Hung-Yu Lin

Noninvasive tracking devices are widely used to monitor real-time posture. Yet significant potential exists to enhance postural control quantification through walking videos. This study advances computational science by integrating OpenPose with a Support Vector Machine (SVM) to perform highly accurate and robust postural analysis, marking a substantial improvement over traditional methods which often rely on invasive sensors. Utilizing OpenPose-based deep learning, we generated Dynamic Joint Nodes Plots (DJNP) and iso-block postural identity images for 35 young adults in controlled walking experiments. Through Temporal and Spatial Regression (TSR) models, key features were extracted for SVM classification, enabling the distinction between various walking behaviors. This approach resulted in an overall accuracy of 0.990 and a Kappa index of 0.985. Cutting points for the ratio of top angles (TAR) and the ratio of bottom angles (BAR) effectively differentiated between left and right skews with AUC values of 0.772 and 0.775, respectively. These results demonstrate the efficacy of integrating OpenPose with SVM, providing more precise, real-time analysis without invasive sensors. Future work will focus on expanding this method to a broader demographic, including individuals with gait abnormalities, to validate its effectiveness across diverse clinical conditions. Furthermore, we plan to explore the integration of alternative machine learning models, such as deep neural networks, enhancing the system’s robustness and adaptability for complex dynamic environments. This research opens new avenues for clinical applications, particularly in rehabilitation and sports science, promising to revolutionize noninvasive postural analysis.

This study aimed to examine the group differences in participation level between children with and without global delays and to explore the associations between mastery motivation, executive function, and participation in young children with and without global developmental delays (GDD). Methods: we recruited 26 children with GDD aged 2 to 5 years and 26 children with sex- and mental age-matched developing typically (TD). The participants were assessed child development using the standardized developmental test, and their mothers were asked to fill in questionnaires, including the revised Dimension of Mastery Questionnaire (DMQ 18) with preschool version to assess mastery motivation, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function with preschool version (BRIEF-P) to assess executive function, and the Young Children’s Participation and Environment Measure (YC-PEM) used to obtain participation levels. Results and conclusions: young children with GDD showed significantly lower participation levels at home, daycare, and community than TD group. We found that for young children, child mastery pleasure, health condition, and total persistence were significant predictors of child participation. Therefore, coaching parents to observe and facilitate their children’s motivation and executive function, as well as child developmental abilities, is important in order to enhance children’s participation in daily activities.

Objective: Despite the relatively high prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the impairment of ADHD in women is underestimated due to the different ways the phenomenon manifests compared to traditional male symptoms. In order to close the gender gap in diagnosis and treatment, this study aims to explore the impact of gender on auditory and visual attention in children with and without ADHD. Method: A total of 220 children with and without ADHD participated in this study. Their auditory and visual attention performances were analyzed by comparative computerized auditory and visual subtests. Results: Auditory and visual attention performance in children with and without ADHD did affect by gender, including typically developing (TD) boys are better than TD girls at distinguishing visual targets from non-target stimuli. When performing attention tasks, TD girls generally maintained a cautious response, which was different from TD boys, who generally adopted positive response methods. ADHD girls suffered from more serious auditory inattention problems than ADHD boys; however, ADHD boys suffered from more auditory and visual impulsive problems than ADHD girls. The internal attention problems of female ADHD children were broader than that of their male ADHD peers and were also more severe, especially in problems of auditory omission and auditory response acuity. Conclusions: ADHD children had a significant gap in auditory and visual attention performance compared to TD children. The research results support the impact of gender on the performance of auditory and visual attention in children with and without ADHD.

Objective: Numerous studies support that simple visual search tests may not be sufficient to differentiate children with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), especially for older school-aged children. This study aimed to explore whether the high spatial uncertainty visual search tasks can effectively discriminate older school-aged children with ADHD from their typically developing (TD) peers. Method: In a randomized, two-period crossover design, 122 school-aged children (61 ADHD and 61 TD subjects), aged 10–12 years old, were measured using comparable visual search tasks with structured and unstructured layouts. Results: First, the discriminant effectiveness of unstructured visual search tasks, which are associated with high-level spatial uncertainty, is superior to structured ones. Second, combining accuracy and speed into a Q score is a more sensitive measure than accuracy or time calculated alone in visual search tasks. A more in-depth ROC analysis showed that all variables could accurately identify ADHD from their TD peers under unstructured visual search tasks, with the index of the Q score performing best (AUR = 0.956). Third, the development of detectability, which represents the ability to distinguish between target and non-target, is approaching maturity in 10–12-year-old children with ADHD. However, these children showed severe deficits in dealing with disorganized distractors when performing visual search tasks with high-level spatial uncertainty. Conclusions: The findings of this study support that older school-aged children with ADHD demonstrate less efficient search performance than their TD peers in complex/difficult visual search tasks, especially under higher spatial uncertainty.

Several models have tentatively associated improving attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms with arousal and external environmental stimulation. In order to further clarify the relationships between ADHD symptoms, arousal, and external stimulation, this study focused on exploring the “simultaneous” effects of white noise on intrinsic attentional performance and extrinsic on-task behaviors in preschoolers with and without ADHD. By using the computerized task (K-CPT 2), 104 preschoolers, including 52 ADHD children and 52 typically developing (TD) children, were tested and analyzed for their intrinsic attention (such as detectability, omission errors, commission errors, and reaction time). Simultaneously, these preschoolers’ external on-task behaviors were recorded for analysis through systematic observation. This study showed that white noise could effectively improve attention performance, including enhancing the ability to differentiate non-targets from targets and decreasing omission errors. It could also reduce the extrinsic hyperactive behaviors of preschoolers with ADHD. The findings of this study highlighted that white noise stimulation is a beneficial non-pharmacological treatment for preschoolers with ADHD. In contrast, for TD preschoolers, the results of this study showed that the external white noise stimuli were not only unhelpful but also a burden.

The two objectives of this systematic review were to examine the following: (1) the difference in sensory processing areas (auditory, visual, vestibular, touch, proprioceptive, and multi-sensory) between children with and without developmental coordination disorder (DCD), and (2) the relationship between sensory processing and motor coordination in DCD. The following databases were comprehensively searched for relevant articles: PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Cochrane library. There were 1107 articles (published year = 2010 to 2021) found in the initial search. Full-text articles of all possibly relevant citations were obtained and inspected for suitability by two authors. The outcome measures were sensory processing impairments and their relationship with motor coordination. A total of 10 articles met the inclusion criteria. Children with DCD showed significant impairments in visual integration, tactile integration, proprioceptive integration, auditory integration, vestibular integration, and oral integration processes when compared with typically developing children. Evidence also supported that sensory processing impairments were associated with poor motor coordination in DCD. Preliminary support indicated that DCD have sensory processing impairments in visual, tactile, proprioceptive, auditory, and vestibular areas, which might contribute to participation restriction in motor activities. It is important to apply sensory integration therapy in rehabilitation programs for DCD in order to facilitate participation in daily activities.

Background: The Ruff 2 and 7 Selective Attention Test (RSAT) is designed to measure selective attention. It tests automatic detection speed (ADS), automatic detection errors (ADE), automatic detection accuracy (ADA), controlled search speed (CSS), controlled search errors (CSE), and controlled search accuracy (CSA). The purpose of this study was to examine the test–retest reliability, practice effect, and minimum detectable change (MDC) of the RSAT in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: A total of 101 patients with schizophrenia completed the RSAT twice at a 4-week interval. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), paired t test, and effect size were used to examine the test–retest reliability and practice effect. The standard error of measurement (SEM) and MDC were calculated. Results: The difference scores between the two assessments were significant in all the indexes. The absolute effect sizes were 0.14 to 0.30. The ICCs of the RSAT ranged from 0.69 to 0.91. The MDC% in the indexes of ADS, ADA, and CSA of the RSAT were <30%. Conclusions: The RSAT is reliable for assessing selective attention in patients with schizophrenia. The RSAT has good to excellent test–retest reliability, a trivial to small practice effect, and indexes of ADS, ADA, and CSA, representing acceptable random measurement error.

Walking and balance capabilities can be improved upon using repetitive ankle dorsiflexion exercises. Here we developed two types of pedal switches incorporated with training devices to improve their walking and balance performance of children with cerebral palsy. The first type of pedal switch can be used to operate a home appliance, while the second type of pedal switch can connect them to web games. Pedal switches can be used for home rehabilitation. This randomized controlled trial included patients in the intervention (n = 24) and control (n = 24) groups who completed 15 weeks of ankle training. The experimental group performed ankle dorsiflexion using a pressure-activated pedal switch connected to the web games. The control group performed ankle dorsiflexion exercises using a pedal switch that operated a home appliance (a fan). Standing balance and walking performance were estimated using the Zebris FDM system, a pressure force platform, the Pediatric Balance Scale score, and the 1-minute walk test. The pre-and posttest data were analyzed using analysis of variance and analysis of covariance, which revealed that the intervention group had more significant improvements in sway patterns and balance and walking. The developed facility of a modified pedal switch integrated with web games can achieve better exercise adherence to promote balance and walking performance than that with home appliances. Maintaining motivation in children with cerebral palsy plays a very important role in the rehabilitation process.

Objectives. Our study investigated the effects of 830 nm light-emitting diode therapy (LEDT) for postexercise delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Methods. In this randomized control study, healthy participants were randomized into LEDT and placebo groups. LEDT (output frequency = 10 Hz; wavelength = 830 nm; total output power = 210 mW; and dose = 315 J/cm²) was applied to six sites in the damaged quadriceps for 10 min. The placebo group received sham LEDT with no energy output. The nondominant leg was chosen for DOMS induction, using an eccentric exercise. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores for muscle soreness, pressure pain threshold (PPT), thigh circumference, joint range of motion, and muscle strength were assessed before and immediately after exercise and at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h postexercise. Results. Forty participants were divided into the LEDT group (n = 20) and the placebo group (n = 20). Compared with the placebo group, the LEDT group exhibited significant increases in PPT values at 48, 72, and 96 h postexercise ( ). The joint range of motion was significantly different between the LEDT and placebo groups at 72 and 96 h postexercise ( ). No significant intergroup differences were noted in thigh circumference and muscle strength ( ). Conclusion. The application of 830 nm LEDT on postexercise DOMS pain exerted an analgesic effect but did not affect the muscle repair process. Future studies should elucidate the beneficial effects of 830 nm LEDT on muscle recovery or performance.