Estimating Forearm Axial Rotation Using Vive Trackers for Interaction With Serious Games

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Biomedical Instrumentation
• Pediatric Physical Therapy

Background:

• Limited forearm supination/pronation is a common upper limb issue in children with cerebral palsy.
• Effective rehabilitation requires targeted training of forearm axial rotation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate an accessible method for estimating forearm axial rotation using the HTC Vive tracker.
• To integrate this estimation method into a serious game for cerebral palsy rehabilitation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a commercially available HTC Vive tracker for forearm axial rotation estimation.
• Developed a method effective across various arm positions and tracker orientations.
• Designed and implemented a serious game system for interactive rehabilitation.

Main Results:

• The proposed method offers an easy-to-access and affordable approach to forearm axial angle estimation.
• The effectiveness of the method was examined and validated.
• A functional serious game system was successfully installed for patient use.

Conclusions:

• The HTC Vive tracker-based method provides a viable solution for estimating forearm axial rotation in rehabilitation.
• This technology can enhance the engagement and effectiveness of serious games for children with cerebral palsy.
• The system offers a practical option for forearm movement practice in clinical and home settings.