Thursday, April 26, 2012

Computer assisted stroke rehabilitation– the possibilities of distributed Virtual Reality.

For those who are fluent in Swedish you can read that here: Google says its German but what do I know
http://www.researchweb.org/is/gsb/ansokan/9716
Translation;

Summary

The aim is to develop and clinically deploy a system for rehabilitation after the acute phase of stroke. Stroke patients often use more than the healthy side to compensate for the loss of body function in the paralyzed side. They are likely to be a learned behavior persist if the individual only a limited use of the disabled upper limb. After the initial assessment identifies a training program, the patient sits in front of the computer and holding a computer mouse with full mobility in the three-dimensional space. The computer sees the patient as "virtual" 3D images of the exercises. Monitoring and evaluation is continuous. The results of the evaluation leads to changes in the management measures. All components of the system is fully developed. Our ambition is to create an optimal adherence to rehabilitation services by distributing the devices to patients or local centers.

Background

Patients with stroke may, depending on the damage location including have problems with various body functions (1, 2). Stroke patients often use more than the healthy side to compensate for the loss of body function in the paralyzed side. This can lead to problems in the body posture, balance, coordination, and strength, which leads to an abnormal motion. The scope ranges from the upper and lower extremity only to a small extent can be used, that the injured can move, but the movements are clumsy and uncoordinated. They are likely to be a learned behavior persist if the individual only limited uses such as the disabled upper limb (3, 4). After initial assessments that measure the ability to perform activities of daily life and various hand / arm function tests determined an individual training program. The patient sits in front of the computer and holding a computer mouse with full mobility in the three-dimensional space so that it can also be moved in depth. At the same time the so-called haptic technology it is possible to touch the virtual objects (5). The computer sees the patient as "virtual" 3D images of the exercises. All components of the system in prototypes or fully developed (6-8). Our ambition is to create economically viable conditions for an optimal adherence to rehabilitation after stroke by distributing units equipped with virtual reality, haptics and telemedicine for patients or local centers. Furthermore, elimination of tedious travel and some social costs.

No comments:

Post a Comment