The future of rehabilitation for hands and wrists lies in engaging arcade games.

      When considering virtual reality (VR) and video games, the first thoughts often revolve around entertainment and leisure activities. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in using VR headsets for exercise routines. The applications extend well beyond this use. Earlier this year, researchers explained a platform aimed at aiding in the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.

      VR-based therapeutic programs are also being utilized to assist individuals in managing post-surgical pain. Healthcare professionals are employing VR training programs for a more engaging educational experience. Dr. Yasir Naseem, a linguistics expert, recently mentioned to Digital Trends that gamification is transforming various sectors, including medical science.

      The latest advancement comes from specialists at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, collaborating with hospitals in Barcelona and Madrid to assist individuals with wrist and hand mobility issues through gaming. The team is particularly focused on exergames, which combine physical activity with video game elements.

      To achieve this, the team designed two arcade-style games and a unique controller equipped with sensors to measure grip strength and analyze the complete range of hand and wrist motion. This connected platform is capable of tracking details like fatigue and reaction times, providing a comprehensive profile of a user’s physical abilities.

      In medical terms, this relates to rehabilitation aimed at movements like hand grasping, pronation-supination, flexion-extension, and ulnar-radial deviation. Compared to prior research on exergames, the new eJamar platform enhances grip strength while effectively promoting limb mobility rehabilitation.

      According to one of the project's experts, as little as 30 minutes of regular use has resulted in a 100% improvement in patients' grip strength and expanded wrist mobility. The potential benefits are significant.

      The team indicates that the eJamar platform could facilitate recovery from hand injuries and fractures, and eventually support patients with neurological issues such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke.

      A major advantage of this approach is its ability to significantly alleviate the logistical challenges associated with scheduling appointments, traveling, and receiving necessary care at medical facilities.

      In summary, eJamar telerehabilitation can offer savings in costs, time, and accessibility for all parties involved in the national healthcare system. "Peter Jumper and Andromeda games are easy to use, requiring no prior experience to enjoy," Oña Simbaña shared with Digital Trends.

      How does the eJamar platform operate?

      At the core of the eJamar platform is the custom controller, designed to focus on an individual’s grip strength and capability. "The eJamar system employs force sensors, IMUs, and an Arduino-based control framework to detect hand movements and measure grip force," said Edwin Daniel Oña Simbaña, Assistant Professor at the UC3M Department of Systems Engineering and Automation.

      The eJamar platform features a specialized wireless controller that addresses wrist movement and strength. This controller comprises a gripping handle with grooves that fit the shape of fingers holding an object tightly.

      The internal vibration actuators within the wireless controller provide haptic feedback to players, corresponding to in-game actions such as impacts or progress. The inertial measurement system (IMU) sensor tracks nine degrees of freedom across three axes.

      It also includes a push button that activates and deactivates in-game experiences and wakes the controller from sleep mode. An onboard computing unit selectively collects and records hand movement data based on the associated game.

      Critical to the eJamar controller is the strain gauge, which can measure grip strength up to 100 kgf. For maximum comfort, an onboard knob allows users to adjust the position of the hand grip to accommodate individual hand sizes and comfort levels.

      The first game available is Peter Jumper, set in a 3D environment where players navigate a city while avoiding obstacles. Difficulty level, haptic feedback, speed, and duration can be customized according to personal preferences. Grip limits are calibrated based on the force a player can exert on the controller before starting the game.

      In gripper squeeze mode, users must squeeze the controller’s grip to make their character jump. The second game, Andromeda, is a 2D space shooter where players maneuver a spaceship, fire at foes, and collect items.

      The main goal of this game is to improve users' grip and enhance wrist movement. "These game control functions are designed to mimic exercises typically performed during hand and wrist rehabilitation sessions," states the research paper published in the journal Applied Sciences.

      Notably, the system requirements for running these games are quite modest, compatible with macOS and Windows. The hardware needed includes an Intel Core i3-2100 processor, 4GB of RAM, 1GB of storage space, and a display with 1280 x 720 pixels resolution.

      Remarkably, the eJamar controller is compatible not only with these two games but also with other titles developed using the Unity game engine. In tests, participants gave positive feedback on the entire experience and its user-friendly nature.

      “These treatments are especially beneficial for patients with neurological