River multimodal scenario for rehabilitation robotics

Abstract

This paper presents the novel "River" multimodal rehabilitation robotics scenario that includes video, audio and haptic modalities. Elements contributing to intrinsic motivation are carefully joined in the three modalities to increase motivation of the user. The user first needs to perform a motor action, then receives a cognitive challenge that is solved with adequate motor activity. Audio includes environmental sounds, music and spoken instructions or encouraging statements. Sounds and music were classified according to the arousal-valence space. The haptic modality can provide catching, grasping, tunnel or adaptive assistance, all depending on the user's needs. The scenario was evaluated in 16 stroke users, who responded to it favourably according to the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory questionnaire. Additionally, the river multimodal environment seems to elicit higher motivation than a simpler apple pick-and-place multimodal task.

Gameplay as a Source of Intrinsic Motivation for Individuals in Need of Ankle Training or Rehabilitation

“…However, this is by no means a novel insight. For example, Alankus, Lazar, May, and Kelleher (2010) describe a system that allows stroke patients to perform therapeutically useful upper body movements while controlling different games with gestures captured by means of a web camera or Wii remotes; Munih et al (2011) have created a multimodal system that combines cognitive challenges with repeated, robot aided physical actions in a game-like scenario, which similarly is intended to motivate stroke patients to exercise; and Deutsch, Latonio, Burdea, and Boian (2001) describe an application developed for the Rutgers Ankle rehabilitation interface (Girone, Burdea, & Bouzit, 1999), which allows users to control the movement of an airplane with their feet and thereby train their ankles while playing.…”