Methodology
Exploring the bases for a mixed reality stroke rehabilitation system, Part I: A unified approach for representing action, quantitative evaluation, and interactive feedback
Nicole Lehrer1*, Suneth Attygalle1,2, Steven L Wolf1,3 and Thanassis Rikakis1
Author Affiliations
1 School of Arts, Media and Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA
2 Department of Bioengineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA
3 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, USA
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Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation 2011, 8:51 doi:10.1186/1743-0003-8-51
Published: 30 August 2011
Abstract
Background
Although principles based in motor learning, rehabilitation, and human-computer interfaces
can guide the design of effective interactive systems for rehabilitation, a unified
approach that connects these key principles into an integrated design, and can form
a methodology that can be generalized to interactive stroke rehabilitation, is presently
unavailable.
Results
This paper integrates phenomenological approaches to interaction and embodied knowledge
with rehabilitation practices and theories to achieve the basis for a methodology
that can support effective adaptive, interactive rehabilitation. Our resulting methodology
provides guidelines for the development of an action representation, quantification
of action, and the design of interactive feedback. As Part I of a two-part series,
this paper presents key principles of the unified approach. Part II then describes
the application of this approach within the implementation of the Adaptive Mixed Reality
Rehabilitation (AMRR) system for stroke rehabilitation.
Conclusions
The accompanying principles for composing novel mixed reality environments for stroke
rehabilitation can advance the design and implementation of effective mixed reality
systems for the clinical setting, and ultimately be adapted for home-based application.
They furthermore can be applied to other rehabilitation needs beyond stroke.