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Computer Assisted Therapy is an applied and research field that has been rapidly evolving hand in hand with the advances of technology. In particular, the mass adoption of the internet and computers as tools to support several types of approaches has shown good results for a wide assortment of issues [1]. These technologies, primarily used to support therapists and clinicians while managing their records, accessing local or remote information [1][2], have more recently, and most importantly, been growingly used to serve patients as well, either independently or as a support for cooperation between patient and therapists. Amongst the existing examples, one can find simple registration (e.g., amount of cigarettes per day) diaries, short text-based tests or basic procedures and guidelines [3] or more advanced systems offering some support for personalization within the used tools [4] and data exchange between actors.

Study Aims. Evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the medication-assisted therapy (MAT) pilot in Kazakhstan and review implementation context and related challenges.Methods. We performed a desk review of MAT policy and program documents and reviewed medical records at three MAT sites in Kazakhstan. MAT patients(n=93)were interviewed to assess their perceptions of the program and its impact on their health, criminal, drug use, and HIV risk related behaviors as well as expenditures on nonprescribed psychoactive drugs. Persons injecting drugs who are not in treatment, MAT program staff, and other stakeholders were interviewed to obtain their perspectives on MAT.Results. Legislation supports introducing MAT as a standard of care for treatment of opioid dependence; however, its progress has been hampered by active opposition. Inadequate access and coverage, insufficient supply management, scarce infrastructure of narcological facilities, limited opportunities for staff development, and restrictive methadone dispensing policies compromise the quality of the intervention and limit its potential benefits. There were significant reductions in criminal, drug use, and HIV risk related behaviors in patients receiving MAT.Conclusions. The MAT pilot in Kazakhstan demonstrated its feasibility and effectiveness in the local context and is recommended for scaleup throughout the country.

Assistive robotics aims at developing solutions (mechatronic devices, systems and technologies) to assist and interact with individuals with reduced motor or cognitive abilities in order to increase their autonomy in a personal environment. Rehabilitation robotics proposes similar solutions for assisted therapy and objective functional assessment of these patients usually in a clinical context [1].

Purpose To assess the potential of ICGA in the monitoring of treatment of acute Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease by detecting early recurrences. Methods Retrospective/prospective study including patients in the initial acute phase of VH disease treated early with high dose inflammation suppressive therapy who were followed by indocyanine green angiography. (ICGA) at regular intervals. Results The angiographic characteristics of ICGA in VKH in acute phase include hypofluorescent dark dots, fuzzy leaking choroidal vessels in the early and intermediate angiographic phase followed by diffuse choroidal hypperfluorescence in the late phase, and in very severe inflammation disc hyperfluorescence and pinpoints with subretinal fluid can be seen. All those signs disappear with early and intensive anti-inflammatory therapy. ICGA was effective in objectively detecting recurrence in apparently controlled disease by showing re-appearence of choroidal lesions (mainly dark dots) before biomicroscopy or fluorescein angiography manifestations, allowing early and fine adjustement of treatment during tapering period. Conclusion By detecting subclinical choroidal inflammatory lesions ICGA allows detection of subtle recurrent lesion and refine therapeutic adjustement in order to avoid evolution toward chronic form and prevent sunset glow fundus.

Housing is a known determinant of health behaviors, which includes adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). Within the Longitudinal Investigations into Supportive and Ancillary Health Services (LISA) study, unstable housing is inversely associated with adherence. Several comprehensive adherence support services have emerged to improve adherence for unstably housed or otherwise vulnerable populations. The Maximally Assisted Therapy (MAT) program in Vancouver, British Columbia uses a multidisciplinary approach to support HIV-positive clients with a history of addictions or mental illness, many of whom also experience episodic homelessness. This study investigated the association between antiretroviral adherence and use of support services, including the MAT program, amongst people living with HIV and AIDS who are unstably housed in the LISA sample. Of the 212 unstably housed participants, those who attended the MAT program were 4.76 times more likely to be ≥95% adherent (95% CI 1.72–13.13; P = 0.003) than those who did not. The findings suggest that in the absence of sustainable housing solutions, programs such as MAT play an important role in supporting treatment adherence in this population.

The successful motor rehabilitation of stroke patients requires early intensive and task-specific therapy. A recent Cochrane Review, although based on a limited number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), showed that early robotic training of the upper limb (i.e., during acute or subacute phase) can enhance motor learning and improve functional abilities more than chronic-phase training. In this article, a new subacute-phase RCT with the Neuro-Rehabilitation-roBot (NeReBot) is presented. While in our first study we used the NeReBot in addition to conventional therapy, in this new trial we used the same device in substitution of standard proximal upper-limb rehabilitation. With this protocol, robot patients achieved similar reductions in motor impairment and enhancements in paretic upper-limb function to those gained by patients in a control group. By analyzing these results and those of previous studies, we hypothesize a new robotic protocol for acute and subacute stroke patients based on both treatment modalities (in addition and in substitution).

Background and Objectives. Robot-assisted therapy (RT) is a current promising intervention in stroke rehabilitation, but more research is warranted for examining its efficacy and the dose–benefit relation. The authors investigated the effects of higher intensity versus lower intensity RT on movements of forearm pronation–supination and wrist flexion–extension relative to conventional rehabilitation (CR) in patients poststroke for a mean of 21 months. Methods. In this pilot study, 18 patients with initial mean Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) of 37 to 44 for the upper extremity were randomized to higher intensity RT, lower intensity RT, or CR intervention for 4 weeks. The dose of the higher intensity RT was twice the number of repetitions in the lower intensity RT. Outcome measures at pretreatment and posttreatment were administered to patients to evaluate beneficial and adverse effects of interventions. Primary outcomes were the FMA and Medical Research Council scale. Results. There were significant differences in motor function ( P = .04) and daily performance ( P = .03) among the 3 groups. The higher intensity RT group showed better improvement in motor function, muscle strength, performance of daily activities, and bimanual ability than the other 2 groups. The intensive RT intervention did not induce higher levels of an oxidative DNA biomarker. Conclusions. Higher intensity of RT that assists forearm and wrist movements may lead to greater improvement in motor ability and functional performance in stroke patients. A sample size of only 20 to 25 in each arm of a larger randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm the findings for similar subjects.

This article presents a novel evaluation system along with methods to evaluate bilateral coordination of arm function on activities of daily living tasks before and after robot-assisted therapy. An affordable bilateral assessment system (BiAS) consisting of two mini-passive measuring units modeled as three degree of freedom robots is described. The process for evaluating functional tasks using the BiAS is presented and we demonstrate its ability to measure wrist kinematic trajectories. Three metrics, phase difference, movement overlap, and task completion time, are used to evaluate the BiAS system on a bilateral symmetric (bi-drink) and a bilateral asymmetric (bi-pour) functional task. Wrist position and velocity trajectories are evaluated using these metrics to provide insight into temporal and spatial bilateral deficits after stroke. The BiAS system quantified movements of the wrists during functional tasks and detected differences in impaired and unimpaired arm movements. Case studies showed that stroke patients compared to healthy subjects move slower and are less likely to use their arm simultaneously even when the functional task requires simultaneous movement. After robot-assisted therapy, interlimb coordination spatial deficits moved toward normal coordination on functional tasks.

This article deals with the special role of the horse as a relationship partner in riding therapy. The possibility of corrective attachment experiences in riding therapy are discussed and practical realisation suggestions of horse-assisted work with children are shown.

Ethical and professional issues associated with computer-assisted therapy (CAT) are discussed in this article. Some of these issues are unique to CAT, while others have been of concern to psychologists for decades. A succinct overview of CAT is followed by an examination of whether CAT can be considered psychotherapy. Issues associated with CAT self-help software and CAT software in general, such as independent use, validation of effectiveness, and restricted access, are discussed. Clinician resistance to CAT is explored, including Weizenbaum's (1976, 1977, 1980) oft-quoted objections and Colby's (1980, 1986) retorts. The issue of client acceptance of CAT is examined, and suggestions for dealing with technoanxious and computerphobic clients are offered. The impact of CAT on ethical standards (American Psychological Association, 1989) is also discussed. It is recommended that guidelines for users, developers, publishers, and distributors of CAT software be developed along the lines of those instituted for computer-assisted assessment (American Psychological Association, 1986).

AIM: To assess long-term efficacy of initially successful endo-sponge assisted therapy. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2009, consecutive patients who had undergone primary successful endo-sponge treatment of anastomotic leakage following rectal cancer surgery were enrolled in the study. Patients were recruited from 6 surgical departments in Vienna. Clinical and oncologic outcomes were assessed through routine endoscopic and radiologic follow-up examination. RESULTS: Twenty patients (7 female, 13 male) were included. The indications for endo-sponge treatment were anastomotic leakage (n = 17) and insufficiency of a rectal stump after Hartmann’s procedure (n = 3). All patients were primarily operated for rectal cancer. The overall mortality rate was 25%. The median follow-up duration was 17 mo (range 1.5-29.8 mo). Five patients (25%) developed a recurrent abscess. Median time between last day of endo-sponge therapy and occurrence of recurrent abscess was 255 d (range 21-733 d). One of these patients was treated by computed tomography-guided drainage and in 3 patients Hartmann’s procedure had to be performed. Two patients (10%) developed a local tumor recurrence and subsequently died. CONCLUSION: Despite successful primary outcome, patients who receive endo-sponge therapy should be closely monitored in the first 2 years, since recurrence might occur.

Achilles tendon disorders are among the most common conditions seen by sports medicine physicians. The request for radiological assessment and for radiologically assisted therapy is on the steady increase. Thus understanding the anatomy and biomechanics of the Achilles tendon is crucial to the effective radiological diagnosis and thus the management of such conditions.

Background Effective rehabilitative therapies are needed for patients with long-term deficits after stroke. Methods In this multicenter, randomized, controlled trial involving 127 patients with moderate-to-severe upper-limb impairment 6 months or more after a stroke, we randomly assigned 49 patients to receive intensive robot-assisted therapy, 50 to receive intensive comparison therapy, and 28 to receive usual care. Therapy consisted of 36 1-hour sessions over a period of 12 weeks. The primary outcome was a change in motor function, as measured on the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Sensorimotor Recovery after Stroke, at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes were scores on the Wolf Motor Function Test and the Stroke Impact Scale. Secondary analyses assessed the treatment effect at 36 weeks. Results At 12 weeks, the mean Fugl-Meyer score for patients receiving robot-assisted therapy was better than that for patients receiving usual care (difference, 2.17 points; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.23 to 4.58) and worse than ...

Background: Management of orbital and mid-facial fractures requires a thorough ophthalmic evaluation and precise imaging. A principle goal of therapy is to anatomically reduce fracture segments and to restore a normal orbital volume as soon as possible. Diagnostic advances such as new surgical and imaging techniques have dramatically improved both the functional and aesthetic outcome of reconstructions. Methods: Orbital reconstruction is performed using computer-assisted navigation. This technique makes preoperative simulation by mirroring the unaffected side onto the affected side. Results: Results from computer-assisted navigation application to both primary and secondary orbital and mid-facial reconstruction are shown. Conclusion: Navigation technique it offers significant advantages in both primary and secondary reconstructions. Navigation facilitates reconstruction in unilateral defects through mirroring techniques, and in bilateral defects by importing virtual models from standard CT datasets improving the software tool to fulfil the need for maxillofacial surgery reconstruction. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Reaching-to-grasp is a vital skill to be relearned following stroke. Robotic aided stroke rehabilitation reduces motor impairment but has is limited in improving ADL function. We present a case study examining the feasibility of a custom developed glove to provide grasp assistance in a robotic therapy environment dedicated to the practice of real activities, ADLER. The case study consists of three subjects, a high functioning, and a low functioning stroke subject and a healthy subject. Results suggest that the glove system was able to providing grasp-assistance and that it was capable of collecting grasp aperture information during reach to grasp activities.

Robot assisted therapy is a new and promising area in stroke rehabilitation and has shown to be effective in reducing motor impairment, but is a costly solution for home rehabilitation. High medical costs could be reduced if we could improve rehabilitation exercise in unsupervised environments such as the home. Hence, there is an augmented need for a cost effective rehabilitation system that can be used outside the clinic. This paper presents the design concept for an autonomous robotic assistant that is low-cost and effective in engaging the users while assisting them with therapy in any under-supervised area. We investigated how the robot assistant can support TheraDrive, our low-cost therapy system. We present the design methods and a case study demonstrating the arm and video collection system.

Our research is the exploration of the social effects of human-robot interaction (HRI) on children with ASD, a population that has deficiencies in many types of social behavior. Computers and robots have been shown to be a catalyst for increased social interaction in children with ASD, yet that effect requires further study to be effectively employed as a therapeutic intervention.

We report here the results of treatment in a panel of 65 inborn errors of metabolism, obtained in the 25th year of a longitudinal project, first reported in 1983. The phenotypic impact of these 65 diseases was scored before and after treatment using a consistent set of parameters, which we have retained to measure change in clinical phenotype throughout the project. We observed significant improvements in the response to treatment for the disease set as a whole. The number of conditions for which there is no response to treatment has progressively decreased; from 31 in 1983, to 20 in 1993, to 17 in 2008. Concomitantly, there has been an increase in the number of conditions that fully respond to treatment (from 8 in 1983 and 1993, to 20 in 2008), and in those for which there is a partial response. Reasons for improved treatment responses include new small molecules, new enzyme replacement therapies, more conditions that can be treated by organ and cell transplantation, and new experimental approaches to substrate reduction and chaperone assisted therapy. However, the most important and new development was not found in one or other particular therapeutic modality but in the access to new knowledge surrounding the individual diseases via the Internet and related resources. Our longitudinal analysis of treatment efficacy for this subset of inborn errors of metabolism continues to constitute a robust and representative assessment of our ability to restore more normal homeostasis in the inborn errors of metabolism.

In the field of pet robots and robot assisted therapy (RAT), animal motion is important for robots resembling various animals. This paper presents a method for the generation of animal gait in quadrupedal robots. In this study, we employ AIBO as an experimental quadrupedal robot and generate the AIBO's gait on the basis of an animal's gait. First, we optimize the orbit of mono-leg, which can efficiently output a propulsive force, by imitating a dog's gait and using a genetic algorithm. Moreover, we generate the quadrupedal gait of AIBO using both the optimum orbit of the mono-leg and an animal's gait, which is classified the gait of walking dog based on the zoology. Furthermore, we have performed questionnaires to include the human feeling, and choose the best gait for AIBO from among the various abovementioned gaits.

After mathematical modeling of the healthy heart now modeling of diseases comes into the focus of research. Modeling of arrhythmias already shows a large degree of realism. This offers the chance of more detailed diagnosis and computer assisted therapy planning. Options for genetic diseases (channelopathies like Long-QT-syndrome), infarction and infarction-induced ventricular fibrillation, atrial fibrillation (AF) and cardiac resynchronization therapy are demonstrated.

Ninety mild to moderately overweight women participated in a study examining the potential utility of a hand-held computer in the treatment of overweight. The study compared the use of a computer with one introductory session; computer therapy with four additional group support sessions; and a therapist conducted weight loss program, in a randomized design. The weight losses in all three groups were modest being approximately half of that expected. No differences in weight losses were found between groups to one-year follow-up, nor were differences found on process measures, suggesting that ambulatory computer treatment is as effective, in terms of education and outcome, as therapist conducted treatment. The computer without group support was significantly more cost-effective at immediate outcome than the other two groups. There was some indication, however, that group support may enhance long-term maintenance of weight loss, thus the cost advantage for the computer alone group declined over the follow-up period. Further developmental work is needed to ascertain whether robust weight losses can be achieved with a hand-held computer or whether this method has inherent limitations.

Robot-assisted therapy devices are available for rehabilitation of persons after stroke, which is the leading cause of disability among adults in the United States (AHA 2006, Volpe et al. 2002). Improving upper extremity function after stroke is critical for performance of one’s life-role and the completion of unilateral and bilateral activities of daily living (ADLs). Carryover to real-life activities after rehabilitation training cannot be assumed (Sterr et al. 2000; Maclean et al. 2000; Ma and Trombly 2002; Trombly and Ma 2002; Prange et al. 2006). For example, the existence of learned non-use behavior indicates that motor gains after rehabilitation therapies may not transfer to long-term functioning on ADLs (Taub et al. 1994; Taub et al. 1999; Sterr et al. 2000). This behavior is present when persons with hemiparesis due to strokes demonstrate significant differences between residual movement capabilities and spontaneous use of the impaired arm in real world. There is a need to address barriers to the carryover of motor gains during training to stroke function in real life. This chapter reviews examples of current upper arm robot-assisted therapy environments and present findings from case study experiments with a new task-oriented, robot therapy system focused on improving carryover of motor improvements to functional activities of daily living. We draw attention to influence of function on arm movements during robot training and explore how future environments can be more functional and engaging. Robot-assisted therapy devices are now being used more frequently in the rehabilitation of persons with physical disabilities due to neurological trauma caused by stroke and spinal cord injury. These therapy robots provide semi- or fully-autonomous training and permit patients using them to engage in repeated and intense practice of goal-directed tasks (Volpe et al 2002; Prange et al 2006; Burgar et al. 2000; Loureiro et al. 2003; Patton et al. 2006; Krebs et al. 2003; MacClellan et al. 2005, Kahn et al. 2006). Typically, the automation of therapeutic exercises involves generating trajectories that guide reaching movements and the application of forces directly or indirectly to the impaired arm to assist, resist, and/or passively support it during the reaching exercise. For example, the MIT-MANUS (Krebs et

Background Recently, the affective relationship between humans and animals has shown a potentially beneficial effects in clinical domains. However, the claim of different studies of the benefits of animal-assisted activities (AAA) is still lacking evidence base data. Objectives To gain insights into the effectiveness of AAA, physiotherapy and psychological support in SSc. Methods 12 SSc female patients (mean age of 60.52±8.3) were treated once a week by a team made of a dog-handler a rheumatologist and a psychologist. They underwent 10 dog-assisted interventions. At onset and after 3 months, the questionnaires and self reports were completed: pain evaluation (VAS 0-100), emotional and affective evaluation (Happy Face-Sad Face Scale), state anxiety (STAI), and a specific designed self report on the liking and satisfaction of the AAA interventions (AAA-Q). Results Significant improvements were reported for pain perception, mood, and other measures of distress among patients after AAA. Pain decreased significantly (p 76±7.5 vs 62±4.3) significantly different before and after AAA (p Conclusions This is the first study measuring the efficacy of AAA (with dogs) on the physiological, emotional, social well-being and pain perception in SSc. The study provides the evidence for pain control with enhancement of the psychosocial well-being. AAA integrated with the traditional medical approach may provide a good support for SSc patients. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Robot Assisted Therapy/Activity (RAT/A) has been recognized as one of effective method for elderly or senile dementia persons to accelerate the physical and mental rehabilitation. One of issues of current RAA is how the robot act in RAA. The method to select an animal-type robot's motion during RAA was focused in this paper. On the assumption that subject's would take almost same behavior to an animal-type robot, the subject's reactions to a robot's motion were described into two-dimensional map. Then, robot's motions were picked up by inverse analysis of the map. The method to select the robot's motion was exemplified by experiments (RAA) at a care facility.

A remote controlled robot as well as autonomous one was used for robot assisted activity (RAA) and robot assisted therapy (RAT) in the special nursing home for aged persons and the rehabilitation ward in the hospital. It was shown from the fieldwork at these working sites that RAA and RAT using remote controlled robot are effective especially in a rehabilitation program. The robot operator can control the robot as if the robot understands patient mind and can stimulate the patient through the robot. The effect of RAA and RAT was evaluated several method such as GSR measurement, patient's hand position and eye-contact analysis during practice and blood pressure measurement at before and after the practice. The results show remote control technique helps rehabilitation program although statistical data accumulation is still necessary. One of the problems preventing RAA and RAT from popularization is that we need the robot operator in addition to the therapist. We developed simple and handy operation console that can be handled by therapist during practice.

La visita terapéutica de mascotas a pacientes hospitalizados es un programa de intervención que tiene importantes beneficios en el manejo de pacientes con patologías crónicas y hospitalizaciones prolongadas. La interrelación que se produce entre los pacientes y los animales facilita la adaptación a un ambiente nuevo y estresante como el hospitalario, ayudando con ello no sólo a disminuir la ansiedad, el estrés, el dolor y la presión arterial, sino también incrementar la movilidad y fuerza muscular. Esta modalidad de terapia puede ser llevada a cabo por la propia mascota o por animales especialmente entrenados. El perro es el animal más utilizado por su facilidad de entrenamiento y sociabilidad. Tanto los pacientes como los animales que participan en estos programas, requieren de una serie de cuidados para evitar la transmisión de zoonosis, evitar fenómenos alérgicos y accidentes durante la visita. La incorporación de visitas terapéuticas de mascotas a pacientes hospitalizados requiere de una constante revisión de guías y objetivos del programa

This paper describes desirable properties that the companion robots should have for the application to robot assisted activity / robot assisted therapy (RAA/RAT) from the standpoint of robotics. Although animal assisted activity / robot assisted therapy (AAA/AAT) give us much better effectiveness in the hospital and old-peoples nursing home for the present time, these institutes have been looking forward to RAA/RAT because of difficulties in AAA/AAT in handling of living animals and prevention of epidemics. From the fieldwork in pediatrics ward and the nursing home using the robots on-the-market that can be partly brought up, we extracted what kind of function is effective in communication between patient-robot, patient-nurse, and patient-patient. This paper also mentions how to actualize such function by software modeling and programming.

We propose a Cyber-Therapy Model: a therapy model to be applied in the virtual community. We have implemented a prototype system PSY-AAAT: Psychological Animal Agent Assisted Therapy (si-'at) based on this Cyber-Therapy Model. The goal is to design a compelling Cyber-Therapy Model, that involves the psychological therapy of single and multiple identity users and create an effective therapy system based on the model. The PSY-AAAT prototype system converts the user's psychological illness into an animal agent. The therapy method reflected into the agent is the Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). The animal agent becomes an indirect personal therapist to the user to lighten the psychological overload of the user. The user indirectly engages in a cooperative process with the animal agent. The user is educated about his/her illness through the caring/therapy process of their animal agent. Therapy is performed without the conscious awareness of the user. Both the user and agent initiate communication, monitor events, and perform tasks. As a result, we have designed a Cyber-Therapy Model, and have implemented the PSY-AAAT prototype system based on the model. The system has successfully converted an existing real world therapy method into the virtual community. We have laid an example that physical, and stereotypical restrictions on therapy are possible to overcome if put to practice in a virtual community.

Dolphin assisted therapy involves dolphins because of their purported therapeutic properties. The physiological effect of dolphin contact on human beings is characterised by noticeable modifications in brain electrical activity. The actual mechanism of action is still unclear. Through analysis of dolphin sonar signals, and comparison with mechanical resonance frequencies of the human body, a possible mechanism of action becomes apparent and is presented here.

Background– Word-finding deficits are frequently associated with aphasia, and retrieval of both verbs and nouns may be impaired irrespective of aphasia-subtype (Luzzati et al., 2001). Computer-assisted-treatment (CAT) of anomia for nouns has shown significant effects on naming in aphasic participants (Laganaro et al, 2006). Here, we examined whether a newly developed CAT may improve lexical retrieval of verbs. Aims– The aims of this study were threefold: 1) Does CAT improve the ability to produce trained verbs? 2) Does training generalize to untrained verbs? 3) Is improvement maintained after the end of the training phase? Methods & Procedures– Seven French-speaking participants with aphasia (39-72 years old; 2-29 months post-onset) of different subtypes and varying degrees of naming impairment took part in the study. Three lists of 35 words (from Schwitter et al., 2004) with comparable mean values for name agreement, image agreement, visual complexity, and age of acquisition were used. Each participant worked on an interactive CAT program, which involved written naming of verbs. On each trial an image depicting an action was presented on the computerscreen together with empty boxes corresponding to the number of letters of the target word. Participants were required to type the word while being free to request an oral (verb name) and/or graphemic cue (for each letters of the verb). Therapy lasted two periods (each during 2 weeks, 5 sessions/week) for listA, followed by two weeks treatment of listB. ListC was used as untreated control-material. Naming of the three lists was assessed prior to the beginning of therapy (baseline-test), after period 1 (post-test1), period 2 (post-test2) and two weeks after end of treatment (late-test). Outcomes & Results– A repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant interaction between training list and time of assessment. Naming improvement was limited to the list treated in each therapy period (post-test 1 vs. baseline for list A, post-test 2 vs. post-test 1 for list B) and did not generalize to non-treated items. The improvement on treated items was maintained at the late-test (Figure 1). 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1 Baseline Test Post-test1 Post-test2 Late-test N a m in g a c c u ra c y ( % c o rr e c t) List A List B List C Figure 1. Naming accuracy at baseline-test, post-test 1, post-test2, and at late-test. Discussion –Computer-assisted therapy of verbs improved item-specific confrontation naming in all participants, and the effect was maintained after the end of the therapy. Though further investigations are needed to establish the impact of CAT on communicative effectiveness our findings show that CAT for verb-anomia can support standard therapy of aphasic participants.

This study explores the response of autistic children to a few design features of the robots for autism therapy and provides suggestions on the robot features that have a stronger influence on the therapeutic process. First, we investigate the effect of selected robot features on the development of social communication skills in autistic children. The results indicate that the toy's “face” and “moving limb” usually draw the children's attention and improve children's facial expression skills, but do not contribute to the development of other social communication skills. Secondly, we study the response of children with low-functioning autism to robots with verbal communication functionalities. Test results show that children interacted with the verbal-featured robot more intensively than with the experimenter. We conclude that robots with faces and moving limbs can engage autistic children in a better way. Facial expression of the robots can elicit a greater response than prompting by humans.

Adjustment of blood glucose by administration of insulin in type-I diabetics with portable insulin pumps is accomplished by basal infusion and additional bolus injections. The required insulin dosage depends on different factors such as individual insulin sensitivity, food uptake, daily life activity etc. A computer program has been developed that is based on adaptive control algorithms and renders possible the calculation of the adequate insulin dosage. In a first clinical study, this program has been evaluated by 6 well-trained type-I diabetics. The results clearly demonstrate — the acceptance of both the program and the specially developed computer (pocket size) by the patients — the high degree of correlation between the insulin dosages determined by the patients and calculated by the computer.

The aim of this work is to objectively verify whether Horses Assisted Therapy leads to an improvement of social attitudes in people with autism, analysing, through saliva samples, by the enzyme immunoassay technique ELISA, the hormonal levels of Cortisol and Progesterone and infer the behaviour of Oxytocin, before and after the therapy sessions. A non-random convenient sample is performed, approaching a group of eight autistic children (n=8). The results show a statistically significant decrease in Cortisol levels in saliva in Pre-Therapy in relation to Post-Therapy (Pre- Therapy 8.71±1ng/ml vs Post-Therapy 6.58±0.63ng/ml). Additionally, the Progesterone levels in Pre-Therapy are significantly less than in Post-Therapy (Pre-Therapy 32.78±7.60pg/ml vs Post-Therapy 60.05±6.72pg/ml). This leads us to determine in an approximate way the behaviour of the Oxytocin hormone, whose levels in Pre-Therapy will be less than in Post-Therapy. We therefore conclude that Horses Assisted Therapies lead to an improvement of social attitudes in the treatment of people with autism.

Allien hand syndrome (AHS) is a rare neurological disorder characterised by uncontrollable and involuntary movement of upper limb. In Fact, the patient feels it as extraneous part of his/her body. From our knowledge, this paper reports the first results of using robot assisted therapy for rehabilitation of patients with AHS syndrome. It is noticeable that the improvements in the capability of carrying out activities of daily living and in the control of the hand and arm are impressive despite of the progress of her neurodegenerative disease.