Background: The balance of autonomic nervous system activity and its relationship with body composition, sleep quality, and activities of daily living among older people is still unclear. Purpose: This comparative cas...Background: The balance of autonomic nervous system activity and its relationship with body composition, sleep quality, and activities of daily living among older people is still unclear. Purpose: This comparative case study examined the characteristics of body composition, sleep quality, and autonomic nerve activity in active older adults with a younger body age-calculated from age trends in body composition and basal metabolic rate. Methods: We selected two cases with a metabolic age younger than their actual age. They had good sleep quality, no sarcopenia, strong muscle and grip strength, and balanced autonomic nervous system activity. They were compared with two other age- and gender-matched cases, who had poor sleep quality, unbalanced autonomic nervous system activity, and had a physical age closer to their actual age. Results: Older adults with more muscle mass and higher basal metabolism were younger than their actual age, had a better sleep status, and had a good balance of autonomic nervous activity during exercise stimulation. They also had lower percentages of body and visceral fat and higher percentages of body water. Conclusion: Two cases had a metabolic age younger than their actual age were found to be much younger than their actual age. However, the older adults with normal muscle mass and basal metabolic rate had poor sleep status and no sympathetic hyperactivity during exercise simulation.展开更多
In this case study, we hypothesized that sympathetic nerve activity would be higher during conversation with PALRO robot, and that conversation would result in an increase in cerebral blood flow near the Broca’s area...In this case study, we hypothesized that sympathetic nerve activity would be higher during conversation with PALRO robot, and that conversation would result in an increase in cerebral blood flow near the Broca’s area. The facial expressions of a human subject were recorded, and cerebral blood flow and heart rate variability were measured during interactions with the humanoid robot. These multimodal data were time-synchronized to quantitatively verify the change from the resting baseline by testing facial expression analysis, cerebral blood flow, and heart rate variability. In conclusion, this subject indicated that sympathetic nervous activity was dominant, suggesting that the subject may have enjoyed and been excited while talking to the robot (normalized High Frequency < normalized Low Frequency: 0.22 ± 0.16 < 0.78 ± 0.16). Cerebral blood flow values were higher during conversation and in the resting state after the experiment than in the resting state before the experiment. Talking increased cerebral blood flow in the frontal region. As the subject was left-handed, it was confirmed that the right side of the brain, where the Broca’s area is located, was particularly activated (Left < right: 0.15 ± 0.21 < 1.25 ± 0.17). In the sections where a “happy” facial emotion was recognized, the examiner-judged “happy” faces and the MTCNN “happy” results were also generally consistent.展开更多
The purpose of this article is to describe recommendations towards the design and direction of development for Humanoid Nursing Robots (HNRs) from the standpoint of researchers of nursing care practice. Efforts to int...The purpose of this article is to describe recommendations towards the design and direction of development for Humanoid Nursing Robots (HNRs) from the standpoint of researchers of nursing care practice. Efforts to introduce robot technologies in nursing practice and to use them in elderly and high-tech healthcare environments have begun in developed countries like Japan. Companies are developing various types of robots, although their types and functionalities continue to require a clear identification and definition. Regardless, robot developments for health care purposes are progressing well to meet universal technological demands. While human caring has been a human-to-human relationship, in a nonhuman-to-human relationship in the case of HNRs, it is essential to consider ethical concerns and human safety. If HNRs are to support patients directly, they must be required to have the same level of comprehensive judgment ability and responsiveness as that of human nurses. This includes abilities to genuinely observe, judge, rapidly respond, and conduct human caring practice emphasizing individuality. If HNRs support patients independently, abilities which are much like those of humans will be required of them in addition to the appropriate intelligence and skillfulness to do so. A low level robot nurse exerts work that should be called non-nursing or as a medical aid assistant no matter who thinks and what these technologies can do. Similarly, a higher level HNR with higher level artificial intelligence is expected to exceed the capabilities of human beings. As such, current discourse and debate also include the concern that HNRs may now become one’s superior or rather that the HNR is a subordinate thereby requiring human management.展开更多
Smoking is a major health problem in many countries. It has been reported on the effects of education on youth with a reduced smoking rate and developed awareness of avoiding smoking verified as a result of educationa...Smoking is a major health problem in many countries. It has been reported on the effects of education on youth with a reduced smoking rate and developed awareness of avoiding smoking verified as a result of educational intervention. The aim of this study was to verify the relationship between sex, school age, and family smoking and the effectiveness of smoking prevention education program (SPEP) as factors that impact the effectiveness of SPEP in elementary school and junior high school students. The participants in this survey were 6676 students, who attended elementary and junior high schools in Tokushima Prefecture between 2011 and 2015, and attended the SPEP. As factors that influence the effectiveness of the SPEP, we examined school types, sex, smokers in the family. Participants were asked the following questions before and after the SPEP to measure awareness of and attitudes toward smoking: “intention not to smoke cigarettes as adults”, “intention to refuse cigarettes when offered”, “attitude of staying away from smokers”, and “desire that their family will not smoke”. The number of survey collected was 6676, with effective responses from 5974 (90%). Among the 5974, there were 2963 (50%) males and 3011 (50%) females, 5106 elementary school students (86%), and 868 junior high school students (15%). In the case of smoker mother, it was difficult to improve these children’s “intention not to smoke as adults”, “intention to refuse cigarettes when offered”, and smoker father, it was difficult to improve these children’s “attitude of staying away from smokers”, and “desire that their family will not smoke”. Especially, in the case of smoker parents, it was particularly difficult for the SPEP to be effective in improving awareness of and attitudes toward smoking among elementary and junior high school students.展开更多
Robot technology is expected to reduce the burden of medical professionals, a concern in the super-aged society. The aim of this article is to determine the intermediary roles of Public Health Nurses (PHNs) in using C...Robot technology is expected to reduce the burden of medical professionals, a concern in the super-aged society. The aim of this article is to determine the intermediary roles of Public Health Nurses (PHNs) in using Communication Robots (CRs) in Community Health care. It is necessary to consider who will manage, and how to draw lines of responsibility when a problem occurs when using robots in the future. Regarding the mediator or intermediary role of PHNs in the use of CRs, PHNs are expected to be cognizant of varieties of robots for use with persons of diverse ages and health levels, as well as of robot performances. As one of the community healthcare workers who service the elderly living in the community, the role of PHNs as mediators or intermediaries is to pay attention to ethical and moral issues while working with CRs to manage the health of the community. Lack of understanding of the intermediary role might create possible ethico-moral issues in the future. Therefore, it is critical for PHNs to understand their role as intermediaries. In doing so, it is expected that older people at home will be able to live peaceful lives, as well as be physically and mentally healthy.展开更多
Healthcare for older adults with dementia is an important healthcare problem in Japan and in other developed countries. Importantly, healthcare workers in Japan are also getting older. In order to address solutions to...Healthcare for older adults with dementia is an important healthcare problem in Japan and in other developed countries. Importantly, healthcare workers in Japan are also getting older. In order to address solutions to this problem, using robots is being realized and is starting to assist healthcare and welfare practice needs. The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics of a transactive phenomenon in relationships among older adults with dementia, with nurses as intermediaries and with a cognitive skill-aid robot. Subjects were two institutionalized older adults who were diagnosed with dementia using Hasegawa’s Dementia Scale-Revised;a Kabochan (Nodding Kabochan) fixed with a remote-controlled speaker, Pechat (Kabochan with Pechat). Measurements of autonomic nervous activity were done using wearable electrocardiography attached to the subjects for four hours. Heart Rate Variability data were assessed at various frequency bands using a HRV software tool. In a continuously recorded data, interbeat (R-R) intervals were obtained for a 1-min segment using the maximum entropy method. In this study, the two major spectral components of HRV, the variances of the low-frequency (LF: 0.04 - 0.15 Hz) band and high-frequency (HF: 0.15 - 0.4 Hz) band, were calculated. Activities and behaviors of subjects transacting with Kabochan were observed by the expert nurses and video-recorded. Throughout the transaction period, observations were recorded of patients’ behavior, words uttered and over-all contents of the transactive conversation with the Kabochan or Kabochan with Pechat. Identified characteristics were transactive relationship phenomenon;changes in autonomic nervous system activity of persons with dementia are expressed as per one minute, linguistic response of elderly people, transactive relations among Kabochan, Kabochan with Pechat, and nurses as intermediaries. These were exhibited as Figures: Situation 1, A Sense of Fear, Situation 2, A Pleasant Sensation, and Situation 3, Misunderstanding and Confusion. It also showed that autonomic nervous system activity of persons with communication skills is actively changing in older adults with dementia. Conversation of adding Pechat to the Kabochan illustrated that nurses as intermediaries showed emotional conversations as established by effectively manipulating the Pechat. Also, it was revealed that if Kabochan with Pechat uttered words about patient’s personal information in a conversation, the patient felt a sense of fear. The researchers suggest that when developing future communication robot for elderly with dementia, it is necessary to consider, for an effective conversation, transactive relationships including nurses as intermediaries. The role functions of these intermediaries have been shown of high versatility, indicating that situations such as these can also be controlled by other healthcare providers such as by occupational therapists.展开更多
文摘Background: The balance of autonomic nervous system activity and its relationship with body composition, sleep quality, and activities of daily living among older people is still unclear. Purpose: This comparative case study examined the characteristics of body composition, sleep quality, and autonomic nerve activity in active older adults with a younger body age-calculated from age trends in body composition and basal metabolic rate. Methods: We selected two cases with a metabolic age younger than their actual age. They had good sleep quality, no sarcopenia, strong muscle and grip strength, and balanced autonomic nervous system activity. They were compared with two other age- and gender-matched cases, who had poor sleep quality, unbalanced autonomic nervous system activity, and had a physical age closer to their actual age. Results: Older adults with more muscle mass and higher basal metabolism were younger than their actual age, had a better sleep status, and had a good balance of autonomic nervous activity during exercise stimulation. They also had lower percentages of body and visceral fat and higher percentages of body water. Conclusion: Two cases had a metabolic age younger than their actual age were found to be much younger than their actual age. However, the older adults with normal muscle mass and basal metabolic rate had poor sleep status and no sympathetic hyperactivity during exercise simulation.
文摘In this case study, we hypothesized that sympathetic nerve activity would be higher during conversation with PALRO robot, and that conversation would result in an increase in cerebral blood flow near the Broca’s area. The facial expressions of a human subject were recorded, and cerebral blood flow and heart rate variability were measured during interactions with the humanoid robot. These multimodal data were time-synchronized to quantitatively verify the change from the resting baseline by testing facial expression analysis, cerebral blood flow, and heart rate variability. In conclusion, this subject indicated that sympathetic nervous activity was dominant, suggesting that the subject may have enjoyed and been excited while talking to the robot (normalized High Frequency < normalized Low Frequency: 0.22 ± 0.16 < 0.78 ± 0.16). Cerebral blood flow values were higher during conversation and in the resting state after the experiment than in the resting state before the experiment. Talking increased cerebral blood flow in the frontal region. As the subject was left-handed, it was confirmed that the right side of the brain, where the Broca’s area is located, was particularly activated (Left < right: 0.15 ± 0.21 < 1.25 ± 0.17). In the sections where a “happy” facial emotion was recognized, the examiner-judged “happy” faces and the MTCNN “happy” results were also generally consistent.
文摘The purpose of this article is to describe recommendations towards the design and direction of development for Humanoid Nursing Robots (HNRs) from the standpoint of researchers of nursing care practice. Efforts to introduce robot technologies in nursing practice and to use them in elderly and high-tech healthcare environments have begun in developed countries like Japan. Companies are developing various types of robots, although their types and functionalities continue to require a clear identification and definition. Regardless, robot developments for health care purposes are progressing well to meet universal technological demands. While human caring has been a human-to-human relationship, in a nonhuman-to-human relationship in the case of HNRs, it is essential to consider ethical concerns and human safety. If HNRs are to support patients directly, they must be required to have the same level of comprehensive judgment ability and responsiveness as that of human nurses. This includes abilities to genuinely observe, judge, rapidly respond, and conduct human caring practice emphasizing individuality. If HNRs support patients independently, abilities which are much like those of humans will be required of them in addition to the appropriate intelligence and skillfulness to do so. A low level robot nurse exerts work that should be called non-nursing or as a medical aid assistant no matter who thinks and what these technologies can do. Similarly, a higher level HNR with higher level artificial intelligence is expected to exceed the capabilities of human beings. As such, current discourse and debate also include the concern that HNRs may now become one’s superior or rather that the HNR is a subordinate thereby requiring human management.
文摘Smoking is a major health problem in many countries. It has been reported on the effects of education on youth with a reduced smoking rate and developed awareness of avoiding smoking verified as a result of educational intervention. The aim of this study was to verify the relationship between sex, school age, and family smoking and the effectiveness of smoking prevention education program (SPEP) as factors that impact the effectiveness of SPEP in elementary school and junior high school students. The participants in this survey were 6676 students, who attended elementary and junior high schools in Tokushima Prefecture between 2011 and 2015, and attended the SPEP. As factors that influence the effectiveness of the SPEP, we examined school types, sex, smokers in the family. Participants were asked the following questions before and after the SPEP to measure awareness of and attitudes toward smoking: “intention not to smoke cigarettes as adults”, “intention to refuse cigarettes when offered”, “attitude of staying away from smokers”, and “desire that their family will not smoke”. The number of survey collected was 6676, with effective responses from 5974 (90%). Among the 5974, there were 2963 (50%) males and 3011 (50%) females, 5106 elementary school students (86%), and 868 junior high school students (15%). In the case of smoker mother, it was difficult to improve these children’s “intention not to smoke as adults”, “intention to refuse cigarettes when offered”, and smoker father, it was difficult to improve these children’s “attitude of staying away from smokers”, and “desire that their family will not smoke”. Especially, in the case of smoker parents, it was particularly difficult for the SPEP to be effective in improving awareness of and attitudes toward smoking among elementary and junior high school students.
文摘Robot technology is expected to reduce the burden of medical professionals, a concern in the super-aged society. The aim of this article is to determine the intermediary roles of Public Health Nurses (PHNs) in using Communication Robots (CRs) in Community Health care. It is necessary to consider who will manage, and how to draw lines of responsibility when a problem occurs when using robots in the future. Regarding the mediator or intermediary role of PHNs in the use of CRs, PHNs are expected to be cognizant of varieties of robots for use with persons of diverse ages and health levels, as well as of robot performances. As one of the community healthcare workers who service the elderly living in the community, the role of PHNs as mediators or intermediaries is to pay attention to ethical and moral issues while working with CRs to manage the health of the community. Lack of understanding of the intermediary role might create possible ethico-moral issues in the future. Therefore, it is critical for PHNs to understand their role as intermediaries. In doing so, it is expected that older people at home will be able to live peaceful lives, as well as be physically and mentally healthy.
文摘Healthcare for older adults with dementia is an important healthcare problem in Japan and in other developed countries. Importantly, healthcare workers in Japan are also getting older. In order to address solutions to this problem, using robots is being realized and is starting to assist healthcare and welfare practice needs. The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics of a transactive phenomenon in relationships among older adults with dementia, with nurses as intermediaries and with a cognitive skill-aid robot. Subjects were two institutionalized older adults who were diagnosed with dementia using Hasegawa’s Dementia Scale-Revised;a Kabochan (Nodding Kabochan) fixed with a remote-controlled speaker, Pechat (Kabochan with Pechat). Measurements of autonomic nervous activity were done using wearable electrocardiography attached to the subjects for four hours. Heart Rate Variability data were assessed at various frequency bands using a HRV software tool. In a continuously recorded data, interbeat (R-R) intervals were obtained for a 1-min segment using the maximum entropy method. In this study, the two major spectral components of HRV, the variances of the low-frequency (LF: 0.04 - 0.15 Hz) band and high-frequency (HF: 0.15 - 0.4 Hz) band, were calculated. Activities and behaviors of subjects transacting with Kabochan were observed by the expert nurses and video-recorded. Throughout the transaction period, observations were recorded of patients’ behavior, words uttered and over-all contents of the transactive conversation with the Kabochan or Kabochan with Pechat. Identified characteristics were transactive relationship phenomenon;changes in autonomic nervous system activity of persons with dementia are expressed as per one minute, linguistic response of elderly people, transactive relations among Kabochan, Kabochan with Pechat, and nurses as intermediaries. These were exhibited as Figures: Situation 1, A Sense of Fear, Situation 2, A Pleasant Sensation, and Situation 3, Misunderstanding and Confusion. It also showed that autonomic nervous system activity of persons with communication skills is actively changing in older adults with dementia. Conversation of adding Pechat to the Kabochan illustrated that nurses as intermediaries showed emotional conversations as established by effectively manipulating the Pechat. Also, it was revealed that if Kabochan with Pechat uttered words about patient’s personal information in a conversation, the patient felt a sense of fear. The researchers suggest that when developing future communication robot for elderly with dementia, it is necessary to consider, for an effective conversation, transactive relationships including nurses as intermediaries. The role functions of these intermediaries have been shown of high versatility, indicating that situations such as these can also be controlled by other healthcare providers such as by occupational therapists.
