Virtual reality gaming for rehabilitation

Abstract

The number of stroke patients in Hong Kong continues to increase and the ages of the stroke patients are getting younger. The benefits of introducing virtual reality (VR) technology to enhance the rehabilitation services of post stroke patients are studied. A VR walking game for patients recovering from strokes was developed. Twenty physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and prosthetic-orthotic therapists were invited to evaluate the benefits of the games through questionnaires and interviews. Eighty percents of the therapists agreed or strongly agreed that the introduction of the VR walking game could help them to care for more post-stroke patients. The first prototype used a head-mounted display (HMD) to present the VR simulation and 12 therapists reported that the quality of HMD would cause potential disorientations in elderly patients. A second prototype with three panel-mounted displays was developed and results of further evaluation confirmed that the potential benefits of VR games in clinical management of patients recovering from strokes. Specific technical recommendations concerning an ideal VR game for rehabilitation are reported.