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A virtual reality system for arm and hand rehabilitation

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Abstract

This paper presents a virtual reality (VR) system for upper limb rehabilitation. The system incorporates two motion track components, the Arm Suit and the Smart Glove which are composed of a range of the optical linear encoders (OLE) and the inertial measurement units (IMU), and two interactive practice applications designed for driving users to perform the required functional and non-functional motor recovery tasks. We describe the technique details about the two motion track components and the rational to design two practice applications. The experiment results show that, compared with the marker-based tracking system, the Arm Suit can accurately track the elbow and wrist positions. The repeatability of the Smart Glove on measuring the five fingers’ movement can be satisfied. Given the low cost, high accuracy and easy installation, the system thus promises to be a valuable complement to conventional therapeutic programs offered in rehabilitation clinics and at home.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore

    Zhiqiang Luo, Chee Kian Lim, I-Ming Chen & Song Huat Yeo

Authors
  1. Zhiqiang Luo
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  2. Chee Kian Lim
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  3. I-Ming Chen
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  4. Song Huat Yeo
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Correspondence to Zhiqiang Luo.

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Luo, Z., Lim, C.K., Chen, IM. et al. A virtual reality system for arm and hand rehabilitation. Front. Mech. Eng. 6, 23–32 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11465-011-0202-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11465-011-0202-6

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