NSF Developing a Mixed Reality Rehabilitation System

Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the U.S., often resulting in paralysis on one side of the body that affects the whole area or just an arm or leg.

The Virtual Reality Medical Center (VRMC), partnering with the Media Convergence Lab (MCL) at University of Central Florida’s Institute for Simulation and Training (UCF/IST), will develop a mixed reality rehabilitation system for stroke patients. In mixed reality (MR), virtual enhancements, overlays, and contexts rendered through a head-mounted display convert the real world into an altered reality without losing the properties of a physical setting. This MR system includes both hardware and software designed to increase upper-arm movement and result in positive brain changes through use.

In Phase I, VRMC will build a prototype of a commercial version of the MR system while UCF will work on software development. Human factors analysis of safety, functionality, and usability of the MR system will then take place.

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