A kinesthetic game as a motivational aid and monitor in upper extremities burns rehabilitation

Abstract

Lack of motivation is often cited as one of the most common reasons as to why only few burn patients with physical conditions do the recommended rehabilitation exercises regularly. Many games have been created to address this problem but most of them require subjects to wear sensors and devices which can be intrusive. A non-intrusive kinesthetic game that uses a Kinect sensor to incorporate range of motion (ROM) exercises was developed to motivate second-degree or higher burns patients in the sub-acute stage aged 5-8 years old in upper extremity rehabilitation. The game also aids therapists in monitoring each patient's progress by providing information regarding performance (i.e., reaction time, limb speed, and range of motion) and allows therapists to tweak parameters (e.g., joint to train, range area of focus) to address specific needs.