Bimanual UI Metaphor: Towards Rehabilitation of Limited Fine Motor Skills of Di erently Abled Children N

Abstract

The virtual hand metaphor is widely used in virtual reality (VR) applications for various domains. Using the latest technology, the human hand can be tracked in a free-hand, mid-air environment with a considerable accuracy. Many children has limited ne motor skills due to various causes like cerebral palsy, pediatric stroke syndromes, etc. These children have limited ability to control their ngers, which limit their interaction with the world. Virtual reality based therapeutic exercises are being used for these types of children to improve their ne motor skills. Here, the virtual hand metaphor has been used as a user interaction metaphor inside rehabilitation methods with both uni-manual and bi-manual interactions, which would help to improve ne motor skills of children. This study suggests a low-cost, free-hand VR rehabilitation environment with selected uni-manual and bi-manual interactions. This rehabilitation system is designed for general purpose desktop computers and notebook computers focusing a low-cost setup. Two proof of concepts imple- mented including bi-manual transfer and screw-nut manipulation, which are fre- quently used bi-manual interactions in rehabilitation exercises. Using a user study and a heuristic evaluation, the virtual hand metaphor and the implemented proof of concepts are being evaluated in both medical and computer science aspects. The results shows that it is e ective than regular exercise methods, but need improvements in nger-speci c interactions and eye-hand co-ordination in order to achieve considerable improvement of ne motor skills. The evaluator's ques- tionnaire show that it is usable for only cognitive child patients who are able to understand and use a computer environment. In theoretical aspect, the virtual hand metaphor has achieved signi cant usability aspects as a UI metaphor. Inability to give sensory feedback is one of the main limitation of this study which is one of the focusing aspects in ne motor rehabilitation.