Design and Testing of a Telerehabilitation System for Motor Re-Training using a Virtual Environment

In this paper we describe our experience in designing and testing a virtual environment based (VE) telerehabilitation system. The system allows a therapist to conduct interactive treatment sessions remotely with a patient who is located at home. Some of the technical and practical issues encountered during development and testing are described, as well as how we adapted the system to allow training of more skilled hand functions. Preliminary results of the first 12 subjects with stroke to use the system showed significant gains in upper extremity function following 30 one-hr treatment sessions (Fugl-Meyer, p<0.0001; Wolf Motor p=0.0097; shoulder (p=0.0027) and grip (p=0.025) strength. These changes were maintained, for the most part, at 4-month follow-up