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Interactive visuo-motor therapy system for stroke rehabilitation

Eng, Kynan ; Siekierka, Ewa ; Pyk, Pawel ; Chevrier, Edith ; Hauser, Yves ; Cameirao, Monica ; Holper, Lisa ; Hägni, Karin ; Zimmerli, Lukas ; Duff, Armin ; Schuster, Corina ; Bassetti, Claudio ; Verschure, Paul ; Kiper, Daniel

In: Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing, 2007, vol. 45, no. 9, p. 901-907

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    Title
    • Interactive visuo-motor therapy system for stroke rehabilitation
    Author
    • Eng, Kynan. Institute of Neuroinformatics, University/ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Siekierka, Ewa. Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 26, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Pyk, Pawel. Institute of Neuroinformatics, University/ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Chevrier, Edith. Institute of Neuroinformatics, University/ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Hauser, Yves. Institute of Neuroinformatics, University/ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Cameirao, Monica. Technology Department, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Passeig de Circumval-lacio 8, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
    • Holper, Lisa. Institute of Neuroinformatics, University/ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Hägni, Karin. Institute of Neuroinformatics, University/ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Zimmerli, Lukas. Technology Department, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Passeig de Circumval-lacio 8, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
    • Duff, Armin. Institute of Neuroinformatics, University/ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Schuster, Corina. Reha Rheinfelden, Salinenstrasse 98, 4310, Rheinfelden, Switzerland
    • Bassetti, Claudio. Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 26, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Verschure, Paul. Technology Department, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Passeig de Circumval-lacio 8, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
    • Kiper, Daniel. Institute of Neuroinformatics, University/ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    Language
    • English
    Published in
    • Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing, 2007, vol. 45, no. 9, p. 901-907. Springer-Verlag
    Other Version
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:310898
    Summary
    We present a virtual reality (VR)-based motor neurorehabilitation system for stroke patients with upper limb paresis. It is based on two hypotheses: (1) observed actions correlated with self-generated or intended actions engage cortical motor observation, planning and execution areas ("mirror neurons”); (2) activation in damaged parts of motor cortex can be enhanced by viewing mirrored movements of non-paretic limbs. We postulate that our approach, applied during the acute post-stroke phase, facilitates motor re-learning and improves functional recovery. The patient controls a first-person view of virtual arms in tasks varying from simple (hitting objects) to complex (grasping and moving objects). The therapist adjusts weighting factors in the non-paretic limb to move the paretic virtual limb, thereby stimulating the mirror neuron system and optimizing patient motivation through graded task success. We present the system's neuroscientific background, technical details and preliminary results