Virtual reality, one of the big themes at
this year's Mobile World Congress, is expanding
its presence in healthcare.
Korean researchers found that virtual-reality
based exercises combined with standard therapy
sessions resulted in a more effective rehabilitation
progress.
Park Se-young has the details.
A patient flips a fish on the screen,... without
touching the computer.
The device he's wearing is a smart glove that
uses motion-based games to help patients with
forearm paralysis.... make faster recoveries.
The games simulate daily activities such as
turning pages or picking up objects,... and
the glove-shaped sensor tracks the patient's
movement.
"The exercises are fun, so I'm more likely
to do them, which will help me recover."
The Smart Glove system collects data on the
wearer's motions and posture, and measures
the range of finger movement.
The information is sent to a software app
that then manipulates the device or puts up
different objects in the training games.
The system's artificial intelligence also
adjusts the difficulty level according to
the patient's performance... to create a sense
of achievement.
Stroke survivors who played the virtual reality
games in addition to their regular four-week
rehabilitation program... made significant
progress in several standard tests,... while
those in a control group saw no major changes.
"Our goal is to improve the patients' function
and quality of life.
The smart glove group also scored higher on
the quality of life scale, which shows it
can be used as a tool for comprehensive therapy."
Virtual-reality based treatments are easily
accessible and can be used by patients at
home.
The researchers also plan to integrate virtual
reality-based treatments into physical therapy
sessions.
Park Se-young, Arirang News.
