Virtual reality for mobility devices: training applications and clinical results: a review

Abstract

Virtual reality technology is an emerging technology that possibly can address the problems encountered in training (elderly) people to handle a mobility device. The objective of this review was to study different virtual reality training applications as well as their clinical implication for patients with mobility problems. Computerized literature searches were performed using the MEDLINE, Cochrane, CIRRIE and REHABDATA databases. This resulted in eight peer reviewed journal articles. The included studies could be divided into three categories, on the basis of their study objective. Five studies were related to training driving skills, two to physical exercise training and one to leisure activity. This review suggests that virtual reality is a potentially useful means to improve the use of a mobility device, in training one's driving skills, for keeping up the physical condition and also in a way of leisure time activity. Although this field of research appears to be in its early stages, the included studies pointed out a promising transfer of training in a virtual environment to the real-life use of mobility devices.

Wheelchair simulators: A review

“…The participants are recruited according to various variables (e.g., age, type of disability, wheelchair experience). Errens-Wolters et al [7] reviewed several VR training applications with clinical experimentation, and classified the studies with respect to their methodological quality. This classification is illustrative of a relatively young and small field of clinical researches that were carried out to test new technologies or to provide a proof of concept [7].…”

“…Errens-Wolters et al [7] reviewed several VR training applications with clinical experimentation, and classified the studies with respect to their methodological quality. This classification is illustrative of a relatively young and small field of clinical researches that were carried out to test new technologies or to provide a proof of concept [7]. In the virtual environment, the participants were involved in orientation tasks while going from point A to point B and wheelchair manipulation tasks (e.g., to do a 180 • turn).…”

Self-Report Computer-Based Survey of Technology Use by People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

“…In addition to treadmills and walkers with microswitches, virtual reality has also been used as a mechanism to assess and train children and adults with IDD to use powered wheelchairs. Studies demonstrate marked improvements in skill acquisition when initially introducing people to new mobility devices (Erren-Wolters, Dijk, DeKort, IJzerman, & Jannink 2007; Harrison, Derwent, Enticknap, Rose & Attree, 2002; Hasdai, Jessel, & Weiss, 1997). …”

Towards an Intelligent Wheelchair System for Users With Cerebral Palsy

“…In this case, the effect is even more pronounced because low situation awareness leads to comprehension problems (this was evident in the first visual display prototype [10]). To ameliorate the situation awareness, sensor fusion [33], [34] is used to create a 3-D real-time reconstruction of the environment [35]. More precisely, the visual interface shows a 3-D virtual world model constructed online, as would be seen from a virtual camera located approximately at the user's eyes.…”