Sensors (Feb 2023)

A Proof of Concept Combined Using Mixed Reality for Personalized Neurorehabilitation of Cerebellar Ataxic Patients

  • Michela Franzò,
  • Andrada Pica,
  • Simona Pascucci,
  • Mariano Serrao,
  • Franco Marinozzi,
  • Fabiano Bini

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/s23031680
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 23, no. 3
p. 1680

Abstract

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Background: Guidelines for degenerative cerebellar ataxia neurorehabilitation suggest intensive coordinative training based on physiotherapeutic exercises. Scientific studies demonstrate virtual exergaming therapeutic value. However, patient-based personalization, post processing analyses and specific audio-visual feedbacks are not provided. This paper presents a wearable motion tracking system with recording and playback features. This system has been specifically designed for ataxic patients, for upper limbs coordination studies with the aim to retrain movement in a neurorehabilitation setting. Suggestions from neurologists and ataxia patients were considered to overcome the shortcomings of virtual systems and implement exergaming. Methods: The system consists of the mixed-reality headset Hololens2 and a proprietary exergaming implemented in Unity. Hololens2 can track and save upper limb parameters, head position and gaze direction in runtime. Results: Data collected from a healthy subject are reported to demonstrate features and outputs of the system. Conclusions: Although further improvements and validations are needed, the system meets the needs of a dynamic patient-based exergaming for patients with cerebellar ataxia. Compared with existing solutions, the mixed-reality system is designed to provide an effective and safe therapeutic exergaming that supports both primary and secondary goals of an exergaming: what a patient should do and how patient actions should be performed.

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