Playful rehab, it is…A new system combines two technologies—Intel RealSense, a movement sensor that was recently launched for developers, and Oculus Rift DK2 virtual reality goggles—and gives those with injured shoulders a way to rehab with a fun twist. One of the researchers was Alejandro Baldominos, of Carlos III University of Madrid’s Computer Science department.
As noted in the January 14, 2016 news release, “This first prototype focuses on two movements: the adduction and abduction of the shoulder (raise and lower the arms forming a “T” with the body). This first version of the prototype was developed for use in rehabilitation centers, so that a physical therapist can supervise the results of the exercises that the patients have done, point out the researchers. In addition, they estimate that, with this system, they will be able to reduce rehabilitation time by 20 minutes per day.”
“The patients act as goalkeepers in a football match and they have to stop the balls that are kicked, so they have to make exact movements, ” explained Baldominos. “To help maintain the correct position in each save, the patients see the reflection of their hand (with the rest of the arm hidden), which improves the effect of the proprioception, which is the sense that tells the body what position the muscles are in, ” he adds.
Baldominos told OTW, “In our research group (EvANNAI), we are interested in exploring different novel applications for brand new technology and devices. Some years ago we acquired the first version of the Oculus Rift VR goggles. The idea for this project started when a Comp. Sci. student was interested in completing his B.Sc. thesis using Oculus Rift. Because of this background, he also had knowledge about physiotherapy and rehabilitation procedures, and we thought it would be interesting to see how both worlds cross-fertilize. Months later we acquired Oculus Rift DK2 and the Intel RealSense motion tracking devices as this work showed promising advances.”
“At the very beginning, we had no idea of what would happen. Then, we explored the state-of-the-art and discovered there were recent works (from the early 2010s) with similar objectives, but not-so-recent technologies. We were quite surprised (and happy) to see how this project evolved to a very promising prototype with positive reviews from experts.”
“I would say that medicine (as other scientific fields) must be open to embrace innovative procedures. Of course medicine is composed of very rigorous techniques which have proved to work; but I’m currently seeing how new technologies are now working towards revolutionizing these techniques to achieve better results, or similar results with less effort or negative effects for patients.”
