File
Pompeu J.E.1, Moretto E.2, Mello D.D.3
1University of Sao Paulo, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2University of Sao Paulo, Polytechnic School, Department of Electronic Systems, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 3University of Sao Paulo, School of Physical Education and Sport, Department of Pedagogy of the Human Body Movement, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Background: Non-immersive virtual reality has been used for rehabilitation of motor and cognitive function of elderly and patients with neurologic diseases with positive results. However, new technologies as Oculus RiftTM, for example, make possible the development of low cost immersive and interactive virtual reality system. Immersive environments cause more intense postural control responses due the visual stimulations and the conflict of sensory information. Beside this, KinectTM is an infrared sensor that capture the body movements that can be used to interact with virtual tasks. Immersive and Interactive system that integrate Oculus Rift and Kinect sensor can be used to create virtual motor cognitive motor tasks that can challenge postural control.
Purpose: The objective of this study was to develop a low cost immersive and interactive virtual reality system for the training of postural control.
Methods: Immersive Rehabilitation System (iRES) was developed using the integration of Oculus RiftTM and KinectTM technologies. It was developed a virtual environment in which patients have to pick up some objects that are on a path in a forest. Patients have to perform a stationary gait in order to walk through the path and reach the objects with their arms. Task was developed in first person and patients can see their own virtual body segments inside the environment. There are 10 different virtual tasks with five levels of difficulty. The system register the performance of patients (time to complete the tasks and the number of correct and wrong movements). Patients receive visual and auditory feedback about their performance.
Results: Five researchers of our group were recruited to assess the feasibility and safety of the iRES. The system worked correctly, Kinect sensor was integrated with Oculus Rift and it was possible to interact with the virtual tasks with the body movements. One researcher had dizziness during the training. All volunteers considered the iRES feasible and safe to be used with patients.
Conclusion(s): An immersive and interactive virtual reality system was developed using low cost technology. The system was feasible and safe, but new studies with larger number of participants have to be done in order to assess the feasibility, safety and effects in different populations.
Implications: A new immersive and interactive virtual reality system was developed and it can potentially be used in the rehabilitation of postural control of different populations.
Funding acknowledgements: FAPESP, process number 2014/22348/1.
Topic: Disability & rehabilitation
Ethics approval: This study was approved by Ethical Committee of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo, CAAE number 08885912.1.0000.5505, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
