Missile Launcher

Training an anti-aircraft soldier is expensive, complicated, and time-consuming. As a result, many countries, weighing the cost-effectiveness, opt to introduce solutions aimed at minimizing this trend. One of them is incorporating modern training devices such as simulators and trainers into the training. However, to make this happen, it is worth analyzing the effectiveness of training with their use by comparing it to that conducted in a traditional way. With this in mind, the purpose of this article is to present the results of research on the effectiveness of using a Virtual Reality (VR) simulator developed at the Military University of Technology in teaching the construction and basic activities of combat work in the area of conducting a selected check of the functioning of the SA6 Gainful missile launcher system. The theoretical foundation for the empirical research was provided by a method of analyzing literary content. By using the method of comparison and generalization, knowledge was obtained about the general construction and use of training devices in the training of the anti-aircraft defense forces of the Polish Armed Forces, and the features of the VR simulator were described. As regards the empirical methods, a study was conducted using a research sample which was conducted using a parallel triangulation strategy scheme involving the simultaneous use of quantitative and qualitative methods. The synthesis served in formulating the final conclusions and in determining the relationships between theoretical and empirical studies. The results obtained in this way can provide valuable information about the effectiveness of using training devices in training anti-aircraft defense forces and serve as a basis for further work on their development and application.

Exploring the transformative role of 3D printing in advancing medical education in Africa: a review.

With the increasing demand for quality healthcare and the scarcity of resources, medical education in Africa faces numerous challenges. Traditional teaching methods often need help to adequately prepare medical students for the complex and diverse healthcare scenarios they will encounter in practice. 3D printing technology holds significant promise in addressing these challenges by providing innovative solutions for medical education. This review examines the various applications of 3D printing in medical education, focusing on its potential to enhance anatomy education, surgical training and medical device development. It explores how 3D printing can offer realistic and customisable anatomical models, enabling students to understand human anatomy better and improve their surgical skills through realistic simulations. Furthermore, this paper discusses the potential of 3D printing in developing low-cost medical devices, prosthetics and surgical instruments, which can significantly benefit resource-limited settings in Africa. It explores the concept of distributed manufacturing, where 3D printing can decentralise the production of essential medical equipment, reducing reliance on external suppliers and improving access to healthcare. The review also highlights the challenges and limitations associated with implementing 3D printing in medical education in Africa, such as limited infrastructure, high costs and the need for specialised training. However, it presents successful initiatives and collaborations that have overcome these obstacles, demonstrating the feasibility and potential impact of integrating 3D printing into medical education in Africa.

Development of Personalized Respiratory Training Device with Real-time Feedback for Respiratory Muscle Strengthening

Development of Personalized Respiratory Training Device with Real-time Feedback for Respiratory Muscle Strengthening

Computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation in neurological patients: state-of-art and future perspectives.

Advances in computing technology enabled researchers and clinicians to exploit technological devices for cognitive training and rehabilitation interventions. This expert review aims to describe the available software and device used for cognitive training or rehabilitation interventions of patients with neurological disorders. A scoping review was carried out to analyze commercial devices/software for computerized cognitive training (CCT) in terms of feasibility and efficacy in both clinical and home settings. Several cognitive domains responding to the different patients' needs are covered. This review showed that cognitive training for patients with neurological diseases is largely covered by several devices that are widely used and validated in the hospital setting but with few translations to remote/home applications. It has been demonstrated that technology and software-based devices are potential and valuable tools to administer remotely cognitive rehabilitation with accessible costs. According to our results, CCT entails the possibility to continue cognitive training also in different settings, such as home, which is a significant breakthrough for the improvement of community care. Other possible areas of use should be the increase in the amount of cognitive therapy in the free time during the hospital stay.

Development and Creation of a Training Model of a Hemostatic Applicator for Training and Independent Assessment of the Qualifications of Employees of the Non-State Security Sector

Employees of the non-state security sector, providing first aid for gunshot wounds, should be able to apply all the main methods of temporarily stopping bleeding. Also, the possession of these methods should be checked during the procedure for an independent assessment of qualifications. The aim of our study was to create and test an inexpensive training device for teaching wound tamponade in the presence of a deep wound channel — a hemostatic applicator.

External mechanical perturbations challenge postural stability in dogs.

This study aimed to explore the effect of external mechanical perturbations on postural stability (PS) in dogs using the body center of pressure (COP). Thirteen sound adult dogs were included in this study. PS was tested during quiet standing on a pressure measurement plate. The conditions included a standard standing measurement and external mechanical perturbations conducted using six settings on a motorized training platform with different intensities of speed and amplitude. Measurement conditions were compared using linear mixed-effects models, followed by multiple comparisons using Sidak's alpha correction procedure. Compared with the standing measurement, external mechanical perturbations resulted in a significant increase in almost all COP parameters, indicating a challenge for the PS. Furthermore, an increase in amplitude had a greater effect than an increase in speed, whereas the combination of the highest intensities of amplitude and speed was not well tolerated by the dogs. The mediolateral COP displacement was significantly greater than the craniocaudal COP displacement during standing measurement and conditions with a small amplitude, whereas no significant difference was observed during settings with an increased amplitude. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the effects of a balance training device in dogs. Therefore, the intensity of the training programs on motorized platforms or similar devices can be controlled by the wobbling amplitude of the platform.

Effect of Instability Training on Compensatory Muscle Activation during Perturbation Challenge in Young Adults.

Balance requires constant adjustments in muscle activation to attain force steadiness. Creating appropriate training can be challenging. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 2 weeks of front squat instability training using a water-filled training tube on force steadiness during an instability challenge. Control (CON, n = 13) and experimental (EXP, n = 17) subjects completed pre- and post-testing for EMG variability by completing one set of 10 repetitions with a stable and unstable training tube. Electrodes were placed bilaterally on the anterior deltoid, paraspinal, and vastus lateralis muscles. CON subjects completed 2 weeks of training using a stable training tube, while EXP subjects trained with a water-filled instability tube. EMG data were integrated for each contraction, and force steadiness was computed using the natural log of coefficient of variation. CON results showed no changes in force steadiness for any condition. EXP showed significant reductions in EMG activation variability across all muscles. These results indicate a significant training effect in reducing muscle activation variability in subjects training with a water-filled instability training device. Improvements seen in these healthy subjects support the development of training implements for a more clinical population to help improve force steadiness.

인지·신체 복합중재 훈련기기의 사용성평가 지표 개선

인지·신체 복합중재 훈련기기의 사용성평가 지표 개선

Assessment of the psychomotor fitness level of cadet pilots after a 6-month flight training period - pilot study.

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to investigate the impact of 6-month aviation practice on the improvement of physical fitness and cognitive abilities of cadet pilots.Materials and methodsTwenty cadet pilots (men) with an average age of 22 from the Polish Air Force Academy were tested. Two tests of effort were conducted: before (test I) and after (test II) practical flights. Test of physical effort relyed on the number of rotations of looping accomplished. When performing rotations on looping, in tests I and II, the percentage level of task performance was assessed using a diagnostic and training device. Tasks for the exerciser were sent wirelessly to the glasses from the operator’s position. The heart rate (HR) and blood pressure were measured with a camera-type Microlife AG.ResultsIn test II, there was a statistically significant improvement in the percentage of task completion (p < 0.01) and an insignificant improvement in the performance of rotations on looping compared to test I. After Test I and II demonstrated a statistically significant increase in HR and systolic blood pressure when compared to before test values. Test II illustrated a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure after effort (p < 0.05) with regard to test I.ConclusionThe study showed that cadet aviation practice ameliorated their physical fitness and cognitive skills, as well as helped to diminish their situational stress, which resulted in a decrease in systolic blood pressure after test II.

Quantification of horizontal force for the EXER-GENIE® resisted sprint training device.

Sport performance coaches use a range of modalities to apply a horizontal force (Fh) to athletes during resisted sprint training (RST). These modalities include parachutes, weighted vests, pulley devices, motored tethered devices, and, most notably, weighted sleds. Despite the widespread use of these devices, the resistance forces of the pulley devices have not been evaluated for reliability and accuracy. Therefore, the primary aim of this study is to quantify the Fh of a commercially available pulley device (EXER-GENIE®) and determine how resistance force is related to the load settings on the device. The secondary aim is to identify the differences in the Fh values between three EXER-GENIE® devices that use 36 m and 60 m ropes. The Fh values in the Newtons (N) of the three EXER-GENIE® devices were analyzed using a motorized winch, a lead acid battery, and an S-beam load cell. Four 10 s winch-driven trials were performed using 15 different EXER-GENIE® loads, ranging from 0.028 kg to 3.628 kg, employing two different 36 m devices and one 60 m device. The mean ± standard deviation for Fh was reported across the four trials for each load setting. All devices produced similar Fh values across lighter load settings (loads ≤0.141 kg). However, at heavier loads (loads ≥0.226 kg), the 60 m device had Fh values 50-85 N greater than those of the 36 m device. The coefficient of variation across the four trials was extremely high at light loads but sharply decreased to <10% at heavy loads. Absolute reliability was high for each device [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.99]. A regression analysis for Fh values and EXER-GENIE® load indicated a strong positive relationship between load and Fh values across all devices (R2 = 0.96-0.99). Caution should be exercised when using identical loads on the different-length pulley devices, as the 60 m device produced greater Fh values than the 36 m devices at load settings higher than 0.226 kg. These results can provide coaches and practitioners with a better understanding of the magnitude of resistance that is applied when prescribing EXER-GENIE® devices for higher training loads.

The use of the interactive DA-42T aircraft cockpit mockup in the process-oriented training

When conducting training sessions at an aviation university, it is advisable to demonstrate samples of aeronautical equipment, individual elements of systems and accessories, or use specialized stands and posters. However, when studying modern types of training aircraft, the cockpits of which contain multifunction displays, complications arise when absorbing training resources. When studying multi-function display cockpits, it is necessary to use interactive training devices in which displays must operate under power and possess the required capabilities. Training on hardware is impracticable in some cases, and unadvisable in others. The use of the integrated simulator for training in various disciplines is limited as the simulator is primarily designed to impart primary aircraft control skills rather than for classroom training. The article deals with the issue of upgrading pilot-trainees training skills during the familiarization with the cockpit equipment using an interactive DA-42T aircraft cockpit mockup with all the controls and indications (except for the control stick and pedals), including two primary multi-function displays and one backup, during the process-oriented training of the university. The operation of multi-function indicators is implemented in the form of special devices with a display and a push-button frame connected to a specially developed program on a PC that simulates the aircraft data system operation. For this purpose, to be based on information from the Aircraft Flight Manual, the information frames, shown on multi-function displays in the DA-42T aircraft, are reproduced. The content of the developed frames duplicates completely the DA-42T aircraft indication, contributing to improving academic study and acquiring practical skills to work on the integrated simulator as well as in a real aircraft. The physical cockpit mockup controls also correspond, in terms of the appearance and location, to the controls in the real DA-42T aircraft cockpit. The procedure to develop simulators of multi-function displays and the DA-42T aircraft cockpit mockup is described. The capabilities to use simulators of multi-function displays and the DA-42T cockpit mockup in the process-oriented training to upgrade skills are described. The conducted research results are described; the advantages of using the interactive cockpit mockup in the process-oriented training are presented.

Respiratory Interoception and Pathological Illness Anxiety: Disentangling Bias.

Biased interoception decoupled from physiology might be relevant in the etiology of pathological illness anxiety (PIA). Empirical evidence for interoceptive deviations in illness anxiety is scarce but potentially informative to optimize treatments. We hypothesized that persons with PIA differ fundamentally in the classification of bodily sensations from those without PIA. In a respiratory categorization task, participants breathed into a pulmonary training device. Inspiration effort was varied by eight resistive loads. The lower/higher four loads were introduced as belonging to arbitrary categories "A"/"B," respectively. Participants memorized respiratory sensations in a first experimental block and were asked to label the resistances in a second block. We calculated the sensitivity of resistance classification according to category and response bias in terms of categorical misclassification. Data of 39 participants with PIA and 35 controls were compared with regard to sensitivity and response bias by group, resistive load, and their interaction in a multiple regression. With similar sensitivity, patients more often labeled loads above the categorical border erroneously as belonging to category A, thus underestimating their resistance ( β = -0.06, p = .001; η2 = 0.02). Individuals with PIA showed a systematic "wait and see" approach. Altered respiroception in PIA might stem from biased perception during training phase, the recognition phase, biased memory, or a combination of these. Its exact characteristics remain unknown, and future research must address the challenge of developing reliable and valid paradigms accounting for the variability of interoceptive biases. This work was preregistered on OSF ( https://osf.io/9shcw ).

Safety and Feasibility Study of the Medical Care Pit Walking Support System for Rehabilitation of Acute Stroke Patients.

Stroke rehabilitation with mechanical assistance improves outcomes by facilitating repetition and relieving the care burden of therapy staff. Here, we tested the Medical Care Pit (MCP) walking assistance training device in the rehabilitation of eight acute stroke patients (median age 60.7 ± 16.3 years) who had recently suffered ischemic (three) or hemorrhagic (five) stroke (14.1 ± 6.5 days). Patients received standard rehabilitation approximately 5 days per week (weekdays only), plus MCP therapy twice a week, totaling four MCP sessions over 2 weeks. Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Extremities (FMA-LE), Functional Ambulation Category (FAC), and other gait-associated parameters were measured. Over the 10.5 ± 1.6 days of therapy, MCP qualitatively assisted in gait analysis and real-time patient feedback while independent walking scores significantly improved (FAC 2.2 ± 0.8 to 3.1 ± 1.3, p = 0.020). FMA-LE scores also slightly improved but not to significance (p = 0.106). Objective burden on patients, as measured by modified Borg scale, was significantly improved (2.7 ± 1.6 to 2.0 ± 1.6, p = 0.014). In terms of questionnaires, anxiety scores for the physical therapist regarding gait training and falling with MCP significantly decreased (3.8 ± 2.3 to 1.0 ± 1.6; p = 0.027 and 3.1 ± 2.2 to 0.8 ± 1.3; p = 0.045) from the first to fourth sessions. Taken together, MCP, in addition to the usual rehabilitation program, was effective in gait rehabilitation for independent walking and relieved burdens on the patients. Such walking support systems may be an important part of acute stroke rehabilitation.