Virtual reality and haptics as an assessment device in the postacute phase after stroke.

Virtual reality (VR) technology is altering the health care environment and is changing the options that are available to therapists. This study describes how a haptic device was used as a cinematic assessment utility. Three chronic stroke inpatients at Sahlgrenska University Hospital with left hemisphere damage were assessed. The patients were administered by the box and block manual dexterity test. For comparisons, a reference group was added to the study. Several parameters, including time, speed, and movement of the right upper extremity, were extracted and evaluated. The results indicate that the system shows potential as an assessment device. The feasibility study setup is working well, as is the assessment method. Further research, testing, refinement of the exercises, and use of VR and haptics within neurological rehabilitation are suggested.

Computer-assisted simulation of high-voltage electron microscopy using serial images recorded by conventional transmission electron microscopy.

Here we describe a computer-assisted method which, based on conventional transmission electron microscopy, renders simulated high-voltage electron micrographs. We perform arithmetic minimum filtering on stacks of aligned serial transmission electron microscopic images. In this way, the structural information of the separate images is fused into one compound image that highlights organization patterns otherwise easily overlooked or impossible to comprehend. Our method, like high-voltage electron microscopy, offers the possibility to build stereo-pairs for high-resolution three-dimensional analysis of tissue layers 1-2 microm thick. The use of background elimination and the development of a depth enhancement routine improved the three-dimensional effect and facilitated the analysis of the interior of objects. As an example, we use the method to display the distribution of axonal organelles at nodes of Ranvier and the shape and contents of a highly branched hippocampal dendritic spine.

Stroke rehabilitation at home using virtual reality, haptics and telemedicine.

The objective of this pilot study is to identify the level of difficulty in which subjects with left hemisphere damage in the acute phase after stroke can start practicing in a virtual environment. Second, to test an application of Virtual Reality technology to existing occupational treatment methods in stroke rehabilitation and develop a platform for home rehabilitation controlled telemedically. The findings indicate that the system shows potential as an assessment and training device. The feasibility study setup is working well likewise the assessment method. Developing and increasing the complexity of the tasks must be based on the patient individual neurology, and that the cinematic motion patterns of the patient's are the basis for exercise design.