A mobile sonification system for stroke rehabilitation
Date
2014-06Author
Schmitz, Gerd
Kroeger, Daniela
Effenberg, Alfred O.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Growing evidence suggests that sonification supports
movement perception as well as motor functions. It is
hypothesized that real-time sonification supports movement
control in patients with sensorimotor dysfunctions efficiently
by intermodal substitution of sensory loss. The present article
describes a sonification system for the upper extremities that
might be used in neuromotor rehabilitation after stroke. A keyfeature
of the system is mobility: Arm movements are captured
by intertial sensors that transmit their data wirelessly to a
portable computer. Hand position is computed in an egocentric
reference frame and mapped onto four acoustic parameters. A
pilot feasibility study with acute stroke patients resulted in
significant effects and is encouraging with respect to
ambulatory use.