Physiologically driven rehabilitation using virtual reality

Abstract

Creating a platform that allows the fusion of real-time physiological measurements and virtual reality (VR) simulation will greatly improve present human-computer interaction, adaptive displays, military training, and anxiety therapy. The Virtual Reality Medical Center (VRMC) has developed a physiologically-driven rehabilitation platform that correctly assesses user anxiety levels based on multiple real time physiological measures, determines the optimal level of physiological arousal for each individual user, and automates the virtual simulation to the proper intensity for each user. Additionally, VRMC collaborates with UCF to develop novel, state-of-the-art sensors to be integrated within the platform that are capable of measuring electrocardiogram, (EEG), skin conductance, gait, and pupillometry. In Phase I VRMC developed a capability to monitor, fuse, and evaluate physiological measures (heart rate, skin conductance, skin temperature, and respiration) in real time to assess user anxiety levels. The physiological data collected will be used to assess user anxiety levels in real time as neutral, low, or high with 90% accuracy and to determine the optimal level of physiological arousal for each individual user. © 2009 Springer.