Thought controlled robotic arm

Posted on May 16, 2012 by admin

“They’ve found that it is possible for a person to mentally control a robotic limb in three-dimensional space.”

Photo courtesy of Ripley Engineering

This profound news comes from Roderic Pettigrew, M.D., Ph.D., director of the National Institute of Health’s National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, in a press release today (5-16-2012).

Photo courtesy of Flickr user RobandSheila

Back in 1982 my wife and I attended the World’s Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee. One of the big highlights for us was an exhibit showing a new machine called a robotic arm. It was big, yellow, and computer-programmed to draw a picture of the symbol of the World’s Fair. We waited in line and then it drew one for us.

Since then, computer-controlled robotic arms have been implemented extensively in manufacturing, including in automotive factories such as we have here in the Detroit area.

The NIH-funded research has been working on what it calls BrainGate, which is a neural interface system which uses an implanted sensor to capture signals that direct movement and link those to robotic devices. The big news out right now is that for the first time, “by using her thoughts“, a woman paralyzed by stroke was able to direct a robotic arm to reach for a drink and then take a sip on her own. Impressive!

In the press release, researchers indicated that the ultimate goal is, as one might expect, to reconnect the brain to paralyzed limbs instead of a robotic arm.

While this story is primarily about the connection between the brain and the limbs, the story does seem to indicate that it is thought that initially directs movement. The brain is next in the sequence, with the limbs at the other end of the process – although some might argue about the distinction between thought and the brain. So, does the brain control thought, or does thought control the brain? Does the brain move limbs or does thought direct the brain to direct the limbs to move? When it comes to movement, is thought the master? (The press release said that the woman moved the robotic arm “by using her thoughts“).

If thought is the ultimate master of movement, then when thought decides that movement is restricted by injury or disease and fails to initiate or control movement, could thought be freed from such limitation by the influence of a higher power?

The Bible (in Hebrews 12:12-13) challenges thought with this: “… lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.”

According to the Bible, Jesus healed paralysis (see Matthew 15:30).  So did some of his students (see Acts chapter 3 for an example).

And today?:
Account of stroke symptoms healed through prayer - click here.
Restricted movement healed through prayer – click here.

Food for thought!

To read the NIBIB 05-16-2012 press release - click here.

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Mother-love

Posted on May 10, 2012 by admin

It was so touching to see mother-love in action like this.

Photo courtesy of Flickr.com user Wolfsavard

As I drove by a pond, I saw a family of three geese on a grassy area between the road and the pond. While the baby walked around, it’s mother – and father – walked with it, staying between the gosling and the road, and guiding it away from the road. Intuitively and persistently these parents were caring for their young charge, keeping it safe.

In my house, a live bald eagle Nest Cam in Decorah, Iowa, airing online has been the big news item for a while. We’ve watched over a period of weeks as a mother eagle tended her eggs in the nest and, along with the father, cared for the newly hatched eaglets. They’re getting pretty big now.

I have fond memories of times my mother cared for me when I was little. Some of those memories include blankets and chicken noodle soup, and her reading comforting hymns to me.

Mother-love protects, shelters, feeds, and nurtures. It comforts and it heals.

Here’s a profound example of how children receiving mother-love fared much better than those who didn’t – it’s that important!

Anne Harrington, Harvard College Professor and Professor for the History of Science, in her book, “The Cure Within – A History of Mind-Body Medicine” (page 191), shares a 1945 study by psychoanalytic psychiatrist Rene Spitz in which one group of babies was cared for with good hygiene and excellent physical care but received little if any individual love or attention. This group became physically and emotionally stunted. Most could not walk or talk even at the age of four. “Within two years 37 percent … had died from infection.”

In contrast, a second group of babies was cared for in a prison nursery that was “far dirtier” but received loving affection from their mothers each day. “Not a single one of the second group of children succumbed to infection during the five-year period of Spitz’s study.”

The Bible shares a glimpse of the mother-love of God in these passages:

Photo courtesy of www.raptorresource.org¹

“As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.” (Deuteronomy 32:9-12)

“As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you” (Isaiah 66:13)

With Mother’s Day coming up, its a nice time to give thought to how mother-love has been brought into my life, how I can bring it into the lives of others, and how God’s mother-love is there for me and everyone else when we need it, whether we know it or not. In this sense, every day is mother-love day.

Click here to view the bald eagle Nest Cam in Decorah, Iowa¹.

¹ Eagle, Falcons, and Osprey Cams by Raptor Resource Project. Based on a work at www.ustream.tv.
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Prayer and Numbers That May Surprise You

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Bob Cummings

May 3rd is National Day of Prayer here in the U.S. For me, every day is a day of prayer. And I’m not alone. Not by a long shot.

In Michigan, 56% pray at least once a day and 76% pray at least once a week according to the 2008 Pew Forum Religious Landscape Survey. And in the U.S. as a whole the numbers are about the same: 58% daily and 75% weekly.

Now let’s do a little math here to make this more meaningful. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Michigan’s population is just under 10 million. Which means that over 5.5 million of us in Michigan pray at least once a day, and over 7.5 million of us in Michigan pray at least once a week. And nationally, with over 308 million this translates into 178 million daily and 232 million weekly.

This is even more significant when considering that almost half (49%) of all adults in the U.S. said in 2007 that they had prayed about their health. This according to a report published in 2011 by The American Psychological Association entitled National Trends in Prayer Use as a Coping Mechanism for Health.

And in “Does God answer prayer? ASU research says ‘yes’ ” in the Arizona State University News, Assistant Professor David Hodge describes clinical studies researching the effectiveness of prayer this way: “Some have found positive results for prayer. Others have found no effect. Conducting a meta-analysis takes into account the entire body of empirical research on intercessory prayer. Using this procedure, we find that prayer offered on behalf of another yields positive results.”

I have found that praying for oneself also yields positive results. And millions of us are praying frequently!

There are different forms of prayer: for example, petition–asking the divine for help, affirmation–knowing and affirming God’s goodness and our nature derived from Him, and spiritual realization–getting past self and feeling a strong connection with the divine.

Prayer is more than a recitation or repetition of a set of words, although I find that this sometimes helps me get started when praying. Prayer is listening to the divine. Prayer is communication. I like to talk with God in the first-person in silent prayer to feel His closeness. And I try to remember that I need to listen at least as much as I talk — still working on that!

My prayers include understanding the nature of God and his perfection and goodness with an accompanying recognition that all of us, as His children, are actually spiritual beings that exhibit His wonderful nature, His perfection, health, intelligence, and love.

I ask Him for wisdom, safety, and peace. I affirm my God-given abilities, freedom, health and happiness. I thank Him for the good that has come my way. I strive to realize that we are all WITH HIM and LIKE HIM. I listen for inspiration. And most importantly, I strive to feel a connection to God in which I feel His love and care for me and for everyone.

It’s not all about the numbers.

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When laughter administers love to the heart

Posted on April 17, 2012 by admin

He shared a video of one of his house calls to a poor woman in another country who was very ill and in much pain. Using his humor, despite a language barrier, he had her sitting up, smiling, laughing, and singing. It was apparent that she experienced some relief from her suffering.

This was part of a talk I attended by Patch Adams (on whom the movie of the same name starring Robin Williams was based). “Patch” described how, as a doctor and a clown, he brings humor to the aid of those who are sick and suffering.

April is National Humor Month and Saturday, April 14, 2012, was International Moment of Laughter Day. Yes, that’s right – we have a day for a moment! That made me chuckle.

“Laughter comes right after breathing as just about the healthiest thing you can do,” says Izzy Gesell¹, a speaker who brings the concepts of Improv Theater into the business world. “It relieves stress, instills optimism, raises self-confidence, defuses resistance to change, and enhances all your relationships.”

Numerous clinical studies² on laughter have documented that laughter increases pain thresholds, reduces muscle tension, and improves the immune system – among other things.

The Bible says, ”A merry heart doeth good like a medicine…”³.

But how does laughter help? It’s not something administered to the body by a drug. It impacts thought. If consciousness affects health then it’s better to have healthy thoughts. It’s better to have funny thoughts.

Seriously! Patch shared that by keeping busy practicing medicine and sharing humor, during the past 50 years he has never thought a bad thought and never been sick.

It’s clear to me that the key ingredient Patch delivers with his humor is his love for those who are suffering. He told the audience that he is not a religious man, but if he calls spiritual love into action, then that makes him a spiritual person. He said he once hugged a patient for 12 hours. He spoke of wanting a revolution in loving.

That’s the thing then: calling spiritual love into action. Love is a spiritual thing that has its ultimate source in the divine. Laughter opens the heart to feel love and that brings comfort and healing.

¹See www.izzyg.com.  ² See pubmed.org search on “laughter“.  ³ Proverbs 17:22.
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Celebrating World Health Day

Posted on April 4, 2012 by admin

Two older gentlemen were just coming off the 18th hole at the golf course as I and my playing partners walked to the clubhouse before beginning our round. The one closest to us shared that his playing partner, although a little older than him, had won the round – and, oh, by the way, his playing partner was 95 years old.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has established Saturday, April 7, 2012 as World Health Day. The theme this year is: “Good health adds life to years”.

A study¹ published in The American Journal of Public Health in 1997 found that frequent religious attendance reduced mortality (adds years to life).

But the theme here is not to add years to life, but to add life to years. One very obvious and central way to add life to years (as well as to add years to life) is to achieve better health. But adding life to years involves much more than that.

Continue reading →

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Daylight Savings Time and spirituality

Posted on March 10, 2012 by admin

(Photo courtesy of Flickr.com user ckaiserca)

A recent study found that sleep problems were noted after three-day weekends and Spring and Fall Daylight Savings time changes. Research has found that spirituality can help.

Daylight savings time (DST) was first conceived by Benjamin Franklin. Germany and England were the first countries to formally adopt DST. It was first enacted in the U.S. in March 19, 1918 with a law entitled, “An Act To save daylight and to provide standard time, for the United States.”

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Music and health – really?

Posted on March 5, 2012 by admin

(Courtesy of flickr user Labanex)

Cancer patients were provided with 30 minutes of culturally appropriate music to relieve pain. This provided a level of 50% pain relief in 42% of the music group compared to 8% in the control group.

This from a 2010 randomized controlled trial¹ conducted at the Fooyin University School of Nursing in Taiwan.

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60 Minutes, Placebos, and an Impossible Study

Posted on February 20, 2012 by admin

Explosive! That’s how correspondent Lesley Stahl described it.¹ And a study on the implications it raises for all drug-based therapy would be impossible – or would it?

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“Beam me up, Scotty”

Posted on February 7, 2012 by admin

Picture courtesy of Flickr user javacolleen

“McCoy’s syndrome” is defined, in an article¹ in a leading medical journal called The Lancet, as an excessive faith in medical technology (especially imaging), an absence of clinical reasoning and a lack of making emotional connections with the sick. The problem: frequent misdiagnosis.

Technological equipment in medicine helps physicians do their job better. But there can be a temptation to rely excessively or exclusively on a test result or image scan.

TRICORDER (Picture courtesy of Flickr user ted.sali)

The reference to McCoy’s syndrome is based on the fictional character named Dr. McCoy on a TV show called Star Trek in which the doctor diagnosed patients using a medical “tricorder” that scanned the patient and eliminated any need to discuss things with the patient or examine them any further. Take a reading, get a diagnosis.

But in real life, medical machinery today doesn’t accomplish this. And it may never do so. And one reason for this is that there is a mental component to health.

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Expertise and placebo research in Italy

Posted on January 24, 2012 by admin

Roman Forum (picture courtesy of Flickr.com user Mshai)

I remember walking around the city of Rome many years ago and seeing the impressive stone ruins – the remains of government buildings in the old Roman Forum – and thinking that they really were advanced for that time period. The Roman Forum “has been called the most celebrated meeting place in the world, and in all history.”¹

In my previous post I looked at an almost lighthearted but curious case of how extensive knowledge of anatomy commonplace in Italy seems to result in a winter disease unique to them. This gives an example of how thought can have an impact on health.

But in all seriousness, Italy is very much at the forefront of some significant research on a mind-body connection. For example, a search on ”placebo AND research AND italy” (in the search bar) at pubmed.gov (which stores abstracts containing the results of clinical studies) yields 1,901 results.

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