A Variable Resistance Virtual Exercise Platform for Physiotherapy Rehabilitation

Various motion input and sensing methods have been evaluated in designing a home-based physiotherapy rehabilitation system for spinal cord injury patients. The important design factors include; the ability of the system to track human motion such that the requirements of a game input and data logging software are met; the ability to modify the platform to suit the existing and possible future requirements; a portable system for home use; a variable level of effort. The ability to vary the mechanical resistance to the motion effort is particularly desired so that the device can be "reprogrammed" for different patients and at different stages of physiotherapy. Commercial computer games can be integrated with the purpose built motion input device. The amount of exercise is captured by the vision-based motion tracking system accurately. The novel design of the rehabilitation system allows adjustable resistance to movement, easy interface to game exercises, and patient's ready access to windows-based tasks. This provides a patient with home-based virtual exercise platform and stimulating experiences in his/her physiotherapy.