An Adaptive Virtual Biofeedback System

The purpose of this research is to enhance the methods used in biomechanical rehabilitation by combining virtual reality, artificial intelligence, motion capture and biofeedback instrumentation. During training, the subject wears 3D glasses, in which virtual tasks (i.e. trajectories) are displayed to him. The subject is then asked to follow the virtual task displayed to him and match his own movement to it. During task performance, the subject's kinematics and electromyograms (E.M.G.) signals are tracked and recorded by Vicon motion tracking system. We use an intelligent learning system to model on-line the performance of the subject. Once trained, the system changes and adapts the task displayed to the subject, producing a patient-specific task for better neuromuscular rehabilitation. Moreover, the system creates a more entertaining environment which increases the efficiency of physiotherapy, in adults and especially in pediatric. Besides physiotherapy, this system can be used in other applications, such as performance enhancement in sports training and as an educational tool in any application requiring precise and controlled movement and coordination. Keywords— Rehabilitation, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, biofeedback, electromyogram.