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Updated: Jun 3, 97 |
VREPAR | |
| Virtual reality environment for psycho-neuro/assessment and rehabilitation |
| Project Nr: | HC 1053 | Group: VIII | Project Duration: 12 months |
| Key words: | |||
| Category: | Psycho-neuro-physiological Assessment and Rehabilitation | ||
| Summary: | Develop a virtual reality system to be used for psychoneurophysiological assessement and rehabilitation | ||
| Mission: | The main goal of VREPAR is to demonstrate a so-called "virtual reality all-purpose modular system" (VRAMS), based on modular architecture, for psycho-neurophysiological assessment and rehabilitation. For use by psychologists, neurologists and other specialists at hospitals, universities and research centres, it is economical and straightforward, with a capacity for interconnection and inter-operation lacking in other systems. The system will be developed through three hardware/software modules in a clinical environment. Development areas are eating, movement and stroke disorders. | ||
| URL: | www.ehto.be/ht_projects/vrepar/index.html | ||
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| Name of Institution | City+Postal Code | Country | Region |
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| Centro Auxologico Italiano | Milano 20145 | Italy | IT2 |
| Università Cattolica | Milano 20123 | Italy | IT2 |
| Istituto Neurologico Besta | Milano 20133 | Italy | IT2 |
| Politecnico di Milano | Milano 20133 | Italy | IT2 |
| University of Reading | Reading RG6 6AH | GB | UK52 |
| University of Edinburgh | Edinburgh EH8 9JZ | GB | UKA1 |
| Ruhr Universität Bochum | Bochum 44780 | Germany | DEA1 |
| IBM Semea | Milano 20132 | Italy | IT2 |
| University of Southampton | Southampton SO17 IBJ | GB | UK56 |
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Although virtual reality is mature enough to have different medical applications, the common use of this technology outside the surgical field is actually limited due to problems related to price, lack of common standards and interoperability. To address at least in part these issues, the main goal of the VREPAR project is to develop a PC based virtual reality system to be used by psycholgist, neurologists, physiopatologists and other specialists whose cost can be consistent with end-users economical capacity (hospitals, universities and research centres). The project also aims at developing three hardware/software modules for the application of the system in psychoneurophysiological assessment and rehabilitation. The chosen development areas are eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia and obesity), movement disorders (Parkinson's disease and torsion dystonia) and stroke disorders (unilateral neglect and hemiparesis):
- Eating disorders module: The objective of the module is the integration of the two methods (cognitive-behavioural and visual-motorial) commonly used in the treatment of body experience disturbances within a virtual environment. In particular we tried to integrate them using the virtual environment in the same way as images in the well-known method of guided imagery. A choice of this type would not only make it possible to evoke latent feelings, but also to use the psycho-physiological effects provoked by the experience for therapeutical purposes. - Movement disorders module: Even if many papers have described the kinematics characteristics and the electromyographic patterns of movements, these studies don’t take into consideration the relationship that exists between the visual sensory information and control of movement being performed. The aim of this module is the development and use of immersive virtual environments to study the aforementioned relationship in people affected by diseases of the basal ganglia particularly Parkinson’s disease - Stroke disorders module: Following stroke, patients who do not exhibit prolonged neglect, but present with hemiparesis attain some degree of recovery of function for the paretic limbs. A major role of therapy in the re-learning process is to stimulate the patient to explore strategies and highlight information that may guide the patient toward improved control (Wann & Turnbull, 1993). This module will follow the suggestions of Wann & Turnbull (1993), by translating bio-feedback principles to action-feedback in a VR setting.
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Users involved Hospitals and Health Providers Technologies and/or approach used Virtual Reality System Expected benefits for the citizen Better health care system Expected benefits for the users of the application Expected benefits for the European Industries Definition of an European standard in VR medical application Contribution to EU-policies |
| AU - C1 | Piancavallo | Piemonte | IT |
| BE - C2 | Milano | Lombardia | IT |
| UE - S3 | Edinburgh | Borders-Central-Fife-Lothian-Tayside | UK |
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