The Use of Virtual Reality-based Dynamometer Training to Enhance Selective Joint Torque Control in a Child with Cerebral Palsy

Imre Cikajlo ； Zlatko Matjacić

《Journal of Medical and Biological Engineering》 30卷5期 (2010/10) Pp. 329-334

並列摘要

Virtual reality (VR) environments present nowadays a powerful tool for visual feedback in assessment and training programs of rehabilitation. designing appropriate target-oriented tasks may enhance the rehabilitation options available in biomechanical dynamometry. Tile subjects are motivated to achieve a goal in the VR environment, and therefore, their performance often increases. This adds a significant value to the evaluation of the subject's capabilities and design of the appropriate training program that may enhance the selective joint torque control in children with cerebral palsy. In this paper, we suggest a VR environment that offers motivation for maximal joint torque generation and VE for joint torque control training. A dynamometer with torque sensor and axis motor was used in the process and enabled biomechanical information, i.e. knee joint torque and surface electromyography, assessment during the target-oriented VR based task. A 12-year old child with cerebral palsy participated in the ease study. The protocol consisted of three consecutive days of virtual reality-supported training under various conditions, like task velocity and difficulty level. Our data suggested that there were improvements in the knee joint torque tracking and increased target hit score regardless of tile task difficulty level. Besides the improvement of the knee joint torque control, presumably more muscle power could he generated, resulting in more successful performance at targets where high joint torque was required. Apparently high level of motivation has been noticed. Tile advantages of using VE for rehabilitation services were shown in variability of attractive target oriented tasks, repeatability and highly motivated subjects, hereby, a VR environment guided dynamometer based assessment and training fur single joint was demonstrated. The promising outcomes call or longer training period and clinical evaluation of modern therapeutic approach.

並列關鍵字

Virtual reality VR ； Rehabilitation ； Dynamometry ； Cerebral palsy ； Motor control