Games For Rehabilitation Research Articles

A feasibility study to determine the benefits of upper extremity virtual rehabilitation therapy for coping with chronic pain post-cancer surgery.

Persistent pain in shoulder and arm following post-surgical breast cancer treatment can lead to cognitive and physical deficits. Depression is also common in breast cancer survivors. Virtual reality therapy with integrative cognitive and physical rehabilitation has not been clinically trialed for this population. The novel BrightArm Duo technology improved cognition and upper extremity (UE) function for other diagnoses and has great potential to benefit individuals coping with post-surgical breast cancer pain. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of BrightArm Duo therapy for coping with post-surgical chronic pain and associated disability in breast cancer survivors with depression. BrightArm Duo is a robotic rehabilitation table modulating gravity loading on supported forearms. It tracks arm position and grasping strength while patients play three-dimensional (3D) custom integrative rehabilitation games. Community-dwelling women (N = 6) with post-surgical breast cancer pain in the upper arm trained on the system twice a week for 8 weeks. Training difficulty increased progressively in game complexity, table tilt and session length (20-50 minutes). Standardized assessments were performed before and after therapy for pain, cognition, emotion, UE function and activities of daily living. Subjects averaged upwards of 1300 arm repetitions and 850 hand grasps per session. Pain intensity showed a 20% downward trend (p = 0.1) that was corroborated by therapist observations and participant feedback. A total of 10 out of 11 cognitive metrics improved post-training (p = 0.01) with a significant 8.3-point reduction in depression severity (p = 0.04). A total of 17 of 18 range of motion metrics increased (p < 0.01), with five affected-side shoulder improvements above the Minimal Clinically Important Difference (8°). In all, 13 out of 15 strength and function metrics improved (p = 0.02) with lateral deltoid strength increasing 7.4 N on the affected side (p = 0.05). This pilot study demonstrated feasibility of using the BrightArm Duo Rehabilitation System to treat cancer survivors coping with upper body chronic pain. Outcomes indicate improvement in cognition, shoulder range, strength, function and depression.

A survey of Canadian physiotherapists’ and occupational therapists’ use of virtual reality and active video games in pediatric rehabilitation

A survey of Canadian physiotherapists’ and occupational therapists’ use of virtual reality and active video games in pediatric rehabilitation

Exploring various orientation measurement approaches applied to a serious game system for functional rehabilitation.

Serious games have been established as a complementary tool for conventional rehabilitation. This trend proved to be beneficial for both experts and patients since the first are able to assign and monitor virtual reality games for their patients to be executed at home, and the latter are greatly motivated by the challenges of these games rather than the repeatable and boring rehabilitation movements. In a previous work, we proposed a serious game for lower limb rehabilitation of the musculoskeletal system using the Microsoft KinectTM camera and a virtual environment. However, this system suffers from inaccurate kinematic measurement due to various external sources. Therefore, this paper explores various kinematic measurement technics to improve the accuracy of our system. Six real time orientation measurement algorithms were assessed and compared, using multiple types of sensors. The results obtained showed a better performance for our system. In fact, this study reinforced a clearer view on a low cost, real time portable system to be implemented at home.

Feasibility study of a serious game based on Kinect system for functional rehabilitation of the lower limbs

Summary Introduction Conventional functional rehabilitation costs time, money and effort for the patients and for the medical staff. Serious games have been used as a new approach to improve the performance as well as to possibly reduce medical cost in the future for cognitive rehabilitation and body balance control. The objective of this present work was to perform a feasibility study on the use of a new real-time serious game system for improving the musculoskeletal rehabilitation of the lower limbs. Materials and methods A basic functional rehabilitation exercise database was established with different levels of difficulties. A 3D virtual avatar was created and scaled to represent each subject-specific body. A portable and affordable Kinect sensor was used to capture real-time kinematics during each exercise. A specific data coupling process was developed. An evaluation campaign was established to assess the developed system. Results The squats exercise was the hardest challenge. Moreover, the performance of each functional rehabilitation exercise depended on the physiological profile of each participant. Our game system was clear and attractive for all functional rehabilitation exercises. All testing subjects felt motivated and secure when playing the rehabilitation game. Discussion The comparison with other systems showed that our system was the first one focusing on the functional rehabilitation exercises of the lower limbs. Conclusions Our system showed useful functionalities for a large range of applications (rehabilitation at home, sports training). Looking forward, new in-situation exercises will be investigated for specific musculoskeletal disorders.

A pilot single-blind multicentre randomized controlled trial to evaluate the potential benefits of computer-assisted arm rehabilitation gaming technology on the arm function of children with spastic cerebral palsy

Objective: To evaluate the potential benefits of computer-assisted arm rehabilitation gaming technology on arm function of children with spastic cerebral palsy. Design: A single-blind randomized controlled trial design. Power calculations indicated that 58 children would be required to demonstrate a clinically important difference. Setting: Intervention was home-based; recruitment took place in regional spasticity clinics. Participants: A total of 15 children with cerebral palsy aged five to 12 years were recruited; eight to the device group. Interventions: Both study groups received ‘usual follow-up treatment’ following spasticity treatment with botulinum toxin; the intervention group also received a rehabilitation gaming device. Main measures: ABILHAND-kids and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure were performed by blinded assessors at baseline, six and 12 weeks. Results: An analysis of covariance showed no group differences in mean ABILHAND-kids scores between time points. A non-parametric analysis of variance on Canadian Occupational Performance Measure scores showed a statistically significant improvement across time points (χ2 (2,15) = 6.778, p = 0.031), but this improvement did not reach minimal clinically important difference. Mean daily device use was seven minutes. Recruitment did not reach target owing to unanticipated staff shortages in clinical services. Feedback from children and their families indicated that the games were not sufficiently engaging to promote sufficient use that was likely to result in functional benefits. Conclusion: This study suggests that computer-assisted arm rehabilitation gaming does not benefit arm function, but a Type II error cannot be ruled out.

Serious game and functional rehabilitation for the lower limbs

Summary Introduction Conventional functional rehabilitation consists of a therapeutic consultation, a motor exercise assignment, and an execution task with or without assistance of the therapist. The objective of this technical note was to present a new real-time 3D serious game system concept for musculoskeletal rehabilitation of the lower limbs. Materials and method A generic development workflow of real-time 3D serious game systems for functional rehabilitation of the lower limbs was proposed. A user-friendly system flowchart was also established for a better interaction between end-users and the game system. Result and discussion Different system components like avatar modeling, subject registration, rehabilitation game and feedback visualization and control were detailed and their advantages and limitations were discussed. Conclusions 3D serious game technologies open new perspectives for a large range of rehabilitation applications (at home or in clinic environment, sports training).

Data Acquisition Glove for Hand Movement Impairment Rehabilitation

The present paper describes a data acquisition wearable device for hand rehabilitation. The main goal of this glove is to be used by patients with hand movement impairment. It has position sensors to measure the bending of synovial joints and sensors to measure the fingertip contact pressure. There is a coin motor and a LED placed on each finger to produce a vibratory and visual stimulus. The glove also tracks the hand rotation and translation using a MPU (Motion Processing Unit) that contains an accelerometer and a gyroscope. A graphical application for an HMI module was developed in order to create rehabilitation game like exercises where sensor data can be logged for further analysis by a therapist. The wearable device electronic hardware comprises a Glove module and an HMI module that communicate through SPI protocol (Serial Peripheral Interface). The wearable device supports USB connection to send data to a computer or to be used as a peripheral device in virtual or augmented reality applications.

Developing and Evaluating Creativity Gamification Rehabilitation System: The Application of PCA-ANFIS Based Emotions Model

This study aims to explore the factors in a patient’s rehabilitation achievement after a total knee replacement (TKR) patient exercises, using a PCA-ANFIS emotion model-based game rehabilitation system, which combines virtual reality (VR) and motion capture technology. The researchers combine a principal component analysis (PCA) and an adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) to present a predicting, artificial emotion model with a Plutchik emotional wheel in a 3D Gesture gamification rehabilitation system, and illustrate the value of the Plutchik emotional wheel. Also, this study tries to improve a rehabilitant’s self-efficacy, based on interesting games and the use of Kinect technology to capture a rehabilitant’s motion. This quasi-experimental design required two months to collect the PRS rehabilitation treatment data from the study’s participants, who were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group, rehabilitated with a PRS, filled out a questionnaire and evaluated whether the system operations and self-efficacy changes affected their rehabilitation achievement. These findings could be referenced for related researchers designing auxiliary tools and for helping physical therapists improve rehabilitants’ performance. Meanwhile, these findings recommend that patients have the operation in the early stages and that they form regular exercise habits for a better rehabilitation outcome.

Validation of the Balance Board for Clinical Evaluation of Balance During Serious Gaming Rehabilitation Exercises.

Balance and posture can be affected in various conditions or become decreased with aging. A diminution of balance control induces an increase of fall's risk. The Nintendo Wii Balance Board™ (WBB) is used in rehabilitation to perform balance exercises (using commercial video games). The WBB has also been validated to assess balance and posture in static conditions. However, there is currently no study investigating the use of WBB to assess balance during the realization of balance exercises using this device. The aim of this study was to validate the use of WBB, coupled with specially developed serious games, to assess dynamic balance during rehabilitation exercises. Thirty five subjects participated in this study. Subjects were asked to play two specially developed serious games. Center of pressure (CP) displacements were simultaneously recorded with a WBB and a gold standard force plate (FP). Nine parameters were derived from CP displacement. Bland and Altman plots, paired-sample t tests, intraclass correlation coefficient's, and Pearson's coefficient correlations were computed. Excellent correlation between both devices was found for each parameter for the two games (R = 0.95 and 0.96). Unlike previous work on the WBB, these excellent results were obtained without using any calibration procedure. Despite this, results were highly correlated between the WBB and the FP. The WBB could be used in clinics to assess balance during rehabilitation exercises and, thus, allows a more regular patient follow-up.

Upper limb bilateral symmetric training with robotic assistance and clinical outcomes for stroke

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the physiotherapeutic benefits of bilateral symmetric training (BST) for stroke survivors affected by hemiparesis. Design/methodology/approach – Other studies have investigated symmetric physiotherapy. A key difficulty in previous work is in maintaining mirror-imaged trajectories between the affected and less-affected limbs. This obstacle was overcome in this work by using a two-armed robotic exoskeleton to enforce symmetry. In total, 15 subjects, &gt; 6 months post stroke were, randomly assigned to bilateral symmetric robotic training, unilateral robotic training, and standard physical therapy. Findings – After 12 training sessions (90 minutes/session), the bilateral training group had the greatest intensity of movement training. They also had the greatest improvement in range of motion at the shoulder. The unilateral training group showed the greatest reduction in spasticity. Research limitations/implications – The rationale for symmetric physiotherapy is that it might promote connections from the undamaged brain hemisphere. The robot generated copious amounts of detailed kinematic data. Even though these data provided insights into the human to machine interface using different training modalities, it proved difficult to draw neurological conclusions. It is recommended that future research along these lines should include measures of neurophysiological change and/or changes in neurological activity. Practical implications – This research suggests that the advantage of bilateral symmetric movement over other modalities is slight, and that robotic training has comparable results with standard care. If BST is used, care is potentially needed to avoid exacerbation of spasticity. Finally, this research includes a novel quantitative approach for evaluating robotic training. Originality/value – This study is of value to therapeutic researchers interested in new physiotherapy techniques, roboticists interested in developing rehabilitation devices, or for rehabilitation game designers interested in using virtual reality.

Effects of virtual reality-based rehabilitation on distal upper extremity function and health-related quality of life: a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundVirtual reality (VR)-based rehabilitation has been reported to have beneficial effects on upper extremity function in stroke survivors; however, there is limited information about its effects on distal upper extremity function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of VR-based rehabilitation combined with standard occupational therapy on distal upper extremity function and HRQoL, and compare the findings to those of amount-matched conventional rehabilitation in stroke survivors.MethodsThe present study was a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. The study included 46 stroke survivors who were randomized to a Smart Glove (SG) group or a conventional intervention (CON) group. In both groups, the interventions were targeted to the distal upper extremity and standard occupational therapy was administered. The primary outcome was the change in the Fugl–Meyer assessment (FM) scores, and the secondary outcomes were the changes in the Jebsen–Taylor hand function test (JTT), Purdue pegboard test, and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) version 3.0 scores. The outcomes were assessed before the intervention, in the middle of the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and 1 month after the intervention.ResultsThe improvements in the FM (FM-total, FM-prox, and FM-dist), JTT (JTT-total and JTT-gross), and SIS (composite and overall SIS, SIS-social participation, and SIS-mobility) scores were significantly greater in the SG group than in the CON group.ConclusionsVR-based rehabilitation combined with standard occupational therapy might be more effective than amount-matched conventional rehabilitation for improving distal upper extremity function and HRQoL.Trial registrationThis study is registered under the title “Effects of Novel Game Rehabilitation System on Upper Extremity Function of Patients With Stroke” and can be located in https://clinicaltrials.gov with the study identifier NCT02029651.

Usability evaluation of low-cost virtual reality hand and arm rehabilitation games.

The emergence of lower-cost motion tracking devices enables home-based virtual reality rehabilitation activities and increased accessibility to patients. Currently, little documentation on patients' expectations for virtual reality rehabilitation is available. This study surveyed 10 people with stroke for their expectations of virtual reality rehabilitation games. This study also evaluated the usability of three lower-cost virtual reality rehabilitation games using a survey and House of Quality analysis. The games (kitchen, archery, and puzzle) were developed in the laboratory to encourage coordinated finger and arm movements. Lower-cost motion tracking devices, the P5 Glove and Microsoft Kinect, were used to record the movements. People with stroke were found to desire motivating and easy-to-use games with clinical insights and encouragement from therapists. The House of Quality analysis revealed that the games should be improved by obtaining evidence for clinical effectiveness, including clinical feedback regarding improving functional abilities, adapting the games to the user's changing functional ability, and improving usability of the motion-tracking devices. This study reports the expectations of people with stroke for rehabilitation games and usability analysis that can help guide development of future games.

Application of the Blobo bluetooth ball in wrist rehabilitation training.

[Purpose] The introduction of emerging technologies such as the wireless Blobo bluetooth ball with multimedia features can enhance wrist physical therapy training, making it more fun and enhancing its effects. [Methods] Wrist injuries caused by fatigue at work, improper exercise, and other conditions are very common. Therefore, the reconstruction of wrist joint function is an important issue. The efficacy of a newly developed integrated wrist joint rehabilitation game using a Blobo bluetooth ball with C# software installed was tested in wrist rehabilitation (Flexion, Extension, Ulnar Deviation, Radial Deviation). [Results] Eight subjects with normal wrist function participated in a test of the system’s stability and repeatability. After performing the Blobo bluetooth ball wrist physical therapy training, eight patients with wrist dysfunction experienced approximately 10° improvements in range of motion (ROM) of flexion extension, and ulnar deviation and about 6° ROM improvement in radial deviation. The subjects showed progress in important indicators of wrist function. [Conclusion] This study used the Blobo bluetooth ball in wrist physical therapy training and the preliminary results were encouraging. In the future, more diverse wrist or limb rehabilitation games should be developed to meet the needs of physical therapy training.

Novel Virtual Environment for Alternative Treatment of Children with Cerebral Palsy.

Cerebral palsy is a severe condition usually caused by decreased brain oxygenation during pregnancy, at birth or soon after birth. Conventional treatments for cerebral palsy are often tiresome and expensive, leading patients to quit treatment. In this paper, we describe a virtual environment for patients to engage in a playful therapeutic game for neuropsychomotor rehabilitation, based on the experience of the occupational therapy program of the Nucleus for Integrated Medical Assistance (NAMI) at the University of Fortaleza, Brazil. Integration between patient and virtual environment occurs through the hand motion sensor “Leap Motion,” plus the electroencephalographic sensor “MindWave,” responsible for measuring attention levels during task execution. To evaluate the virtual environment, eight clinical experts on cerebral palsy were subjected to a questionnaire regarding the potential of the experimental virtual environment to promote cognitive and motor rehabilitation, as well as the potential of the treatment to enhance risks and/or negatively influence the patient's development. Based on the very positive appraisal of the experts, we propose that the experimental virtual environment is a promising alternative tool for the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy.

Interaction Detection with Depth Sensing and Body Tracking Cameras in Physical Rehabilitation.

This article is part of the Focus Theme of Methods of Information in Medicine on "Methodologies, Models and Algorithms for Patients Rehabilitation". This paper presents a camera based method for identifying the patient and detecting interactions between the patient and the therapist during therapy. Detecting interactions helps to discriminate between active and passive motion of the patient as well as to estimate the accuracy of the skeletal data. Continuous face recognition is used to detect, recognize and track the patient with other people in the scene (e.g. the therapist, or a clinician). We use a method based on local binary patterns (LBP). After identifying users in the scene we identify interactions between the patient and other people. We use a depth map/point cloud for estimating the distance between two people. Our method uses the association of depth regions to user identities and computes the minimal distance between the regions. Our results show state-of-the-art performance of real-time face recognition using low-resolution images that is sufficient to use in adaptive systems. Our proposed approach for detecting interactions shows 91.9% overall recognition accuracy what is sufficient for applications in the context of serious games. We also discuss limitations of the proposed method as well as general limitations of using depth cameras for serious games. We introduced a new method for frame-by-frame automated identification of the patient and labeling reliable sequences of the patient's data recorded during rehabilitation (games). Our method improves automated rehabilitation systems by detecting the identity of the patient as well as of the therapist and by detecting the distance between both over time.

Using health games for rehabilitation of patients with infantile cerebral palsy.

[Purpose] The purposes of this study were to evaluate whether the therapeutic games developed by the study team are significantly effective for upper limb rehabilitation of patients with cerebral palsy and to assess the development of the games and the evolution of patients throughout the therapy sessions. [Subjects and Methods] This study demonstrates the results of using therapeutic games in patients with infantile cerebral palsy. The therapies were performed in 30-minute sessions for about 1 to 4 months. This study shows the progress of five children with cerebral palsy during the sessions. The time it took the children on each road and the times required to complete a task were measured. In addition, the level of difficulty of the games was gradually increased at each session. [Results] Results have shown good progress on the accuracy of the movements and an increase in concentration level during the execution of the games, showing an improvement in the patients’ performance by 40–55% faster. [Conclusions] Health games encourage children to comply with therapy. The advantage of the game is that the patient can perform the therapy at home, which could help achieve further progress in patients.

The use and effect of video game design theory in the creation of game-based systems for upper limb stroke rehabilitation.

Upper limb exercise is often neglected during post-stroke rehabilitation. Video games have been shown to be useful in providing environments in which patients can practise repetitive, functionally meaningful movements, and in inducing neuroplasticity. The design of video games is often focused upon a number of fundamental principles, such as reward, goals, challenge and the concept of meaningful play, and these same principles are important in the design of games for rehabilitation. Further to this, there have been several attempts for the strengthening of the relationship between commercial game design and rehabilitative game design, the former providing insight into factors that can increase motivation and engagement with the latter. In this article, we present an overview of various game design principles and the theoretical grounding behind their presence, in addition to attempts made to utilise these principles in the creation of upper limb stroke rehabilitation systems and the outcomes of their use. We also present research aiming to move the collaborative efforts of designers and therapists towards a model for the structured design of these games and the various steps taken concerning the theoretical classification and mapping of game design concepts with intended cognitive and motor outcomes.

Efficacy of Group Language Games as Therapy for Post-Stroke Aphasia

Efficacy of Group Language Games as Therapy for Post-Stroke Aphasia

스마트폰을 이용한 뇌졸중 후 상지 편마비 환자의 상지 게임재활훈련 프로그램 개발 및 임상적 유용성 평가에 대한 예비연구

In the paper, we developed the mobile based rehabilitation system for patients with upper extremity hemiplegia after stroke and evaluated clinical usefulness and effectiveness of the system. The sensors built in the smartphone were used to track patients' upper limb motion and the movements was transferred to the tablet PC through bluetooth connection so that the game contents could be interact with the movements. The rehabilitation game contents was based on Brunnstrom stage(B-stage), and was designed to lead accurate movement of upper limb. For the clinical evaluation of the effectiveness, 11 patients were recruited and make them perform an exercise of their wrist, shoulder, and forearm using the system for two weeks. The change of upper limb motor function was measured using fugl-meyer assessment(FMA), Brunnstrom stage(B-stage). And the change of quality of life was measured using EuroQoL-5 Dimension(EQ-5D), Beck Depression Inventory(BDI). The results showed significant improvement in upper limb function but not in quality of life. We verified mobile based rehabilitation program could be useful and effective for the clinical use.

The importance of computerized dynamic posturography in vestibular rehabilitation of patients with unilateral peripheral vestibular deficiency

Abstract OBJECTIVE. To evaluate the importance of computerized dynamic posturography in vestibular rehabilitation of patients with unilateral peripheral vestibular deficiency syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The study was conducted on a group of 30 patients (33-78 years; mean age (± SD) = 55.8 ± 12.12) diagnosed with unilateral peripheral vestibular deficiency syndrome, which benefited from VR on a posturography platform. Assessment of the patients was made using the Sensory Organization Test before and after eight sessions of rehabilitation. We analyzed the results obtained with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) on static and foam platform. The following variables were evaluated: Romberg coefficient, statokinesigram (SKG), maximum amplitude of the degree of deviation in anterior/posterior and medial/lateral planes, SKG and the time interval of the game rehabilitation program. RESULTS. The statistical analysis of the data revealed a strong correlation (p&lt;0.05) for the studied parameters, especially when the test was performed with the eyes closed on foam platform. The analysis of the Romberg coefficient did not show statistically significant results (p&gt;0.05) and the measured values were outside the range of normality even at the end of the rehabilitation program. SKG and the time interval reference of the game showed significant improvement of the parameters (p&lt;0.05); at the end of the rehabilitation sessions, 93.33% of the patients showed full recovery of their deficit. CONCLUSION. Computerized dynamic posturography has a particularly important role in the evaluation, monitoring and rehabilitation of the patients with peripheral vestibular deficiency.