Development of a virtual reality leg-cycling training system for stroke patients

People with neurological damage may develop physical impairments such as hemiplegia, and interlimb coordination deficits are common among stroke patients. Leg-cycling exercise is an alternative and symmetrical bilateral leg movement. However, stroke patients are generally reluctant to attend leg-cycling trainings. Virtual reality (VR) is a new and promising computer-based technology to promote leg-cycling training among stroke patients. A new force-detect leg-cycling training system which combined with a virtual community environment has been developed by our research team. Two healthy subjects were recruited to attend the preliminary case study. The results showed that the two healthy users could successfully operate the VR leg-cycling training system and control the direction of the virtual car in the virtual environment. In the next stage, patients with interlimb coordination deficits should be recruited in the training courses so as to verify the rehabilitative effect of the VR leg-cycling system.