Feasibility and Performance Validation of a Leap Motion Controller for Upper Limb Rehabilitation

The leap motion controller is a commercial low-cost marker-less optical sensor that can track the motion of a human hand by recording various parameters. Upper limb rehabilitation therapy is the treatment of people having upper limb impairments, whose recovery is achieved through continuous motion e...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Marcus R. S. B. de Souza, Rogério S. Gonçalves, Giuseppe Carbone
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-12-01
Series:Robotics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2218-6581/10/4/130
Description
Summary:The leap motion controller is a commercial low-cost marker-less optical sensor that can track the motion of a human hand by recording various parameters. Upper limb rehabilitation therapy is the treatment of people having upper limb impairments, whose recovery is achieved through continuous motion exercises. However, the repetitive nature of these exercises can be interpreted as boring or discouraging while patient motivation plays a key role in their recovery. Thus, serious games have been widely used in therapies for motivating patients and making the therapeutic process more enjoyable. This paper explores the feasibility, accuracy, and repeatability of a leap motion controller (LMC) to be applied in combination with a serious game for upper limb rehabilitation. Experimental feasibility tests are carried out by using an industrial robot that replicates the upper limb motions and is tracked by using an LMC. The results suggest a satisfactory performance in terms of tracking accuracy although some limitations are identified and discussed in terms of measurable workspace.
ISSN:2218-6581