Liftacube: a prototype for pervasive rehabilitation in a residential setting

Abstract

Persons with neurological disorders or spinal cord injuries, such as Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) or Paraplegia pa- tients, experience signi cantly reduced physical abilities dur- ing their activities of daily living. By frequent and intense physical therapy, these patients can sustain or even enhance their functional performance. However, physical therapy, whether or not it is supported by technology, can currently only be followed in a rehabilitation centre under supervi- sion of a therapist. To provide technology-supported physi- cal therapy for independent use by the patient in the home situation, our current research explores pervasive technolo- gies for rehabilitation systems. In this paper, we describe our pervasive prototype 'Liftacube' for training of upper ex- tremities. An initial evaluation with patients with a neuro- logical disorder or spinal cord injury (CVA and paraplegia patients) and their therapists reveals a great appreciation for this motivating pervasive gaming prototype. Re ections on the technical set-up (such as size, form factor, and mate- rials) and interaction preferences (such as feedback, games, and movements for interaction) for pervasive rehabilitation systems in a residential environment are elaborated upon.