title: An augmented reality system for upper-limb post-stroke motor rehabilitation: a feasibility study.
abstract: To determine the clinical feasibility of a system based on augmented reality for upper-limb (UL) motor rehabilitation of stroke participants.
  
  
  
  A physiotherapist instructed the participants to accomplish tasks in augmented reality environment, where they could see themselves and their surroundings, as in a mirror. Two case studies were conducted. Participants were evaluated pre- and post-intervention. The first study evaluated the UL motor function using Fugl-Meyer scale. Data were compared using non-parametric sign tests and effect size. The second study used the gain of motion range of shoulder flexion and abduction assessed by computerized biophotogrammetry.
  
  
  
  At a significance level of 5%, Fugl-Meyer scores suggested a trend for greater UL motor improvement in the augmented reality group than in the other. Moreover, effect size value 0.86 suggested high practical significance for UL motor rehabilitation using the augmented reality system.
  
  
  
  System provided promising results for UL motor rehabilitation, since enhancements have been observed in the shoulder range of motion and speed. Implications for Rehabilitation Gain of range of motion of flexion and abduction of the shoulder of post-stroke patients can be achieved through an augmented reality system containing exercises to promote the mental practice. NeuroR system provides a mental practice method combined with visual feedback for motor rehabilitation of chronic stroke patients, giving the illusion of injured upper-limb (UL) movements while the affected UL is resting. Its application is feasible and safe. This system can be used to improve UL rehabilitation, an additional treatment past the traditional period of the stroke patient hospitalization and rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Informatics , Federal University of Technology - Paraná (UTFPR) , Pato Branco , Brazil .
authors.forename: Gilda Aparecida de
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Assis
authors.affiliation: b Integrated Systems Laboratory of Polytechnic School, University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil .
authors.forename: Ana Grasielle Dionísio
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Corrêa
authors.affiliation: c Institute of Health Sciences, Feevale University , Porto Alegre , Brazil , and.
authors.forename: Maria Bernardete Rodrigues
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: d Department of Informatics , Federal University of Technology - Paraná (UTFPR) , Apucarana , Brazil.
authors.forename: Wendel Goes
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Pedrozo
authors.affiliation: b Integrated Systems Laboratory of Polytechnic School, University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil .
authors.forename: Roseli de Deus
authors.initials: Rde D
authors.lastname: Lopes
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012782:Shoulder / Q000502:physiology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D000076142:Virtual Reality
keywords: Augmented reality; motor rehabilitation; myoelectric control; stroke; upper-limb