Game Design for Stroke Rehabilitation Robots: A Pilot Study Comparing Masked Versus Unmasked Game Designs

Appropriately-designed computer games can improve rehabilitation therapy outcomes by motivating stroke survivors to follow through with exercises. Supplementing conventional therapy with computer games and robotics enables patients to continue without therapists constantly present for repetitive parts of therapy. Studies have used “Basic” (framed as target exercise), “Unmasked” (simulating everyday activity), or “Masked” (fantasy activity) games, without addressing which design best maintains stroke survivors’ motivation and time on task. Three such games were developed for an upper limb robot and analyzed with gameplay measurements, questionnaires, and observations determining which game users preferred, played longer, and performed more repetitions. The “Masked” game had the greatest preference “votes” (5), time on task (24.2 ± 11.6 minutes), and motion repetitions (1191 ± 778), but also misses (180 ± 211) and standard deviations. We should individually tailor games, but continue developing “Masked” games, possibly blending game types. Future design and process recommendations were listed.M.H.Sc