Evaluation Results of an Ontology-based Design Model of Virtual Environments for Upper Limb Motor Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients

Cristina Ramírez-Fernández; Alberto L. Morán; Eloísa García-Canseco; Jorge R. Gómez-Montalvo

doi:10.3414/ME16-02-0017

Methods of Information in Medicine, Table of Contents

Methods Inf Med 2017; 56(02): 145-155
DOI: 10.3414/ME16-02-0017

REHAB

Schattauer GmbH

Evaluation Results of an Ontology-based Design Model of Virtual Environments for Upper Limb Motor Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients

Authors

Cristina Ramírez-Fernández

¹Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

²Instituto Tecnológico de Ensenada, Ensenada, Mexico
Alberto L. Morán

¹Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
Eloísa García-Canseco

¹Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
Jorge R. Gómez-Montalvo

³Facultad de Matemáticas, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Merida, Yucatán, Mexico

Abstract

Summary

Objectives: 1) To enhance the content of an ontology for designing virtual environments (VEs) for upper limb motor rehabilitation of stroke patients according to the suggestions and comments of rehabilitation specialists and software developers, 2) to characterize the perceived importance level of the ontology, 3) to determine the perceived usefulness of the ontology, and 4) to identify the safety characteristics of the ontology for VEs design according to the rehabilitation specialists.

Methods: Using two semi-structured Web questionnaires, we asked six rehabilitation specialists and six software developers to provide us with their perception regarding the level of importance and the usability of the ontology. From their responses we have identified themes related to perceived and required safety characteristics of the ontology.

Results: Significant differences in the importance level were obtained for the Stroke Disability, VE Configuration, Outcome Measures, and Safety Calibration classes, which were perceived as highly important by rehabilitation specialists. Regarding usability, the ontology was perceived by both groups with high usefulness, ease of use, learnability and intention of use. Concerning the thematic analysis of recommendations, eight topics for safety characteristics of the ontology were identified: adjustment of therapy strategies; selection and delimitation of movements; selection and proper calibration of the interaction device; proper selection of measuring instruments; gradual modification of the difficulty of the exercise; adaptability and variability of therapy exercises; feedback according to the capabilities of the patient; and real-time support for exercise training.

Conclusions: The rehabilitation specialists and software developers confirmed the importance of the information contained in the ontology regarding motor rehabilitation of the upper limb. Their recommendations highlight the safety features and the advantages of the ontology as a guide for the effective design of VEs.

Keywords

Virtual environment - stroke - design - motor rehabilitation - ontology

Full Text

References

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