Immersive learning laboratory in health and nursing: learning biosafety in a virtual world.

OBJECTIVES: to develop a virtual simulation and learning laboratory in an immersive virtual world that enables students, nursing professionals as well as health professionals to experiment, reflect and contextualize biosafety actions, infection protection concepts and universal precautions. METHODS: description of the development of the Immersive Learning Laboratory in Health and Nursing (LIASE) with a focus on biosafety, having as theoretical basis Kolb's experimental learning cycle and the OpenSimulator platform. RESULTS: development of the Immersive Learning Laboratory in Health and Nursing: Health Biosafety Module - contains five learning stations. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: the development of LIASE indicates the possibility of supporting face-to-face learning in a practical laboratory and continuing the study and implementation with the target audience.

Whole-body vibration mediates mechanical hypersensitivity through Aß-fiber and C-fiber thermal sensation in a chronic pain model.

Whole-body vibration (WBV), which is widely used as a type of exercise, involves the use of vibratory stimuli and it is used for rehabilitation and sports performance programmes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of WBV treatment in a chronic pain model after 10 WBV sessions. An animal model (chronic pain) was applied in 60 male Wistar rats (±180 g, 12 weeks old) and the animals were treated with low intensity exercise (treadmill), WBV (vibrating platform), and a combined treatment involving both. The controls on the platform were set to a frequency of 42 Hz with 2 mm peak-to-peak displacement, g ≈ 7, in a spiral mode. Before and after the vibration exposure, sensitivity was determined. Aß-fibers-mediated mechanical sensitivity thresholds (touch-pressure) were measured using a pressure meter. C-fibers-mediated thermal perception thresholds (hot pain) were measured with a hot plate. After each session, WBV influenced the discharge of skin touch-pressure receptors, reducing mechanical sensitivity in the WBV groups (P < 0.05). Comparing the conditions "before vs. after", thermal perception thresholds (hot pain) started to decrease significantly after the third WBV session (P < 0.05). WBV decreases mechanical hyperalgesia after all sessions and thermal sensitivity after the third session with the use of WBV.

Propriocepção, equilíbrio corporal e funcionalidade em indivíduos com reconstrução do LCA / Proprioception, body balance and functionality in individuals with ACL reconstruction

Objetivo: Avaliar e comparar a propriocepção, o equilíbrio corporal ea funcionalidade do joelho em indivíduos com e sem reconstrução unilateral do ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA). Métodos: Quarenta indivíduos foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo experimental, 20indivíduos com reconstrução unilateral do LCA há seis meses; e grupo controle, 20 indivíduos sem histórico de lesão. No grupo experimental foram avaliados os membros inferiores com LCA reconstruído e contra lateral; no grupo controle foram avaliados o membro inferior dominante e não dominante. Todos os indivíduos realizaram teste de sensação da posição da articulação para avaliar a propriocepção,avaliação do equilíbrio corporal unipodal, e teste de subir e descer de grau (SDD), para avaliar a funcionalidade. Resultados: Não foram encontrados déficits de propriocepção do joelho e equilíbrio corporal.No teste SDD, a força aplicada na subida do degrau mostrou valores5% inferiores em pacientes com LCA reconstruído, porém sem diferença estatisticamente significativa. Enquanto isso, o impacto e a força aplicada na descida do degrau foi 30% maior em indivíduos com LCA contra lateral e no grupo controle. Conclusão: Os indivíduos que realizaram a reconstrução do LCA há seis meses não apresentaram alterações de propriocepção e equilíbrio corporal, porém apresentaram alterações no controle motor, influenciando a funcionalidade do joelho. Nível de Evidência IV, Estudos Prognósticos.

Objective: To evaluate and compare proprioception, body balanceand knee functionality of individuals with or without unilateralanterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods: Fortyindividuals were divided in two groups: Experimental group, 20individuals with ACL reconstruction at six months postoperative,and control group, 20 individuals with no history of lower limbpathologies. In the experimental group, we assessed lower limbswith reconstructed ACL and contralateral limb; in the controlgroup the dominant and the non-dominant lower limbs were assessed.All subjects were submitted to joint position sense test toevaluate proprioception, postural control measure in single-limb,and step up and down (SUD) test for functional assessment.Results: There were no deficits in proprioception and posturalcontrol. In the SUD test, a 5% decrease in lift up force was foundin reconstructed ACL lower limbs, however, a statistically notsignificant difference. The impact and step down force duringthe course of test were 30% greater in anatomic ACL than incontrol lower limbs. Conclusion: The individuals with ACL reconstructionat six months postoperative did not show changesin proprioception and postural control, but showed motor controlchanges, influencing knee functionality. Level of Evidence IV,Prognostic Studies.

PROPRIOCEPTION, BODY BALANCE AND FUNCTIONALITY IN INDIVIDUALS WITH ACL RECONSTRUCTION.

OBJECTIVE: : To evaluate and compare proprioception, body balance and knee functionality of individuals with or without unilateral anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS: : Forty individuals were divided in two groups: Experimental group, 20 individuals with ACL reconstruction at six months postoperative, and control group, 20 individuals with no history of lower limb pathologies. In the experimental group, we assessed lower limbs with reconstructed ACL and contralateral limb; in the control group the dominant and the non-dominant lower limbs were assessed. All subjects were submitted to joint position sense test to evaluate proprioception, postural control measure in single-limb, and step up and down (SUD) test for functional assessment. RESULTS: : There were no deficits in proprioception and postural control. In the SUD test, a 5% decrease in lift up force was found in reconstructed ACL lower limbs, however, a statistically not significant difference. The impact and step down force during the course of test were 30% greater in anatomic ACL than in control lower limbs. CONCLUSION: : The individuals with ACL reconstruction at six months postoperative did not show changes in proprioception and postural control, but showed motor control changes, influencing knee functionality. Level of Evidence IV, Prognostic Studies.

Laboratório de exergames: um espaço complementar para as aulas de educação física / Laboratorio de exergames: un espacio complementario para las clases de educación física / Exergames lab: a complementary space for physical education classes

Este artigo apresenta um estudo sobre o uso de exergames em práticas estruturadas em aulas de Educação Física envolvendo estudantes que geralmente apresentam sinais de insatisfação com atividades esportivas propostas nas aulas regulares da disciplina. Enquanto os videogames foram historicamente associados a problemas como obesidade e introversão social, os exergames trouxeram uma nova perspectiva para esses artefatos culturais. Vinte e quatro alunos entre oito e 14 anos de idade participaram do estudo, realizado em um laboratório criado em uma escola no sul do Brasil. Os alunos foram observados e seus professores de Educação Física entrevistados ao final do projeto. Como resultado, foi possível observar que os estudantes que normalmente não demonstravam interesse pelas aulas de Educação Física passaram a apresentar uma atitude positiva em relação às práticas com os exergames, evidenciando também sua disposição em colaborar com os colegas.

This paper presents a study about the use of exergames in structured Physical Education (PE) classes with students that usually show signs of dissatisfaction with sports activities proposed at regular PE classes. While videogames have been historically associated with issues related to obesity and social introversion, exergames brought a new perspective on those cultural artifacts. Twenty-four 8-14-year-old students participated in the study conducted in a laboratory set up in a school in Southern Brazil. They were observed and their PE teachers were also interviewed at the end of project. Results showed that students that usually did not show interest in Physical Education classes started to demonstrate a positive attitude regarding exergame practices, also expressing willingness to cooperate with their peers.

Este artículo presenta un estudio sobre el uso de exergames en prácticas estructuradas en clases de Educación Física con estudiantes que generalmente presentan señales de insatisfacción frente a las actividades deportivas propuestas en las clases regulares de la asignatura. Mientras los videojuegos han sido históricamente asociados a problemas como obesidad e introversión social, los exergames han traído una nueva perspectiva para esos artefactos culturales. Veinticuatro alumnos entre ocho y catorce años de edad han participado en este estudio, desarrollado en un laboratorio organizado en una escuela en el sur de Brasil. Los estudiantes fueron observados y sus profesores de Educación Física entrevistados al final del proyecto. Como resultado, fue posible observar que los estudiantes que normalmente no mostraban interés por las clases de Educación Física, pasaron a presentar una actitud positiva en relación a las prácticas con los exergames, evidenciando también su disposición de colaborar con sus compañeros.

Plantar pressure distribution patterns of individuals with prediabetes in comparison with healthy individuals and individuals with diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Since elevated mechanical stress along with loss of plantar protective sensation are considered relevant factors in skin breakdown resulting in diabetic foot ulcerations, the assessment of plantar pressure is important for the prevention of diabetic foot complications. Prediabetes subjects are at risk of chronic hyperglycemia complications, among them neuropathy, but information about plantar loading in this population is not available. We aimed to compare baropodometric parameters of individuals with prediabetes versus healthy persons and persons with diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: Baropodometric data from 73 subjects (15 with prediabetes (pre-DM), 28 with type 2 DM, 30 healthy) aged between 29 and 69 years of both genders were registered through a pressure platform with self-selected gait speed and first-step protocol. Peak plantar pressure, stance time, percentage of contact time, percentage of contact area and pressure-time integral were assessed in five plantar foot regions: heel, midfoot, metatarsals, hallux, and toes 2 to 5. Groups were compared by one-way analysis of variance with Scheffé post hoc (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Age, body mass index, gender, and arch height index did not differ between groups. Pre-DM and DM subjects presented increased peak pressure and pressure-time integral in metatarsals (p = .010; p > .001), as well as increased percentage of contact time in midfoot (p = .006) and metatarsals (p = .004) regions when compared with healthy subjects. Stance time was significantly higher (p = .017) in DM subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-DM subjects seem to exhibit an altered plantar pressure distribution pattern similar to that often found in DM subjects.

Repeatability of infrared plantar thermography in diabetes patients: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Infrared (IR) thermography has been used as a complementary diagnostic method in several pathologies, including distal diabetic neuropathy, by tests that induce thermoregulatory responses, but nothing is known about the repeatability of these tests. This study aimed to assess the repeatability of the rewarming index in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and nondiabetic control subjects. METHODS: Using an IR camera, plantar IR images were collected at baseline (pre-) and 10 min after (post-) cold stress testing on two different days with 7 days interval. Plantar absolute average temperatures pre- and post-cold stress testing, the difference between them (ΔT), and the rewarming index were obtained and compared between days. Repeatability of the rewarming index after the cold stress test was assessed by Bland-Altman plot limits of agreement. RESULTS: Ten T2DM subjects and ten nondiabetic subjects had both feet analyzed. Mean age did not differ between groups (p = .080). Absolute average temperatures of plantar region pre- (p = .033) and post-cold stress test (p = .019) differed between days in nondiabetic subjects, whereas they did not differ in T2DM subjects (pretest, p = .329; post-test, p = .540). ΔT and rewarming index did not differ between days for both groups, and the rewarming index presented a 100% agreement of day-to-day measurements from T2DM subjects and 95% with nondiabetic subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The rewarming index after cold stress testing presented good repeatability between two days a week in both groups. Despite T2DM subjects presenting no differences on absolute temperature values between days, ΔT or rewarming index after cold stress testing remain recommended beside absolute temperature values for clinical use.

Plantar thermography is useful in the early diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated plantar thermography sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing diabetic polyneuropathy using cardiac tests (heart rate variability) as a reference standard because autonomic small fibers are affected first by this disease. METHODS: Seventy-nine individuals between the ages of 19 and 79 years old (28 males) were evaluated and divided into three groups: control (n = 37), pre-diabetics (n = 13) and type 2 diabetics (n = 29). The plantar images were recorded at baseline and then minutes after a provocative maneuver (Cold Stress Test) using an infrared camera that is appropriate for clinical use. Two thermographic variables were studied: the thermal recovery index and the interdigital anisothermal technique. Heart rate variability was measured in a seven-test battery that included three spectral indexes (in the frequency domain) and four Ewing tests (the Valsalva maneuver, the orthostatic test, a deep breathing test, and the orthostatic hypotension test). Other classically recommended tests were applied, including electromyography (EMG), Michigan inventory, and a clinical interview that included a neurological physical examination. RESULTS: Among the diabetic patients, the interdigital anisothermal technique alone performed better than the thermal recovery index alone, with a better sensitivity (81.3%) and specificity (46.2%). For the pre-diabetic patients, the three tests performed equally well. None of the control subjects displayed abnormal interdigital anisothermal readouts or thermal recovery indices, which precluded the sensitivity estimation in this sample of subjects. However, the specificity (70.6%) was higher in this group. CONCLUSION: In this study, plantar thermography, which predominately considers the small and autonomic fibers that are commonly associated with a sub-clinical condition, proved useful in diagnosing diabetic neuropathy early. The interdigital anisothermal test, when used alone, performed best.

Plantar thermography is useful in the early diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated plantar thermography sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing diabetic polyneuropathy using cardiac tests (heart rate variability) as a reference standard because autonomic small fibers are affected first by this disease. METHODS: Seventy-nine individuals between the ages of 19 and 79 years old (28 males) were evaluated and divided into three groups: control (n = 37), pre-diabetics (n = 13) and type 2 diabetics (n = 29). The plantar images were recorded at baseline and then minutes after a provocative maneuver (Cold Stress Test) using an infrared camera that is appropriate for clinical use. Two thermographic variables were studied: the thermal recovery index and the interdigital anisothermal technique. Heart rate variability was measured in a seven-test battery that included three spectral indexes (in the frequency domain) and four Ewing tests (the Valsalva maneuver, the orthostatic test, a deep breathing test, and the orthostatic hypotension test). Other classically recommended tests were applied, including electromyography (EMG), Michigan inventory, and a clinical interview that included a neurological physical examination. RESULTS: Among the diabetic patients, the interdigital anisothermal technique alone performed better than the thermal recovery index alone, with a better sensitivity (81.3%) and specificity (46.2%). For the pre-diabetic patients, the three tests performed equally well. None of the control subjects displayed abnormal interdigital anisothermal readouts or thermal recovery indices, which precluded the sensitivity estimation in this sample of subjects. However, the specificity (70.6%) was higher in this group. CONCLUSION: In this study, plantar thermography, which predominately considers the small and autonomic fibers that are commonly associated with a sub-clinical condition, proved useful in diagnosing diabetic neuropathy early. The interdigital anisothermal test, when used alone, performed best.

A study of brain reaction to spatial stimuli in students with different background knowledge

Based on neurology and cognitive science, many studies have been made to understand the human mental model, in order to learn how human cognition works. It is especially relevant when the problem is related to learning processes that involve complex contents and spatial-logical reasoning, related to superior education. This paper focuses on EEG techniques to help understand cognitive pathway in subjects from different backgrounds when they are exposed to an external stimulation of logical and spatial reasoning. It can be used to access aspects of human cognitive processing, through the changes of rhythm of the brain bands frequency, which indicate that some type of processing or neuronal behavior is happening. The EEG signals were captured using an ADC (Analogical Digital System) board with the LabVIEW system - National Instruments. The research was performed using Design of Experiments – DOE and signal processing was done (math and statistical techniques) showing the relationship between cognitive pathway by groups and intergroups

Emergência da neuroeducação: a hora e a vez da neurociência para agregar valor à pesquisa educacional / Neuroeducation emergence: the time and place for neuroscience to add value to educational research

O artigo apresenta informações bibliográficas a respeito de um novo paradigma para a pesquisa educacional, o qual prevê a integração dos achados de pesquisas das Neurociências às necessidades de identificação das melhores formas de ensinar, para potencializar os resultados do aprendizado. O fundamento desta nova área interdisciplinar de estudo é prover caráter científico à pesquisa educacional, estabelecendo um framework teórico e metodológico para que possam ser testadas as melhores práticas pedagógicas. Além disso, contextualiza ideias e produções, com este enfoque, realizadas nos últimos anos, por um grupo de pesquisadores ligados à Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul e outras instituições da região e sugere que esta nova área possa também balizar o desenvolvimento e a pesquisa sobre o uso de produtos educacionais, em especial aqueles que se utilizam das tecnologias computadorizadas, como a multimídia, os vídeos e os projetos integrados de múltiplos recursos e funções.

Emergência da neuroeducação: a hora e a vez da neurociência para agregar valor à pesquisa educacional / Neuroeducation emergence: the time and place for neuroscience to add value to educational research

O artigo apresenta informações bibliográficas a respeito de um novo paradigma para a pesquisa educacional, o qual prevê a integração dos achados de pesquisas das Neurociências às necessidades de identificação das melhores formas de ensinar, para potencializar os resultados do aprendizado. O fundamento desta nova área interdisciplinar de estudo é prover caráter científico à pesquisa educacional, estabelecendo um framework teórico e metodológico para que possam ser testadas as melhores práticas pedagógicas. Além disso, contextualiza ideias e produções, com este enfoque, realizadas nos últimos anos, por um grupo de pesquisadores ligados à Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul e outras instituições da região e sugere que esta nova área possa também balizar o desenvolvimento e a pesquisa sobre o uso de produtos educacionais, em especial aqueles que se utilizam das tecnologias computadorizadas, como a multimídia, os vídeos e os projetos integrados de múltiplos recursos e funções.

A study of brain reaction to spatial stimuli in students with different background knowledge

Based on neurology and cognitive science, many studies have been made to understand the human mental model, in order to learn how human cognition works. It is especially relevant when the problem is related to learning processes that involve complex contents and spatial-logical reasoning, related to superior education. This paper focuses on EEG techniques to help understand cognitive pathway in subjects from different backgrounds when they are exposed to an external stimulation of logical and spatial reasoning. It can be used to access aspects of human cognitive processing, through the changes of rhythm of the brain bands frequency, which indicate that some type of processing or neuronal behavior is happening. The EEG signals were captured using an ADC (Analogical Digital System) board with the LabVIEW system - National Instruments. The research was performed using Design of Experiments – DOE and signal processing was done (math and statistical techniques) showing the relationship between cognitive pathway by groups and intergroups.

Observação das evidências cognitivas de aprendizagem motora no desempenho de jovens violonistas monitoradas por eletroencefalograma: um estudo piloto / Observation cognitive evidences of the motor learning in the performance of young guitarists monitored by electroencephalogram: a pilot study

O artigo apresenta evidências cognitivas de aprendizagem motora por pesquisa com EEG cujo protocolo e tarefa buscou motivar dois violonistas a treinar e aprender a tocar uma seqüência de notas oferecida em partitura e áudio. Objetivou-se aumentar a demanda cortical para atenção seletiva, processamento, evocação de memórias e ampliação de representações mentais. Sabe-se que a aprendizagem é construída endogenamente, por ação cognitiva dos indivíduos sobre novas informações assimiladas e acomodadas em repertório prévio. Reorganizando-se, dá significância às novas informações e cria conhecimento e estes estados cognitivos relacionados com aprendizado motor exigem vigília, atenção, abstração e programação, o que causa mudanças nos sinais biológicos elétricos captados por EEG. Monitoraram-se sinais de EEG durante leitura, audição e prática da tarefa e calculou-se as medianas das freqüências (MFeeg) e médias aritméticas simples de ondas eletroencefalográficas em 3.000 e 60.000 milissegundos. O modelo estatístico foi ANOVA, Teste Bonferroni e Teste T para amostras pareadas (p<0,05); programas Excell 2003 e SPSS 14.0. A pesquisa mostrou a existência de específicas alterações de padrões de EEG, da aparente inatividade da pré-execução da tarefa à prática e memorização da partitura e desempenho motor.(AU)

The article presents cognitive evidences of motor learning with electroencephalogram (EEG) whose protocol and task looked to cause two guitarists training and learning to touch a sequence of notes offered in score and sound. The demand aimed to increase cortical for selective attention, processing, evocation of memories and of mental representations. The motor learning is known when built the action with new assimilated and accommodated in formations - it creates knowledge. These cognitive states connected with driving demand wakefulness, attention, abstraction and planning and changes the biological electric signs caught by EEG. Signs of EEG were monitored during reading, audition and practice of the task and there were calculated the medium ones of the frequencies (MFeeg) and arithmetical simple averages of waves electroencephalographic in 3.000 and 60.000 milliseconds. The statistical model was ANOVA, Test Bonferroni and Test T for samples gauged tuns Test Bonferroni and Test T for gauged tuns samples (p <0,05); programs Excell 2003 and SPSS 14.0. The inquiry showed the existence of specific alterations of standards of EEG, of the apparent inactivity of the daily pay-execution of the task to the practice and memorization of the score and driving performance. (AU)

Análise do uso da termografia no acompanhamento de patologias degenerativas da coluna vertebral tratadas com bloqueio anestésico - resultados preliminares / Analyze the use of thermography as an auxiliary technique tto follow up degenerative pathologies of the vertebral spine teated with anesthetic block

The following study hereby is intended to analyse the use of thermography as an auxiliary technique to follow up degenerative pathologies of the Vertebral spine treated with anesthetic block. Six patients showing a disc degeneration diagnosis were studied: four females and to males. Three of these six patients presented a cervical degenerative lesion, and lhe other three revealed a lumbar degeneration. The patients underwent anesthetic blocks in the sinusvertebral nerve, posterior branch, and posterior apophysis infiltrations. In this medical process, bupivacaina 0.5 was used without a constrictor vein, combined with betametasone, with 1.5 mg of betametasone acetate and 1.5 mg ol betametasone dissodical phosphate. Thermography was used in two occasions: before the anesthetic procedure, and 15 minutes after the block. To obtain lhe thermography images, an Agema thermovision 550 system was utilized, with 0.1°C sensibility, emissivity adjustment of 0.98, and focal distance of 1 meter. The results acquired with the thermography technique have made it clear that areas next to the vertebral spine of patients with disc degeneration present regions with different levels of infrared emission, which undergo thermal alterations after lhe anesthetic block has been applied. The conclusion is that the thermography technique procedure may be useful as a suitable method to estimate degenerative pathologies of the vertebral spine treated with anesthetic block

Desenvolvimento de uma plataforma de força em pedal de ciclismo / Development force-plataform pedal of the cycling

A strain gauge instrumented clipless force-plataform pedal, similar to those used in cornpetition by cyclists and triathietes, was designed and constructed. The system is capable of measuring two forces components over the 360 degrees circular amplitude. The geometry of the pedal was comprised of four beams in balance. Two full Wheatstone bridges were used, one for normal forces and one for tangential forces. Eight strain gauges were glued on the beams in a way to respond with 2000 micro strain when a load of 1800 N in the normal direction and 800 N in the tangential direction were applied. The calibration of the system was performed separately for each force component. In both cases the load-deformation relation was found to be linear and the compliance between the two forces was less than 5. Torques applied on the pedal bad no influence on tangential forces. Three trials were conducted and the normal and tangential forces were obtained. It was seen that the techniques adopted by a professional cyclist, a professional triathlete and a non-athlete differed considerably. The system was shown to be useful in mechanical efficiency studies as well as a source of feedback for cycling teaching or training.