Logo image
Back
Retraining function in people with Parkinson’s disease using the Microsoft kinect: Game design and pilot testing
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Retraining function in people with Parkinson’s disease using the Microsoft kinect: Game design and pilot testing

B. Galna, D. Jackson, G. Schofield, R. McNaney, M. Webster, G. Barry, D. Mhiripiri, M. Balaam, P. Olivier and L. Rochester
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, Vol.11, Article number: 60
2014
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-0003-11-60
pdf
Retraining function in people with Parkinson’s disease using the Microsoft kinect - Game design and pilot testing.pdfDownloadView
Published (Version of Record)CC BY V4.0,  Open Access
url
Free to Read *No subscription requiredView

Abstract

Background Computer based gaming systems, such as the Microsoft Kinect (Kinect), can facilitate complex task practice, enhance sensory feedback and action observation in novel, relevant and motivating modes of exercise which can be difficult to achieve with standard physiotherapy for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, there is a current need for safe, feasible and effective exercise games that are appropriate for PD rehabilitation. The aims of this study were to i) develop a computer game to rehabilitate dynamic postural control for people with PD using the Kinect; and ii) pilot test the game’s safety and feasibility in a group of people with PD. Methods A rehabilitation game aimed at training dynamic postural control was developed through an iterative process with input from a design workshop of people with PD. The game trains dynamic postural control through multi-directional reaching and stepping tasks, with increasing complexity across 12 levels of difficulty. Nine people with PD pilot tested the game for one session. Participant feedback to identify issues relating to safety and feasibility were collected using semi-structured interviews. Results Participants reported that they felt safe whilst playing the game. In addition, there were no adverse events whilst playing. In general, the participants stated that they enjoyed the game and seven of the nine participants said they could imagine themselves using the game at home, especially if they felt it would improve their balance. The Flow State Scale indicated participants were immersed in the gameplay and enjoyed the experience. However, some participants reported that they found it difficult to discriminate between different types and orientations of visual objects in the game and some also had difficulty with the stepping tasks, especially when performed at the same time as the reaching tasks. Conclusion Computer-based rehabilitation games using the Kinect are safe and feasible for people with PD although intervention trials are needed to test their safety, feasibility and efficacy in the home.

Details

Metrics

38 File views/ downloads
65 Record Views
48 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Citation topics
1 Clinical & Life Sciences
1.82 Gait & Posture
1.82.866 Stroke Rehabilitation
Web Of Science research areas
Engineering, Biomedical
Neurosciences
Rehabilitation
ESI research areas
Neuroscience & Behavior
Logo image