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Biomedical subjects

D Anson

Publications and source records attributed to D Anson.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Efficiency of the Chubon versus the QWERTY keyboard.

There is little available evidence for claims of the efficiency of alternative keyboard layouts. Part of the difficulty in providing such evidence is that available research subjects typically have extensive experience with the standard keyboard, making a fair comparison of keyboard layouts difficult. The purpose of this study was to provide a true comparison of the QWERTY and Chubon keyboard layouts for individuals who type with a single digit by neutralizing prior experience through an inversion of the QWERTY keyboard. A single-subject, repeated measures design was used with a convenience sample of nine participants. Each participant began typing on a preselected keyboard and continued typing until fluency was achieved. This procedure was replicated with each keyboard layout. The words per minute typed at fluency for the Reverse QWERTY was approximately 62% of the QWERTY, indicating that the learned effect had been erased. The average typing speed of the Chubon was at least 5% higher and at most 51% higher than the Reverse QWERTY. There were no significant patterns of error. Results of this study indicate that the biomechanical layout of the Chubon is superior to that of the Reverse QWERTY and, by extension, to that of the QWERTY. Additional research is needed to expand knowledge of the effectiveness of the various alternative keyboard layouts.

Computer Peripherals↗
PubMed2000

Using calcium sulfate in guided tissue regeneration: a recipe for success.

The concept of guided tissue regeneration was first introduced in the literature more than 20 years ago. Since then, the concept has evolved to include different materials and different techniques. This article describes the technique of using calcium sulfate as a component of a composite graft and as a resorbable barrier. Its unique biological and clinical advantages are described.

Absorbable Implants↗
PubMed1999

Periodontal esthetics and soft-tissue root coverage for treatment of cervical root caries.

As the pace of change accelerates in periodontics and esthetic dentistry, an increasing number of procedures are being developed that require knowledge and treatment from both fields. The synergy developed by combining these two fields of dentistry allows for better esthetic outcomes for our patients. Two of these procedures include esthetic crown lengthening and soft-tissue root coverage. As demonstrated in this article, soft-tissue root coverage can be performed on previously restored roots and as an option for treating root caries.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1998

A comparison of two computer access systems for functional text entry.

OBJECTIVE: Functional written communication, an important goal in the rehabilitation of persons with tetraplegia, frequently is met through the use of personal computers and alternative computer access systems. To make informed decisions about alternative access systems, the therapist needs information on the efficacy of the available choices. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of two commercially available systems for text entry, the traditional mouthstick and the Prentke Romich HeadMaster. METHOD: Participants were a 25-year-old man and 76-year-old woman who both functioned at a C5 neurological level. Neither participant had previous experience with either system for text entry. A single-subject research design was used whereby Participant 1 experienced six phases of treatment (i.e., CBCBCB, where C = mouthstick and B = HeadMaster), and Participant 2 experienced four phases of treatment (i.e., BCBC). RESULTS: Participant 1 achieved a maximum rate of text entry of 5.85 wpm with both the HeadMaster and the mouthstick, whereas Participant 2 achieved a maximum rate of 7.15 wpm with the mouthstick and 4.85 wpm with the HeadMaster. Results from this study were similar to the results from previous comparison studies of persons with severe disabilities who had no experience with alternative computer access systems. CONCLUSION: Both participants were able to use both systems successfully; however, their respective rates of text entry were too slow to be functional in most employment situations.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Calcium sulfate: a 4-year observation of its use as a resorbable barrier in guided tissue regeneration of periodontal defects.

The concept of guided tissue regeneration has been with us since the early 1980s. There are a number of techniques available today that each have certain advantages and disadvantages. This article describes one practitioner's experience with a new technique using calcium sulfate as a resorbable barrier as well as part of a composite graft using decalcified demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft. The technique is described, and some of the advantages to its use are listed.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Finding your way in the maze of computer access technology.

Occupational therapists who must provide alternative computer access are faced with a daunting task. From nearly 500 types of devices, they must decide on a specific access technology that will meet clients' needs. Without extensive clinical experience, it is difficult to select an appropriate level of intervention from the alternatives without guidance. The RoadMap to Computer Access Technology is a tool that assists clinicians in using the information obtained in an occupational therapy evaluation to select an appropriate level of intervention for a specific client. Clinicians answer a series of yes or no questions and follow the directions on the RoadMap. The RoadMap leads clinicians to a small group of devices that should meet the access needs of the client.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Single-switch computer access for infants and toddlers.

Computer access was studied with children between the ages of 6 months and 18 months with no known handicapping conditions. The research focused on determining at what age young children can access a computer using a single-switch system to run a simple cause-and-effect program. The sample consisted of 80 children divided into four groups (6 to 8 months, 9 to 11 months, 12 to 14 months, and 15 to 17 months). Results demonstrated that some children as young as 6 months of age could control a computer-based, cause-and-effect program using a single-switch access system. Therefore, professionals who work with children with disabilities may consider introducing computers to children at this age or to children who are functioning near this cognitive developmental level.

Association Learning↗
PubMed1992

Use of adjunctive modalities in occupational therapy.

This article reminds us that as practice evolves, we must revisit and reaffirm the fundamental philosophy and precepts in which our profession is grounded. The face of practice is fluid. Its superficial appearance is molded by external forces and stresses. These include the changes in the needs of the persons we serve, the emergence of new and different treatment modalities, and the realities of the socioeconomic environment in which we work. Beneath the surface, however, are the basic structures that all of us hold in common. These are our philosophical beliefs that are articulated both in the professional literature and in the ethical principles that we espouse.

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMed1991

Pediatric power wheelchairs: evaluation of function in the home and school environments.

The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of four power wheelchairs when used by children to perform a variety of indoor activities. Eight boys and eight girls performed a series of 11 functional tasks when positioned in each of four different power wheelchairs reflecting different design classes. There were no significant differences for many of the dependent variables. However, the Everaid Turbo was significantly better for functional positioning at a standard kitchen table and at school desks and for accessing objects at different heights. By contrast the Invacare Jaguar was better for straight-line driving speed. Other findings include children's subjective impressions of the four power wheelchairs.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1988

Postural sway biofeedback: its effect on reestablishing stance stability in hemiplegic patients.

A static force plate system was used to examine postural sway characteristics in 16 hemiplegic patients and in 34 normal elderly subjects. The effectiveness of postural sway (center of pressure) biofeedback was compared to conventional physical therapy practices in reestablishing stance stability in hemiplegic patients. Postural sway abnormalities in hemiplegic patients included significant mean lateral displacement of sway towards the nonaffected leg and increased total sway area. Postural sway biofeedback was more effective than conventional physical therapy practices in reducing mean lateral displacement of sway. This was associated with increased loading of the affected leg. Posttreatment changes in total sway area were not significantly different between experimental and control groups.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of switch control site on computer skills of infants and toddlers.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether switch control site (hand vs. head) affects the age at which children can successfully activate a computer to play a cause-and-effect game. METHOD: The sample consisted of 72 participants randomly divided into two groups (head switch and hand switch), with stratification for gender and age (9-11 months, 12-14 months, 15-17 months). All participants were typically developing. After a maximum of 5 min of training, each participant was given five opportunities to activate a Jelly Bean switch to play a computer game. Competency was defined as four to five successful switch activations. RESULTS: Most participants in the 9-month to 11-month age group could successfully use a hand switch to activate a computer, and for the 15-month to 17-month age group, 100% of the participants met with success. By contrast, in the head switch condition, approximately one third of the participants in each of the three age ranges were successful in activating the computer to play a cause-and-effect game. CONCLUSION: The findings from this study provide developmental guidelines for using switches (head vs. hand) to activate computers to play cause-and-effect games and suggest that the clinician may consider introducing basic computer and switch skills to children as young as 9 months of age. However, the clinician is cautioned that the head switch may be more difficult to master than the hand switch and that additional research involving children with motor impairments is needed.

Age Factors↗