Architecture guideline for game-based stroke rehabilitation
| Date | 06 April 2017 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-06-2016-0039 |
| Published date | 06 April 2017 |
| Pages | 228-240 |
| Author | Mehran Kamkarhaghighi,Pejman Mirza-Babaei,Khalil El-Khatib,Kathrin M. Gerling |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management,Environmental technology & innovation |
Architecture guideline for
game-based stroke rehabilitation
Mehran Kamkarhaghighi, Pejman Mirza-Babaei and Khalil El-Khatib
University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, Canada, and
Kathrin M. Gerling
University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK
Abstract
Purpose –Strokes are the most common cause of long-term disability of adults in developed countries.
Continuous participation in rehabilitation can alleviate some of the consequences, and support recovery of
stroke patients. However, physical rehabilitation requires commitment to tedious exercise routines over
lengthy periods of time, which often cause patients to dropout of this form of therapy. In this context,
game-based stroke rehabilitation has the potential to address two important barriers: accessibility of
rehabilitation, and patient motivation. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach –This paper provides a review of design efforts in human-computer
interaction (HCI) and gaming research to support stroke rehabilitation.
Findings –Based on extensive review, this paper highlights challenges and opportunities in this area,
and discusses an architecture guideline for a game-based stroke rehabilitation system.
Originality/value –This study was an original study.
Keywords Video games, Health games, Human-computer interaction, Stroke rehabilitation,
System architecture
Paper type Conceptual paper
1. Introduction
Stroke, which is the sudden death of brain cells in a localized area due to inadequate blood
flow, is one of the most common causes of long-term disability of adults in developed
countries (Feigin et al., 2003). The consequences of a stroke include visual, cognitive and
motor skill losses where some patients may lose both memory and speech. As a result,
up to 85 per cent of stroke patients suffer from hemiparesis –weakness on one side of the
body –and between 55 and 75 per cent of survivors experience motor skill deficits.
Conditions such as hemiplegia –paralysis or weakness on one side of the body including the
loss of control over the legs –can result in a physical disability, which makes walking
difficult or impossible. These issues often substantially limit an individual’s ability to
interact with the world, and reduce the level of independence (Bach-y-Rita et al., 2002;
Rehana, 2013). In this context, increased dependency on the care of others negatively
influences the physical and emotional well-being of stroke survivors which negatively
impacts the quality of life (Maclean et al., 2002).
Fortunately, rehabilitation and continuous participation in occupational therapy can
alleviate some of these consequences and support the recovery and independence of stroke
patients. However, physical rehabilitation often requires commitment to tedious exercise
routines over prolonged periods of time (Balaam et al., 2011). Many stroke patients could
recover some physical functioning by performing hundreds of daily repetitions of motions
with affected limbs (Alankus et al., 2010). Effective rehabilitation programmes that are
initiated after stroke, and which can improve the recovery process and minimize functional
disability (Duncan et al., 2005), are expensive, labour intensive (Bach-y-Rita et al., 2002),
and unavailable in some remote areas. In addition to these barriers, patients who enrol in
World Journal of Science,
Technology and Sustainable
Development
Vol. 14 No. 2/3, 2017
pp. 228-240
© Emerald PublishingLimited
2042-5945
DOI 10.1108/WJSTSD-06-2016-0039
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2042-5945.htm
Appreciation is extended to NSERC and UOIT for their research support. As well as Dr Reza Talebi
(MD) for his contribution to this study.
228
WJSTSD
14,2/3
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