Virtual reality and gait rehabilitation Augmented feedback for the Lokomat

Abstract

The application of virtual reality in rehabilitation has led to a rapid development of game-like applications. Since the key concept to successful rehabilitation involves the constant repetition of a task that involves the affected part of the body, such applications motivate patients to practice movements over and over again. Driven gait orthoses provide an excellent tool to use such methods for gait training in a meaningful way. In the present paper we give a first impression of how such an application may look like for the driven gait orthosis Lokomat. With a preliminary study we furthermore show, that such applications not only lead to higher motivation during training but also increase the activity of the patient. All patients report to prefer this new way of feedback and want to use it in subsequent training sessions.