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BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The module designed for training the range of motion, coordination, and maintaining balance in the upper limbs. In the screen the patient sees a 3D virtual person designed to reflect the patient’s movements. The virtual person is facing the patient, so during the exercise the patient sees the mirror-image reflection of her/his movements performed by the virtual person. The aim of the game is to sort the balls that fall from above the patient’s head by putting them into right goals. The color of the ball corresponds to the color of the goal, so that, for instance, a blue ball should go to the blue goal, etc.
RECOMMENDATIONS AND POSSIBILITIES
The module is recommended to patients with movement coordination impairments and limited range of motion in the upper limbs. The exercise also improves balance, perceptiveness and concentration.
PATIENT REQUIREMENTS
It is required that the patient be able to differentiate colors and to keep her/his hands at least minimally lifted. If the patient needs any physical support to perform the exercise, her/his hands may be suspended on the elastic cord hanging from the ceiling.
TASKS
The patient’s task is to turn a falling ball to the right goal. There are 4 colors of balls and goals and the patient should focus on putting a ball of a given color into a goal of the same color. The patient turns the balls using a virtual bat which s/he holds two-handedly: one end of the bat in the right, and the other end in the left hand. A ball can either be turned just as it is falling, or can be stopped on the bat and then rolled along the bat into the chosen direction.
DIFFICULTY LEVELS
The therapist can reduce the number of goals in the game from 4 to 2. The 2-goals-variant of the game does not require any complex movements: the patient has to only set the hands in an appropriate position and maintain the bat at the appropriate angle. The 4-goals-variant of the game, on the other hand, requires the patient to move dynamically in order to flick the balls up and direct them to the upper goals. The therapist can also modify the gravity parameter and in this way control the speed with which the balls fall and the ease with which a ball bounces off the bat.
DATA AND REPORTS
The system monitors the effectiveness of the patient’s actions, as well as the level of activity and the range of movement in the right upper limb at regular intervals of 10 seconds.
HINTS AND TIPS
If the patient manages to sort the balls in the 2-goals-variant of the game but cannot cope with the 4-goals-variant of the game, the therapist should reduce the gravity parameter in the 4-goals-variant of the game. This modification will decrease the speed with which the balls fall, which in turn will make hitting the ball easier for the patient.
More information
This is a modern approach to rehabilitation, which is fun for the patient. This form of a session, from the psychological point of view, brings many positive aspects, which result in stronger effects - desired in terms of improving the functioning of the people undergoing the rehabilitation. Find more Kinect Rehabilitation
