Automatic adaptation of serious games applied to virtual motor rehabilitation

• Grant number: 23/05884-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): July 01, 2023
• Effective date (End): October 29, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Computer Science - Computing Methodologies and Techniques
• Principal Investigator: Fátima de Lourdes dos Santos Nunes Marques
• Grantee: Alexandre Kira Pedroso de Lima
• Host Institution: Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades (EACH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/12760-1 - Automatic adaptation of serious games applied to virtual motor rehabilitation, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

The process of virtual rehabilitation has involved the use of technology to create serious games (or exergames) aimed at involving the patient in therapy. Virtual Reality(VR) has been used to assist in the motor, cognitive, or emotional recovery of patients,mainly due to its ability to involve the patient in the virtual environment. The articulationof VR with serious games presents opportunities to increase adherence to rehabilitation treatments, because game elements inserted into the therapeutic context can keep the patient engaged throughout the exercises. Studies involving virtual rehabilitation with the use of serious games have obtained promising results, but there is still room for improvement, especially with regard to the possibility of remote participation of the physical therapist, because traditionally therapy occurs in a specialized medical center, and automatic adaptation considering the limitations and needs of each patient, because in general the tools present unique solutions for all patients. This project proposes the development of an approach forautomatic adaptation of serious games using Virtual Reality to be used in the context ofvirtual motor rehabilitation. As methodological phases are foreseen: conceptual deepening, development of the conceptual approach, implementation of artifacts, development of a serious game as proof of concept and, finally, the elaboration of scientific articles and reports.The approach will be defined so that the implemented artifacts can be reused in otherother serious games, besides the game developed as a proof of concept. It is expected that the project contribute to the development of exergames for the rehabilitation of people with motor disabilities and develop techniques that can be employed by various types of games.