A Virtual Reality-Cycling Training System for Lower Limb Balance Improvement

Chieh Yin, Ya-Hsin Hsueh, Chun-Yu Yeh, Hsin-Chang Lo, Yi-Ting Lan, Chieh Yin, Ya-Hsin Hsueh, Chun-Yu Yeh, Hsin-Chang Lo, Yi-Ting Lan

Abstract

Stroke survivors might lose their walking and balancing abilities, but many studies pointed out that cycling is an effective means for lower limb rehabilitation. However, during cycle training, the unaffected limb tends to compensate for the affected one, which resulted in suboptimal rehabilitation. To address this issue, we present a Virtual Reality-Cycling Training System (VRCTS), which senses the cycling force and speed in real-time, analyzes the acquired data to produce feedback to patients with a controllable VR car in a VR rehabilitation program, and thus specifically trains the affected side. The aim of the study was to verify the functionality of the VRCTS and to verify the results from the ten stroke patients participants and to compare the result of Asymmetry Ratio Index (ARI) between the experimental group and the control group, after their training, by using the bilateral pedal force and force plate to determine any training effect. The results showed that after the VRCTS training in bilateral pedal force it had improved by 0.22 (p = 0.046) and in force plate the stand balance has also improved by 0.29 (p = 0.031); thus both methods show the significant difference.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
VRCTS system blocks.
Figure 2
Figure 2
VRCTS system experiment setup, which includes VR rehabilitation program, Cycling CR System, and a cycling device.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The cycling device which includes an encoder inside the cycling module, a load cell placed in both pedals, and a splint on top of each pedal.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The relationship between the angle and the cycling position; left leg parallel to the ground is the 0 degree.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Cycling force value. (a) Right-leg force. (b) Left-leg force. (c) DF values. The first part is the DF of a straight line mode, the second part is DF in a right-curve mode, and the third part is DF in a left-curve mode.
Figure 6
Figure 6
VR rehabilitation program courses. (a) Left-curve course. (b) Right-curve course.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Cycling CR System; since it is for the clinician to set up the GUI, this shows the cycling force output and speed and how to set up the parameters for the VR rehabilitation.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Stroke patients control the VR car to pass a curve. (a) Before turning. (b) After turning. (c) Stuck in the curve.

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Source: PubMed

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