Recent electrophysiological studies showed that cooperative hand movements (e.g. opening a bottle) are task-specifically controlled by a "neural coupling" mechanism. This mechanism is partially preserved after stroke with the consequence of enhanced control of the impaired hand by the unaffected brain hemisphere during cooperative hand movements. Therefore, training of cooperative movements appears to be more effective to improve hand function compared to current therapies that are focused on unilateral hand/arm movements.
In a collaboration between the Balgrist University Hospital and the Rehabilitation Engineering Lab at ETH Zurich, a portable wireless device was developed that allows training of cooperative hand movements that are required during daily life activities.
Recent electrophysiological studies showed that cooperative hand movements (e.g. opening a bottle) are task-specifically controlled by a "neural coupling" mechanism. This mechanism is partially preserved after stroke with the consequence of enhanced control of the impaired hand by the unaffected brain hemisphere during cooperative hand movements. Therefore, training of cooperative movements appears to be more effective to improve hand function compared to current therapies that are focused on unilateral hand/arm movements. In a collaboration between the Balgrist University Hospital and the Rehabilitation Engineering Lab at ETH Zurich, a portable wireless device was developed that allows training of cooperative hand movements that are required during daily life activities.
The goal of this project is to design and program VR therapy exercises for the portable Hand Spindle, to monitor performance of movements and display relevant signals from the device on a screen. Virtual reality exercises will be defined together with our clinical partners, and implemented in Unity to realize motivating and engaging therapy games. These games should involve both hands in a cooperative manner as required in daily life activities, including screwing a nut onto a bolt, opening a bottle and cutting bread. The usability of this exercise will be evaluated experimentally in healthy subjects. The thesis will be conducted at the Balgrist Campus, ETHZ, Zürich.
The goal of this project is to design and program VR therapy exercises for the portable Hand Spindle, to monitor performance of movements and display relevant signals from the device on a screen. Virtual reality exercises will be defined together with our clinical partners, and implemented in Unity to realize motivating and engaging therapy games. These games should involve both hands in a cooperative manner as required in daily life activities, including screwing a nut onto a bolt, opening a bottle and cutting bread. The usability of this exercise will be evaluated experimentally in healthy subjects. The thesis will be conducted at the Balgrist Campus, ETHZ, Zürich.
- Literature research (10%)
- Designing, implementation and control of the new virtual reality therapy exercise (65%)
- Evaluation of the VR (15%)
- Report and presentation (10%)
The following work packages should guide the student through the work:
1. Familiarization: Read relevant literature about VRs using Unity and UDP communication, learn to use LabVIEW for reading out position and force data from the Hand Spindle.
2. Implement in Unity (and Blender, if soft objects are needed) the virtual reality for the new activity of daily living exercise with 1-DoF on the Hand Spindle. The student will be guided to establish the requirements for the therapy game.
3. User evaluation with 3 healthy subjects.
4. Summary of the project in a report and a final presentation.
- Literature research (10%) - Designing, implementation and control of the new virtual reality therapy exercise (65%) - Evaluation of the VR (15%) - Report and presentation (10%)
The following work packages should guide the student through the work:
1. Familiarization: Read relevant literature about VRs using Unity and UDP communication, learn to use LabVIEW for reading out position and force data from the Hand Spindle.
2. Implement in Unity (and Blender, if soft objects are needed) the virtual reality for the new activity of daily living exercise with 1-DoF on the Hand Spindle. The student will be guided to establish the requirements for the therapy game.
3. User evaluation with 3 healthy subjects.
4. Summary of the project in a report and a final presentation.
- Prior experience with LabView and Unity3D are advantageous
- Prior experience with LabView and Unity3D are advantageous
- Raffaele Ranzani, Ph.D. Student, RELab ETHZ. Email: ranzanir@ethz.ch
- Prof. em. Dr. Volker Dietz, Balgrist University Hospital. Email: volker.dietz@balgrist.ch
- Raffaele Ranzani, Ph.D. Student, RELab ETHZ. Email: ranzanir@ethz.ch - Prof. em. Dr. Volker Dietz, Balgrist University Hospital. Email: volker.dietz@balgrist.ch