Position versus force control: using the 2-DOF robotic ankle trainer to assess ankle's motor control.

An estimated of 2,000,000 acute ankle sprains occur annually in the United States. Furthermore, ankle disabilities are caused by neurological impairments such as traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy and stroke. The virtually interfaced robotic ankle and balance trainer (vi-RABT) was introduced as a cost-effective platform-based rehabilitation robot to improve overall ankle/balance strength, mobility and control.

A study of upper extremity training for patients with stroke using a virtual environment system.

[Purpose] A virtual environment (VE) system was designed to facilitate the retraining of motor control by feedback of movement trajectory to patients with neurological impairments, such as stroke victims or those with an acquired brain injury. In this study, we quantitatively assessed motion trajectory of the upper extremity during VE in order to further understand the effect of paralyzed upper extremity movement in VE for each patient as well as the functional clinical evaluations. [Subjects and Methods] Six patients with stroke were participated in this study.

Design of a low cost multiple user virtual environment for rehabilitation (MUVER) of patients with stroke.

We describe the development and preliminary testing of a low cost virtual reality system that patients with stroke or other neurological impairments could use independently in the home on a personal computer to improve upper extremity motor function, including hand and finger control. The system would help meet the needs of the rising number of patients with stroke with impaired hand function. We introduce the concept of a Multiple User Virtual Environment for Rehabilitation (MUVER).

Telerehabilitation using a virtual environment improves upper extremity function in patients with stroke.

In this paper, we describe our experience in designing a virtual environment-based (VE) telerehabilitation system, and the results of a clinical study of the first 11 subjects with stroke to use the system. Our telerehabilitation system allows a therapist to conduct interactive VE treatment sessions remotely with a patient who is located at home. The system, software architecture, and development experience are described.

Virtual environments for motor rehabilitation: review.

In this paper, the current "state of the art" for virtual reality (VR) applications in the field of motor rehabilitation is reviewed. The paper begins with a brief overview of available equipment options. Next, a discussion of the scientific rationale for use of VR in motor rehabilitation is provided.