2D SHAPE AND FORCE TRACKING IN REHABILITATION THERAPY OF UPPER EXTREMITIES THROUGH A MULTIMODAL GUIDANCE SYSTEM

摘要

This paper describes a shape and force tracking approach aimed for the assessment and training of patients' upper extremities functionalities, while performing 2D tasks in a post-stroke rehabilitation program. The 2D tasks are assisted by a Multi-modal Guidance System (MGS), which consists in a combination of visual, haptic and sound interaction. The device enables users to haptically interact with a virtual template, which acts as a virtual tool path taking advantage of its force feedback capabilities while the patient performs a 2D task, as sketching and hatching operations. Furthermore, the patient receives sound information, which provides audio feedback related to the hand velocity. By tracking the shape and the forces required to complete the tasks according to the visual feedback provided on the computer screen, the system can inform about quantitative measurement of a patients progress. The paper concludes by presenting a preliminary test using the device for sketching and hatching operations.