Communications of the ACM
3D Technology From Film Industry Improves Rehabilitation For Stroke Patients
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg are using 3D technology seen in motion pictures, to analyze how stroke patients move in order to better personalize their rehabilitation therapies.
Credit: Engineering & Technology Magazine
University of Gothenburg researchers have used three-dimensional (3D) technology traditionally used in the film industry to analyze the everyday movements of stroke patients. The researchers found that computerized motion analysis increases the knowledge of how stroke patients can improve their ability to move through rehabilitation.
The researchers used motion-capture technology to film everyday movements among about 100 volunteers, which included healthy people and stroke patients. "Our results show that computerized motion analysis could be a complement to a physician's clinical diagnosis and an important tool in diagnosing motion problems," says University of Gothenburg doctoral student Margit Alt Murphy.
As part of the study, the volunteers were equipped with reflex balls placed all over their bodies. The motion is documented by high-speed cameras whose infrared light is reflected by the balls and sent back to a computer, which creates a 3D animated image of the test subject.
"With 3D animation, we can measure the joint angle, speed and smoothness of the arm motion, as well as which compensating motion patterns the stroke patient is using," Alt Murphy says.
From University of Gothenburg (Sweden)
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