Serious Game Design of Virtual Reality Balance Rehabilitation with a Record of Psychophysiological Variables and Emotional Assessment

Abstract

Virtual Reality (VR) offers an alternative to complement physical or neurological rehabilitation based on the efficacy of Gamification as a technique to get compromised, enjoy, and turn treatment periods less annoying through an immersive task. This work presents the design of a VR environment and takes into a count three levels of presence: self-presence, physical, and social. Thirteen healthy participants performed a traditional balance session with a wobble board through a parachute game. The direction of the fall is controlled with the inclination of a wobble board platform instrumented with a Gyroscope, electrocardiography (ECG), electrodermal activity (EDA), and respiratory rate (RESP) signals are simultaneously recorded. These psychophysiological responses of the Autonomous Nervous System (SNA) are contrasted with a standardized emotional self-report questionnaire to gather information about the experience and was filled out by the participant with the eye selection of the Oculus Rift device. The integrated Unity-Matlab system stored and processed some of the extraction data of 15 characteristics associated with the biosignals and three emotional levels, In addition to proposing a severe game as a solution to problems of conventional methodology such as low attention, monotonous and predictable sessions, combining computerized simulation and innovative technologies for more pleasant recovery therapy.