NEUROREHABILITATION USING ‘ LEARNING BY IMITATION ’ IN VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS

This paper describes the theoretical background and key features of a novel virtual environment system for motor re-learning that has been developed in our laboratory. The system has been designed to facilitate the retraining of motor control in patients with neurological impairments, such as stroke or acquired brain injury (ABI). It consists of a computer, specially developed software and an electromagnetic motion-tracking device. During training, the arm movements of the patient and a virtual teacher are displayed simultaneously in the virtual environment. The difference between the two trajectories is used to provide the patient with augmented feedback designed to enhance motor learning. Design considerations relevant to Neurorehabilitation patients are discussed. Preliminary results of recent experiments, in which the device has been used to train upper extremity movements in patients with chronic stroke and acquired brain injury, are also summarized.

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