ISU researchers build virtual reality to aid rehabilitation

Life without an arm isn’t always easy, but researchers at Idaho State University are hoping to change that.

Over the next three years, they’ll be working to develop a learning tool for prosthetic users in the form of an “augmented virtual reality device.”

Researchers recently received a $152,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to work on this with ISU students as well as researchers at Texas A&M University and California State Fullerton University.

Nancy Devine, a physical therapy professor at ISU, said options are usually limited for prosthetic users.

“It ends up being something that can assist in holding something rather than being a replacement for what they’ve lost,” said Devine.

Researchers are hoping their virtual reality will teach patients how to take their new arms further.

“We will capture the signals from the muscles of the patient and we will be able to relate those signals to the intention of the patients,” said Alba Perez Gracia, a mechanical engineering professor.

Those intentions will then be shown on a virtual model.

“They’ll see the result of that virtual hand opening, virtual hand closing,” said Devine. “They can go through a trial-and-error and see if they’re successful or not at manipulating that image.”

Researchers say patients can benefit from this even before they begin using prosthetics.

“Observing, watching that hand function correctly, actually improves the organization of being able to actively control that arm better,” said Devine.

The device is still in development and researchers don’t yet have any firm ideas about what it might look like.

In three years time, they’re hoping to have a sample device and showcase demonstration.