A kinect-based virtual reality system for Parkinson disease rehabilitation

Abstract

This work brings together the emerging virtual reality techniques and the natural user interfaces to offer new possibilities in the field of rehabilitation. The tool has been developed based on a low cost device (Microsoft Kinect T) connected to a personal computer. It provides patients having Parkinson Disease (PD) with a motivating way to perform several motor rehabilitation exercises to improve their rehabilitation. Preliminary results obtained so far make us to believe that the tool is suitable for rehabilitation purposes. Feedbacks coming from participants corroborate the hypothesis that the system can be applied not only in clinical rehabilitation centers but at home. The tool should help rehabilitators to take a more individualized and personalized follow-up of PD patients. This results in a more enriching rehabilitation process where motivation is highly encouraged.