Advancing Neuro-Rehabilitative Gaming Glove for Neuroplasticity in Relearning Lost Neuronal Function

Abstract

In this work, an attempt has been made to develop a Gaming Glove for Stroke-affected patients.Upper limb weakness affects eighty percent of stroke survivors, with more than two-thirds experiencing ongoing difficulty utilizing their impaired hand for daily tasks, impacting their ability to return to work. Individuals with hand paresis may develop learned non-use, refraining from using the affected hand due to frustration or difficulty, exacerbating neurological impairment. Prolonged inactivity can lead to decreased cortical representation of the paretic limb in the brain, worsening motor deficits. To address these challenges, we developed an interactive glove to enhance hand function and mobility. The glove's interface, utilizing finger flexion and extension, controls a game object, integrating virtual reality and vision-based technologies to engage patients in the motor relearning process. Additionally, yoga mudras are incorporated into the game to make the patient in the state ready to learn to facilitate motor recovery and restore upper limb neurological function. Flex sensors and inertial measurement units (IMUs) track hand and finger movements. Following three weeks of gamification, yoga mudra and AsamyutaHastas training, and non-virtual activities, improvements in hand and forearm neurological function are observed.