Novel Therapeutic Game Controller for Telerehabilitation of Spastic Hands: Two Case Studies

Spasticity or increase in muscle tone presents challenges during post-stroke rehabilitation. The use of off-the-shelf game controllers is problematic for individuals with hand spasticity. The novel BrightBrainer Grasp (BBG) controller was designed to overcome these barriers when used in virtual rehabilitation of individuals post-stroke. The custom controller measures power grasp, finger extension, wrist position and orientation, as well as 3D hand position. It is designed to minimize friction when used by those with no gravity bearing. Two controllers were used in bilateral training. This paper presents a detailed description of the BBG controllers and their interaction with the BrightBrainer™ gaming system. Two case reports of individuals chronic post-stroke who participated in a 4-week telerehabilitation intervention are included.