Feasibility study of a new game-based bimanual integrative therapy

Therapeutic games motivate patients and intrinsically generate a large number of movement repetitions that is key to inducing brain plasticity and facilitating recovery. While virtual rehabilitation has gained clinical acceptance, bimanual therapy is less developed at this time. The novel RABBIT system combines physical and cognitive training via integrative game-play sessions. Using the Razer Hydra game interface, patients play a series of custom games designed to improve attention, decision making (executive function), short-term and long-term memory. These games progress in difficulty over 6 weeks of therapy. The system and its first feasibility study on patients who were chronic post-stroke are presented here.