Testing virtual reality in balance dysfunction after TBI
From: ECN - 11/24/2014

Kessler Foundation is the recipient of a four-year grant for nearly $3
million from the Defense Medical Research and Development Program (DMRDP)
Department of Defense (DOD) titled, "Improving Balance in Traumatic Brain
Injury (TBI) Using a Low-Cost Customized Virtual Reality Technology".

The sequelae of TBI, a major health concern for U.S. military and civilian
populations, include balance problems, which affect approximately 65% of the
TBI population. Even minor impairments can adversely affect balance
performance, causing disability. Cognitive issues in this population often
complicate the treatment of balance problems.

Because available treatments are limited in their ability to replicate real
world situations, this study explores the application of virtual reality (VR)
technology, which enables the creation of a virtual world through which users
engage in treatment exercises. Mystic Isle, a VR-based balance treatment,
utilizes the Microsoft Kinect sensor connected to a PC. Specially developed
software tracks 'players' in 3D space as they engage in a range of physical
and cognitive activities and tasks that are customizable to individual levels
of ability. The scientists plan to evaluate whether Mystic Isle is more
effective than existing treatments in improving balance and quality of life.
Because carrying out two tasks at the same time (i.e., dual task), is a skill
critical in the real world, scientists will also look at the relative
effectiveness of dual-task (balance and cognitive) VR training to improve
balance.

Read the entire article at:
http://www.ecnmag.com/news/2014/11/testing-virtual-reality-balance-dysfunction-after-tbi

Links:
Kessler Foundation wins DOD grant to test virtual reality in balance
  dysfunction after TBI 
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-11/kf-kfw112014.php

A virtual reality approach to lower extremity rehab
http://lermagazine.com/article/a-virtual-reality-approach-to-lower-extremity-rehab