Designing a tangible solution to encourage playful hand usage for children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CCP) benefit from intensive training with the affected side. The SHArKi project strives for a motivational support system, using wristbands with inertial measurements units (IMU) to measure arm function, providing biofeedback as well as motivating stimuli. To consider finger and wrist movements as well, this paper covers concepts for a tangible solution and its first implementation including the gamification development. Finalizations of the demonstrator, an overall functional test as well as concluding feedback from CCP are pending.

Keywords

• cerebral palsy
• inertial measurement unit
• motion tracking
• motivation
• rehabilitation
• tangible device