Abstract-Gravity compensation (GC) of the arm is used tofacilitate arm movements in conventional therapy as well as in robot-assisted rehabilitation of neurologically impaired persons. Positive effects of GC on ROM have been demonstrated in stroke. In multiple sclerosis (MS), research regarding this topic is lacking. Since an active participation of the patient is required for effective training, full support of the arm might not be advisable. The present study reports on the development of a procedure to measure actively the individual need for GC and to estimate the influence of GC on ROM during reaching, lifting and transporting in severely affected persons with MS (PwMS).Ten persons with MS were tested with the procedure for determination of GC. Maximal reaching movements were performed in a 3D space in three conditions: without GC (NS), with GC by the HapticMaster (GS) and with GC by the HapticMaster combined with a sling suspension system (GSS). For the total sample, significant correlations were found between the amount of GC and clinical tests (MI, FM, ARAT). In four subjects with severe arm dysfunction it was found that mean ROM is larger in the GSS condition compared to the GS condition, and in the GS condition compared to the NS condition, suggesting positive effects of GC on active ROM (aROM) in PwMS. Therefore, GC could have a positive effect on arm rehabilitation by enabling the PwMS to actively reach a larger ROM during training.

BackgroundMany contemporary systems for neurorehabilitation utilize 3D virtual environments (VEs) that allow for training patients’ hand or arm movements. In the current paper we comparatively test the effectiveness of two characteristics of VEs in rehabilitation training when utilizing a 3D haptic interaction device: Stereo Visualization (monoscopic vs stereoscopic image presentation) and Graphic Environment (2.5D vs 3D).MethodAn experimental study was conducted using a factorial within-subjects design. Patients (10 MS, 8 CVA) completed three tasks, each including a specific arm-movement along one of three directional axes (left-right, up-down and forward-backward).ResultsThe use of stereoscopy within a virtual training environment for neurorehabilitation of CVA and MS patients is most beneficial when the task itself requires movement in depth. Further, the 2.5D environment yields the highest efficiency and accuracy in terms of patients’ movements. These findings were, however, dependent on participants’ stereoscopic ability.ConclusionDespite the performance benefits of stereoscopy, our findings illustrate the non-triviality of choices of using stereoscopy, and the type of graphic environment implemented. These choices should be made with the task and target group, and even the individual patient in mind.

Rehabilitation games form a promising type of serious games. The goal is to provide the patients with a personalized training. In order to realize this, much information must be handled. This includes general information about the games and parameters regarding modalities, and specific information about the patients and their therapy sessions. Therapists must be able to specify the values for all parameters involved. However, different levels of these parameters should be grouped in a sensible manner in order not to overwhelm the therapists with too much and too detailed information. This paper discusses a system for the rehabilitation of Multiple Sclerosis patients and explains how the information can be managed by the therapists.

Wayfinding inside a virtual environment is a cognitive process during navigation. Normally the user inside the virtual environment has to rely on himself and different cues such as waypoints to improve his knowledge with regard to his surroundings. In this paper we will present our solution for the 3DUI Contest 2012: HeatMeUP, a 3DUI serious game to explore collaborative alternatives, in which a partner is responsible for providing wayfinding cues. The game is set in a multi-storey building where several fires and gas leaks occur and a firefighter has to overcome several challenges, guided by a fire chief.

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