Assessment and Training in a 3-Dimensional Virtual Environment With Haptics: A Report on 5 Cases of Motor Rehabilitation in the Chronic Stage After Stroke
By Broeren, Jurgen, MSc; Rydmark, Martin, PhD; Björkdahl, Ann, MSc; Sunnerhagen, Katharina Stibrant, PhD; Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 180-189Publication Date: March/April 2007
Study conducted to assess the possible effectiveness of hemiparetic upper extremity training for people who have had a stroke with computerized haptic force feedback and three-dimensional visualization as applied to computer games. Five people with hemiparesis who recently had a stroke participated in the study. The participants played a computer game called 3D Bricks, which allowed them to strike a virtual ball to knock over bricks in a pile. The participants grasped a haptic stylus with their affected upper limb, and struck a virtual ball, which knocked over the bricks. The participants could actually feel the stylus hitting the ball. The game had seven levels of difficulty, which corresponded with the speed of the ball. The participants played the game three times a week for forty-five minutes for five weeks. Velocity, time needed to reach the ball, and hand-path ratio were all evaluated. Improvements across all measures were noted, as the authors conclude that virtual reality technology could be useful in assessing and providing rehabilitation to people who have had a stroke. Implications for future research are discussed.
Published by: Sage Publications (Website:http://www.sagepub.com)
American Society of Neurorehabilitation (Web Site: http://www.asnr.com )
