This master’s thesis focuses on real-time detection of activity in electromyographic signal for reaction time measurement. For patients motivation there was designed and implemented therapeutic car game controlled throught the muscle activity. In this thesis were used three different algorithms for muscles activity detection in EMG signal. The best accuracy of this three methods has designed artificial network with U-Net hierarchy, which is used to segment samples into two categories - samples of signal with activity and samples representing calm. Accuracy of this method is 97 %. Later there were examined differences between groups of probands, different stimulus and the changes of reaction time over time.

Boucharq and Corson (1976) found that subjects required to lower heart rate to avoid the loss of money used the strategy of attending to meaningless stimulation twice as often as subjects required to lower heart rates to obtain money, and that subjects decreasing heart rate to avoid the loss of money performed significantly better than subjects required to lower heart rate to obtain money. Seven male and seven female undergraduates participated in a study designed to test the hypothesis that visual focusing on meaningless stimulation and biofeedback would produce larger heart rate decreases than biofeedback alone. Each subject attended three baseline sessions followed by six treatment sessions in which subjects experienced either biofeedback and the meaningless stimulus, or biofeedback alone. The principal dependent measure was heart rate, although frontalis EMG, and EEG Alpha/Theta production were recorded for correlation with heart rate. The results showed that the biofeedback and meaningless stimulus group showed significantly higher heart rates on four of the six treatment sessions when compared to the biofeedback alone group, although neither group evidenced a learning curve. Correlations between heart rate and EMG, and heart rate and EEG frequencies were nonsignificant for all sessions. The findings of this study do not support Bouchard and Corson's (1976) hypothesis that subjects who learned to reduce heart rate did so by focusing attention on meaningless stimulation.

The present study trained three adult male stutterers to increase speech fluency using relaxed breathing and a-x; biofeedback. A one group time-series design with 2 treatments was used. After an initial baseline phase (A) all 3 subjects received a relaxed breathing procedure (B), followed by a combined procedure featuring relaxed breathing and EMG biofeedback (BC). Results indicated that after 8 sessions stuttering was reduced by 19.1% from baseline levels across the 3 subjects. Despite these promising results , however, methodological questions in the baseline phase make conclusions regarding a clear relationship between the variables tentative.

This work deals with bio-feedback and the possibility of measuring changes in skin resistance for biofeedback. The Theoretic part is focused on the principle of biofeedback and its use. Next deals with the resistance of the skin, the changes depending on the emotions and the measurement this change . The practical part is devoted to the creation program for the use of skin resistance to change biofeedback in LabVIEW.

Nous sommes de plus en plus nombreux, jeunes ou âgés, à travailler devant un écran en milieu professionnel. Cette activité de travail peut induire une charge mentale et une fatigue importante, qui peuvent à leur tour générer, chez les personnes âgées notamment, des problèmes de santé. Dans ce contexte, il est donc important de développer et de déployer des solutions de surveillance de l’état psychophysiologique et d’alerte du travailleur sur écran.La charge mentale et la fatigue sont des phénomènes psychophysiologiques multidimensionnels. Des routines de travail inappropriées sont susceptibles d’accélèrr le développement de la fatigue, qui peut s’accompagner d’une diminution des ressources cognitives disponibles et d’une augmentation des erreurs. Les micro-pauses font partie des solutions possibles pour retarder, si elles sont mises en place de manière appropriée, l’apparition de la fatigue et de ses effets corollaires. L'oculométrie est une technologie prometteuse permettant la quantification de la charge mentale et des niveaux de fatigue. Ce travail doctoral avait pour objectif principal d’évaluer si, et dans quelle mesure, l'oculométrie, en association avec la charge mentale et la fatigue, peut être utilisée comme outil de détection précoce de la fatigue, et comme moyen de paramétrage de micro-pauses à mettre en œuvre afin de ralentir et/retarder le développement de la fatigue durant l’exécution d’un travail sur ordinateur.Pour répondre à cet objectif, trois études (I-III) portant sur 58 individus jeunes et âgés ont été conduites. Une tâche expérimentale, se rapprochant de celle qu’uin travailleur peut réaliser sur ordinateur, a été développée pour induire une charge mentale de trois niveaux d’intensités croissantes. Les positions du regard et les réponses pupillaires ont été enregistrées pendant l'exécution de cette tâche afin de détecter les événements oculaires et de calculer ainsi les paramètres oculomoteurs tels que la durée de fixation par exemple.Dans l'étude I, cette tâche a été effectuée à deux jours d’intervalle et dans un ordre contrebalancé. Les performances à la tâche et la charge de travail ont d’une part été mesurées. Dix-neuf paramètres oculomoteurs ont, d’autre part, été calculés pour évaluer leur sensibilité à la charge mentale, et leur fiabilité sur plusieurs jours.Dans l'étude II, le développement de la fatigue a été étudié au moyen des mesures oculométriques au cours de l'exécution de la tâche pendant 40 minutes, alors que les mesures de la fatigue subjective et de la performance ont été acquises. Un modèle prédictif du développement de la fatigue a été conçu sur la base des données d’oculomotricité recueillies dans l'étude II. Un système de biofeedback en temps réel basé sur l'oculométrie a été mis en œuvre. Son principe de fonctionnement repose sur la détection de la fatigue à l'aide du modèle développé, et le déclenchement de micro-pauses dès lors qu’un état de fatigue est détecté, afin de ralentir sa progression durant l’exécution de la tâche. L'efficacité et la robustesse de ce système de contrôle en boucle fermée ont été comparées à des micro-pauses déclenchées de manière automatique en termes de charge de travail perçue et de précision de la détection de la fatigue sur toute la journée.Nos résultats ont mis en évidence la fiabilité et la sensibilité d’un ensemble de paramètres oculomoteurs permettant d’estimer la charge mentale et la fatigue chez les personnes jeunes et âgées. Le biofeedback basé sur l’oculométrie a permis la planification des micro-pauses, qui, en comparaison à des micro-pauses déclenchées de manière automatique, ont réduit de manière significative la charge de travail perçue et le développement de la fatigue.Dans leur ensemble, les résultats suggèrent que le système de biofeedback oculométrique développé dans le cadre de ce travail doctoral peut représenter une solution prometteuse pouvant contribuer à un travail sur ordinateur productif et sain. / Computer work, as a prevalent occupation, involves different levels of mental load and fatigue with possible negative health effects. The population aging has also led to increased elderly workers highlighting the need for protective measures.Mental load and fatigue are multidimensional psychophysiological phenomena. Inefficient work routines accelerate fatigue development, associated with declined cognitive resources and increased errors. Micro-breaks are strategic solutions to counteract fatigue subject to design constraints, e.g. timing plan. Eye tracking is a promising technology for the quantification of mental load and fatigue levels. The oculometrics were aimed to be studied in association with age, mental load and fatigue, allowing early detection of fatigue, and thereby applying biologically-valid micro-breaks to decelerate fatigue development.Upon this, three Studies (I-III) involving 58 young and elderly individuals were conducted. A task, resembling computer work, was developed to induce mental load. Gaze positions and pupillary responses were recorded during the task execution to detect ocular events (saccades, fixations, and blinks), and thereby computing oculometrics e.g. fixation duration. In Study I, the task was performed on three load levels in a counterbalanced order across two days. Between-day reliability and mental-load sensitivity of 19 oculometrics were assessed, besides measuring performance and perceived workload. In Study II, fatigue development was explored in oculometrics during 40-min performance of the task while subjective fatigue and performance metrics were obtained. A predictive model of fatigue was developed in Study III based on the ocular data collected in Study II. An oculometrics-based biofeedback system was implemented in real time to detect fatigue using the developed model, which triggered micro-breaks upon fatigue detections to counteract it during the task. The optimality of the system was compared with self-triggering micro-breaks in terms of fatigue trends and workload.A group of oculometrics was sensitive and reliable to reflect mental load and fatigue in the young and elderly individuals. Similar trends in the oculometrics were observed with increased mental load and fatigue levels, implying shared neural systems for both conditions. Although age-related differences were exhibited in some oculometrics, age did not directly contribute to the predictive model of fatigue. The oculometrics-based biofeedback provided an improved solution for timing plan of micro-breaks in reducing workload and fatigue development compared with self-triggering micro-breaks. The oculometrics-biofeedback system made a benchmark towards productive and healthy computer work.

The present thesis deals with the issue of balance disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and the effect of individual balance training using biofeedback. It presents an overview of the current knowledge about MS - epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostics, types, symptoms and treatment methods. The thesis also describes principles of balance control of the human body, balance deficits in patients with MS and physiotherapeutic treatment. The aim of the experimental part was to evaluate the effect of the Homebalance® system on balance in MS patients and its comparison with conventionally used sensorimotor training. A total of 18 people took part in the research, 9 in the experimental group and 9 in the control group. Standardized tests and functional scales supplemented by standardized questionnaires on balance and gait were used to objectively assess balance. Measurements were performed before and after a series of therapies. After treatment, a significant improvement (p 0,05) was found in some tests and functional scales, but in none of subjective patient reported outcomes. Exercise using the Homebalance® system may be a suitable alternative to classical rehabilitation methods used for balance training in people with MS. Keywords Multiple sclerosis, balance impairment, Homebalance®,...

Biofeedback interaction offers interesting opportunities for video games since it allows player physiological information to be used in novel interaction techniques. Despite several contributions in the area, biofeedback interaction faces a set of challenges relating to its design and implementation. First, it has mainly been used as a method to replace more traditional interaction devices, such as gamepads, mice or keyboards. Also, few of the previous interaction techniques have made an essential use of physiological data: exploring possibilities that could only be developed by involving physiological inputs. This dissertation explores how different physiological methods, such as electroencephalography, eye tracking, electrocardiography, electrodermal activity, or electromyography, could be used in the design and development of natural user interaction techniques that might be applied to entertainment video games, highlighting technical details for the appropriate use of physiological signals. The research also discusses interaction design principles from a human-computer interaction perspective, evaluates several novel biofeedback interaction techniques with a set of user studies, and proposes ethical considerations for the appropriate exposure to virtual reality and physiological sensor technology. Results show that the use of biofeedback inputs in novel interaction techniques, vary in complexity and functionality depending on the type of measurements used. They also showed that biofeedback interaction can positively affect player experience since it allows games and virtual reality applications to synchronize with player physiology, making of playing games a personalized experience. Results highlighted that biofeedback interaction can significantly affect player performance, being influenced by the interaction complexity and the reliability of the sensor technology used.

Minority groups are at a disadvantage when seeking psychological treatment. Interventions are often less effective for minority populations when treatment outcomes are compared to Anglo populations. Studies indicate that the stigma associated with mental health disorders and seeking psychological intervention within these minority subgroups may be at fault for this disparity. In this study, we explored this idea by examining what methods of intervention Hispanic-identified individuals are more likely to seek out. Participants were given the option to enlist in a biofeedback approach to intervention as well as a supportive talk psychotherapy. Participants were drawn from the community population in Utah County via Mountainlands Community Health Center. Before taking part in the study, they were asked to indicate their cultural identity based on a series of criteria as well as their perceived stigma associated with mental health interventions. Lastly, participants completed exit interviews to quantitatively explore their reasoning for choosing the treatment approach they did, what they liked about their approach, and why they did not choose the other approach. The data collected was analyzed using a modified approach to consensual qualitative research methods.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Background: Patients who suffer from diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the leg experience a greater risk of developing gait deviations due to a decrease in strength of the lower extremities, especially the tibialis anterior and triceps surea muscle groups. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of an exercise training programme on blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, muscle strength, range of motion, balance and gait pattern deviations in patients with diabetic neuropathies. Methods: A total of fourteen participants, who had been diagnosed with diabetic peripheral neuropathy or nocturnal allodynia in either one or both extremities, were asked to participate in this study. Participants were purposively selected from two private Podiatry practices based on their signs and symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, age, gender and doctor’s clearance to participate in any form of physical activity. Dependent variables included isometric strength of the muscles surrounding the hip, knee and ankle, the range of motion of the ankle in plantarflexion and dorsiflexion using goniometry, an assessment of balance using the stork stand test, and a gait pattern analysis, using the modified Tinetti Gait pattern Assessment Scale. Study design: The study was a single-blinded, pre-test and post-test experimental study design using a quantitative approach. Intervention: The researcher (a registered biokineticist) developed a scientifically-based exercise intervention programme to specifically target the entire kinetic chain, and to reduce fall risks, improve quality of life and to assist in developing a standard protocol for patients with DPN. The intervention programme consisted of a combination of ankle, hip and knee rehabilitation, including gait pattern specific rehabilitation. The intervention took place 2-3 times a week for 45 minutes per session and was divided in four categories: Range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises, balance and proprioception and gait pattern training exercises. Results: The Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon Sign Rank Tests were used to evaluate the differences in dependent variables from pre- to post-intervention. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. An increase in range of motion only in the left ankle dorsiflexion were observed and an increase in balance time for the left leg were observed in the intervention group after a 10-week follow up assessment. Clinical significance was observed in the intervention group, post-intervention, with a decrease in systolic (-9.09%) and diastolic blood pressure (-13.89%) and a decrease in blood glucose levels (-17.89%), however, an increase in these variables was observed in the control group post-intervention. An increase in plantarflexion, 8% (left) and 8% (right) and dorsiflexion 5.26% (left) and an 11.11% (right) increase in range of motion for both left and right ankles, and balance time for both legs, 200% (left) and 159% (right) was observed in the intervention group post-intervention. Although the muscular strength variables showed a mix of an increase and decrease in strength post-intervention in the intervention group, however a clinically significant decreased amount was observed in the control group post-intervention for the majority of muscular strength variables. Conclusions: Although not many findings of this study are statistically significant, clinical significance were observed with most of the variables of this study. The findings of this study can assist future researchers in the development of exercise interventions for patients who suffers from DPN.

The diploma thesis explores the use biofeedback balls called SunBall® as a possible alternative in hand diagnostics and grip therapy in occupational therapy practice. This thesis includes theoretical knowledge about stroke with emphasis on upper limb from the point of view of occupational therapist. It describes the types of grips and discusses the use of a robotic biofeedback in occupational therapy practice. It includes basic information about SunBall® machine, which is used in the practical part of the thesis. The practical part of the thesis evaluates the benefit of the machine in interventions with patients after stroke in subacute and chronic phase. It also presents its possibilities of use in hand diagnostics. Performing these results objectively was achieved by the use of specific occupational therapy examination and also by standardized method, such as modified Ashworth scale, Jamar dynamometer or goninometric measurement. As the results of this thesis show, there is an apparent positive influence on the upper limb and grip therapy according to the disability of probands. There was no success in finding an appropriate application of the measured modalities of the machine in the area of upper limb and grip diagnostics.