Enhancing Robotic-Assisted Lower Limb Rehabilitation Using Augmented Reality and Serious Gaming

Stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Parkinson’s disease are some of the conditions that can lead to neuromotor disabilities requiring rehabilitation. To address the socio-economic burden that is amplified by the rapidly increasing elderly population, traditional rehabilitation technique...

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Main Authors: Calin Vaida, Gabriela Rus, Paul Tucan, José Machado, Adrian Pisla, Ionut Zima, Iosif Birlescu, Doina Pisla
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/24/12029
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author Calin Vaida
Gabriela Rus
Paul Tucan
José Machado
Adrian Pisla
Ionut Zima
Iosif Birlescu
Doina Pisla
author_facet Calin Vaida
Gabriela Rus
Paul Tucan
José Machado
Adrian Pisla
Ionut Zima
Iosif Birlescu
Doina Pisla
author_sort Calin Vaida
collection DOAJ
description Stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Parkinson’s disease are some of the conditions that can lead to neuromotor disabilities requiring rehabilitation. To address the socio-economic burden that is amplified by the rapidly increasing elderly population, traditional rehabilitation techniques have recently been complemented by technological advancements, particularly Robot-Assisted Therapy (RAT). RAT enhances motor learning by improving both accuracy and consistency. This study proposes an innovative rehabilitation system that combines serious gaming and augmented reality (AR) with the LegUp parallel robot, developed for the spatial rehabilitation of the hip, knee, and ankle in bed-ridden patients. The system aims to improve patient outcomes and actively involve patients in their therapy. Electro-goniometers and a HoloLens 2 device are used to provide immediate feedback about the position of the patient’s joints, forming the basis of an interactive game in which the patient moves their leg to reach various targets. Two game modes were developed, each targeting different aspects of neuromotor rehabilitation, such as coordination, strength, and flexibility. Preliminary findings suggest that combining RAT with augmented reality-based serious gaming can increase patient motivation and engagement. Furthermore, the personalized and interactive nature of the therapy holds the potential to improve rehabilitation outcomes by fostering sustained engagement and effort.
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spelling doaj-art-ea245bbe1efc4f8fab76b1eeb82888912025-08-20T02:01:03ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-12-0114241202910.3390/app142412029Enhancing Robotic-Assisted Lower Limb Rehabilitation Using Augmented Reality and Serious GamingCalin Vaida0Gabriela Rus1Paul Tucan2José Machado3Adrian Pisla4Ionut Zima5Iosif Birlescu6Doina Pisla7CESTER—Research Center for Industrial Robots Simulation and Testing, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaCESTER—Research Center for Industrial Robots Simulation and Testing, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaCESTER—Research Center for Industrial Robots Simulation and Testing, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaCESTER—Research Center for Industrial Robots Simulation and Testing, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaCESTER—Research Center for Industrial Robots Simulation and Testing, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaCESTER—Research Center for Industrial Robots Simulation and Testing, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaCESTER—Research Center for Industrial Robots Simulation and Testing, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaCESTER—Research Center for Industrial Robots Simulation and Testing, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaStroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Parkinson’s disease are some of the conditions that can lead to neuromotor disabilities requiring rehabilitation. To address the socio-economic burden that is amplified by the rapidly increasing elderly population, traditional rehabilitation techniques have recently been complemented by technological advancements, particularly Robot-Assisted Therapy (RAT). RAT enhances motor learning by improving both accuracy and consistency. This study proposes an innovative rehabilitation system that combines serious gaming and augmented reality (AR) with the LegUp parallel robot, developed for the spatial rehabilitation of the hip, knee, and ankle in bed-ridden patients. The system aims to improve patient outcomes and actively involve patients in their therapy. Electro-goniometers and a HoloLens 2 device are used to provide immediate feedback about the position of the patient’s joints, forming the basis of an interactive game in which the patient moves their leg to reach various targets. Two game modes were developed, each targeting different aspects of neuromotor rehabilitation, such as coordination, strength, and flexibility. Preliminary findings suggest that combining RAT with augmented reality-based serious gaming can increase patient motivation and engagement. Furthermore, the personalized and interactive nature of the therapy holds the potential to improve rehabilitation outcomes by fostering sustained engagement and effort.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/24/12029robotic-assisted lower limb rehabilitationparallel robotserious gamingaugmented realityHoloLens 2patient-centered rehabilitation
spellingShingle Calin Vaida
Gabriela Rus
Paul Tucan
José Machado
Adrian Pisla
Ionut Zima
Iosif Birlescu
Doina Pisla
Enhancing Robotic-Assisted Lower Limb Rehabilitation Using Augmented Reality and Serious Gaming
Applied Sciences
robotic-assisted lower limb rehabilitation
parallel robot
serious gaming
augmented reality
HoloLens 2
patient-centered rehabilitation
title Enhancing Robotic-Assisted Lower Limb Rehabilitation Using Augmented Reality and Serious Gaming
title_full Enhancing Robotic-Assisted Lower Limb Rehabilitation Using Augmented Reality and Serious Gaming
title_fullStr Enhancing Robotic-Assisted Lower Limb Rehabilitation Using Augmented Reality and Serious Gaming
title_full_unstemmed Enhancing Robotic-Assisted Lower Limb Rehabilitation Using Augmented Reality and Serious Gaming
title_short Enhancing Robotic-Assisted Lower Limb Rehabilitation Using Augmented Reality and Serious Gaming
title_sort enhancing robotic assisted lower limb rehabilitation using augmented reality and serious gaming
topic robotic-assisted lower limb rehabilitation
parallel robot
serious gaming
augmented reality
HoloLens 2
patient-centered rehabilitation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/24/12029
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