REVISE: NYISE procedures and schedule

Schedule for testing NYISE
December 8 (Tuesday) through December 11 (Friday)
Daily 8:30 AM-2:30PM

Tuesday
Complete setup of all equipment
Testing of equipment
Run through blindfolded TGI staff on course
O&M specialist should prepare kids, perhaps show them the route and explain what will happen


The first trial for each subject, the subject will be have the experiment explained
The testers may use whatever appropriate language is necessary, and take as much time as they feel is reasonable for the subject to understand and be comfortable.
Subjects will be asked if they are comfortable with the headphones and the goggles.
Verbal and non-verbal response will indicate whether the subject should continue. Subjects will then be guided once down the course, shown the end of the course and the safety obstacle.
Subjects will then be walked/guided back to the start of the course.
Subjects will always complete trials for veering before trials for coverage.

I am suggesting we test based on time, not number of trials. There is no way I can think of to stay on a schedule when we might see great variability with each child. Doing as many trials as possible during a prescribed period makes sense. Annette, to you see a study design problem with this?

Pre- and post-testing questionnaires will be done by TG and NYISE personnel outside the subjects’ timeslot for the scheduled trials.

I do not really care the order of subjects. It should not be relevant. Whatever works best for the institute should be fine. If we do have a preference at all, we might want to start with the best cane users.


Day 1: Veering trials only. Each subject should complete as many trials as possible during the 45 minute period.
Wednesday

Time Subject Veering
8:45 I00n
9:25 I00n
10:05 I00n
10:45 I00n
11:20 I00n
12:00 LUNCH
12:30 I00n
1:10 I00n
1:50 I00n


Day 2: Veering only. Each subject should complete as many trials as possible during the 45 minute period.
Thursday

Time Subject Veering
8:45 I00n
9:25 I00n
10:05 I00n
10:45 I00n
11:20 I00n
12:00 LUNCH
12:30 I00n
1:10 I00n
1:50 I00n



Day 3: Cane coverage. Each subject should complete as many trials as possible during the 45 minute period.
Friday

Time Subject Veering
8:45 I00n
9:25 I00n
10:05 I00n
10:45 I00n
11:20 I00n
12:00 LUNCH
12:30 I00n
1:10 I00n
1:50 I00n


Below is the draft of the detailed procedure suggested by Steve to be used at NYISE. I completed the veering procedure first -- and pending feedback, I will create the others. Your comments are necessary.


Procedure for initial trials: veering

1. Staff will check that the pre-trial survey has been completed.

2. The staff will measure the widest area of the body, select the cane length, and input the values in the program interface.

3. For the initial trials for veering, the subject will have the goals and procedures of the exercise explained in appropriate language by the staff. Note: the staff will emphasize that we are testing the cane, not the subject.

4. Subject will be shown the waist-attaching wii remote. The remote band will be put around the subject’s waist and adjusted to fit comfortably. The remote angle will adjusted to point toward the infrared light strip. If subject is wearing loose clothing, the staff will use clips to secure the clothing does not interfere with the wii remote.

5. The staff will check the indicator for the remote vertical alignment, and make necessary adjustments.

6. Subject will be shown the wiiCane, the imbedded remote, and the shaft. Subject will demonstrate how they move the cane left and right; any wrist rolling behavior will be noted and the subject will be shown how to move the cane without rolling their wrist. (This action is taken now in anticipation of the coverage trials.)

7. Subject (with or without vision) will be shown the customized occluding goggles. The subject will put the goggles on and assisted to adjust them to fit comfortably.

8. Subject will put on the wireless headphones and assisted to adjust them to fit comfortably.

9. Subject will walk, guided, the 30 foot-long straight-line course several times while the procedure is reviewed again.

10. Subject will have the feedback system explained, including the meaning of the feedback terms and feedback chimes.

11. Subject will be asked if they are ready to try the course.

12. With ascent, the subject will walk the course several times, with staff behind them, as they listen and respond to the feedback. The staff will advise the subject of errors in responses to feedback. The subject will be encouraged to continue walking forward when he/she hears feedback. The subject will be prompted to move to the left or right in response to feedback. This will be repeated until the subject appears confident and can travel the course alone.

13. Data recording will begin. The subject will walk the course. At the end of the course, the subject will be guided back to the beginning of the course. Staff will ensure that the student is comfortable and will provide encouragement.

14. Subject will walk the course repeatedly until the 40 minutes expire.

15. Subject will be told the time of his/her next appointment.