Virtual Reality
Can Virtual Reality be used in rehabilitation?

One of the research lines within the cluster restoration of human function investigates the use of Virtual Reality (VR) in rehabilitation. By means of VR a patient can be submerged in an artificial or a virtual environment, in which manipulations of the environment can be used to train certain functions specifically. This field is developing rapidly, mainly due to the availability of several visualization techniques and haptic interfaces during recent years. Concerning technology, low-tech and high-tech applications can be discriminated.

A low-tech application uses only a television or computer display. A commercially available product such as the Eye Toy (Sony PlayStation 2) uses a motion capture technique, enabling interaction with video games through body movements. As such the system can be used for paediatric VR-training

Within the ScoMoSi project, a training simulator for learning to drive a mobility scooter has been developed. Patients with limitations in mobility (e.g., due to neurological disorders, amputations and rheumatism) can be trained in virtual traffic situations.

Furthermore, several techniques and strategies to train arm and hand function are evaluated using data gloves. By projecting movements on a display and having them repeated by patients, the way patients learn new movements can be evaluated. In addition, VR is applied to provide a better diagnosis of neglect, caused by stroke. An indication of the extent of neglect can be obtained by measuring objective parameters while the patient searches for objects in an ecologically valid virtual environment.

In Twente the research activities within the field of VR are part of the activities of a consortium between: Roessingh Research & Development, The University of Twente, Re-Lion

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