September 2005, Issue #41

Hot Topic:

TheraDrive: Computer Assisted Motivating Rehabilitation for Home Therapy

The increasing numbers of persons at-risk in the population for stroke creates an increased need for therapy programs that can be effectively administered in both home and outpatient clinics. The aim of this work is to create a low-cost, commercially-viable, home-based rehabilitation system that can capitalize on computer-assisted motivating rehabilitation concepts of game therapy and skill training with functional training related to real activity to induce user-dependent CNS plasticity. The TheraDrive concept combines the motivational elements of re-learning steering tasks with playing driving video games using commercial forcefeedback steering wheels to create an upper arm stroke therapy environment that is usable at home or in the clinic. We are currently evaluating the usability of this technology with stroke survivors. In addition, we are collaborating with the Physical Therapy Department at Carroll College ( Waukesha ) to insert the technology into their first-year curriculum.

Funding: PM&R Departmental Funding, Whittaker

Foundation and Falk NeuroRehabiltation at Marquette University

Collaborators: Jack Winters, Ph.D ( Marquette ), Judith Kosasih, M.D. (MCW/VA), Ed Maher, M.S., P.T., Sara Duprey,M.S., P.T.( Carroll College )