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This study evaluates the integration of virtual reality (VR) exer-games for people post-stroke through the implementation of a “exer-games room” in an inpatient rehabilitation hospital. Qualitative data (interviews with patients and clinicians) and quantitative data (from the first year of operation of the games room) are synthesized and reviewed to provide an overall interpretative evaluation. The...
Locomotor adaptations to circumvent moving obstacles are initiated with respect to obstacle and self-motion perception, in order to predict and avoid an impending collision. We have developed a virtual reality (VR) based obstacle circumvention task to assess locomotor adaptation (experiment [Exp] 1) and the ability to predict an impending collision (Exp 2) as well as detection of the onset of obstacle...
Robot-assisted training (RT) is a novel technique with promising results for stroke rehabilitation. However, benefits of RT on individuals with long-term chronic stroke have not been well studied. For this case study, we developed an arm-based RT protocol for reaching practice in physical and virtual environments and tracked the outcomes in an individual with a long-term chronic stroke (20+ years)...
Haptic tensile forces in the direction of locomotion were used in a virtual environment to investigate the adaptation and post-adaptation effects on steady-state walking in older post-stroke (n=14) and healthy age-matched adults (n=14). Increased walking velocity was observed in both post-stroke and control groups by as much as 0.11 m/s and 0.14 m/s, respectively, as subjects adapted to walking with...
Comparatively little research exists on rendering vibrotactile patterns, or tactons, to the sole of the foot. However, it may be a natural placement for vibrotactile stimulation for navigation tasks, posture and gait rehabilitation. Similarly, it may be more appropriate to render general haptic feedback to the foot when such vibrations would be distracting if delivered to other body parts. This motivated...
We developed a system combining haptic tensile forces in the direction of locomotion in a virtual environment to investigate its effects on steady-state walking in elderly post-stroke and age-matched controls. Chronic stroke participants (n=6) and healthy age-matched controls (n=6) increased walking velocity by as much as 22% in the stroke group and 18.5% in the control group. This was accompanied...
We present an auditory feedback system to assist learning the single-legged stance on a slackline, sensing the user's posture with a Microsoft Kinect. Slacklining, or walking on an elevated length of tensioned webbing, has been associated with improved core strength, balance and concentration and may have applications for balance rehabilitation and research. Based on the considerable body of research...
A research protocol will be presented to validate a new low cost virtual reality system as a rehabilitation tool for enhancing motor recovery of the upper limb in stroke survivors. To this aim, we will assess the usability of a Kinect-based rehabilitation gaming system by evaluating responses from 24 stroke patients and 8 clinicians. We will create an initial flowchart, linking the level of motor...
We developed a system to investigate the effects of haptic tensile forces in the direction of locomotion in a virtual environment. Pilot results show improvement in gait velocity and symmetry when forces (5-20N) are applied to the hand. Healthy participants (n=5) increased walking velocity by 6–17% and a chronic stroke participant increased by 15%. When a transient perturbation increased force (10N...
We have developed a mixed reality system incorporating virtual reality (VR), surface perturbations and light touch for gait rehabilitation. Haptic touch has emerged as a novel and efficient technique to improve postural control and dynamic stability. Our system combines visual display with the manipulation of physical environments and addition of haptic feedback to enhance balance and mobility post...
The ability to accurately judge distance and time to collision is an important perceptual determinant in shaping obstacle circumvention strategies for functional locomotion. In addition, deficits in planning and execution, as well as biomechanical constraints imposed by age or neurological insult may lead to avoidance failure in this population. We have designed a closed system in sitting displaying...
Persons with a chronic stroke often manifest mobility deficits that may in part be related to altered visuomotor control. Specifically, the ability to use optic flow, which reflects self-motion, may be compromised after a stroke. We evaluated the locomotor behavior of 6 subjects with chronic stroke as they walked overground while viewing a virtual room displayed in a head-mounted display. The subjects...
Most daily occupations require the ability to perform two or more activities simultaneously (i.e. dual tasking) while adapting to unexpected changes in the environment. When a person has neurological deficits, this ability is usually impaired. Moreover, recent evidence supports a relationship between executive function deficits and dual task performance. Most of the studies that examine the effect...
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