VR treatment for stroke patients announced

January 28, 2002 | Source: KurzweilAI

Rutgers researchers have filed a patent application for a PC-based virtual- reality system that provides stroke patients hand-impairment therapy. In use, the patient’s gloved hands are linked to virtual hands on the PC monitor, so the patient’s actual hand movements are mimicked on-screen. By interacting and playing with on-screen graphics — including fluttering butterflies, piano keyboards and mechanical hands — the patient performs intensive rehab exercises without drudgery, according to a Rutgers statement.

The PC-based design also opens the door for “tele-rehabilitation” — the opportunity for therapists to work with patients from remote locations.