Evaluating Kinect Technology in Balance Rehabilitation: A Pilot Study
Author
Christensen, Emil Linddahl
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2024
Abstract
This pilot study examines whether Microsoft’s Azure Kinect combined with Unity-based exergames can make home balance rehabilitation more engaging and easier to monitor. The work addresses poor adherence to prescribed home exercises, often caused by boredom and lack of immediate feedback. A prototype was built to capture 3D body motion, log exercise performance (including center of mass, reaching and leaning tasks), and deliver visual and auditory feedback with simple gamification. In an exploratory mixed-methods evaluation, five older adults completed two test sessions; data included performance metrics, a short user experience questionnaire (UEQ-s), interviews, and a mini focus group, complemented by input from a physiotherapist on needs and clinical use. Findings suggest the system is feasible for home use and can increase motivation and exercise compliance while providing physiotherapists with remote insight into patient progress. Areas for improvement include clearer instructions, richer auditory feedback, and better tracking accuracy. Although limited by a very small sample and exploratory design, the study indicates promising potential to make balance rehabilitation more engaging and effectively monitored.
Dette pilotstudie undersøger, om Microsofts Azure Kinect i kombination med Unity-baserede exergames kan gøre hjemmebaserede balancetræningsøvelser mere engagerende og lettere at monitorere. Baggrunden er, at mange patienter ikke følger anbefalede hjemmeøvelser på grund af kedsomhed og manglende øjeblikkelig feedback. Der blev udviklet en prototype, der sporer kropsbevægelser i 3D, registrerer øvelsesydelse (bl.a. tyngdepunkt, række- og lænebevægelser) og giver visuel og auditiv feedback samt simple gamification-elementer. I et udforskende mixed-methods-forløb testede fem ældre deltagere systemet over to sessioner, og data blev indsamlet via præstationsmålinger, en kort brugeroplevelsesskala (UEQ-s), interviews og en mini-fokusgruppe; desuden blev behov og brugsscenarier drøftet med en fysioterapeut. Resultaterne peger på, at løsningen er gennemførlig i hjemmemiljøet og kan øge motivation og efterlevelse samt give fysioterapeuter indsigt i patienters progression på afstand. Forbedringspunkter omfatter tydeligere instruktioner, mere informativ lydfeedback og højere sporingsnøjagtighed. Undersøgelsen er begrænset af det lille deltagerantal og det eksplorative design, men indikerer et lovende potentiale for at gøre balancerehabilitering mere engagerende og bedre overvåget.
[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]