Session Description: The session covered how research and outcomes are linked to innovation prese... more Session Description: The session covered how research and outcomes are linked to innovation presenting recent outcomes from a case use. Points of view from providers and innovators on patient care, science, and technology will be discussed. The ideation behind the XPRIZE and how the most successful solutions are created not from ingenuity, but from identifying legitimate market gaps are discussed.
Exposure of the mammalian fetus to ethanol causes a variety of nervous system abnormalities, but ... more Exposure of the mammalian fetus to ethanol causes a variety of nervous system abnormalities, but the evidence relating to seizure susceptibility is contradictory. Therefore, offspring of rat dams that had consumed a mean of 6.9 g/kg/day of ethanol were compared with pair-fed and free-fed controls on rate of electrical kindling of the amygdala and on open field measures of activity. The Ethanol-exposed males displayed increased ambulation and the Ethanol females displayed increased rearing and defecation in an open field. However, there was no significant difference between the groups in rate of kindling. Although the gross size of the brains measured on a coronal section through the anterior tip of the hippocampus did not differ significantly among the groups, there was a highly significant reduction in percent brain tissue area and a corresponding increase in percent ventricle area in the Ethanol group.
This study is a randomized, waitlist-controlled trial testing the effect of a brief, "manualized"... more This study is a randomized, waitlist-controlled trial testing the effect of a brief, "manualized" cognitive-behavioral group therapy on distress associated with tinnitus, quality of well-being, psychological distress including depression, and internal focus. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) included training in activity planning, relaxation training and, primarily, cognitive restructuring. Sixty-five participants were recruited, and 41 completed treatment. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 8 weeks of manualized group CBT either immediately or after an 8-week waiting period. Participants completed outcome measures at the time of their random assignment and at 8, 16, and 52 weeks later. Repeated-measure analysis of covariance revealed significant group-by-time interactions on measures of tinnitus distress and depression, indicating that CBT led to greater improvement in those symptoms. The current results suggest that CBT, applied in a group format using a manual, can reduce the negative emotional distress, including depression, associated with tinnitus.
One obvious limitation of telescopic spectacles (TS) is that they provide magnification at the ex... more One obvious limitation of telescopic spectacles (TS) is that they provide magnification at the expense of visual field diameter. Thus, visually impaired people who use TS as visual aids must make head movements to locate targets of interest for scrutiny. When retinal image velocity exceeds 2-3°/sec, visual acuity declines as a log-linear function of this slip velocity1. During unmagnified viewing, the visually-enhanced vestibulo-ocular reflex (VVOR) produces eye movements that compensate for head movements to prevent instability of retinal images of fixed objects. The gain of the VVOR, defined to be the ratio of compensatory eye velocity to head velocity, normally has an ideal value of 1.0 for distant targets. Unfortunately, with TS a simple strategy of making rapid head movements does not necessarily facilitate the efficiency of visual search, since these devices destabilize retinal images by magnifying the relative velocity of the head movements. Ideal VVOR gain with TS would be equal to TS magnification. However, data obtained during passively-imposed and self-generated head rotations suggests that augmentation of VVOR gain by magnified vision is insufficient to attain ideal performance2. Thus, when TS are worn, rapid head movements could degrade visual acuity and lead to target misses.
Revue de laryngologie - otologie - rhinologie, 2011
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) represents at least 35% of vertigo cases and perhaps ... more Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) represents at least 35% of vertigo cases and perhaps much more. The aim of this study was to review a proposed new type of BPPV which may be detected by using a mechanical assistance in BPPV diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers. MATERIELS AND METHODS: The prospective study extracted subjects from 465 patients who presented with some positional vertigo or unsteadiness. Only 152 dizzy patients, who presented with positional nystagmus but no true vertigo, were included. The TRV armchair permits rotation of patients wearing infrared video goggles in all semi-circular planes. Treatment effectiveness was defined as absence of symptoms or findings 3 days after the therapy sessions. If not initially successful, repeat therapeutic sessions were performed or patients underwent further vestibular examination and sometime MRI. One hundred nine of the 152 patients demonstrated a low level canalithiasis showing nystagmus. Unusual data were collected: Ni...
The purpose of the research proposed herein is to develop an empirical, methodological tool for t... more The purpose of the research proposed herein is to develop an empirical, methodological tool for the assessment of visual depth perception in virtual environments (VEs). Our goal is to develop and employ a behaviorally-based method for assessing the impact of VE design features on the perception of visual depth as indexed by the performance of fundamental perceptual-motor activities. Specifically, in this experiment we will assess the affect of two dimensions of VE system design--(1) viewing condition or "level of immersion", and (2) layout/design of the VE--on the performance of an engaging, game-like task. The characteristics of the task to be employed are as follows--(1) it places no demands on cognition in the form of problem solving, retrieval of previously learned information, or other analytic activity in order to assure that (2) variations in task performance can be exclusively attributed to the extent to which the experimental factors influence visual depth perception. Subjects' performance will be assessed in terms of the speed and accuracy of task performance, as well as underlying dimensions of performance such as workload, fatigue, and physiological well being (i.e., cybersickness). The results of this experiment will provide important information on the effect of VE immersion and other VE design issues on human perception and performance. Further development, refinement, and validation of this behaviorally-based methodology will be pursued to provide user-centered design criteria for the design and use of VE systems.
L'invention porte sur un systeme et une methode d'interventions therapeutiques adaptative... more L'invention porte sur un systeme et une methode d'interventions therapeutiques adaptatives permettant d'effectuer des changements en temps reel du profil comportemental d'un individu pour faciliter l'efficacite d'une therapie de troubles specifiques combinant une detection bioelectrique et un retour d'informations biosensorielles. Le systeme et la methode induisent un etat d'esprit physiologique provisoire (par exemple, une meilleure relaxation) pour effectuer des changements persistants du profil cognitif/emotif de l'individu (par exemple, en reduisant ses acouphenes internes. Les reponses de perception de l'etat sensoriel et mental sont integrees dans un systeme de retour d'informations bidirectionnel utilisant une interface dynamique comportant des seuils intelligemment controles. L'invention prend en compte les details de modeles dynamiques a plusieurs variables et non lineaires et de bases de donnees, pour calculer plus precisemen...
Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus, 1992
We describe a technique of generation of a cine motion picture of ocular movements in a patient w... more We describe a technique of generation of a cine motion picture of ocular movements in a patient with Duane Type II exotropia. With the magnetic resonance scanning unit, multiple scans can be sequenced to give a graphic animation to the eyes as targets are fixated across the visual field. With this technique, we were able to clearly view the contractility of the extraocular muscles and note the changes in pulling directions of the muscles in this patient. The restriction of movement due to the cocontraction of the horizontal rectus muscles was readily apparent.
Session Description: The session covered how research and outcomes are linked to innovation prese... more Session Description: The session covered how research and outcomes are linked to innovation presenting recent outcomes from a case use. Points of view from providers and innovators on patient care, science, and technology will be discussed. The ideation behind the XPRIZE and how the most successful solutions are created not from ingenuity, but from identifying legitimate market gaps are discussed.
Exposure of the mammalian fetus to ethanol causes a variety of nervous system abnormalities, but ... more Exposure of the mammalian fetus to ethanol causes a variety of nervous system abnormalities, but the evidence relating to seizure susceptibility is contradictory. Therefore, offspring of rat dams that had consumed a mean of 6.9 g/kg/day of ethanol were compared with pair-fed and free-fed controls on rate of electrical kindling of the amygdala and on open field measures of activity. The Ethanol-exposed males displayed increased ambulation and the Ethanol females displayed increased rearing and defecation in an open field. However, there was no significant difference between the groups in rate of kindling. Although the gross size of the brains measured on a coronal section through the anterior tip of the hippocampus did not differ significantly among the groups, there was a highly significant reduction in percent brain tissue area and a corresponding increase in percent ventricle area in the Ethanol group.
This study is a randomized, waitlist-controlled trial testing the effect of a brief, "manualized"... more This study is a randomized, waitlist-controlled trial testing the effect of a brief, "manualized" cognitive-behavioral group therapy on distress associated with tinnitus, quality of well-being, psychological distress including depression, and internal focus. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) included training in activity planning, relaxation training and, primarily, cognitive restructuring. Sixty-five participants were recruited, and 41 completed treatment. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 8 weeks of manualized group CBT either immediately or after an 8-week waiting period. Participants completed outcome measures at the time of their random assignment and at 8, 16, and 52 weeks later. Repeated-measure analysis of covariance revealed significant group-by-time interactions on measures of tinnitus distress and depression, indicating that CBT led to greater improvement in those symptoms. The current results suggest that CBT, applied in a group format using a manual, can reduce the negative emotional distress, including depression, associated with tinnitus.
One obvious limitation of telescopic spectacles (TS) is that they provide magnification at the ex... more One obvious limitation of telescopic spectacles (TS) is that they provide magnification at the expense of visual field diameter. Thus, visually impaired people who use TS as visual aids must make head movements to locate targets of interest for scrutiny. When retinal image velocity exceeds 2-3°/sec, visual acuity declines as a log-linear function of this slip velocity1. During unmagnified viewing, the visually-enhanced vestibulo-ocular reflex (VVOR) produces eye movements that compensate for head movements to prevent instability of retinal images of fixed objects. The gain of the VVOR, defined to be the ratio of compensatory eye velocity to head velocity, normally has an ideal value of 1.0 for distant targets. Unfortunately, with TS a simple strategy of making rapid head movements does not necessarily facilitate the efficiency of visual search, since these devices destabilize retinal images by magnifying the relative velocity of the head movements. Ideal VVOR gain with TS would be equal to TS magnification. However, data obtained during passively-imposed and self-generated head rotations suggests that augmentation of VVOR gain by magnified vision is insufficient to attain ideal performance2. Thus, when TS are worn, rapid head movements could degrade visual acuity and lead to target misses.
Revue de laryngologie - otologie - rhinologie, 2011
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) represents at least 35% of vertigo cases and perhaps ... more Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) represents at least 35% of vertigo cases and perhaps much more. The aim of this study was to review a proposed new type of BPPV which may be detected by using a mechanical assistance in BPPV diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers. MATERIELS AND METHODS: The prospective study extracted subjects from 465 patients who presented with some positional vertigo or unsteadiness. Only 152 dizzy patients, who presented with positional nystagmus but no true vertigo, were included. The TRV armchair permits rotation of patients wearing infrared video goggles in all semi-circular planes. Treatment effectiveness was defined as absence of symptoms or findings 3 days after the therapy sessions. If not initially successful, repeat therapeutic sessions were performed or patients underwent further vestibular examination and sometime MRI. One hundred nine of the 152 patients demonstrated a low level canalithiasis showing nystagmus. Unusual data were collected: Ni...
The purpose of the research proposed herein is to develop an empirical, methodological tool for t... more The purpose of the research proposed herein is to develop an empirical, methodological tool for the assessment of visual depth perception in virtual environments (VEs). Our goal is to develop and employ a behaviorally-based method for assessing the impact of VE design features on the perception of visual depth as indexed by the performance of fundamental perceptual-motor activities. Specifically, in this experiment we will assess the affect of two dimensions of VE system design--(1) viewing condition or "level of immersion", and (2) layout/design of the VE--on the performance of an engaging, game-like task. The characteristics of the task to be employed are as follows--(1) it places no demands on cognition in the form of problem solving, retrieval of previously learned information, or other analytic activity in order to assure that (2) variations in task performance can be exclusively attributed to the extent to which the experimental factors influence visual depth perception. Subjects' performance will be assessed in terms of the speed and accuracy of task performance, as well as underlying dimensions of performance such as workload, fatigue, and physiological well being (i.e., cybersickness). The results of this experiment will provide important information on the effect of VE immersion and other VE design issues on human perception and performance. Further development, refinement, and validation of this behaviorally-based methodology will be pursued to provide user-centered design criteria for the design and use of VE systems.
L'invention porte sur un systeme et une methode d'interventions therapeutiques adaptative... more L'invention porte sur un systeme et une methode d'interventions therapeutiques adaptatives permettant d'effectuer des changements en temps reel du profil comportemental d'un individu pour faciliter l'efficacite d'une therapie de troubles specifiques combinant une detection bioelectrique et un retour d'informations biosensorielles. Le systeme et la methode induisent un etat d'esprit physiologique provisoire (par exemple, une meilleure relaxation) pour effectuer des changements persistants du profil cognitif/emotif de l'individu (par exemple, en reduisant ses acouphenes internes. Les reponses de perception de l'etat sensoriel et mental sont integrees dans un systeme de retour d'informations bidirectionnel utilisant une interface dynamique comportant des seuils intelligemment controles. L'invention prend en compte les details de modeles dynamiques a plusieurs variables et non lineaires et de bases de donnees, pour calculer plus precisemen...
Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus, 1992
We describe a technique of generation of a cine motion picture of ocular movements in a patient w... more We describe a technique of generation of a cine motion picture of ocular movements in a patient with Duane Type II exotropia. With the magnetic resonance scanning unit, multiple scans can be sequenced to give a graphic animation to the eyes as targets are fixated across the visual field. With this technique, we were able to clearly view the contractility of the extraocular muscles and note the changes in pulling directions of the muscles in this patient. The restriction of movement due to the cocontraction of the horizontal rectus muscles was readily apparent.
Cognitive performance tools are evolving and their application is expanding rapidly. Although the... more Cognitive performance tools are evolving and their application is expanding rapidly. Although these tools promise significant advantages, they also raise a number of significant ethical and social concerns. This paper first provides an overview of various cognitive performance tools. Subsequently, there is a dialogue between Viirre on the one hand and Baylis and Downie on the other. Together, they explore the promises and perils of cognitive performance tools available now, or in the near future (perhaps within the next ten to twenty years). The authors conclude there are potential benefits with the development and use of cognitive performance tools. Care must be taken, however, with respect to the ways in which such tools may not serve the interests of individuals and communities.
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Papers by Erik Viirre