Presence Sensing in Virtual Reality Environments for Motor Rehabilitation of Post-Ave Patients: an Eeg-Based Approach
Name: ALEXANDRE GERALDO POMER-ESCHER
Publication date: 18/02/2019
Advisor:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| TEODIANO FREIRE BASTOS FILHO | Advisor * |
Examining board:
| Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| ANTONIO ALBERTO RIBEIRO FERNANDES | Internal Examiner * |
| BRENO VALENTIM NOGUEIRA | Internal Examiner * |
| DENIS DELISLE RODRIGUEZ | External Examiner * |
| TEODIANO FREIRE BASTOS FILHO | Advisor * |
Summary: Stroke is the main cause of death and physical disability, with an annual incidence rate of 108 per 100,000 inhabitants. In addition, among survivors in the acute phase of stroke, about 20% to 30% are unable to walk and, another 60% have difficulties to walk without assistance. The main objective of this study is to develop a sensorial plataform to synchronize signals of Electroencephalography (EEG) and Electromyography (EMG) with biomechanical data, in order to be used in motor rehabilitation activities. To evaluate the usability of the plataform, a virtual reality environment was proposed, which is based on the combination of two therapies for motor rehabilitation based on exercise with bikes and mirror therapy. The platform was evaluated by 19 volunteers (individuals without motor impairment, and then by post-stroke patients and health professionals involved with the rehabilitation treatment). The usability was evaluated through the SUS (System Usability Scale) questionnaire, WHEREas the "Sense of Presence" perceived by the users during the accomplishment of the tasks was evaluated using iPQ (iGroup Presence Questionnaire). EEG data for correlation with the iPQ questionnaire was used. The result of the platform usability assessment was 82.86 points (for group of volunteers without motor involvement) 96.43 (for the group of patients) and 90.00 (for health professionals) all above the reference value of 68 points. The level of sense of presence is evaluated through four subclasses, the results was: General (86%), Space Presence (78%), Involvement (60%) and Experimental Realism (60%). Finally, the developed plataform was able to synchronize the monitored data, EEG and EMG, as well as to perform the control of the movement of the avatar in the virtual environment. It is worth noting that the evaluation of health professionals indicates that the use of this sensorial platform can help the traditional treatment of motor rehabilitation of post-stroke patients.
