Virtual Reality System for Assistance in Treating Respiratory Disorders

Abstract

This paper presents a virtual reality app for pulmonary diseases treatment in children through VR game, which consists of visual and auditory stimulation thus the therapy won’t be annoying to the patient. The procedure consists of a previous stage of respiratory training which the patient is asked for a deep inhalation followed by an exhalation, both within a period of 3 to 6 s and requested 3 times. The app will offer the patient different activities in a virtual environment depending on the inhalation and exhalation exercise required by the stages of their therapy, using HTC VIVE virtual reality glasses. Recognition of inhalation and exhalation exercises is performed using a DTW classifier running in real time in MATLAB and with a direct, two-way connection to Unity. Therefore, the app encourages the patient to perform the exercises therapy in an accurate and fun way and as a result respiratory signal graphs are shown for evaluation by the therapist.