1
|
Roording-Ragetlie SL, Pieters S, Wennekers E, Klip H, Buitelaar J, Slaats-Willemse D. Working memory training in children with neurodevelopmental disorders and intellectual disabilities, the role of coaching: A double-blind randomised controlled trial. J Intellect Disabil Res 2023; 67:842-859. [PMID: 37313626 DOI: 10.1111/jir.13047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Working memory training (WMT) can offer therapeutic benefits to patients with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) and mild to borderline intellectual disability (MBID). However, consistent evidence for treatment benefits of WMT over placebo training is missing. So far, participants in double-blind research designs did receive non-specific coaching, whereas active coaching based on individual training results might increase the efficacy of WMT. Furthermore, the intensity and duration of WMT is often too stressful for these children. This study therefore investigated whether a less intensive but more prolonged WMT, with active personalised coaching and feedback, would reduce behavioural symptoms and improve neurocognitive functioning and academic achievements in children with NDD and MBID. METHOD A double-blind randomised controlled trial in children (aged 10;0-13;11) with MBID (60 < IQ < 85) and ADHD and/or ASD evaluated the effects of a less intensive but prolonged version of the original Cogmed WMT (30 min a day, 4 days a week, 8 weeks in total). Eighteen participants received active, personalised coaching and feedback, based on their actual individual performance during training. Twenty-two received general non-personalised coaching for the same amount of time. Executive functioning, academic achievements and several behavioural measurements were administered, before and after training, with a 6-months follow-up. RESULTS We observed a significant effect of time on both primary and secondary outcome measures, indicating that all children improved in working memory performance and other neurocognitive and academic outcomes. The interaction between time and group was not significant. DISCUSSION This study was unable to document superior effects of active personalised coaching and feedback compared with general non-personalised coaching and no feedback in an adaptive WMT in children with MBID and NDD. The objectively documented changes over time suggest that for these vulnerable children, a regular, structured and structural contact with a coach and adapted exercises is enough to develop therapy fidelity, boost motivation and improve neurodevelopmental task performance. Further research is needed to examine which possible subgroups within this heterogenic group of children profit more from WMT compared with other subgroups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - S Pieters
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud University, Behavioural Science Institute, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - E Wennekers
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - H Klip
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - J Buitelaar
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - D Slaats-Willemse
- Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Denkkracht, Center for Neuropsychological Expertise, Nijmegen-Arnhem, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Khaksar S, Pieters S, Borazjani B, Hyde J, Booker H, Khokhar A, Murray I, Campbell A. Posture Monitoring and Correction Exercises for Workers in Hostile Environments Utilizing Non-Invasive Sensors: Algorithm Development and Validation. Sensors (Basel) 2022; 22:9618. [PMID: 36559987 PMCID: PMC9781722 DOI: 10.3390/s22249618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is an essential key factor in standardizing safety within the workplace. Harsh working environments with long working hours can cause stress on the human body that may lead to musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). MSD refers to injuries that impact the muscles, nerves, joints, and many other human body areas. Most work-related MSD results from hazardous manual tasks involving repetitive, sustained force, or repetitive movements in awkward postures. This paper presents collaborative research from the School of Electrical Engineering and School of Allied Health at Curtin University. The main objective was to develop a framework for posture correction exercises for workers in hostile environments, utilizing inertial measurement units (IMU). The developed system uses IMUs to record the head, back, and pelvis movements of a healthy participant without MSD and determine the range of motion of each joint. A simulation was developed to analyze the participant's posture to determine whether the posture present would pose an increased risk of MSD with limits to a range of movement set based on the literature. When compared to measurements made by a goniometer, the body movement recorded 94% accuracy and the wrist movement recorded 96% accuracy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siavash Khaksar
- School of Electrical Engineering, Computing, and Mathematical Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Stefanie Pieters
- School of Electrical Engineering, Computing, and Mathematical Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Bita Borazjani
- School of Electrical Engineering, Computing, and Mathematical Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Joshua Hyde
- School of Electrical Engineering, Computing, and Mathematical Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Harrison Booker
- School of Electrical Engineering, Computing, and Mathematical Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Adil Khokhar
- School of Electrical Engineering, Computing, and Mathematical Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Iain Murray
- School of Electrical Engineering, Computing, and Mathematical Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Amity Campbell
- School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Abstract
In this paper, we discuss a new experimental robot load identification method that is used in industry. The method is based on periodic robot excitation and the maximum likelihood estimation of the parameters, techniques adopted from Swevers et al. (1997 IEEE Transactions on Robotics and Automation 13(5):730—740). This method provides: (1) accurate estimates of the robot load inertial parameters; and (2) accurate actuator torque predictions. These are both essential for the acceptance of the results in an industrial environment. The key element to the success of this method is the comprehensiveness of the applied model, which includes, besides the dynamics resulting from the robot load and motor inertia, the coupling between the actuator torques, the mechanical losses in the motors and the efficiency of the transmissions. Accurate estimates of the robot link and motor inertial parameters, which can be considered identical for all robots of the same type, are obtained from separate experiments (see Swevers et al.), and used as a priori knowledge for the robot load identification. We present experimental results on a KUKA industrial robot equipped with a calibrated test load.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J. Swevers
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Division Production Engineering Machine Design and Automation (PMA) Celestijnenlaan 300B B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium,
| | - W. Verdonck
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Division Production Engineering Machine Design and Automation (PMA) Celestijnenlaan 300B B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - B. Naumer
- AMATEC Robotics GmbH Landsberger Strasse 63a 82110 Germering Germany
| | - S. Pieters
- AMATEC Robotics GmbH Landsberger Strasse 63a 82110 Germering Germany
| | - E. Biber
- AMATEC Robotics GmbH Landsberger Strasse 63a 82110 Germering Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Adriaens T, Baert K, Breyne P, Casaer J, Devisscher S, Onkelinx T, Pieters S, Stuyck J. Successful eradication of a suburban Pallas’s squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus (Pallas 1779) (Rodentia, Sciuridae) population in Flanders (northern Belgium). Biol Invasions 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-015-0898-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
5
|
Pieters S, Roeyers H, Rosseel Y, Van Waelvelde H, Desoete A. Identifying subtypes among children with developmental coordination disorder and mathematical learning disabilities, using model-based clustering. J Learn Disabil 2015; 48:83-95. [PMID: 23757349 DOI: 10.1177/0022219413491288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A relationship between motor and mathematical skills has been shown by previous research. However, the question of whether subtypes can be differentiated within developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and/or mathematical learning disability (MLD) remains unresolved. In a sample of children with and without DCD and/or MLD, a data-driven model-based clustering was used to identify subgroups of individuals with relatively homogeneous profiles on measures associated with motor and mathematical skills. One subgroup of children with motor problems was found based on motor variables. Based on mathematical variables, two clinical clusters were found: a subtype with number fact retrieval problems and a subtype with procedural calculation problems. Clustering with motor and mathematical skills revealed two clinical clusters: a cluster with number fact retrieval as well as procedural calculation problems and below average motor and visual-motor integration skills. A second cluster of children had only procedural calculation and visual-motor problems. Our results raise questions about the usefulness of placing children who have below average mathematical skills into a single diagnostic category. Furthermore, we inform ongoing debates about the overlap between DCD and MLD, as below average motor skills were found in both MLD subgroups, although a different motor profile is linked to a different mathematical profile.
Collapse
|
6
|
Lejeune H, Ledent V, Delpire M, Brunin M, Pieters S, Delwaide M. P291: Amélioration de la prise en charge alimentaire et nutritionnelle dans les maisons de repos/maisons de repos et de soins de wallonie : plan Wallon nutrition santé et bien-être des aînés (pwns-be-a). NUTR CLIN METAB 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/s0985-0562(14)70933-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
7
|
Alaerts G, Van Erps J, Pieters S, Dumarey M, van Nederkassel A, Goodarzi M, Smeyers-Verbeke J, Vander Heyden Y. Similarity analyses of chromatographic fingerprints as tools for identification and quality control of green tea. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2012; 910:61-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2012.04.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2011] [Revised: 02/21/2012] [Accepted: 04/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
|
8
|
Pieters S, Desoete A, Roeyers H, Vanderswalmen R, Van Waelvelde H. Behind mathematical learning disabilities: What about visual perception and motor skills? Learning and Individual Differences 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lindif.2012.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
9
|
Pieters S, Desoete A, Van Waelvelde H, Vanderswalmen R, Roeyers H. Mathematical problems in children with developmental coordination disorder. Res Dev Disabil 2012; 33:1128-1135. [PMID: 22502838 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2012.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2012] [Accepted: 02/09/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a heterogeneous disorder, which is often co-morbid with learning disabilities. However, mathematical problems have rarely been studied in DCD. The aim of this study was to investigate the mathematical problems in children with various degrees of motor problems. Specifically, this study explored if the development of mathematical skills in children with DCD is delayed or deficient. Children with DCD performed significantly worse for number fact retrieval and procedural calculation in comparison with age-matched control children. Moreover, children with mild DCD differed significantly from children with severe DCD on both number fact retrieval and procedural calculation. In addition, we found a developmental delay of 1 year for number fact retrieval in children with mild DCD and a developmental delay of 2 years in children with severe DCD. No evidence for a mathematical deficit was found. Diagnostic implications are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Pieters
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Belgium.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Pieters S, De Block K, Scheiris J, Eyssen M, Desoete A, Deboutte D, Van Waelvelde H, Roeyers H. How common are motor problems in children with a developmental disorder: rule or exception? Child Care Health Dev 2012; 38:139-45. [PMID: 21434966 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2214.2011.01225.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few co-morbidity studies have been conducted since the Leeds Consensus Statement on developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD) in 2006. In this Statement, international cut-offs and inclusion criteria were agreed and consequently, the status of DCD changed. Furthermore, most existing co-morbidity studies are small clinical studies, rather than epidemiological studies, resulting in a broad range of co-morbidity rates. DCD has a higher incidence for boys in comparison with girls; questions arise if this preponderance remains the same in combination with other developmental disorders. Therefore, in this study we aimed to determine co-morbidity and gender differences of motor problems in children with a pervasive developmental disorder, a hyperkinetic disorder and/or a speech, language or learning disability. METHODS Profiles of 3608 children (mean age: 9 years 1 month) referred to rehabilitation centres for behavioural, developmental and sensorineural disorders were studied. RESULTS Motor problems were reported in one-fifth of the total sample. Co-morbidity of motor problems in specific disorders varied from almost one-fourth to more than one-third. The male/female ratio was significantly higher in children with motor problems and two or more other disorders, compared with children with motor problems and less than two other disorders. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that co-morbidity of motor problems with other clinical disorders is not exceptional and developmental deviance is seldom specific to one domain. However, current co-morbidity studies tend to overestimate the number of children with motor problems. In addition, there may be different patterns of symptoms between the genders. These findings stress the importance of assessing motor skills in children with various developmental disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Pieters
- Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Pieters S, Tistaert C, Alaerts G, Bodzioch K, Mangelings D, Dejaegher B, Rivière C, Nguyen Hoai N, Chau Van M, Quetin-Leclerq J, Vander Heyden Y. Pressurized capillary electrochromatography in a screening for possible antioxidant molecules in Mallotus fingerprints: Challenges, potentials and prospects. Talanta 2011; 83:1188-97. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2010.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2010] [Revised: 08/05/2010] [Accepted: 08/07/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
12
|
Desoete A, Ceulemans A, De Weerdt F, Pieters S. Can we predict mathematical learning disabilities from symbolic and non-symbolic comparison tasks in kindergarten? Findings from a longitudinal study. British Journal of Educational Psychology 2010; 82:64-81. [PMID: 21199482 DOI: 10.1348/2044-8279.002002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
|
13
|
Abstract
Proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD) is a rare congenital anomaly of the femur. Rotationplasty has been described as a reconstructive procedure in the management of PFFD. A 68-year-old woman with PFFD of the right leg and rotationplasty at the age of 12 years had prosthetic fitting problems after a fall. The authors describe the analysis of the prosthetic fitting problems and the considerations made in prosthetic management. Following a fall, 56 years after rotationplasty, this woman has a good prosthetic fitting and a satisfying level of functioning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Roux
- Sophia Rehabilitation Centre, The Hague, The Netherlands.
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kennis LE, Bischoff FP, Mertens CJ, Love CJ, Van den Keybus FA, Pieters S, Braeken M, Megens AA, Leysen JE. New 2-substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenzofuro[3,2-c]pyridine having highly active and potent central alpha 2-antagonistic activity as potential antidepressants. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2000; 10:71-4. [PMID: 10636247 DOI: 10.1016/s0960-894x(99)00591-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The synthesis and biological activity of a series of benzofuro[3,2-c]pyridines and a benzothieno[3,2-c]pyridine are described. These compounds exhibit high affinity for the alpha 2-adrenoceptor, with high selectivity versus the alpha 1-receptor. Compound 1 also shows potent in vivo central activity and has been selected for further biological and clinical evaluation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L E Kennis
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Janssen Research Foundation, Beerse, Belgium.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|