Virtual reality and exercises for paretic upper limb of stroke survivors

U ovom se radu razmatraju pitanja biološke povratne sprege u virtualnoj stvarnosti (VR - virtual reality). Taj modul VR kod robota ELISE omogućuje rekonstrukciju oštećenih motoričkih veza u mozgu, koje se mogu aktivirati posredstvom zrcalnih neurona ili motoričkih predodžbi o nekom pojmu. Robot ELISE doprinosi bržem oporavku nakon raznovrsnih neuroloških poremećaja, a naročito posljedica moždanog udara. Detaljno se opisuju četiri igre iz niza manipulacijsko-edukacijsko-socijalnih igara. U radu su predstavljene najvažnije tehničke karakteristike projekta, posebno dizajn, modul VR, modul gumenog dodatka za rehabilitaciju spastične ruke te detalji sustava hardware/software. Uz to se uvodi aspekt psihološke rehabilitacije kroz inovativnu virtualnu pomoć fizioterapeuta. Tijekom prvih testova predstavljena je funkcionalnost mehatroničkog uređaja za rehabilitaciju šake, podlaktice i ruke, a preliminarna procjena uporabljivosti i prihvaćanja obećavajuća je.The article presents the issues of biofeedback in virtual reality (VR). This VR module in ELISE robot gives a possible re-arrangement of the damaged motor cortex which can be activated with the mediation of mirror neurons or through the subject’s motor imagery. This ELISE robot will help to accelerate the recovery from various kinds of neurological disorders, especially from the effects of stroke. Four physical/education games in virtual reality are described in more detail. This paper presents the main technical characteristics of the project, especially design, VR module, rubber expander module for the spastic hand rehabilitation and the details of the hardware/software system. Moreover, psychological rehabilitation aspect is introduced through an innovative virtual assistant of physiotherapist. The functionality of the mechatronic device for hand, forearm and arm rehabilitation has been presented during the first tests, and preliminary assessment of usability and acceptance is promising