Transradial Prosthesis Performance Enhanced with the Use of a Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment

Approximately 10 million people live with a limb loss worldwide, with around 30% being an upper extremity amputee [1]. The sudden loss of a hand or arm causes the loss of fine, coordinated movements, reduced joint range of motion (ROM), proprioceptive feedback and aesthetic appearance, all which can be improved with the use of a prosthesis and proper training [2]. An effective prosthetic training and rehabilitation regime is important in returning the patient to the highest level of independence and functioning possible. The present study describes a virtual reality (VR) environment system to facilitate an effective training and rehabilitation process to return amputees to the highest level of independence and functioning possible. This was done through the implementation of a real time stick-figure model and a character avatar animating individualized optimal goal motions. This was implemented into the Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) system (Motek Medical, Amsterdam, Netherlands) to provide real-time visual feedback to the users while performing specified training and rehabilitating tasks. With the integration of the optimal model visualization, real time visual feedback, and additional CAREN system capabilities, upper extremity training and rehabilitation was shown to be enhanced with the use of virtual reality, through improved movement symmetry, task performance, and functional advances.