Iterative Design of an Upper Limb Rehabilitation Game with Tangible Robots

Abstract

Rehabilitation aims to ameliorate deficits in motor control via intensive practice with the affected limb. Current strategies, such as one-on-one therapy done in rehabilitation centers, have limitations such as treatment frequency and intensity, cost and requirement of mobility. Thus, a promising strategy is home-based therapy that includes task specific exercises. However, traditional rehabilitation tasks may frustrate the patient due to their repetitive nature and may result in lack of motivation and poor rehabilitation. In this article, we propose the design and verification of an effective upper extremity rehabilitation game with a tangible robotic platform named Cellulo as a novel solution to these issues. We first describe the process of determining the design rationales to tune speed, accuracy and challenge. Then we detail our iterative participatory design process and test sessions conducted with the help of stroke, brachial plexus and cerebral palsy patients (18 in total) and 7 therapists in 4 different therapy centers. We present the initial quantitative results, which support several aspects of our design rationales and conclude with our future study plans.

Gamified Motor Training With Tangible Robots in Older Adults: A Feasibility Study and Comparison With the Young

“…In order to test the potential of Cellulo for upper arm motor training regimes, we used an iterative approach to design a game using the robots as game agents and objects. Our first game, inspired by Pacman, was designed iteratively with the participation of stroke, brachial plexus, and cerebral palsy patients (18 in total) and seven therapists in four different therapy centers (Guneysu Ozgur et al, 2018).…”

“…In this paper, we evaluated the combination of a motor training method using tangible robots in addition to the application of gamification strategies. For the robotized motor training, small-sized, graspable, haptic-enabled Cellulo robots were used (Özgür et al, 2017b), and these operate on printed paper sheets (Guneysu Ozgur et al, 2018). These tangible robots serve as a "computer-mouse-like" interface to interact with printed elements on paper, directing trajectories, and can provide visual and haptic feedback.…”

“…In the present motor training approach, by using tangible robots both as game agents and objects to be moved, we aimed to provide an intuitive easy-touse and easy-to-set-up system for motor training. Recent studies showed that utilizing tangible objects that the elderly are familiar with and providing a tangible interface with simplified elements may facilitate learning of using these technologies among elderly (Apted et al, 2006;Hung et al, 2016;Garcia-Sanjuan et al, 2017;Wang et al, 2017;Guneysu Ozgur et al, 2018). Furthermore, making the learning of using these devices easier might be crucial, since the lack of familiarity and the steep learning curve of using training devices may reduce the training efficiency among elderly users (Aarhus et al, 2011;Gerling et al, 2011;Guneysu Ozgur et al, 2018).…”

“…Recent studies showed that utilizing tangible objects that the elderly are familiar with and providing a tangible interface with simplified elements may facilitate learning of using these technologies among elderly (Apted et al, 2006;Hung et al, 2016;Garcia-Sanjuan et al, 2017;Wang et al, 2017;Guneysu Ozgur et al, 2018). Furthermore, making the learning of using these devices easier might be crucial, since the lack of familiarity and the steep learning curve of using training devices may reduce the training efficiency among elderly users (Aarhus et al, 2011;Gerling et al, 2011;Guneysu Ozgur et al, 2018). Direct contact via touch interfaces is proposed to provide lower cognitive loads and a more suitable and intuitive alternative, especially for aging users (Garcia-Sanjuan et al, 2017;Guneysu Ozgur et al, 2018).…”

“…Furthermore, making the learning of using these devices easier might be crucial, since the lack of familiarity and the steep learning curve of using training devices may reduce the training efficiency among elderly users (Aarhus et al, 2011;Gerling et al, 2011;Guneysu Ozgur et al, 2018). Direct contact via touch interfaces is proposed to provide lower cognitive loads and a more suitable and intuitive alternative, especially for aging users (Garcia-Sanjuan et al, 2017;Guneysu Ozgur et al, 2018).…”