Retraining function in people with Parkinson’s disease using the Microsoft kinect: game design and pilot testing

Abstract

BackgroundComputer based gaming systems, such as the Microsoft Kinect (Kinect), can facilitate complex task practice, enhance sensory feedback and action observation in novel, relevant and motivating modes of exercise which can be difficult to achieve with standard physiotherapy for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, there is a current need for safe, feasible and effective exercise games that are appropriate for PD rehabilitation. The aims of this study were to i) develop a computer game to rehabilitate dynamic postural control for people with PD using the Kinect; and ii) pilot test the game’s safety and feasibility in a group of people with PD.MethodsA rehabilitation game aimed at training dynamic postural control was developed through an iterative process with input from a design workshop of people with PD. The game trains dynamic postural control through multi-directional reaching and stepping tasks, with increasing complexity across 12 levels of difficulty. Nine people with PD pilot tested the game for one session. Participant feedback to identify issues relating to safety and feasibility were collected using semi-structured interviews.ResultsParticipants reported that they felt safe whilst playing the game. In addition, there were no adverse events whilst playing. In general, the participants stated that they enjoyed the game and seven of the nine participants said they could imagine themselves using the game at home, especially if they felt it would improve their balance. The Flow State Scale indicated participants were immersed in the gameplay and enjoyed the experience. However, some participants reported that they found it difficult to discriminate between different types and orientations of visual objects in the game and some also had difficulty with the stepping tasks, especially when performed at the same time as the reaching tasks.ConclusionComputer-based rehabilitation games using the Kinect are safe and feasible for people with PD although intervention trials are needed to test their safety, feasibility and efficacy in the home.

Exercise and rehabilitation delivered through exergames in older adults: An integrative review of technologies, safety and efficacy

“…Exercise through video games, socalled exergames, is used progressively more to increase physical activity and improve health and physical function in older adults (1,(3)(4)(5), and there is growing interest in using exergames as a potential rehabilitation tool to facilitate specific exercises in different clinical groups (6)(7)(8). Studies suggest that exergaming promotes improvements in mobility (9,10), muscular strength of the lower limbs (11), balance control (2,12,13), and cognition (14) in older adults.…”

Synchronized walking cadence for TUG in perturbed environments: Using Earcon or Tacton cues?

“…Wherefore, locomotion assistance system was previously studied such as lower limb exoskeleton [4], instrumented shoe with powered ankle-foot orthosis [5], locomotion interface using virtual reality (electromechanical gait trainer) [6] and balance training system [7].…”

Using a Kinect Sensor to Design and Implement an In-Home Rehabilitation System

“…Moreover, this work uses a mobile robot instead of using a Kinect sensor as a fixed camera. In [9], a system was designed based on a Kinect sensor to build a stroke rehabilitation system. The main aim of that game is to train dynamic posture control.…”