Application of augmented reality in physical rehabilitation

Abstract

Augmented reality (AR) has become a popular multidisciplinary research field in recent decades. Augmented reality adds to the subject's real-world sensory information through computer-generated sound, text, and graphics that are projected into the user's natural visual and auditory fields to provide a real-time interactive experience in a common environment. A bibliographic review was carried out with the objective of updating the current state of the use of augmented reality in physical rehabilitation. Augmented reality systems consist of a user interface that offers a motivational component to patients to perform exercises, distracting them from the potential pain they may feel during exercises. Additionally, they can be implemented in the patient's home and eliminate frequent visits to rehabilitation clinics. Among the most used systems are ARS, RehaBio, NeuroR, AR Fruit Ninja, MirrARbilitation, SleeveAR, ARIS and BRU. Its uses have been focused mainly on post-surgical orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation in patients with strokes. Augmented reality offers significant benefits over in-person rehabilitation and other technologies such as virtual reality, which can speed up the recovery process and improve patients' quality of life