Gait characterization in rare bone diseases in a real-world environment - A comparative controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Rare bone diseases (RBD) cause physical and sensory disability that affects quality of life. Mobility challenges are common for people with RBDs, and travelling to gait analysis labs can be very complex. Smartphone sensors could provide remote monitoring. RESEARCH QUESTION: This study aimed to search for and identify variables that can be used to discriminate between people with RBD and healthy people by using built-in smartphone sensors in a real-world setting. METHODS: In total, 18 participants (healthy: n=9; RBD: n=9), controlled by age and sex, were included in this cross-sectional study. A freely available App (Phyphox) was used to gather data from built-in smartphone sensors (accelerometer & gyroscope) at 60 Hz during a 15-min walk on a level surface without turns or stops. Temporal gait parameters like cadence, mean stride time and, coefficient variance (CoVSt) and nonlinear analyses, as the largest Lyapunov exponent (LLE) & sample entropy (SE) in the three accelerometer axes were used to distinguish between the groups and describe gait patterns. RESULTS: The LLE (p=0.04) and the SE of the z-axis (p=0.01), which are correlated with balance control during walking and regularity of the gait, are sufficiently sensitive to distinguish between RBD and controls. SIGNIFICANCE: The use of smartphone sensors to monitor gait in people with RBD allows for the identification of subtle changes in gait patterns, which can be used to inform assessment and management strategies in larger cohorts.

A Novel Algorithmic Approach to the Analysis of Multi-Electrode Array Signals of hiPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes.

In order to perform in vitro cardiotoxicity screening of pharmacological substances, multi-electrode array systems are increasingly used to measure the extracellular field potentials of cell layers of human induced pluripotent stem cell cardiomyocytes. The analysis of the field potentials is usually performed using complex analysis software provided by the hardware manufacturers. In the case of the Cardiac Analysis Tool software from Axion Biosystems, inconsistencies were found in the results, which can significantly influence the cardiotoxicity screening results. In order to obtain more reliable results, a new algorithm was developed and implemented in an easy-to-use software tool, the INCardio Data Analysis Tool, which, due to its high degree of automation, can also be used by inexperienced users. The validation reveals differences in the results of the two tools both in depolarization spike amplitudes and in the time course of the field potential durations. The manual analysis of all signals affected by deviations shows that the results of the newly developed Data Analysis Tool are correct in all cases and can therefore be classified as more accurate and reliable than the reference analysis software.

Interdisciplinary Hackathons - A Method to Embed Digitization in Healthcare Education.

BACKGROUND: Need for additional methods for interdisciplinary involvement in the development of digital solutions in the health and care education. OBJECTIVES: Development of an interdisciplinary and age-inclusive hackathon approach to support and integrate young care students in the care digitization process. METHODS: Iterative, interdisciplinary planning, expert-based validation, themed, age-inclusive hackathon implementation. RESULTS: Concept for hackathon, concept evaluation. CONCLUSION: The hackathon is seen as a valuable addition in the health and care education and will be held as a proof-of-concept in November 2022.

Assistive Solutions in Practice: Experiences from AAL Pilot Regions in Austria.

Since 2012 six AAL pilot regions were launched in Austria. The main goal of these pilot regions is to evaluate the impact of AAL technologies in daily use considering the entire value chain. Additionally, go-to market strategies for assistive technologies based on an involvement of all relevant stakeholders are developed. Within this paper an overview of the specific objectives, approaches and the status of all Austrian AAL pilot regions is given. Taking into account the different experiences of the different pilot regions, specific challenges in establishing, implementing and sustaining pilot region projects are discussed and lessons-learned are presented. Results show that a careful planning of all project phases taking into account available resources is crucial for the successful implementation of an AAL pilot region. In particular, this applies to all activities related to the active involvement of end-users.