A Paediatric Interactive Therapy System for arm and hand rehabilitation

Pawel Pyk, David Wille, Edith Chevrier, Yves Hauser, Lisa Holper, Ismael Fatton, Roger Greipl, Sonja Schlegel, Luzia Ottiger, Barbel Ruckriem, Anina Pescatore, Andreas Meyer-Heim (+2 others)
2008 2008 Virtual Rehabilitation  
Paediatric rehabilitation using virtual reality systems pose unique usability challenges distinct from those in adult rehabilitation. These challenges relate to the different epidemiology and aetiology of children's disorders requiring rehabilitation and the physical design of interactive virtual reality hardware for children of varying sizes. Just as importantly, children need highly entertaining interactive scenarios that suit their differing levels of cognitive development and thus their
more » ... ering abilities to comprehend gaming scenarios. In this paper we present our virtual realitybased Paediatric Interactive Therapy System (PITS) designed specifically for upper arm rehabilitation in children aged from five years of age upwards. It incorporates a range of interchangeable position sensing devices (compass, bend sensor, pressure sensor and camera tracking) that can be adjusted to a large range of different hand sizes, and interactive gaming scenarios specifically designed for maximum entertainment value for children. We describe the neuroscientific principles behind our system, the technical details of the hardware components and the design of the interactive scenarios. An initial usability and patient acceptance pilot study has been conducted at the Rehabilitation Centre Affoltern of the University Children's Hospital Zurich. To date all patients have accepted the system, and trained in reaching and grasping tasks at a far higher rate than in conventional occupational therapy. The system thus promises to be a valuable complement to conventional therapeutic programs offered in rehabilitation clinics.
doi:10.1109/icvr.2008.4625148 fatcat:3rkonenfrnhg5oe3vkbqpzdnyi