Virtual Reality Augmented Cycling for Post-Stroke Mobility Rehabilitation

描述（由申请人提供）：我们公司正在开发虚拟现实增强系统，以帮助临床医生转换其现有的锻炼设备，以提供密集的，任务特定的功能再培训。我们的理念是构建能够增强现有临床资源的工具，而不需要购买新设备。我们正在为第一阶段应用开发的虚拟现实增强自行车套件（VRACK）将用于提高中风后个体的健身和运动控制能力，并有望改善行走。创新包括硬件，软件和现有设备与神经可塑性和运动学习的当前知识的整合。我们预计该技术将快速转移到诊所甚至家庭，因为该系统旨在使临床医生更高效，更有效，节省成本。在拟议的第一阶段项目中，我们有三个目标：开发，可用性和存在性，以及可行性测试。这三个目标是综合的，涉及消费者（中风后个人），预期用户（物理治疗师）和临床科学家和工程师团队。我们将根据用户和消费者的输入开发原型，并测试系统的易用性。在可行性研究中，我们将比较健康个体和卒中后个体在VRACK上的训练结果。我们将测量生理变化，功能活动性（步行速度和耐力）以及运动控制作为训练的结果。我们假设，在虚拟环境中的训练将转移到健身，功能性移动和控制运动的能力的改善。在第二阶段，一旦原型开发出来，我们预计将在独立研究实验室进行测试，以验证我们的研究结果（相对于功效和成本效益）。这些工具包随后将分发给当地诊所，以改进培训和产品的实施。从这一步骤中获得的知识将使我们能够通过物理治疗和康复医学网络销售和分发套件。我们预计VRACK将用于需要下肢健身和运动控制训练以改善行走的任何患者群体。该项目与经历过不活动和丧失行走能力的中风后个体相关。它将允许中风后的个人以安全的方式锻炼，以扭转中风产生的缺陷，这些缺陷干扰了他们充分参与需要有效行走的社会角色的能力。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Our company is developing virtual reality augmented systems to help clinicians convert their existing exercise equipment in order to provide intensive, task specific functional re-training. Our concept is to build tools that will enhance existing clinical resources rather than requiring the purchase of new equipment. The Virtual Reality Augmented Cycling Kit (VRACK), which we are developing for this Phase I application, will be used to increase fitness and motor control of individuals post-stroke with an anticipated transfer to improved walking. Innovations include the integration of hardware, software and existing equipment with current knowledge of neural plasticity and motor learning. We anticipate a rapid transfer of the technology to the clinic and even the home because the system is designed to make the clinician more efficient and effective at a cost savings. In the proposed Phase I project we have three aims: Development, Usability and Presence, and Feasibility Testing. The three aims are integrated and involve consumers (individuals post-stroke), intended users (physical therapists) and a team of clinician scientists and engineers. We will develop the prototype based on user and consumer input, as well as test the system's ease of use. In the feasibility study we will compare outcomes of training on the VRACK between healthy individuals and individuals post stroke. We will measure physiological changes, functional mobility (walking speed and endurance) as well as motor control as a result of training. We hypothesize that training in the virtual environment will transfer to improvements in fitness, functional mobility and ability to control movements. In Phase II, once the prototype is developed, we anticipate having it tested in independent research laboratories to validate our findings, relative to efficacy and cost effectiveness. The kits will then be distributed to local clinics for refinement of the training and implementation of the product. Knowledge gained from this step will allow us to then market and distribute the kits through physical therapy and rehabilitation medicine networks. We anticipate the VRACK will be used with any patient group that requires lower extremity fitness and motor control training to improve walking. The project is relevant to individuals post-stroke who have experienced inactivity and a loss of walking ability. It will allow individuals post-stroke to exercise in a safe way in order to reverse the deficits produced by the stroke that interfere with their ability to fully participate in their societal roles that require efficient walking.