Hand rehabilitation for chronic pain
VR interactive system that allows specialists to remotely follow chronic hand pain patients.
Research background
The project is based on an existing rehabilitation treatment for chronic pain and complex regional pain, in this method patients place the unaffected hand in front of a mirror where the reflection makes the illusion of normal hand movements on the affected hand.
Design challenge
How can we develop an environment for rehabilitation specialists to support and motivate patients with CPRS to reduce their pain sensation with the help of Mirror Visual Feedback?
Implementation
The final solution involves digital recognition of affected limbs program which translates the limited movements to virtual “healthy” movements.
In order to support the appropiation of the movements, the patient’s hand model and amount of virtual aid to translate movements can be directly modified on the program.
Download the project report [here]
References:[1] V. S. Ramachandran, Eric L. Altschuler, The use of visual feedback, in particular mirror visual feedback, in restoring brain function, Brain, Volume 132, Issue 7, July 2009, Pages 1693–1710, https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awp135[2] G.L. Moseley (2004) . Pain. Graded motor imagery is effective for long-standing complex regional pain syndrome: a randomised controlled trial.[4] W. Priganc Victoria, W. Stralka Susan (2011). JHT READ FOR CREDIT ARTICLE #190. Graded Motor Imagery.