Search

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a paradigm in which smart objects actively collaborate among them and with other physical and virtual objects available in the Web in order to perform high-level tasks for the benefit of end-users. In the e-health scenario, these communicating smart objects can be body sensors that enable a continuous real-time monitoring of vital signs of patients. Data produced by such sensors can be used for several purposes and by different actors, such as doctors, patients, relatives, and health care centers, in order to provide remote assistance to users. However, major challenges arise mainly in terms of the interoperability among several heterogeneous devices from a variety of manufacturers. In this context, we introduce EcoHealth ( Ecosystem of Health Care Devices ), a Web middleware platform for connecting doctors and patients using attached body sensors, thus aiming to provide improved health monitoring and diagnosis for patients. This platform is able to integrate information obtained from heterogeneous sensors in order to provide mechanisms to monitor, process, visualize, store, and send notifications regarding patients’ conditions and vital signs at real-time by using Internet standards. In this paper, we present blueprints of our proposal to EcoHealth and its logical architecture and implementation, as well as an e-health motivational scenario where such a platform would be useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use MRI to quantify the workload of gluteus medius (GM), vastus medialis (VM) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles in different types of squat exercises. Fourteen female volunteers were evaluated, average age of 22 ± 2 years, sedentary, without clinical symptoms, and without history of previous lower limb injuries. Quantitative MRI was used to analyze VM, VL and GM muscles before and after squat exercise, squat associated with isometric hip adduction and squat associated with isometric hip abduction. Multi echo images were acquired to calculate the transversal relaxation times (T2) before and after exercise. Mixed Effects Model statistical analysis was used to compare images before and after the exercise (ΔT2) to normalize the variability between subjects. Imaging post processing was performed in Matlab software. GM muscle was the least active during the squat associated with isometric hip adduction and VM the least active during the squat associated with isometric hip abduction, while VL was the most active during squat associated with isometric hip adduction. Our data suggests that isometric hip adduction during the squat does not increase the workload of VM, but decreases the GM muscle workload. Squat associated with isometric hip abduction does not increase VL workload. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study is to analyze the effects of a mat Pilates intervention on the postural alignment and balance of breast cancer women receiving hormone therapy. A two-arm randomized clinical trial included 34 breast cancer survivors divided randomly between a mat Pilates group (n = 18), that performed 16 weeks of mat Pilates exercises, and a control group (n = 16), who were invited to maintain their daily routine activities and received three educational sessions. Data collection occurred at baseline and at post-intervention time. The postural alignment was assessed using the Postural Assessment Software (SAPO) and the balance was assessed by the MINIBESTest. When the two-way ANOVA was performed on postural alignment results, a significant statistical difference was found in the angle between acromions and the anterior-superior iliac spines of the mat Pilates group (p = 0.036). When compared to the post-intervention period, the mat Pilates method had an improved horizontal alignment of the anterior-superior iliac spines (p = 0.039) and vertical alignment of the acromion head on the right side (p = 0,016). Also, the participants of the Pilates group showed a significant statistical difference in the balance (p = 0.034). The control group had an improved vertical trunk alignment on the left side (p = 0,048). The control group and the mat Pilates method group improved in some aspects, however the mat Pilates method was effective in improving the postural alignment and the balance of breast cancer survivors receiving hormone therapy and may be recommended in oncological rehabilitation as a type of complementary therapy. • The Pilates method can be safely applied the participants. • The Pilates improved the postural alignment and the balance. • Further RCTs are needed to confirm the statement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]