Ghostman: augmented reality application for telerehabilitation and remote instruction of a novel motor skill.
This paper describes a pilot study using a prototype telerehabilitation system (Ghostman). Ghostman is a visual augmentation system designed to allow a physical therapist and patient to inhabit each other's viewpoint in an augmented real-world environment. This allows the therapist to deliver instruction remotely and observe performance of a motor skill through the patient's point of view. In a pilot study, we investigated the efficacy of Ghostman by using it to teach participants to use chopsticks. Participants were randomized to a single training session, receiving either Ghostman or face-to-face instructions by the same skilled instructor. Learning was assessed by measuring retention of skills at 24-hour and 7-day post instruction. As hypothesised, there were no differences in reduction of error or time to completion between participants using Ghostman compared to those receiving face-to-face instruction. These initial results in a healthy population are promising and demonstrate the potential application of this technology to patients requiring learning or relearning of motor skills as may be required following a stroke or brain injury.
Human Interface Technology Laboratory Australia (HIT Lab AU), School of Engineering and ICT, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tas 7250, Australia.
Winyu
W
Chinthammit
Human Interface Technology Laboratory Australia (HIT Lab AU), School of Engineering and ICT, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tas 7250, Australia.
Troy
0000-0002-1721-3956
T
Merritt
Active Work Laboratory, Faculty of Education, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tas 7250, Australia.
Scott
0000-0002-8566-7693
S
Pedersen
School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tas 7250, Australia.
Andrew
0000-0001-8863-3491
A
Williams
School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tas 7250, Australia.
Denis
D
Visentin
Human Interface Technology Laboratory Australia (HIT Lab AU), School of Engineering and ICT, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tas 7250, Australia.
Robert
0000-0001-9480-7822
R
Rowe
Human Interface Technology Laboratory (HIT Lab), University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Thomas
0000-0001-9240-5475
T
Furness
D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D019114:Remote Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D063367:Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy / Q000379:methods*