Increasing Voluntary Myoelectric Training Time Through Game Design

Abstract

In virtual prosthetic training research, serious 1 games have been investigated for over 30 years. However, 2 few game design elements are used and assessed for their 3 effect on the voluntary adherence and repetition of the 4 performed task. We compared two game-based versions 5 of an established myoelectric-controlled virtual prosthetic 6 training task with an interface without game elements of 7 the same task [for video, see (Garske, 2022)]. Twelve limb-8 intact participants were sorted into three groups of com-9 parable ability and asked to perform the task as long as 10 they were motivated. Following the task, they completed a 11 questionnaire regarding their motivation and engagement 12 in the task. The investigation established that participants 13 in the game-based groups performed the task significantly 14 longer when more game design elements were implemented 15 in the task (medians of 6 vs. 9.5 vs. 14 blocks for groups 16 with increasing number of different game design elements).17The participants in the game-based versions were also more 18 likely to end the task out of fatigue than for reasons of 19 boredom or frustration, which was verified by a fatigue 20 analysis of the myoelectric signal. We demonstrated that the 21 utilization of game design methodically in virtual myoelec-22 tric training tasks can support adherence and duration of a 23 virtual training, in the short-term. Whether such short-term 24 enhanced engagement would lead to long-term adherence 25 remains an open question.

DistaNet: grasp-specific distance biofeedback promotes the retention of myoelectric skills

“…Further studies of process-oriented feedback and learning involving deliberate and variable practice, which exposes individuals to different contexts and challenges related to the skill may be informative in future multi-day experiments with myoelectric control users. Such an intentional variability can be achieved with gamification [50,51].…”

Assessing effectiveness of serious game training designed to assist in upper limb prosthesis rehabilitation

“…The serious games used in the domain of upper limb prostheses use myosignals to control the avatar in the game in a similar manner as these signals are used to control an actual prosthesis ( 11 , 12 , 33 , 34 – 36 ). Therefore the assumption is that when one improves their myocontrol in the game, the learned skill will transfer to actual prosthesis use and as a consequence users will improve their ability to control the prosthesis.…”

“…Therefore the assumption is that when one improves their myocontrol in the game, the learned skill will transfer to actual prosthesis use and as a consequence users will improve their ability to control the prosthesis. Even though several studies have been performed on serious game training for upper limb prosthesis in the past decade ( 11 , 12 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 29 , 34 , 37 – 39 ), the most effective game design to facilitate transfer from the game to actual prosthesis use has not been established. One reason for this might be that people differ in the way their individual motor learning processes are stimulated best as well as in their overall motor learning capacities ( 40 – 45 ).…”