Telerehabilitation Using Low-Cost Video Game Controllers

Abstract

In recent years, advances in motion detection, tracking, and classification have made applications in telerehabilition possible. Monitoring of the elderlies and physically impaired, sports medicine, and physical therapy, are some of the active research areas in telerehabilition. Furthermore, the gaming industry has provided some low-cost devices to track motion with reasonable accuracy, thus, making telerehabilition a reality for patients who need it. This project investigates the feasibility of using the Nintindo Wii Remote Controller as a handheld device that patients can use to perform repetitive motions in physical therapy sessions in a telerehabilitation setting. Patients can use such an instructional (or e-learning) system at home without the cost, effort, and time associated with visiting a medical office. At the same time, the public health care system also benefits from the deployment of these telerehabilitation systems.