Haptic Augmented Reality to monitor human arm's stiffness in rehabilitation

Maryam Khademi,Cristina Videira Lopes,Hossein Mousavi Hondori,Lucy Dodakian,Steve C Cramer

doi:10.1109/iecbes.2012.6498168

Abstract

Augmented Reality (AR) is a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are overlaid by virtual, computer generated objects. In this paper, AR is combined with haptics in order to observe human arm's stiffness. A haptic, hand-held device is used to measure the human arm's impedance. While a computer vision system tracks and records the position of the hand, a computer screen displays the impedance diagrams superimposed on the hand in a real-time video feed. The visual augmentation is also performed using a video projector that project's the diagrams on the hand as it moves.

Highlights

Stroke represents a major health concern for the American public, ranking as the third leading cause of death in the United States, and a leading cause of disability [1]
We have developed a low-cost haptic augmented reality rehab system that allows individual with stroke to practice their arm and hand movements without intervention of a therapist
Impairment of hand function is prevalent among stroke survivors, motivating the research for effective rehabilitation therapy

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Stroke represents a major health concern for the American public, ranking as the third leading cause of death in the United States, and a leading cause of disability [1]. Each year in the U.S alone over 600,000 people survive a stroke, while similar figures exist in other countries. 80% of acute stroke survivors lose arm and hand movement skills [2]. Stroke patients with movement impairments are required to have intensive physical therapy sessions after the initial injury occurs. Due to high expense of having an always-present therapist and problem of frequent commuting to clinic, homebased rehabilitation systems are in demand. We have developed a low-cost haptic augmented reality rehab system that allows individual with stroke to practice their arm and hand movements without intervention of a therapist.

RELATED WORK

Experiment Setup

AR System

EXPERIMENTAL DATA

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION