VR-Based Hand Rehabilitation using a Haptic-Based Framework

Haptic-based hand rehabilitation exercises set in virtual environments have not focused on analyzing the data captured during exercises to draw conclusions that relate to specific aspects of the hand. The framework proposed in this study implemented virtual reality exercises carried out with the use of haptic devices for use in stroke rehabilitation. The exercises were tested with healthy subjects to collect information pertaining to the hand performance; namely movements and grip kinematics. The collected information was extracted from data recorded during the exercise. By analyzing the data, the research effort deduced certain analysis patterns that would provide occupational therapists with a means to continuously evaluate a patient´s performance, and hence provide him/her with adaptive recovery courses