Name: virtual prism adaptation therapy: protocol for validation in healthy adults
Uploaded: 2020-02-12T12:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Virtual Prism Adaptation Therapy: Protocol for Validation in Healthy Adults at JoVE.com

This study was supported by the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Research Fund (14-2015-022) and by the Ministry of Trade Industry &#38; Energy(MOTIE, Korea), Ministry of Science &#38; ICT(MSIT, Korea), and Ministry of Health &#38; Welfare(MOHW, Korea) under Technology Development Program for AI-Bio-Robot-Medicine Convergence (20001650). We would like to thank Su-Bin Park, Nu-Ri Kim and Ye-Lin Jang for helping to prepare and proceed with the video shooting.

All procedures were reviewed and approved by the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Institutional Review Board (IRB). To recruit healthy participants, posters were used to advertise around the hospital.
1. Experimental set-up
<ol>
	<li>Participant recruitment
	<ol>
		<li>Perform the subject screening process using the following inclusion criteria: 1) healthy, between 18 and 50 years old; 2) right-handed, assessed by Edinburgh handedness inventory14; 3) able to...

<ol>
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M., Seiger, A., Nydevik, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neglect+and+anosognosia+after+first-ever+stroke:+incidence+and+relationship+to+disability.">Neglect and anosognosia after first-ever stroke: incidence and relationship to disability.</a> Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 34 (5), 215-220 (2002).</li><li>Buxbaum, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hemispatial+neglect+subtypes,+neuroanatomy,+and+disability.">Hemispatial neglect subtypes, neuroanatomy, and disability.</a> Neurology. 62 (5), 749-756 (2004).</li><li>Jehkonen, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Visual+neglect+as+a+predictor+of+functional+outcome+one+year+after+stroke.">Visual neglect as a predictor of functional outcome one year after stroke.</a> Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. 101 (3), 195-201 (2000).</li><li>Jehkonen, M., Laihosalo, M., Kettunen, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Impact+of+neglect+on+functional+outcome+after+stroke&#8211;a+review+of+methodological+issues+and+recent+research+findings.">Impact of neglect on functional outcome after stroke&#8211;a review of methodological issues and recent research findings.</a> Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience. 24 (4-6), 209-215 (2006).</li><li>Mizuno, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prism+adaptation+therapy+enhances+rehabilitation+of+stroke+patients+with+unilateral+spatial+neglect:+a+randomized,+controlled+trial.">Prism adaptation therapy enhances rehabilitation of stroke patients with unilateral spatial neglect: a randomized, controlled trial.</a> Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair. 25 (8), 711-720 (2011).</li><li>Shiraishi, H., Yamakawa, Y., Itou, A., Muraki, T., Asada, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Long-term+effects+of+prism+adaptation+on+chronic+neglect+after+stroke.">Long-term effects of prism adaptation on chronic neglect after stroke.</a> NeuroRehabilitation. 23 (2), 137-151 (2008).</li><li>Yang, N. Y., Zhou, D., Chung, R. C., Li-Tsang, C. W., Fong, K. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Rehabilitation interventions for unilateral neglect after stroke: a systematic review from 1997 through 2012. , (2013).</li><li>Rossetti, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prism+adaptation+to+a+rightward+optical+deviation+rehabilitates+left+hemispatial+neglect.">Prism adaptation to a rightward optical deviation rehabilitates left hemispatial neglect.</a> Nature. 395 (6698), 166-169 (1998).</li><li>Barrett, A., Goedert, K. M., Basso, J. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prism+adaptation+for+spatial+neglect+after+stroke:+translational+practice+gaps.">Prism adaptation for spatial neglect after stroke: translational practice gaps.</a> Nature Reviews Neurology. 8 (10), 567-577 (2012).</li><li>Maxton, C., Dineen, R., Padamsey, R., Munshi, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Don't+neglect+'neglect'-an+update+on+post+stroke+neglect.">Don't neglect 'neglect'-an update on post stroke neglect.</a> International Journal of Clinical Practice. 67 (4), 369-378 (2013).</li><li>Gammeri, R., Turri, F., Ricci, R., Ptak, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Adaptation+to+virtual+prisms+and+its+relevance+for+neglect+rehabilitation:+a+single-blind+dose-response+study+with+healthy+participants.">Adaptation to virtual prisms and its relevance for neglect rehabilitation: a single-blind dose-response study with healthy participants.</a> Neuropsychol Rehabilitation. , 1-14 (2018).</li><li>Saj, A., Cojan, Y., Assal, F., Vuilleumier, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prism+adaptation+effect+on+neural+activity+and+spatial+neglect+depend+on+brain+lesion+site.">Prism adaptation effect on neural activity and spatial neglect depend on brain lesion site.</a> Cortex. 119, 301-311 (2019).</li><li>Redding, G. M., Wallace, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Generalization+of+prism+adaptation.">Generalization of prism adaptation.</a> Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance. 32 (4), 1006-1022 (2006).</li><li>Caplan, B., Mendoza, J. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. , 928 (2011).</li><li>Kim, W. S., Paik, N. J., Cho, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> 2017 International Conference on Virtual Rehabilitation (ICVR). , 1-2 (2017).</li><li>Munafo, J., Diedrick, M., Stoffregen, T. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+virtual+reality+head-mounted+display+Oculus+Rift+induces+motion+sickness+and+is+sexist+in+its+effects.">The virtual reality head-mounted display Oculus Rift induces motion sickness and is sexist in its effects.</a> Experimental Brain Research. 235 (3), 889-901 (2017).</li><li>Merhi, O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting. , 2618-2622 (2018).</li><li>Duh, H. B. L., Parker, D. E., Furness, T. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Proceedings of 9th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction. , 5-10 (2018).</li><li>Prothero, J. D., Draper, M. 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This study implemented the prism adaption therapy using a translated hand movement in a VR environment. It investigated whether the deviation implemented was causing angle overshooting and behavioral adaptation, as in conventional prism adaption therapy.
In the median pointing error result (Figure 5) and the first pointing error result, the pointing error changed significantly when the phase was switched. Although some hand-recognition errors were eliminated, ther...

Hemispatial neglect, which affects the ability to perceive the contralateral hemispatial visual field, is a common impairment after stroke1,2. Although rehabilitation after hemispatial neglect is important, due to its association with poor functional and social outcomes, rehabilitation is often underutilized in real clinical practice3,4.
Among the various existing rehabilitation approaches suggested for hemispatial neglect, prism adaptation (PA) therapy has proven effective for recovery and improvement in hemispatial neglect in patients with subacute or chronic stroke5,6,7,8. However, conventional PA is underutilized due to several drawbacks9,10. These include 1) high cost and time requirement due to the prism lens needing to be changed to adjust to the degree of deviation; 2) the need to set up additional materials to be pointed at and to mask the hand trajectory; and 3) PA can only be used by patients who can sit and control their head position.
A recent study reproducing the adaptation effects in the virtual reality (VR) environment reported that it may be possible for the virtual prism adaptation therapy (VPAT) to have different effects depending on the subtypes of neglect11. It was also suggested that cortical activation for PA may vary according to brain lesions12. However, little is known about the cortical activation pattern seen in VR-induced PA.
To overcome these obstacles and promote the use of PA in a clinical setting, we developed a new PA therapy system using an immersive VR technology called virtual prism adaptation therapy (VPAT), via the use of a depth-sensing camera. We designed an immersive VR system with the ability to provide visual feedback about the position of a virtual limb to promote spatial realignment13. Using this immersive VR technology, which mimicked the effect of conventional PA, we designed an experiment to validate the VPAT system in healthy participants.
By conducting our visualized experimental protocol, we investigated whether the new VPAT system can induce behavioral adaptation, similar to conventional PA. Additionally, we would like to explore whether the VPAT system can induce the activation in the cortical regions associated with visuospatial perception or recovery of hemispatial neglect after stroke.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>EASYCAP</td>
			<td>Easycap</td>
			<td>C-SAMS</td>
			<td>Platform to accommodate fNIRS optodes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Leap Motion 3D Motion Controller</td>
			<td>Ultrahaptics</td>
			<td>FBA_LM-C01-US</td>
			<td>Hand detection device attached HMD</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Leap Motion VR Developer Mount for VR Headset</td>
			<td>Ultrahaptics</td>
			<td>VR-UAZ</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Matlab R2015a</td>
			<td>Mathworks</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Programming language running with NIRStar</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NIRScout</td>
			<td>Medical Technology LLC</td>
			<td>NSC-CORE</td>
			<td>fNIRS system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>nirsLAB v201605</td>
			<td>Medical Technology LLC</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Software for analyzing data collected with NIRScout</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NIRStar 14.1</td>
			<td>Medical Technology LLC</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>NIRScout Acquisition Software</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Occulus Rift DK2</td>
			<td>Occulus</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>VR HMD</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PowerMate USB Multimedia Controller</td>
			<td>Griffin Technology</td>
			<td>NA16029</td>
			<td>Push Button in task</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SuperLab 5.0</td>
			<td>Cedrus Corp.</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Synchronize the stimulus presentations allied to NIRScout</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

virtual prism adaptation therapy: protocol for validation in healthy adults

Hemispatial neglect is a common impairment after stroke. It is associated with poor functional and social outcomes. Therefore, an adequate intervention is imperative for the successful management of hemispatial neglect. However, the clinical use of various interventions is limited in real clinical practice. Prism adaptation therapy is one of the most evidence-based rehabilitation modalities to treat hemispatial neglect. To overcome any possible shortcoming that may occur with prism therapy, we developed a new system using immersive virtual reality and depth-sensing camera to create a virtual prism adaptation therapy (VPAT). To validate the VPAT system, we designed an experimental protocol investigating the behavioral errors and changes in cortical activation via the VPAT system. Cortical activation was measured by functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The experiment consisted of four phases. All four included clicking, pointing or rest applied to right-handed healthy people. Clicking versus pointing was used for investigating the cortical region related with the gross motor task, and pointing with VPAT versus pointing without VPAT was used for investigating the cortical region associated with visuospatial perception. The preliminary results from four healthy participants showed that pointing errors by the VPAT system was similar to the conventional prism adaptation therapy. Further analysis with more participants and fNIRS data, as well as a study in patients with stroke may be required.

Data from four healthy participants (1 man and 3 women) were used as representative results. A pointing error is shown in Figure 5A, with the averages of median value of 10 trials in the sub-phase of each pointing task lasting 30 s. Values on average for the median pointing errors in the first block of each phase were 0.45 &#177; 0.92 (pre-VPAT), 4.69 &#177; 3.08 (VPAT 10&#176;), 5.43 &#177; 2.22 (VPAT 20&#176;), and -5.17 &#177; 1.60 (post-VPAT). The trend of pointing error...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Virtual Prism Adaptation Therapy: Protocol for Validation in Healthy Adults at JoVE.com

Virtual Prism Adaptation Therapy: Protocol for Validation in Healthy Adults

This experimental protocol demonstrates the use of virtual prism adaptation therapy (VPAT) in healthy adults and the association between VPAT and functional near infrared spectroscopy to determine the effect of VPAT on cortical activation. Results suggest that VPAT may be feasible and could induce similar behavioral adaptation as conventional prism adaptation therapy.

Hemispatial neglect is a common impairment after stroke. It is associated with poor functional and social outcomes. Therefore, an adequate intervention is ...

Our experimental protocol can address whether prism adaptation therapy is effective for patients with hemispatial neglect and whether our virtual prism adaptation therapy system promotes spatial realignment and cortical activation. Virtual prism adaptation therapy was developed to be less costly, quicker to set up, and easier to adjust than conventional prism adaptation. This technique can be used to replace conventional prism therapy in patients with hemispatial neglect because it can mimic the effects of conventional prism adaptation.This method suggests a potential for using virtual reality for stroke therapy and may give insight into hemispatial neglect rehabilitation within the virtual rehabilitation field. Although the system is based on a virtual reality gaming engine and therefore is easily used. Be sure to take care with preparation.For functional near infrared spectroscopy measurement setup, have the participant sit in a chair with a straight back and confirm that the participant's hand will not hit the table when reaching out. Next, select the appropriate functional near infrared spectroscopy size according to the participant's head circumference and place the cap on the head of the participant so that the vertex is located at the intersection of the midpoint between the inion and nasion and the midpoint between the left preauricular and right preauricular areas. Display the montage on the screen and connect 15 sources and 24 detectors to the montage.Use conductive gel to improve the gain from the light source if critical before inserting the optode and place the retaining cap on the participant. To set up the software, run the functional near infrared spectroscopy system software and load the neglect montage. With the montage displayed on the screen, set 15 sources and 24 detectors according to the montage and click calibrate.To calibrate the virtual prism adaptation therapy system, first mount the virtual reality head mounted display on over the functional near infrared spectroscopy cap taking care to avoid disturbing the cap. When the display is in place, open the virtual prism adaptation therapy software and enter the participant's information. Click start and confirm the visualization of the virtual hand in the display.Initiate the two-step calibration and instruct the participant to watch the red cross mark in the center of the screen. Then press the R key to calibrate the screen. Instruct the participant to point to the target with the right hand.Then press the O key to calibrate the hand position. Sufficient space should be provided for calibration in the hand range and the hand should not be stretched too far to set the target position. At the end of the calibration, confirm the participant's readiness to start the experiment and start the system without the prism mode.Click the start key to initiate an experiment with four phases simultaneously with functional near infrared spectroscopy recording and instruct the participant to point or click with their right index finger within three seconds of the appropriate icon appearing or to rest. In the virtual prism adaptation mode, the set deviation angle results in a virtual hand deviation. The green hand is the actual hand recognized position which is not shown to the user.The blue hands are deviated hands shown to the user. In deviation mode, the user's hand extends in the left direction in order to keep the user's hand more and more close to the target. For the clicking block, instruct the participant to press the push button.Each phase will consist of blocks for pointing, clicking, or resting. In this representative graph, the pointing error for four healthy participants is shown with the average of the median value from 10 trials in the subphase of each pointing task lasting 30 seconds. Here, the pointing error for each subject is presented demonstrating an adaptation during the virtual prism adaptation therapy phases and the post prismatic adaptation.Use screen calibration to place the virtual space in front of the user's visual range and use target distance calibration to place the target within the reach of the user. We have studied healthy adult volunteers, but the technology could be used with clinical patients. In addition, comparison of the data with real prism classes could be meaningful.

virtual-prism-adaptation-therapy-protocol-for-validation-healthy

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Development of an Audio-based Virtual Gaming Environment to Assist with Navigation Skills in the Blind

Audio-based Environment Simulator (AbES) is virtual environment software designed to improve real world navigation skills in the blind. Using only audio based cues and set within the context of a video game metaphor, users gather relevant spatial information regarding a building's layout. This allows the user to develop an accurate spatial cognitive map of a large-scale three-dimensional space that can be manipulated for the purposes of a real indoor navigation task. After game play, participants are then assessed on their ability to navigate within the target physical building represented in the game. Preliminary results suggest that early blind users were able to acquire relevant information regarding the spatial layout of a previously unfamiliar building as indexed by their performance on a series of navigation tasks. These tasks included path finding through the virtual and physical building, as well as a series of drop off tasks. We find that the immersive and highly interactive nature of the AbES software appears to greatly engage the blind user to actively explore the virtual environment. Applications of this approach may extend to larger populations of visually impaired individuals.

Audio-based Environment Simulator (AbES) is virtual environment software designed to improve real world navigation skills in the blind.

Audio-based Environment Simulator (AbES) is virtual environment software designed to improve real world navigation skills in the blind. Using only audio ...

Collecting Saliva and Measuring Salivary Cortisol and Alpha-amylase in Frail Community Residing Older Adults via Family Caregivers

Salivary measures have emerged in bio-behavioral research that are easy-to-collect, minimally invasive, and relatively inexpensive biologic markers of stress. This article we present the steps for collection and analysis of two salivary assays in research with frail, community residing older adults-salivary cortisol and salivary alpha amylase. The field of salivary bioscience is rapidly advancing and the purpose of this presentation is to provide an update on the developments for investigators interested in integrating these measures into research on aging. Strategies are presented for instructing family caregivers in collecting saliva in the home, and for conducting laboratory analyses of salivary analytes that have demonstrated feasibility, high compliance, and yield quality specimens. The protocol for sample collection includes: (1) consistent use of collection materials; (2) standardized methods that promote adherence and minimize subject burden; and (3) procedures for controlling certain confounding agents. We also provide strategies for laboratory analyses include: (1) saliva handling and processing; (2) salivary cortisol and salivary alpha amylase assay procedures; and (3) analytic considerations.

We demonstrate: (1) procedures for collection of salivary samples in cognitive impaired older adults by family caregivers in the home setting, (2) procedures for measuring stress activity via salivary cortisol and alpha amylase, and (3) representative profiles. Protocols that allow researchers to study stress-linked processes advance our understanding of biological sensitivity and susceptibility.

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This protocol describes a method to quantify upper limb performance in daily life using wrist-worn accelerometers.

A key reason for referral to rehabilitation services after stroke and other neurological conditions is to improve one's ability to function in daily life. ...

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Despite increased tDCS use and a reasonably large body of research on the effects across a range of clinical conditions, there is a limited amount of research on developing secure devices that guarantee the dose and contain a block system to avoid excessive use. Therefore, we used a tDCS device with a security system to permit daily use for 20 minutes with a minimal interval of 12 hours between sessions. A programmer preconfigures the equipment, which has a neoprene cap that allows the electrode positions in any assembly, according to individualized protocols for treatments or research. After, researchers can assess the effectiveness of treatment, and its adherence using information kept in the device software.
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As new techniques are developed to image adipose tissue, methods to validate such protocols are becoming increasingly important. Phantoms, experimental ...

Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults

The gold standard for sleep monitoring is attended in-lab polysomnography; however, this method may be cost-prohibitive and inconvenient for patients and research participants. Home sleep testing has gained momentum in the field of sleep medicine due to its convenience and lower cost, as well as being more naturalistic. The accuracy and quality of home sleep testing, however, may be variable because studies are not monitored by sleep technologists. There has been some success in improving the accuracy of home sleep studies by having trained sleep technicians assist participants inside their homes with putting on the devices, but this can be intrusive and time-consuming for those involved. In this protocol, participants undergo at-home sleep monitoring with multiple devices: 1) a single-channel EEG device; 2) a home sleep test for sleep-disordered breathing and periodic limb movements; 3) actigraphy; and 4) sleep logs. A major challenge of this study is obtaining high-quality sleep monitoring data on the first attempt in order to minimize participant burden. This protocol describes the implementation of educational manuals with step-by-step instructions and photos. The goal is to improve the quality of home sleep testing.

Here, we present a protocol to improve the quality of data from home sleep testing by providing a method to enhance instructions through a structured participant visit. This protocol includes the implementation of a step-by-step educational manual with photos to ensure proper placement of equipment.

The gold standard for sleep monitoring is attended in-lab polysomnography; however, this method may be cost-prohibitive and inconvenient for patients and ...

Clinical Practice Protocol of Creative Music Therapy for Preterm Infants and Their Parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Creative music therapy for preterm infants and their parents (CMT) has emerged as a promising family-integrated early intervention involving communicative musicality to improve infant development, parental well-being, and bonding. It aims at relaxing and nurturing the infant as well as promoting safety and social interaction for the parent-infant dyad. A music therapist specially trained in CMT hums or sings in an infant-directed, improvised, lullaby style continually adjusting to the individual needs, expressions, and breathing pattern of the preterm infant. Based on the principles of family-integrated care, the family is incorporated individually in the therapeutic process, namely by delivering CMT during kangaroo care (KC) and by motivating and facilitating parental vocal interaction with their infant to strengthen the parent-infant bonding. CMT aims at relaxing, stimulating, and coregulating premature infants at a time when many other interventions are still risky and can overwhelm the vulnerable patient group. CMT may be advantageous not by educating and teaching parents, but rather by uncovering the intuitive capacities of parenting that are often overshadowed by the traumatic experience of preterm birth. However, CMT can only be provided when the infants are clinically stable. CMT with parental integration is feasible when parents are available and receptive to participate. This paper presents a detailed protocol on how to use CMT to empower preterm infants and their families.

Creative music therapy for preterm infants and their parents has emerged as a promising family-integrated early intervention. We present a detailed protocol on how to use vocal interaction, humming, or singing to empower preterm infants and their families.

Creative music therapy for preterm infants and their parents (CMT) has emerged as a promising family-integrated early intervention involving communicative ...

On-Site Sampling and Extraction of Brain Tumors for Metabolomics and Lipidomics Analysis

Despite the variety of tools available for cancer diagnosis and classification, methods that enable fast and simple characterization of tumors are still in need. In recent years, mass spectrometry has become a method of choice for untargeted profiling of discriminatory compound as potential biomarkers of a disease. Biofluids are generally considered as preferable matrices given their accessibility and easier sample processing while direct tissue profiling provides more selective information about a given cancer. Preparation of tissues for the analysis via traditional methods is much more complex and time-consuming, and, therefore, not suitable for fast on-site analysis. The current work presents a protocol combining sample preparation and extraction of small molecules on-site, immediately after tumor resection. The sampling device, which is of the size of an acupuncture needle, can be inserted directly into the tissue and then transported to the nearby laboratory for instrumental analysis. The results of metabolomics and lipidomics analyses demonstrate the capability of the approach for the establishment of phenotypes of tumors related to the histological origin of the tumor, malignancy, and genetic mutations, as well as for the selection of discriminating compounds or potential biomarkers. The non-destructive nature of the technique permits subsequent performance of routinely used tests e.g., histological tests, on the same samples used for SPME analysis, thus enabling attainment of more comprehensive information to support personalized diagnostics.

The manuscript presents on-site sampling of human brain tumors with solid phase microextraction followed by their biochemical profiling towards the discovery of biomarkers.

Despite the variety of tools available for cancer diagnosis and classification, methods that enable fast and simple characterization of tumors are still ...