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Objective. This work proposes a method for two calibration schemes based on sensory feedback to extract reliable motor imagery (MI) features, and provide classification outputs more correlated to the user's intention. Method. After filtering the raw EEG, a two-step method for spatial feature extraction by using the Riemannian Covariance Matrices (RCM) method and Common Spatial Patterns (CSP) is proposed here. It uses electroencephalogram (EEG) data from trials providing feedback, in an intermediate step composed of both kth nearest neighbors and probability analyses, to find periods of time in which the user probably performed well the MI task without feedback. These periods are then used to extract features with better separability, and train a classifier for MI recognition. For evaluation, an in-house dataset with eight healthy volunteers and two post-stroke patients that performed lower-limb MI, and consequently received passive movements as feedback was used. Other popular public EEG datasets (such as BCI Competition IV dataset IIb, among others) from healthy subjects that executed upper-and lower-limbs MI tasks under continuous visual sensory feedback were further used. Results. The proposed system based on the Riemannian geometry method in two-steps (RCM-RCM) outperformed significantly baseline methods, reaching average accuracy up to 82.29%. These findings show that EEG data on periods providing passive movement can be used to contribute greatly during MI feature extraction. Significance. Unconscious brain responses elicited over the sensorimotor areas may be avoided or greatly reduced by applying our approach in MI-based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). Therefore, BCI's outputs more correlated to the user's intention can be obtained.

BackgroundPromoting good parenting has been a challenge for public policies since child development became part of the Sustainable Development Goals until 2030. Home visitation programs have been proved to be effective in supporting the most vulnerable families, especially the vulnerable, first time pregnant’s teenagers, in acquiring skills and incorporating parenting practices that promote integral child development. The Young Mothers Caregivers is an innovative, experimental program, implemented in the context of a RCT. This paper aims to analyze the fidelity of the HVs, regarding the planning and the operative framework of the young Mothers Cargivers’ protocol.MethodsThis qualitative study was conducted by content analysis from nurse’s records of 390 HVs delivered for 39 teenagers, attended by YMCP. The software Wordart was used to visualize the frequency of themes. The analysis examined, 1) which priority areas were most focused on in HV records, and 2) which themes were prominent in each content priority area, according to the five axes that compose the bases of the interventions. ResultsThe first trimester of HV focused on “Care with Health” axis (specially “Nutrition”); along with “Life Course” axis, “Familiar&Social Network”, “Environment” and “Parenting”. In the second trimester of HV, again “Care with Health” axis (primarily focused on “Nutrition” and “Birth”) was identified in records, as was the concept of “Parenting” (“Praise”, “Attachment”, and “Expressing Feelings”). In the third trimester of HV, “Care with Health” axis (primarily through Breastfeeding and Birth) and “Parenting” axis(through Praise, Attachment, and Readiness to Address Concerns) were prominent. ConclusionsThe content priorities raised in each HV trimester, with different themes within each category, indicating the capacity to adjust the protocol according to the youth interest. At different times, some categories were more highlighted than others. The study found recurring emphasis on praise and the nurse’s ability to address concerns, underscoring the importance of a strong relationship among the nurse visitor and the young mother. Relevance to PracticeData highlights the role of responsive communication and participant’s centered needs as skills for nurses that delivers HV. This is a crucial aspect to structure the monitoring and supervision axes of the Program, for further scaling up.

Introduction: Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder characterized mainly by ligament laxity and hypotonia. Infants with this syndrome have substantial motor retardation also with crawling. To reach this motor milestone, postural control and head and neck control in the prone position are necessary. Seeking to avoid atypical muscular synergies and facilitate the execution of functional activities, the Bobath Concept aims to stimulate weight transfers, promoting motor acquisitions in the prone, supine, sitting and standing positions. Objective: To evaluate and compare crawling before and after the intervention through the Bobath Concept method in infants with DS. Method: A longitudinal, prospective, evaluative and interventional study was carried out. The sample was composed of 4 infants with DS, aged 7 to 24 months. There were three stages of treatment: evaluation in accordance with the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS); short term intervention by the Bobath Concept; and re-evaluation using the same scale. Results: According to statistical analysis, there was no significant difference between pre- and post-treatment (t -3.1705, p=0.0504). However, the results obtained by evaluation and reevaluation, showed progress in infants’ activity, the greatest progress being in the prone position. Infant 4 had the most satisfactory result, in percentage, as much as in the prone position (evolving 9.5%), as in general (evolving 22.4%). Conclusion: Infants submitted to intervention with the Bobath Concept obtained evolution in motor development, when comparing before and after therapy.