Duckneglect: video-games based neglect rehabilitation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Video games are increasingly used in rehabilitation for patient motivation and engagement.
• The Rewire project explores remote, home-based rehabilitation infrastructure for post-hospital care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel, low-cost video game platform specifically designed for neglect rehabilitation.

Main Methods:

• Patients engage in specifically designed games requiring exploration of their neglected hemispace with increasing difficulty.
• Visual and auditory cues are used to guide patients and are progressively removed.
• Game features include randomized scenarios, balanced rewards, and background music to enhance engagement for prolonged treatment.

Main Results:

• A single patient showed a highly positive attitude towards the platform during a one-month trial.
• Significant improvement in neglect symptoms was observed during the trial.
• These improvements were maintained at a five-month follow-up and generalized to daily activities.

Conclusions:

• The developed video game system shows potential for integration into home-based rehabilitation programs.
• This approach offers a cost-effective and engaging solution for ongoing patient therapy.