A PhysX-based framework to develop rehabilitation using haptic and virtual reality

The use of virtual reality with haptic interactions seems quite promising for rehabilitation procedure as it provides several advantages: it is possible to change the experiments in the real world based on the patient disability, to use different devices depending on the target of the rehabilitation, and to record quantitative information during the execution of the training session. To cope with the required flexibility and adaptability, we developed a software framework based on the Model/View/Controller pattern that allows to decouple the different modules composing the application. To reduce the cost, the framework is implemented only through the use of freely available libraries. The efficacy of the framework was proved through the implementation of the software for a prototype application based on a five-bar linkage haptic device.