Rutgers Treats Stroke Victims With Modified Video Game

by Heather McLaughlin

Rutgers has found a new way to treat stroke victims by using modified video games.

Engineers at the University have modified a home video game system to assist stroke patients with hand exercises and “virtual” treatment by combining computer-generated interactive visual environments in which users control actions in a lifelike way with traditional therapy techniques.

This technology was unveiled at the fifth International Workshop on Virtual Rehabilitation which took place on Aug. 29 and Aug. 30 in New York City.

Virtual reality is showing significant promise for promoting faster and more complete rehabilitation, but the cost of many systems is still prohibitive for widespread deployment in outpatient clinics or patients’ homes,” said Grigore Burdea, professor of electrical and computer engineering and a noted inventor of virtual rehabilitation technology. “While it’s essential to keep pursuing breakthrough technologies that will initially be costly, it’s just as important that we find ways to make innovative treatments accessible to the many patients who need them.”

This virtual treatment is made available using a Microsoft Xbox video game and Essential Reality P5 gaming glove that detects finger and wrist motions to manipulate on-screen images.

This device is expected to cost significantly less than other treatments available.

Resource: Rutgers.com