Serious Game Design of Virtual Reality Balance Rehabilitation with a Record of Psychophysiological Variables and Emotional Assessment

Abstract

Virtual Reality (VR) offers an alternative to complement physical or neurological rehabilitation based on the efficacy of Gamification as a technique to get compromised, enjoy, and turn treatment periods less annoying through an immersive task. This work presents the design of a VR environment and takes into a count three levels of presence: self-presence, physical, and social. Thirteen healthy participants performed a traditional balance session with a wobble board through a parachute game. The direction of the fall is controlled with the inclination of a wobble board platform instrumented with a Gyroscope, electrocardiography (ECG), electrodermal activity (EDA), and respiratory rate (RESP) signals are simultaneously recorded. These psychophysiological responses of the Autonomous Nervous System (SNA) are contrasted with a standardized emotional self-report questionnaire to gather information about the experience and was filled out by the participant with the eye selection of the Oculus Rift device. The integrated Unity-Matlab system stored and processed some of the extraction data of 15 characteristics associated with the biosignals and three emotional levels, In addition to proposing a severe game as a solution to problems of conventional methodology such as low attention, monotonous and predictable sessions, combining computerized simulation and innovative technologies for more pleasant recovery therapy.

Immersive media experience: a survey of existing methods and tools for human influential factors assessment

“…Dependent on the difficulty level of the game or the stressful sequences, an increase of HR is commonly observed [138,139]. Moreover, a significant correlation between the valence emotional primitive and HRV has been demonstrated [140,141]. An increase in HR was also seen during the last minutes when the user reported motion sickness [142].…”

Artificial Proprioceptive Reflex Warning Using EMG in Advanced Driving Assistance System

“…Whereas, a detailed review discusses deep learning algorithms applied on EEG data for various applications [17]. EMG is another sensing method that is lately used in ADAS for people with restricted mobility in upper limbs [18] and also for pedestrian collision avoidance [19]. [20] details about the exteroceptive sensor technologies in use for ADAS and ADS.…”

“…The sEMG with an arm wearable EMG device is used in human driver trials to assist people who suffer upper limb amputation and shows effective aid to the driver to avoid pedestrian collision [19]. Another demonstration of the control of steering wheel using EMG signals is discussed in [18] and the authors advocate its utilization in ADAS for physically challenged drivers. This study propounds another utility of EMG signals which is homologous to steering action.…”

Quantifying time perception during virtual reality gameplay using a multimodal biosensor-instrumented headset: a feasibility study

“…For example, electroencephalography (EEG) signals have been used to study engagement correlates within virtual reality experiences (Muñoz et al, 2020 ; Rogers et al, 2020 ). Electrocardiograms (ECG) have been used to uncover the relationship between valence and heart rate variability (HRV) (Maia and Furtado, 2019 ; Abril et al, 2020 ), while the research by Lopes et al ( 2022 ) has established connections between relaxation, heart rate, and breathing patterns while the user is immersed in a virtual forest. Electrodermal activity (EDA), in turn, has been investigated to gain insights into the user's sense of presence and relaxation in virtual environments (Terkildsen and Makransky, 2019 ; Salgado et al, 2022 ).…”