2017 Winner: Project Star Catcher: Virtual Reality Game for Upper Limb Exercises Based on Constraint Induced Therapy

Project Information
Project Star Catcher: Virtual Reality Game for Upper Limb Exercises Based on Constraint Induced Therapy
Engineering
CMPE 280C (Worked in conjunction with DANSER and ISIS Labs at BSOE)
This project discusses the design and preliminary evaluation of a virtual reality game, titled “Project Star Catcher,” for those with weakness on one side of their upper bodies. The game mechanic is adapted from constraint induced therapy, an established therapy method where users are asked to use the weaker arm by physically binding the stronger arm. Our adaptation innovates from physical to psychological binding by providing rewards for using the weak arm. Players are rewarded by scoring points when performing a rehabilitate motion to catch falling stars in an immersive, cosmic virtual reality. Project Star Catcher was developed for HTC Vive and a preliminary evaluation was tested by users with developmental disabilities. The results suggest that users are generally compliant with the game rules of using the weaker arms, but qualitative observations revealed that there are noticeable variations in user strategies for playing Project Star Catcher. The results of this project include a set of design considerations for rehabilitation games for those with developmental disabilities.
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Students
  • Aviv Elor (Nine)
Mentors