A virtual reality-based system for hand diagnosis and rehabilitation

This article describes a new and unified approach to computerized hand diagnosis and rehabilitation. The system uses a workstation to automate diagnosis data collection and analysis and to assess the rehabilitation progress. A new diagnosis glove was developed and tested. This device measures grasping forces applied to 16 regions of the hand. A physician using this system can also utilize modem diagnosis devices such as electronic dynamometer, pinchmeter, and goniometer. Additionally three VR rehabilitation exercises were created using WorldToolKit graphics library and run on the same workstation. These exercises were modeled after standard hand rehabilitation procedures and involve manipulation of virtual objects and transparent real-time data gathering. Grasping forces were modeled and fed back using the Rutgers Master worn on the patient's hand. An Oracle database was used to store, analyze, and integrate the patient's diagnosis and rehabilitation data. The system is presently undergoing clinical trials.