Computer-Assisted Motivating Rehabilitation (CAMR) for Institutional, Home, and Educational Late Stroke Programs

Abstract

Based on our results during the last 25 years, we are developing late stroke computer-assisted motivating rehabilitation (CAMR) for the upper extremity. Evidence has been accumulating that functional gains are possible even many years after the damage. However, postacute rehabilitation must be motivating and related to real-life functional activities, or it may fail to enlist active participation. With CAMR programs, such as briefly reported here, instead of exercise, the patient is engaged in a game (e.g., ping-pong); instead of concentrating on the specific movements, he/she is concentrating on the game and the movements become subconscious. Patients, even those who initially consider that they cannot accomplish the task, show interest and improvement, and functional recovery appears to be extended beyond the specific movements that are being practiced. CAMR is also suitable for late functional reorganization programs in an educational model.

Reducing compensatory motions in video games for stroke rehabilitation

“…Researchers have proposed a number of solutions for homebased therapy using technology and games [1,2,3,4,5,6,10,11,14]. While the need to address compensation has been acknowledged in analyses [12], the majority of efforts only enabled therapeutic exercise without evaluating exercise correctness [1,4,5,6,10,11,14].…”

“…While the need to address compensation has been acknowledged in analyses [12], the majority of efforts only enabled therapeutic exercise without evaluating exercise correctness [1,4,5,6,10,11,14].…”

A design framework for a home-based stroke rehabilitation system: Identifying the key components

“…Recommendations to improve motivation for regular exercise included common themes such as forming habits, goal setting, monitoring progress, prompting, and incorporating instrumental music. Some studies show that an external focus is beneficial to motivation [3,42]. We explored clinicians' views on improving patient motivation, barriers to motivation and the role of technology in aiding recovery.…”

Shepherd Ivory Franz: His contributions to neuropsychology and rehabilitation

“…Instead of meaningless exercise, the effort to move the arm could then control a paddle (paddle size and ball speed were varied according to the capabilities of individual patients), allowing participation in a highly motivating game (Cogan, Madey, Kaufman, Holmlund, & Bach-y-Rita, 1977). Modern versions of that device have been shown to be inexpensive and effective, which has led to the development of computeraided motivation rehabilitation devices (Bach-y-Rita et al, 2002). In the future, other forms of simple devices, gamebased Internet therapy, and other technological advances will probably be widely used in both home and institutional rehabilitation.…”